The Mastodon show had ended, and everyone was all smiles. A sea of black T-shirts made their way out through the front. Some went to the bar to drink and others racked the billiards table. I had other plans.

Around back, the roadies were loading up equipment. Considering I look the part (black jeans, black shirt), it comes with little surprise that I was able to pass security backstage by helping a few roadies move some gear. Afterwards, I leaned up against a bus and lit up a smoke. Valient Thorr guitarist Eidan Thorr approached me and asked for a spare cigarette — which I was happy to oblige.

While I missed Valient Thorr, I’m very aware of their music and consider myself a fan. I saw them a few years ago at House of Blues in Columbus, Ohio, opening for Gogol Bordello. In my opinion, they blew them off the stage.

“We’re going home to rest for a while before starting our European tour,” Eidan told me between drags. “Going home is such an amazing feeling after being on the road for six months or more. You forget how comforting your bed can be.”

We continued to talk about his life back home and how important friendship had been on this tour. It was actually the final show these bands had together. Looking around, it’s evident how close these bands had become. Members of every band were huddled around us now, telling inside jokes and laughing, hugging, making memories. In the distance, I saw Valient Thorr singer Valient Himself leaning against the rail alone. I approached him and was immediately struck by his kindness.

I introduced myself and half expected to be brushed aside. Surprisingly, Valient seemed eager to talk and share ideas. Our conversation floated around various topics concerning art and politics.

“Writers like Kerouac, Burroughs and Phillip K. Dick definitely have a common spirit with the origin and presentation of our music. Also, someone like Kurt Vonnegut and the way he presents fictional stories hidden in non-fiction are completely in tune with how I try to approach my craft,” Valient said.

Valient was a soft spoken, intelligent individual. When he spoke, his eyebrows pointed down with serious thought and introspection. I asked him if he felt any pressure as an artist.

“No, I don’t feel any pressure. Not anymore, anyway. At this point, my only responsibility as an artist is to not censor myself. I’m at a point in life where my mind and soul are working in perfect harmony with my body,” he revealed. “What I do now is a perfect exploration of my subconscious and I can’t allow myself to not see where that takes me. I can’t be hung up on things like fear or doubt, I just have to push myself. I’m not afraid of anything right now.”

When he speaks, I believe it. A fan from the show walked by and asked Valient if he wanted to smoke some DMT. “It will make you see the Devil,” the fan said. Valient turned him down and laughed. “Been there, done that. Where I’m going, drugs are no longer needed.”

Members from Baroness and Mastodon began to come up to us, laughing and enjoying their final night together.

“We’ve been on the road for about six months with these guys. It will be nice to have a small break before heading to Europe. You have to realize that Thorr has had an intense tour schedule for about four years straight now,” he admitted. I asked him if touring affects the creative process.

“No, touring is great. It’s how we share all these amazing things that are happening inside of us, so I don’t mind it,” he tells me. But then he looked down and his demeanor seemed to fade. “Well, certain things become sacrificed, like relationships.”

Love? “Yeah, love. I mean, it’s hard to maintain love with someone when you’re home a few weeks out of the year.”

Do you have love waiting on you back home? “I did… I’m not so sure anymore. I think the only love relationships I have now are with these guys and my own psyche,” Valient said, seemingly kicking the dirt around his feet. My heart broke for him as I realized the sacrifice he has made for his craft.

At this point, Valient began hugging the singer of Mastodon and the two congratulated each other on the tour. I realized how important the friendships are to the members of these bands, those who have put their personal lives on hold in an attempt to follow their dreams. They continued saying their final goodbyes to each other and started disappearing into their respective buses. Valient and I shook hands and said our own goodbyes. He left me with a final statement, which seems to sum up the night.

“If there’s an untold story of us or any band on the road, it’s a story of love. Beyond politics, money, status, whatever, it’s just love.”

Photo by Gina C.

9 Responses to “Interview: Valient Thorr Discusses Time on the Road”

1. 

   On 06/2/10 12:58 PM, luke said:

   Good interview, being on the road can definitely be shitty sometimes. That’s why if someone offers you some DMT, you take it…..and get ready to have your mind blown.

3. 

   On 06/2/10 2:14 PM, Jay DiNitto said:

   I didn’t know there are people that still think taking drugs is a good idea.

5. 

   On 06/2/10 2:41 PM, Robert Simpson said:

   Hahah, the guy was very believable when he said he didn’t need it. He reminded me of a mad scientist even though our conversation, when compared to his others, seems quite tame and sincere.

7. 

   On 06/3/10 9:15 AM, luke said:

   millions of people take drugs every day, Jay. If you want to include pharma drugs, one could argue that more people are on drugs than aren’t. DMT on the other hand, while a drug, it’s more like a 15 minute experience where your mind is literally somewhere else(like a dream) and then you come back to reality. it can be a very mind opening experience.

9. 

   On 06/3/10 2:46 PM, Jay DiNitto said:

   Okay.

11. 

    On 06/3/10 3:37 PM, Dr. Jones said:

    drugs that make you see the devil are a great idea.

13. 

    On 06/3/10 7:40 PM, Nate Allen said:

    “Going home is such an amazing feeling after being on the road for six months or more. You forget how comforting your bed can be.”

    This is very, very true!

15. 

    On 06/6/10 3:30 PM, Nick Harvey said:

    good interview

17. 

    On 06/6/10 9:40 PM, Ian Morales said:

    I’m a Thorrier! Good stuff!

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