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: Joe Fortunato of Slow Wake, Sparrowmilk & More

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

My main motivation is to make music and riffs that I would have loved as a teenager. When I started buying albums for myself vs. just listening to the radio or whatever, I started discovering a new world. Or, a new way of living life – with those songs as my soundtrack and my confidence. They empowered me as a kid, and I keep having that feeling when I hear songs I love. I am forever trying to impress my teenage self. When I was 14 – what would I think of this song I just recorded?

I started playing guitar when I was 13, around early 1985. I was forever hearing lots of classic music in our house. My dad is into rock, classic rock, and he always had music playing. I remember being very young, and deciding I wanted to do that – play music. I had to convince him that I wanted to play guitar and would stick with it. That I wouldn’t give up after a little bit and move on to something else. I made a deal with him – get decent grades in math (my downfall) and he’d consider it. Well, I had a mostly good report card, and then – nothing. No guitar materialized. A bit of time went by, and I figured it just wasn’t gonna happen – until I came home one day, and there was a guitar, amp, strap, and an Ernie Ball lesson book sitting there on the dining room table. It was a no-name Les Paul like Ace Frehley’s, and it was the best thing I’d ever seen.

Describe your first musical memory.

I had teenage uncles as I grew up. This is during the late 70s, so I was indoctrinated with all kinds of great records that they loved. My first real musical memory is listening to Led Zeppelin IV in dark room with those guys. “Stairway to Heaven”. As cliché as that sounds, it was mind-blowing to me at 7 years old. There was a skull candle lighting the room – you know, the sweet 70s kind – and that music sounded so amazing to me. Pink Floyd. Kiss. Black Sabbath. Queen. Nazareth. It started the urge to play music. Everything I do is built from those classic records. If not the sound, then it’s the way they made me feel.

Describe your best musical memory to date.

One of my bands, Venomin James, played the WET Stage at Wacken Open Air in 2011. I’d never experienced playing something that big before, and I felt like I had “made it”. Like, is this what a “real” band feels like? We were treated like a band that was way bigger than we ever were. Our dressing room trailer was right next to Ghost’s trailer – they were on after us on the same stage. They even tried to get us bumped from our slot, which was at 12:15AM on Saturday, because they wanted to play earlier. The Wacken people told them to get bent. So, Motörhead finishes on the Main Stage, right when we’re heading up the ramp to the WET Stage. Then we played to about 8,500 people that were digging us – a bunch of nobodies from Cleveland. It’s hard to top that feeling.

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

This is tough, and I could get deep with it, but I’m gonna go light. When I was first starting to play music and form bands, I always thought that “getting signed” was everything. You get a record deal, and your troubles are over – you’ve made it! I have come close a few times to actually getting something fairly big, but it just never happened. As the years have gone by, I’ve known a lot of people that have gotten “big” deals on major labels or larger indies. Not one of them was able to quit having day jobs or had a lavish lifestyle. In fact, most of them had debt and lots of broken dreams and disenchantment. It turns out that getting signed is not the “thing” – being good and writing good music is the thing. Not worrying about getting rich and famous lifts a load off your shoulders. If you’re not seeing that as the end game, but instead see making good music or art as your goal – you’re on the right track in my opinion. Why are you doing this? If the answer is “because I love it and can’t see doing anything else” – I’m right there with you. In today’s world, you can tour and make music very inexpensively and on your own – why fight for the old way? Be good at what you do and be a real human, and there are lots of people that will help you do things.

Where do you feel artistic progression leads?

Self-discovery. That sounds pretentious, but I feel that as you progress as an artist – however you personally define “progression” – it teaches you about yourself. What are you made of? How far are you willing to dive into yourself, expose yourself, in your art? Do you keep it to yourself or let people experience it as well? I feel that making art, and I’m talking about music here, is a very vulnerable act. I feel like I make a fool out of myself constantly. I ask myself, “Does anybody like this music? Do I look stupid up here playing this? Is my record total garbage?” I have pretty high anxiety about it. I still get stage fright after 30-plus years of being in bands and playing out. I feel like an imposter when I play with bands I love and respect – “Do I belong here? Am I good enough to be on this bill?” So, I feel like artistic progression is this journey, and confronting my fears about it and moving through it.

How do you define success?

Success to me is not monetary. It’s not notoriety or fame. It’s respect. I know a lot of people that play music and make art. Some of them are very successful by anybody’s terms, some are actually famous or even infamous. Some of these people I call actual “friends.” I feel like a good number of them respect what I do, what I make, and the projects I’m a part of. That’s success to me. Being counted among “peers” as someone who has something to offer, musically or artistically.

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

I watched my beloved boston terrier, Roscoe, get hit by a car. It was right in front of me. I had nightmares and PTSD over that for many years. And this was when I lived in NYC, maybe five months after 9/11. I actually saw the second plane hit the tower from a window on W25th in Manhattan. I guess that whole time is something I wish I hadn’t seen or experienced.

