A Chat with Black Stone Machine (13.05.24)
Weaving a kaleidoscopic tapestry of blues, country, heavy metal and rock, Black Stone Machine shines bright with inimitable ferocity. Formed a few years ago, 2019 to be exact, the Greek group has reached international audiences earning critical acclaim and a loyal global following. We speak with George (guitars and backing vocals) about their new EP The Guild of Black, reliving life moments, upcoming plans and more.
OSR: How did Black Stone Machine come about? What drew you to music?
George: Well, we started our band in the summer of 2019 after Alex and Nick’s (our drummer at the time) band broke up, Me (George), Alex and Nick were already playing on another project band that we ended so that we could focus on Black Stone Machine. We have known each other for many years, especially me and Alex go way back to the 90s. I can’t think of a specific reason that drew me to music, music was always there so…
OSR: What does music mean to you?
George: Music is everywhere there can be sound. It is an organized sound that exists in nature anyway (eg. bird songs) and if you hear deep enough in your brain you can feel there’s a “soundtrack” you can attach to anything. This may sound a little trippy but all of our senses are somehow connected. it’s like when you visualize colour you can attach a specific tone to it – it is called synesthesia, check it out. So music is very important to me
OSR: You recently released your EP The Guild of Black. What can you tell us about the EP? Is there a theme or backstory?
George: We recorded this EP differently this time, we had a real producer (Fotis Benardo) who helped us iron out the small wriggles with his ideas and we had already worked with these 3 songs for some time, so the final result was the best we ever had so far.
Generally, we don’t have a specific theme to our songs, we kinda prefer fiction inspired by reality or just plain fiction. These three songs have completely different concepts with the last one being based on Jonah Hex’s character
OSR: If you could change anything about The Guild of Black, what would it be and why?
George: I don’t think there’s anything I could change, of course as you play your songs live more and more they slowly evolve to something better, but you have to set a limit on how much time you want to invest before you record something otherwise you won’t be able to finish anything. 😄
OSR: What was the most exciting and least exciting thing about creating The Guild of Black?
George: The most exciting time is when you finally listen to the finished thing. you just put on headphones, probably head to a nice place, set it on repeat and listen to it, and because it’s finished already there’s no need to be critical or analyse the sound or mistakes.. For me, this is the most exciting moment.
Now the least exciting moment is the time you stop recording and mixing, and mastering begins. You are never sure when it’s finished, you listen to your recordings carefully but still, you know that there’s something that you’re missing and it’s gonna be forever there. Also, the wait sucks.
OSR: What makes Black Stone Machine unique?
George: Although unique is a tough word for a world abundant with bands, I would focus on the many different things every one of us in the band listens to. Many of those stylistic influences get mixed somehow and that kinda gives a distinct sound.
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OSR: If you could relive any moment in your life, would you?
George: Me personally? Hmm, I don’t know. I can think of some relivable moments for sure but maybe I would experiment by reliving the moment I got to relive any moment, maybe it would cause a time loop and destroy the universe or it might give me infinite moments to relive. 😄 Who knows?
OSR: What has been your greatest accomplishment in life?
George: So far I think me being still alive and well is an accomplishment in its own
OSR: Who has had the biggest influence on you as a person?
George: No one, and everyone. Everyone we meet might have some small influence but in general, I’m not the type of person seeking influences and role models.
OSR: What can we expect from Black Stone Machine in the future?
George: Right now we are in the studio, again, to record a full album, it’s going really well so far. Besides the recordings, we don’t have anything arranged, but I’m sure we will manage to play some shows during the summer before the album ends that is.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
George: “Live long and prosper” 😄, we might meet out there someday!
Many thanks to George for speaking with us! Find out more about Black Stone Machine on their official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
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