The Obelisk Questionnaire: Jason Higson of Yanomamo
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.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Jason Higson of Yanomamo
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
We call what we do in Yanomamo as SLUDGERIDDENDOOM … we’ve been doing it for 11 years now, based in Sydney Australia. We started the band to play dynamic, super-heavy, riff-based music.
Prior to this, I was playing guitar in a band called Lomera but was keen to do something heavier and more in my own style. I spoke with a few people who were in other bands at the time and we got together and jammed and we’ve been going ever since.
Describe your first musical memory.
Listening to my father’s copy of Thin Lizzy’s Johnny the Fox album in around 1977 whilst marveling over the incredible album cover. My father had a great record collection that included Thin Lizzy, KISS, Sabbath, Zeppelin, etc., and that greatly influenced me.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
So many to choose from, but my favorite would be touring Australia with Conan in 2014. We did something like nine shows in 12 days and it was just an incredible experience, playing sold out shows every night through two full guitar stacks!
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
When we parted ways with our original singer in 2016. I have always believed strongly in equality and I cannot and will not accept divisive, toxic and hateful views. Some things are bigger and way more important than music and this was a time where I had to take a stand, which I did.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
I believe artistic progression leads to better thought-out ideas and ultimately greater artistic output. I always set goals for the band … some are very personal to me and some relate to the band as a whole. I couldn’t imagine this band functioning with constantly setting goals to help drive us forward.
We are a very different band to when we first started and we are all infinitely better at our instruments than when we started too, and that includes songwriting with. That comes with the experience of playing shows and continually writing new material. After 11 years, I think we have a defined sound and style that makes us recognisable as a band, although we don’t allow that to restrict us when it comes to new material.
How do you define success?
Success for us is seeing people go crazy at our shows, people telling us they loved our set, people buying our music and merch from all over the world … it’s the little things like that for me. We don’t do this for any kind of mainstream success or recognition… after 11 years, we are still trying to make the heaviest, most brutal music possible.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
These eyes have seen so many things I wish they hadn’t and I couldn’t possibly narrow it down to one thing.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
We’ve often talked of doing a music video but are yet to do it. We’ll probably revisit this idea when we record new songs later this year.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
To challenge people, to expand their minds, to influence the way people perceive things. I love to be challenged by art, particularly music.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
The legalisation of marijuana in Australia.
https://www.facebook.com/yanomamoband/
https://yanomamo.bandcamp.com/
