20 Questions With Return to Dust
We traveled to the Fillmore for this latest interview. Back in January, we got the chance to do an interview over Zoom with Return to Dust, which you can still watch on our Youtube channel. Though we are gracious for both experiences, this was a night we will remember indefinitely. There’s no way to truly show all the gratitude we have for this band. Their kindness, openness, and generosity is something we see and feel so strongly.
Our lovely and talented friend Kristy Chisholm, a local photographer and drummer, was kind enough to help us in the process. She got some amazing shots of Return to Dust’s opening set for Mammoth, some of which are showcased here. You can find more on her Instagram @kristychis, along with her other stunning work. After their set, we were able to record the interview in one of the greenrooms. You can watch the full 30 minute interview or read some of the highlights here.
While catching up, they said their past year has been filled with mostly touring. Although they’ve stayed busy releasing an EP titled Speak Like the Dead, and three singles since, touring has been the biggest priority. They recently concluded their first arena tour with Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace, which they said was a surreal experience, and proving arenas to be a favorite venue size.
The single releases fit in between the many tours they’ve been on, but they revealed isolating the two tasks is key.
Matty: “I think what we learned is you can’t do both. It’s either mode, either writing and recording or touring.”
With the level they are at now, the band is still very involved in the behind the scenes when touring. Hauling gear and helping out at the merch stand keep them on a full schedule, giving them less time on the road to dedicate to writing. Matty went on to say how he feels most comfortable to sit down and write at home.
There was some intentional variation in the recent releases. Speak like the Dead diverted from the band's normal sound. It was more experimental, delving into a softer sound. Graham described it as intentionally having different flavors to, “...cover a big breadth of sound”.
For those who love the heavier, grunge, 90s sound, don’t worry. That’s still a key part of who they are, and it reflects in “New Religion”. Following the song’s release, a music video was dropped. Recorded at Salton Sea in SoCal, the video is saturated with intense, almost demonic visuals which mends very well with the gritty, raw sound of the track. You can watch on their Youtube channel, Return to Dust of course. The band also teased a “little surprise” release before the end of the year, but were very secretive so keep an eye out for that as well.
When asked about consistency and gear specifics, all of them were very clear about having analog gear over digital, especially in the live setting.
Sebastian: “Real pedals and amps always. That’s a must.
Graham: “Yeah none of that AmSynth shit.”
Sebastian: “That software shit.”
You can hear more about the individual pedals they use to achieve their sound in the video.
The approach they have to building live sound is sort of developing their respective parts and then coming together to gauge how the other members feel.
Sebastian: “We kind of do our own thing and then we’re like, ‘Hey what do you think?’”.
London: “Everyone would be pissed if I showed up with, like, a hot pink drum set for a show.” Seems pretty rock and roll to me. But nonetheless, this approach proves successful through their cohesive presence on stage.
The band’s opinion towards synths, computers, and developing technologies doesn’t stop at live sound.
Graham: “We’re pretty fed up with the kind of, like, metal or rock music that’s, like, dominating radio right now that… sounds like a computer made it. And there’s literally a computer that’s…”
London: “Like three or four!”
Graham: “...you’re basically listening to the record that you would listen to on Spotify. And that’s fucked up!”
Sebastian: “I want to hear your fuck-ups.”
Matty: “It’s real. It’s, like, authentic.”
With the rise and increasing presence of social media, bands have an increasing pressure to market themselves through that platform. The band accepts social media for what it is, and finds ways to be real and true to them, even with the almost stringent rules of the algorithm.
Graham: “...tapping into… whatever the truest version of yourself is and share what that is”. He went on to say the beauty of the internet being connection and accessibility, genuinely presenting yourself online allows people across the globe to find you.
In opposition to this accessibility online, the monopoly of Ticketmaster and a trend of price gouging denies people of seeing live music.
Matty: “People should have that escape to be able to go see a concert for cheap… To forget all the awful shit that’s going on.”
We wanted to hear more about how art is intertwined with their views and feelings about the world.
London: “Even with all the fucked up shit going on… for a couple hours people come to a show and forget about everything and for us too it’s a really big thing… It brings together all these people from different walks of life.”
Matty: “I feel, like, a big weight lifted off my shoulders when I write something and get something off my chest that I’ve needed to…It’s a great therapy session you have with yourself.”
They mentioned through playing live, being able to go crazy and feel the energy, a lot of their frustrations and anger is released. Not all crowds give the energy and intensity that fuels the band however.
Sebastian: “That energy is real… you go out… and you’re releasing all this fucking crazy energy and if they’re not reciprocating it back it’s just like kinda hitting a wall.”
What did they have to say to those crowds with no life:
Sebastian: “Fucking move!”
London: “You paid money to be here, don't waste it.”
The band did qualify this, however saying that the band can help encourage movement and engagement. By being a representation on stage of freedom and expression, they can help to reel in a crowd.
Sebastian: “Look at us! I mean we’re going crazy!”
Matty: “Thrashing.”
The band looks forward to their headlining tour next year, where they feel they have more power and influence over those watching.
Matty: “When we play our own show… that’s gonna feel so good to have that energy reciprocated. Because we are giving it every single night.”
Don’t forget to watch the full interview on Youtube, there’s so much more that was explored. Thanks again to Return to Dust for having us. You can find Return to Dust on all platforms and streaming services. Keep an eye out for the release before the end of the year and the headlining tour announcement. They hope to come back to Detroit, and we at DHYRT cannot wait!
Written by BaileyJo McKalko
Edited by Steph Masters
Photos by Kristy Chisholm