Interview: Primitive Knot

One of the best albums I heard in 2016 came courtesy of Manchester's Primitive Knot. The 'Disciples Of The Black Sun' album was a heady mix of spacerock, krautrock and electronica with ritualistic and esoteric overtones that made for a pretty damned good listen (read my review here). Recently they have released the cassette only 'Necro Future' EP, another arcane journey into the cosmic reaches. Mainman Jim was kind enough to answer a few questions.

Could you give us a brief potted history of Primitive Knot?

It started it late 2014. All the writing and recording is me but live it starts to take on a different form, with guitars by Jack Reid (of Jack Reid and the Black Whip) and additional aural magick from para-musician, Mr Gladwin (of The Wyrding Module).

Listening to your music, the breadth of styles and genres is impressive...from dark ambient to space rock via psych, drone, krautrock and more experimental electronica. I would imagine the list of influences must be pretty long?

Like most people, what I listen to depends on my mood and the same goes for what I feel like writing. Anyone who follows primitive knot on twitter will get a feel for the range of influences, musical and other, which inspire us. What's interesting about the creative process is that, although you might start out trying to emulate something you've just been listening to, happily it (usually) ends up sounding just like a primitive knot song.

Any influences outside of music?

Of course - non-musical influences are just as important - film, art, books, nature, architecture all feed into the process. A lot of the inspiration comes from visual arts and I've enjoyed working with other people on imagery for primtive knot - images provide context for the music and are just as (if not more) important as the lyrics. A form of Shamanism and a general appreciation of the power of ritual are also key influences.

How does the creative process for Primitive Knot work? Do you go into a studio with set plans or do you improvise?

We've never actually been in a "studio". Everything is recorded at home, in a darkened candle lit room, surrounded by esoteric imagery. There will be a hint of an idea but structure is not imposed until the mixing starts. The process is intuitive and it's all about making yourself receptive to undefined influences. If you are doing it right you will instinctively know when something is right - it feels as though you've captured something which was already there, floating in the ether. This is almost a Platonic approach although whether I buy into the metaphysics is a different matter.

The ritualistic imagery surrounding your music is striking...is the imagery an integral part of Primitive Knot?

Yes, this is a central theme running through primtive knot: Ritual, focused repetition and the idea that certain practices can open new realities which are otherwise unavailable. Words are magical - they shape the way we think about the world and, as with poetry, used in certain ways they can transform reality. By combining words, music and imagery in certain ways you can transport yourself to other places. This is not new agey, muddled thinking, it's a practical, punk way to challenge the "reality" of this dimension and open up other possibilities.

Is there a philosophy behind the imagery?

It's a shifting philosophy, rooted in mystical traditions and shamanic practices. I say shifting because I think it's important to keep challenging and testing your beliefs. We will always be constrained by our human outlook.

Who does the artwork? Again visually stunning

Yeah, the artwork for Disciples Of The Black Sun was done by Blial Cabal, a husband and wife art collective in California. They came up with something really special and were lovely to work with. For the current Necro Future EP we worked with Primevil Vision in Finland - they came up with the design and did the wonderful packaging. Like I said, it's great to collaborate with other artists - I think both sides get some inspiration from the process.

The vinyl version of the Disciples of The Black Sun LP was crowdfunded, successfully, what made you go down that particular route rather than via a label etc?

Partly because we haven't been signed by a label but also because I just felt it was something I wanted to do. I've always had a punk ethic - you keep control over things by doing it yourself and you don't rip people off. I was so happy that the LP got funded - we had so much wonderful support from people, it was overwhelming really. Not sure whether I would do it again as it was a lot of pressure and my organising skills are pretty lacking but who knows.

The album was a majestic piece of work; from a personal point of view, certainly one of the albums of the year - were you pleased with the reception it got?

Well, I'm glad you think so - you're very kind. I was really happy with the diversity of people who liked it. Maybe that reflects the breadth of styles which interest me but it was lovely to have people who are heavily into power electronics or spacerock or electronica telling me that they loved it. I guess we don't really fit into any genre which is liberating and tricky because people do feel comfortable when you can define a band with a label.



You recently supported Camera, how was that? I heard some weird things about the Camera set.

Really enjoyed it but then I love playing live in general. Every time we play live the songs veer off in different directions. There's always an element of (barely) controlled chaos.

I'm afraid I didn't stick around for Camera's set! They sounded ace in soundcheck but after playing I usually have to disappear somewhere to psychically reorientate myself.

Manchester seems to be a hotbed of genuinely exciting new bands.....is there a reason for this in your view?

I'm afraid I'm not really an afficionado of the Manchester scene so I'm not the best person to ask!

On the same note...any new artists you've seen we should keep an out for?

Hmm, again, I don't really have my finger on the bleeding edge pulse of the Manchester scene. Obviously, Jack Reid and the Black Whip and The Wyrding Module are bands you should be checking out. Further afield, everyone should listen to the Finnish electronic spacerock shamans, K-X-P.

Do you have any set ambitions for the band or will you just go where it leads you?

More gigs would be nice - promoters, please get in touch.

What's next for Primitive Knot?

We're playing Oxjam festival at the Dulcimer in Chorlton on March 18. We're also putting on our own night (other bands tbc) on 18 May at the new basement venue in Aatma, Manchester.



It would be good to see you gig down south sometime?

I would love to play anywhere outside Manchester! If you know of anyone who could put us on in your area please hook us up.

Tacky interview question time.....you are putting on a music festival, what 3 acts, alive or dead, would you book?"

Neu!, in their circa 1975 incarnation, Swans, in their 1984 Cop era, Killing Joke in their 1981 incarnation

Thanks Jim!