NAME: Greg(o)rian
FROM: East London
FOR FANS OF: Sunn 0))), Sleep, My Dying Bride
LATEST RELEASE: 'Settlements and Burial Chambers'
CHECK OUT THESE TRACKS: 'Settlements and Burial Chambers'
WEBSITES: BandCamp, Facebook, LastFM, MySpace

How did the band come together? What's your personal (and professional) history?

"We were previously in local bands, and Iain started Greg(o)rian as a solo project before deciding to turn it into a band in 2006. After advertising for band members he was joined by Alan on guitar. We then experimented for a year before Alan switched to drums, and everything came together quite quickly, we released two demos and played regular gigs. At this point the band were joined by Tom in late 2007 and have been busy ever since, doing another demo then a full-length debut in early 2009 with more gigs, from toilet venues right up to supporting Litmus, Pombagira, Eagle Twin and Centurions Ghost as well as Terrorizer's Grindhouse events and appearances on some magazine CDs. We released our second album mid-2011."

How would you describe your music?

"Doom. We switch between sludge, drone, ambient, gothic, nu-wave, black metal and progressive, but doom sums it up best."

What are your primary influences for the music you produce?

"Musically it would be doom bands big and small, as well as trip-hop, metal and more, plus influences outside of music such as frustrations from our own lives like relationships, the government and social injustices."

How has your own life experiences shaped this music?

"We can't complain, but this is the soundtrack to our lives so it probably says a lot about us."

Lyrically where do the influences come from?

"Our music is mainly based on fantasy and religious iconography but we've been known to dip into nihilism, loneliness and despair. For fun."

What difficulties have you encountered in getting your music heard and out there? What advice would you give to up and coming artists?

"Based on previous experience with the metal and indie scenes five years ago, I'd say we have been quite lucky to get gigs at all, let alone regularly, and to find many like-minded souls online and in person willing to help out. Technology, including everything from the Internet and social media to home recording, as well as affordable and good quality studio time has meant we could do what we wanted at our own pace for a long time. Only now is the underground scene in a complete state of flux; some divisions will now become clear and priorities double checked. Our advice, clichéd as it may sound, would be to do it for the love of the music and nothing else. Don't compare your trajectories with others and don't see it as a competition. Get ready to work hard and broaden your skills if you want any rewards - it'll be worth it."

What was the reception like for 'Settlements and Burial Chambers'? How have things changed for you musically since its release?

"We haven't changed much since its release, but we have probably a whole album's worth of material that's a lot more varied than what's been released so far - we've chosen to stay more focused in the past but that may all change. Or not. The reception has been as expected from an online-only Essex drone band - we're slow burners in more ways than one and we're happy with that."

Have you any shows coming up?

"We're concentrating on writing more than anything else at the moment. We love gigging but rehearsing is just as much fun."

What are your plans for next year?

"Fame. If that fails, more gigs, hopefully bigger gigs (we're not fussed) and possibly starting on our third album, maybe even a split release here or there."