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

I’d like to make a film. Two films that I admire immensely are There Will Be Blood and No Country For Old Men. Incidentally, they came out around the same time, so they’re linked in my mind. Connected by the time they were released. I’d love to make a film like either one, and I consider There Will Be Blood to be perfect. Give me the time, and a camera, and I’m off. I have ideas. Stories to tell. I have ideas for the score and soundtrack as well.

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

Art delivers emotion. Or it allows someone to experience emotion. Some might say it’s there to examine society or examine politics – to me it’s all related. Good art lets emotions come to the surface. You experience the emotion of the creator, or experience the emotion that the creator is hoping you feel based on your own life, your own experiences. What are you bringing to it? How does your mind color or define the art you’re experiencing? Because you experience art vs. consuming it. A song might unlock memories or cement moments that you’ll replay every time you hear it. Music, paintings, films, poetry, photos, or any art – it’s all of the things that make life worth living. Without that, what do we have? Survival? Our jobs? Boring.

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

Turning 50. I turned 50 on November 5. I worked my ass off, and went through a lot of bullshit for a long time to get right to this spot, in this time. Divorce. Unemployment. Debt. Long stretches of not having a great income. I finally got to a place where things are working out, and it’s allowing me to do what I want. It’s allowing me to realize my projects, get gear, and be who I’m supposed to be. I guess you could say I’m actually looking forward to what’s coming for once. That, and I’m psyched up for all the Star Wars we’re getting! Ha!

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Sparrowmilk, LP2 Demos 07.09.2021 (2021)

It’s been three years since Cleveland, Ohio, heavy rockers Venomin James released their burly second album, Crowe Valley Blues, a record they supported by playing — among other places — at Germany’s famed Wacken festival in 2011. Just before the release, the band lost drummer Jared Koston to cancer, and late in 2012, Venomin James announced they were parting ways with vocalist Jim Meador as they looked to press on in a new direction. Their new single they released just yesterday, “Sailor’s Grave,” is the first outing with new drummer Eric Matthews and new singer Mike Martini.

The change is clear in the band’s style on the new track. Where Crowe Valley Blues cuts like “Cosmonaut” showed off post-Down Southern metal dude-isms, Meador‘s vocals out front in aggro style, “Sailor’s Grave” is a little less tough-sounding. Tonally, guitarists Joe Fortunato and Tomasz Scull are more rock than metal, and bassist Erin Corcoran is prevalent in the mix, so that the overall effect is still plenty heavy, just not as angry about it. Likewise, although Meador was essentially a melodic singer, Martini‘s vocals take a more soulful approach, sounding early on in “Sailor’s Grave” not unlike Gozu‘s Marc Gaffney in his delivery and yes, winding up throatier as the song hits its apex, but even so not losing sight of where they’ve come from. In short, he’s a different kind of singer.

“Sailor’s Grave” is the first of a couple singles Venomin James have planned for the rest of this year — the next will reportedly be called “33rd Degree” — as they move closer to a full-length with their new lineup. In the meantime, the third LP from the prior incarnation of the band, with Koston and Meador, is due for release by the end of the summer and will be called Unholy Mountain. An instrumental version, which the band says is to honor Koston‘s drumming, will come out concurrent to the album itself. The transition, it seems, isn’t done yet.

Fair enough. There’s plenty that bodes well for the future of Venomin James in “Sailor’s Grove,” and as such, I’m glad to have it included as part of the playlist for The Obelisk Radio. You can check it out there and grab a pay-what-you-want download from the Venomin James Bandcamp. In addition to that, they’ve got a video for the track, which you can dig into below:

Venomin James, “Sailor’s Grave” official video

Venomin James on Thee Facebooks

Venomin James website

Cleveland doomers Venomin James announced today that vocalist Jim Meador is out of the band. In the press release below, they cite a desire for a new direction, and considering they had more or less nailed down their sound before, I can’t help but wonder what that might mean. Could be 2013 has a surprise in store from these guys.

While we speculate, here’s the official word from the band regarding Meador‘s exit:

Cleveland doom metal band Venomin James parts ways with vocalist Jim Meador

Cleveland-based doom rockers Venomin James are parting ways with original vocalist Jim Meador. The band cites a change in vocal direction and Meador’s availability as the reasons, and will continue to record and perform live as an instrumental group until a replacement is found. Venomin James’ third album “Unholy Mountain”, which was completed this fall, will be released Q1 2013 on Auburn Records with Meador’s last vocal contributions, marking the end of his tenure in the band.

“We felt like a new direction was needed”, said Joe Fortunato, guitarist and founding member. “There is no ill-will towards Jim, he’s a natural talent and a genuinely good guy. It’s not an easy thing to make this big of a change after 6 years, but we feel like this is the right thing for Venomin James at this point in time. This decision wasn’t taken lightly”

The band completed their third full length album, “Unholy Mountain”, in the fall of 2012, after more than two years of tracking and mixing. This new release is also the last album to feature the drum tracks of original drummer, Jared Koston, who succumbed to cancer in June 2010.

