For Conan, Riffs Actually Matter

"This is the first time I've ever said g'day to an Australian without completely taking the piss," laughs Davis as the The Music is connected through to his hometown of Liverpool, England. It soon becomes apparent that after their first jaunt to our shores in 2014 (in support of the superb Blood Eagle LP) that Davis harbours a reservoir of good will towards all things Australian.

"I was amazed at how at home we felt in Australia — a lot of similarities to back home but without a lot of the bad things that come with it [laughs]. On a musical level all the interactions we had were phenomenal. People looked after us well, the bands we toured with were amazing and the crowds really got what we were about. We can't wait to come back."

"We think about the crowd and I often wonder how a crowd of neutral punters would take a band who just play one tempo the whole gig. How interesting would it be for them? "

Since bursting eardrums way back in 2010 with the bludgeoning Horseback Battle Hammer EP Conan have developed a well earned reputation as one of the most exciting and consistent bands in today's doom movement. The reason for this acclaim is simple: unlike many bands, they realise it's not enough just to play slow. For Conan riffs actually matter.

"Having a bit of mix is important I think," offers Davis. "We love the whole 'low and slow' approach but we also have some more upbeat moments. We think about the crowd and I often wonder how a crowd of neutral punters would take a band who just play one tempo the whole gig. How interesting would it be for them? 

"In the modern music industry you have to take a few risks to get people's interest. We haven't got more upbeat deliberately but we've definitely changed things up a bit on our records — especially on the new one. I'm also a big believer in ensuring that the musicianship is always top notch: look at a band like Samothrace — they play slow but the songs are always interesting and well written — and that's what we try and do."

Despite their ongoing success Conan have (band member-wise) suffered from 'revolving door' syndrome with only Davis himself surviving from the original 2006 incarnation. But, as Davis himself admits, in today's music world this is par for the course.

"The reality is that when you are in a band like ours that tours so much — we did 150 shows last year — the pool of available musicians becomes smaller and smaller. You simply have to be available to do those shows and we've had members in the past that just couldn't due to their personal and work commitments, which I totally understand: people have lives. Even I don't make a living solely from being in this band — I do some tour management work and have a studio and a record label. That's just how it has to be if I want to survive."