Hollow Myths

When did you begin with Hollow Myths and what were the motivations that pushed you to embark on this enterprise?

Eve, Hails and Thanx for this opportunity. Much Support to you and Necromancer's Crypt!
Hollow Myths was founded just last August, so it is still early days for us here.
Though we have been very active ever since. 
Our focus is outsider Art, Music, Nature and Magic.
Evil electronics, Dungeon Synth, Dark Ambient, Black Metal, Pagan, Folk, Medieval and fantasy.
Underground music and art with a pariah mythos.
Our releases are obscure, limited, always have handmade elements and magical significance.
We offer cult esoteric rarities for lone wolves with burning spirits.

Can you tell us your previous experiences within the UG as musician and artist?

We have been involved in underground music and art since the early 90's, both in Electronic music and Black Metal, as founders of active projects, releasing albums and touring.
Having performed in most major cities in the US and a few extensive tours in Europe.
All the while, busy with recording, rehearsing, film and video production, design, artwork, producing physical formats, literature, clothing, jewelry and leather work.
Together we are now recording mythical electronic music as Rowen. 

Going back in the years, at the beginning of the 1990s, this genre had not yet attributed the name "dungeon synth" but many bands at the time under the definition of Dark Ambient, or Dark Industrial for example the Cold Meat Industry’s bands had recorded great music.
Now that this genre exploded what is different now from the beginning?

For me it has always been Dark Ambient and the spawning of Black Metal.
My relationship with this music is a personal one, as it should be.
There is a tethered nostalgia that transports me to when I first discovered it. To my youth, wonderment and my escape into the nearby woods and mountains.
At that time, Black Metal was morphing and splintering, going further underground. As artists became more cult, so did the physical releases and the music along with it.
This lent for even more individualistic creative expression and experimentation. Hence copies being extremely limited and the adoration and confirmation of one’s work was undesired.
In that, having a physical release was priceless to those who truly appreciated the music and artifact.
I felt this might have also been a reaction to the confines of Black Metal as another medium to explore new and different ideas.
I sometimes wonder if a mere lack of equipment could have played a part in its inception.
In this realm is where I found "Dark Dungeon Music". An in between world of endless possibilities without restrictions.
Loners and outcasts with a penchant for esoteric synthesized sound, nature worship and dark occult fantasy orientated aesthetics.
One had to hunt down rare music by tape trading with friends, correspondence with bands by way of hand written letters, mail order distros and zines.
Our work with Hollow Myths is to keep this spirit alive.  
This being a time before the internet and its advent begat many other beasts all together.

How do you think this genre has evolved and how will this kind of music evolve in the future?

In ways, it has changed and in others it has not. It is still disenchanted recluse spiders spinning webs all their own.
A vast number of different styles in this sub-genre have already taken form and I can only imagine this will continue.
Many hold onto traditions and wish to honor and protect the foundations that were laid before them by their progenitors.
I sense a fear of evolution by some but believe that in experimentation new artforms can come to fruition and think innovation should be welcomed.

Considering that today the favorable technical conditions (a computer and a midi controller) for recording this music and seeing a new band coming out every day, for you as a label owner, what are the elements that make you choose a band instead of another? The quality limit has risen?
What element do you consider essential for a DS band to be deserved in 2017 for a production?

We are drawn to the dark side, the creepy and sad as well as the precious and tragic. For us, it simply has to have that magic.
Spaced out, thematic, soundtrack and even experimental. Mystical, majestic and epic. We hail raw sound as well as meticulous production.
We offer arcane re-releases, first demos and new albums by outstanding upcoming artists. We walk beside them to develop their work for long lasting creative relationships.
We are loyal to our artists and will be offering many releases by them in the days to come.
Our release plan for this year and into the next is fortress strong. Always aiming to perplex, challenging ourselves and the listener.

Why do you think the bond between the genre DS and the production through the cassette physical media format is so strong?

This too is a relic of nostalgia and how the music was originally released back when. Again, respecting a tradition that is true to the genre.
Then there is the fact that it is compact and its affordability as a format for the collector. Shipping is also cheaper due to weight, domestic especially.
There is room for diy releases alongside pro duplicated cassettes with printed shells and j-cards. We love them all.
In the design and layout there is an array of ways one can venture in their presentation.
It is the warm analog sound that is close to our hearts, tape hiss and all, that goes hand in hand with the nature of the music.

The number of people listening to this genre is increasing exponentially, but people who, actually buy the tape are in a relatively minor number, considering that in the future there will be a “bigger offer” with more bands and probably the birth of new labels, the productions will eventually vary from vinyl, tapes, etc,
How do you think, a record label can remain competitive by taking care of the differentiation of expensive formats and, at the same time, putting out good music?

One listens to music in so many ways, on different formats, multiple devices and each have their preferences as to the how, when and where they experience it.
Collectors are unique creatures, no two are alike and we take this into consideration with our releases and curated distro titles.
We go far beyond for our supporters. The interest and support of collectable formats is stronger than ever and grows every day.
We are just going to do our thing and assume others will do theirs.
Hollow Myths will continue to pioneer uncharted territories with exclusive new artists, limited cult releases, special packaging and will keep pushing the boundary of what is typically accepted. At the same time, remaining homegrown and folk.
As of now we offer CD's and Cassettes in a very special Limited Edition Collectors Library Series and soon will be releasing vinyl.

I noticed that you take care a lot about having a particular packaging of the HM products and format, there are other people that help you in this thing? What can the Hollow Myths propose in the future at the original and artistic packaging level for tape cassettes, CDs and possibly other products?

Yes, all is done by Cristahel and myself, Canrith. From the artwork, layouts and photography to the packaging and presentation. Much work and passion goes into each.
Every release has some sort of handmade aspect. Hand cut, folded, painted, stamped and numbered.
We allow the feelings the music evokes to guide us on how they should be enrobed. Always manifested with intent and on specifically magical days which usually correspond to the moon phase and season.
Most include a poster that can be hung and gazed upon while listening. A corresponding badge, sometimes a necklace to wear and something that you can put in your pocket or pouch for all your journeys.
Often a candle is included for ritual ceremony and lighting along with incense. We have always been interested in scent association to music as well as touch and feel.
Wild harvested natural elements from the forest that surrounds us are gathered and added; feathers, willows, moss, and vines. Cristahel hand sews fabric slip cases and ties them off with ribbon or twine to seal them with great meaning and purpose.
We also offer hand number stamped embroidered patches, hand drawn patches, and hand bound zines including the self-titled Hollow Myth. Also for the taking are silkscreened shirts, long sleeves and hoods featuring our artists and comrades.
We live on an island in a small cabin in the woods near the ocean. We seldom see others so we can truly live in our own reality.
Somehow it seems the troubles of the rest of the world do not apply here. So, for this we are very lucky. We shall keep exploring and experimenting, sharing pieces of our mythology and ideology as offerings for those who care for folklore and the artform.

I think it is slowly emerging a stylistic distinction in this genre; one that is closer to more medieval sounds and even with some fantasy “film-making sound” elements, another with a more atmospheric minimalist and obscure sound, do you think is a differentiation that in the future will be more emphasized?

There are very many distinctive types, styles and concepts. All having very different approaches, sound qualities and production. I appreciate and hail them all. This coming from a dedicated collector. 
Each, in their own right, will continue to sharpen the blades of their chosen craft and beat a path for themselves and those who come after.

Free words! 

Don't take any wooden nickels, don't play second fiddle, and don't roll over and play dead for anybody. – C.

Walk the endless corridor and shatter the Hollow Myth