The Obelisk Questionnaire: Mike McClatchey of Lament Cityscape
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
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The Obelisk Questionnaire: Mike McClatchey of Lament Cityscape
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I write what I know and what I’m feeling at whatever time I’m doing it. I know I have general influences and I kind of float between some differing sounds so I typically let others define us as far as genre is concerned. I’m aware that the new album sits well in “industrial metal” though.
Describe your first musical memory.
My mom had really good taste in music, so I grew up on a mix of Prince, David Bowie, Genesis, Depeche Mode, etc. I remember listening to “1999” on tape and it blowing my mind. I had no idea how sounds were made and I was in awe of what music could do. It wasn’t until my late teens until I thought about ever learning music. My friend, who is an amazing musician, put a bass in my hands and told me what to do so he could solo over it. I fell in love with it at that moment.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Oh, Christ! Maybe seeing NIN and David Bowie in ’95? Hearing songs that I was comfortable with being played in such different ways made me rethink how studio version of songs can be completely different than live songs. Maybe seeing Neübauten? I saw Gary Numan a couple years ago and it was so amazing that I forgot I was old. I haven’t seen a show that good in maybe forever.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
On a personal level that happens daily and I’m becoming more fluid with everything as I get older. On a musical level I’ve been trying to test the things I thought I knew about how I write. I’m not typically a fan of blast beats as I don’t think I have a fast enough brain for them so I tried them out on this one. Short songs, as well. I usually need a lot of time to get places in songs so I tried to trim everything I usually rely on.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
I have no idea. I try not to repeat myself and I try to keep doing new things, but I don’t really do it for some intent to progress in some linear way. I think I just do whatever feels relevant and right at the time of writing. I try to add whatever I may have learned and absorbed between albums but really I don’t put much thought into “where will this lead” and I focus on “what do I need to say right now?”
How do you define success?
Artistic success? I guess it might just be not hating an album when it’s done. Feeling like I was honest and did something that felt right for the right reasons. I hope it reaches others and I hope it connects with people, but once I’m done with it and it’s in the world I have to let go.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Ministry in 2008.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
A movie. A goth rock album. A film score.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
Oh, c’mon. Essential? I know it’s completely subjective but it seems like it’s just to feel something. You can look through different mediums to find whatever it is you want to feel. But it seems like that feels right to me.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
Moving out of Wyoming.
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