In the near future, the band plans to continue to play instrumental live shows, after overwhelming positive response to a series of instrumental shows performed throughout 2012. Booking will continue as normal until a new vocalist is named. Writing for their fourth album has been underway since Summer 2012, and the band has been performing the material at recent shows.

Meador plans to continue making music, and will be seeking or forming a new project in the near future.

“The last six years have been a very positive and exciting experience with Venomin James, but sometimes good things must come to an end,” said Jim Meador. “ I treasure the memories, relationships and experiences I have shared with Joe, Tom, Erin, Jared, Bill, and most recently Eric. We created three rocking albums to be very proud of, most recently “Unholy Mountain”. I will be moving on, writing songs and exploring new opportunities. Thank you to everyone, family and friends that have supported myself and Venomin James through the years, I am very grateful. The guys will move on and I wish them success in achieving their goals, I will remain one of their biggest fans.”

Venomin James, founded in 2006, is a doom metal band, known for heavy riffs and intricate musical arrangements in the vein of Black Sabbath and “desert rock” bands like Kyuss and Unida. They have released 2 full length albums, and are currently signed to Auburn Records, owned and operated by legendary college radio DJ, Bill Peters.

To find out more, visit: venominjames.com, facebook.com/venominjames, twitter.com/venominjames.

Kudos to heavyweight supporters of the rock The Ripple Effect. Today they sent out word that in celebration of their five-year anniversary, they’ve released a digital compilation that includes the likes of recent Ripple Music signees Devil to Pay alongside Borracho, Stubb, Hong Faux, Hosoi Bros., Venomin James and many more. Dig the news and the Bandcamp stream below:

The Ripple Effect Unleashes 5 Year Anniversary Free Download Compilation

What started out five years ago as a forum for two music lovers to share their obsession with obscure/little-heard rock music, has grown and evolved into a record label, a top-rated radio show, and one of the world’s premiere sites for discovering new and lost classic music: The Ripple Effect.

To celebrate five years of collective Ripple Madness, Todd Severin (Racer X) and John Rancik (Pope JTE) are unleashing a massive download compilation album, featuring some of the best of the new wave of modern heavy rock bands. And it’s all entirely free!

Best of all, the compilation features many brand new, previously unheard, unreleased tracks by some of the bands leading this charge of the Heavy. In addition, you’ll find tracks from several albums buzzing across the websites and music blogs, and several new and waiting-to-be discovered bands.

To be released on July 22, through Bandcamp, The Ripple Effect unveils, The Ripple Effect Presents: Volume 1- Head Music. In its depths you’ll find such notable bands as Stubb, Ape Machine, Devil to Pay, Miss Lava, Voodoo Johnson, Borracho, and more. 23 tracks in all. All free. Some of the absolute best heavy rock the world has to offer.

To download your free copy, go to the Ripple Effect bandcamp page and get yours today!

And continue to check out The Ripple Effect each day for the latest music discoveries, and the Ripple Music record label for the latest releases from bands like Stone Axe, Mos Generator, Grifter, Trucker Diablo, Poobah, Fen, JPT Scare Band and more.

Cleveland doom rockers Venomin James, who lost drummer Jared Koston to cancer in 2010, are looking to release their third full-length, Unholy Mountain, on vinyl, as well as work out physical a repress of their second offering, Crowe Valley Blues. To aid the process, they’ve asked their rather considerable fanbase to chip in via Kickstarter.

A worthy cause if you dig the band and have the cash to spend. Check out the campaign here, and here’s more info from the band:

We are Venomin James, a doom metal band from Cleveland, Ohio, and we need your help to bring our vinyl dreams to life!

We are nearly finished with the recording of our third album, Unholy Mountain. This Kickstarter campaign will help us raise enough scratch to press vinyl of Unholy Mountain along with our second album, Crowe Valley Blues.

We are a band that truly embraces DIY, but sometimes we need a little help… maybe it’s you!

Find us on Facebook and SoundCloud and check us out for yourself.

Condolences to the family and friends of Venomin James drummer Jared Koston, who succumbed to cancer yesterday. Blabbermouth has the story:

Venomin James drummer Jared Koston passed away of cancer on Tuesday, June 1 at his home in Madison, Ohio surrounded by his family and friends. He was 40 years old.

“I want to thank everyone that has helped him with this fight,” says Jared‘s wife Michele Koston. “The fight is over and now he does not have to worry about all the pain it has brought him.”

“I will never understand why my soulmate, my best friend, my husband, my lover, and the father of our two great kids is not with me.

“This is so hard to know that when I go to sleep in bed he will not be there.

“He should never have got cancer. He would still be here with me.

“I miss my baby so much.

“This can’t be real.

“I want to wake up from this bad nightmare.”

Michele is in immediate need of financial support to help pay for the home hospice care and funeral arrangements. The Kostons have four children, no health insurance or employment.

PayPal donations can be sent to: jaredkoston@rocketmail.com (be sure to mark “personal,” then select “gift”). Cash, checks or money orders (payable to Michele Koston) can be sent to:

The Koston Family
3060 Princeton Drive
Madison, Ohio 44057
USA