Emerging from the shadows, /somnolence./ unveils “Walls”—a harrowing hymn of surrender, reverence, and awakening. We speak with AJ Void about trauma, worship, anonymity, and the cultic philosophy behind the music.
1.
"Walls" is described as a call to revere and reflect. What does this
track represent for the congregation of /somnolence./ and for AJ Void
personally?
To revere is to love and to love is to surrender completely and unconditionally. It is one's own choice to channel that loyalty and unwavering devotion towards serving someone ephemeral or something eternal. The cult of /somnolence./ shall be an agora, a room of assembly for all those that leave behind false idols that merely inflict dukkha, the suffering inseparable from the human existence, onto them inexchange for that primal reverence. Walls serves as a recognition, a wake up call that another person, a fleeting and devoid mortal corpus, has done nothing but brought anguish and destruction onto one's own life, exploiting their state of surrender. It is just as much "one"'s story as much as all of theirs. A tale as old as time, the collective unconscious of man has been bearing this pattern for centuries after centuries. AJ Void soon shall avert his gaze from such evanescent idols and find back to the immortal light that birth all man's soul.
2. The deity you reference—Her, the embodiment of human affection across the
ages—is central to your narrative. Who or what is She, and how did this
spiritual mythology develop?
The symbolism is for them to reflect upon. After all, we are here on this earth to project and ponder. For one might see her in the ripple of a shadow reflected, another in the balmy summer breeze, or a wintertide blizzard storm. The restling of autumn leaves carried in the wind, the early summer rain, an alabaster moon waning to crescent. Some others albeit might see Her as a person incarnate, an embodiment of wonder.
3. The lyrics of "Walls" depict the harrowing experience of being
trapped in an abusive relationship. Why was this the right story to tell for
your debut?
The story must begin in the trenches of the vulgar physical plain of existence. The observer must turn away from the hollow agony of abuse and welcome something transcendental. Something that is all eternal, always has been and will continue to be valid after the corporal vessel drops dead. It could be seen as an 'in medias res' rather than the very beginning of the process. I see Walls as one of the many traumatic kick-starters AJ Void needed to begin his mission. One of the last straws of common life. The exposition leading him into the story presented in Walls to begin with is yet to be thoroughly presented.
4. You’ve chosen to remain anonymous and emphasize the art over the
individual. How does this philosophy shape your music and message?
Music is often times not the focal point of people nowadays but rather the yearning, the longing for connection to an artist. The identity of the artist eclipses the art itself, rendering it a mere tool for empty praise and idol worship. The music and message remains the same in quality as if the false self behind AJ Void was part of the marketing.
5. The production process for "Walls" spanned several months under
nontraditional conditions. How did those constraints influence the final sound
of the single?
The
production of these early hymns began at a modest place, a bedroom project to
put it bluntly. 11 demos were recorded, out of which emerged 6 worthy for Her
praise. AJ worked solely on the project, it is all his vision.
6. You cite Sleep Token as an influence, particularly in their approach to
devotion and mystique. What lessons have you drawn from their work in forming
the identity of /somnolence./?
The subconscious identity of AJ Void and the revered Deity has existed unconstrained from the confines of time and place. It is a metaphysical archetype, which manifests in many forms all across the globe. The discovery of these influences (such as the aforementioned Sleep Token) have cultivated the epiphany that finally inspired gathering the elements of AJ Void and his story on a molecular level. The lesson learned from their cultlike branding is obvious. People have an immense drive to belong, but choose methods that are filling their own void inside with something equally hollow. The alternative offered by their music and message is something that merely offers music and therefore only the reflection. Both the reflection of the person behind the mask and the reflection in the sense of reflecting on the art. This is technically offering less than other artists offer, yet more. The lesson therefore is that an empty canvas is the most ideal to project upon. The canvas is AJ Void.
7. The language you use—terms like "reverence,"
"apostles," and "paradise"—echo religious and cultic
traditions. Is /somnolence./ a metaphorical cult, or something more tangible?
As I said, the symbolism is up to them, the congregation to ponder. Sometimes ideas transcend into physical form, much like an architect's idea becomes a cathedral.
8. What emotions or realizations do you hope listeners walk away with after
experiencing "Walls"?
I hope that by projecting their own trauma onto the song, they can feel a sense of communion and transform those wounding experiences into catharsis. I hope that they revere and reflect.
9. You’ve yet to hold live performances or “public congregations.” What
would such a gathering look and feel like when the time comes?
Reverence.
10. There’s a strong sense of spiritual yearning and catharsis in your work.
Is this music meant more for healing, worship, or confrontation?
Perhaps all of the mentioned. After all, we are all trying to stumble down our paths of self-acceptance. It is much easier to heal in a sense of community. The anonimity helps obscure the differences that divide us, promoting connection through projection. The music is also meant to be a call for reverence of course, so each ode directs appropriate worship towards Her. Catharsis cannot come without confrontation. It is therefore necessarry to confront ourselves and others alike. Living a life worth Her eternal paradise is not an easy task after all, but soon you all shall follow Her.
11. Can you describe your creative process—from conception to execution—when
channeling such heavy emotional and philosophical themes?
The process begins with the concept, the story needed to be told through the lenses of the observer. Each song is a small fraction, much like an episode of a series. Once the idea is finalized in physical form, the songwriting takes over, instrumentation first. The lyrics are the final layer.
12. Finally, what comes next for /somnolence./? Will there be more hymns to
follow this first call?
I have
hinted to more tracks before here, so I cannot obscure those 6 imminent anthems
of reverence. The story needs to be told. The gospel needs completion. Yet no
story carries on forever. /somnolence./ asks for your offering of reverence for
a greater purpose. Once the purpose is fulfilled, the cult may very well become
redundant. "Nothing lasts forever", the only constant is
change.
/somnolence./ (@somnolenceband) • Instagram photos and videos
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