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: Zack from Pipe Dreamer

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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?

I play guitar and yell/sing in a post/doom metal band from the Tampa Bay area called Pipe Dreamer. I’ve been writing music with these guys on and off for about ten years. My brother Lex plays drums, James and Nate I met about 13 years ago when they came out to see one of my old bands play. We’ve been active in this project for a little over three years now. Writing/playing music has always been a great comfort to me.

Describe your first musical memory.

Some of my first musical memories are hanging out with my dad listening to Judas Priest and Metallica. I can remember riding around together listening to “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and singing along. I’ve been told my first favorite song was “Breaking the Law.” The first punk show I ever saw was Lex’s first band. I’ve always thought that was really cool.

Describe your best musical memory to date.

This is a hard call since so many shows have been significant to me. To pick one I’d say seeing Baroness play songs from Red/First/Second at the FEST 6 in Gainesville. It was in my favorite venue, which was attached to my new favorite pizza place. I remember fighting up and doing stage dives until I thought I was gonna puke. I muffed it one time getting up and nearly plowed their bass player! The amount of feeling I still get from those albums can be overwhelming.

When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?

This is also a tough one to pin down. When I was in my mid twenties I desperately wanted to play in a band again. I used to get depressed seeing the people around me get to play shows and party together. After trying for a few years unsuccessfully, I thought maybe I was getting to be too old. Playing music means the world to me. I decided if I couldn’t get a band together by 30 that I would give up. I took one more shot at it. Reached out to James, our bass player and he agreed to meet up to jam. My brother has always played drums in bands with me and reluctantly agreed to give it a shot after recently cutting the tip of his thumb off. After playing a couple shows we asked Nate to join us again and we fleshed out the rest of an album. The drive I feel for music is unlike anything else in my life. My belief that this is what I should be spending my time doing has been repeatedly tested.

Where do you feel artistic progression leads?

I think artistic progression looks different to everyone. Some people try to push the aggressiveness of their music or their melodies. In the past, I thought progression meant writing more complex and intricate passages. After writing this album and reflecting on the music for hours on end about what it means to me.. I think the progression I want to push for is to continue being vulnerable and write emotive music. I want to write music that people can feel.

How do you define success?

I’ve always struggled with this concept. I thought it was playing big shows and going on long tours but there’s plenty of people I’d define as successful who don’t do a lot of that. And there’s people touring a lot who I might not define as successful. Like most other things, it varies person to person. I try to tell myself that ‘successful’ is just putting in the time and making progress. Showing up to practice, playing local shows is successfully being in a band. If a person comes up after a set and talks to me about things they enjoyed about our show or music, that feels like a successful night to me. I try to embrace the small successes and fight against comparing myself to others.(a massive ongoing struggle)

What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?

Well, I’ve seen Monolord play to like 15 people in a huge venue. A more serious answer? I had to pick up the tip of my brother’s severed thumb to take with us to the hospital. I’m pretty squeamish, I really wish I hadn’t seen that. I also took a picture since they weren’t gonna use it. Kinda wish I hadn’t ’cause I occasionally scroll passed it in my phone.

Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.

The dream is to create a piece of music that someone thinks is a classic. A piece of music that a person comes back to for years. One of my greatest aspirations is to create music that brings comfort to someone in need. Music that you listen to when you’re really fucking sad and there’s nothing else that can comfort you. I want to give to someone what music has always given to me. Solace.

What do you believe is the most essential function of art?

The most essential function for me personally is catharsis. I like to refer to it as turning my emotional lead into gold. Taking negative or hurtful thoughts and emotions and transforming them into something that pleases me or brings me comfort. Hopefully bringing others the same feeling. Even if it’s something no one sees or hears, removing it from my body serves its own purpose at times.

Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to this next chapter of life. I’m 33, I’m getting married [this] year and hope to try and buy a house. These are all things I never expected to reach. I think this might be the first time I’ve been conscious of the turning page and I’m learning to embrace it. Growing older freaks me out but I’m trying to see the positives. Hopefully that’s something I’ll get better at!

https://www.facebook.com/pipedreamermetal/
https://pipedreamermetal.bandcamp.com/
https://pipedreamermetal.bigcartel.com/

Pipe Dreamer, No Solace for the Soulless (2021)