Dear readers we have the pleasure to offer you in this article an interview with a band from Montreal, Quebec based Heavy Rock band. We welcome Mountain Dust.
Hi, it’s a pleasure to have you among our pages, how are you?
Hal: “We are very excited to have just released our 3rd full length studio album.“
The band has been active for over 10 years, how did the project and the choice of the name Mountain Dust come about?
Hal: “Our guitarist/vocalist Brendan started writing songs on acoustic guitar with Kevin Keegan (Barn Burner, Dead Quiet) in 2012. Hal and Blair joined on bass and drums in late 2012, and the first Mountain Dust recordings were released in January 2013. Kevin left the band, and Montreal, to move home to Vancouver BC in the summer of 2013 and Pat joined shortly after. Pat was the perfect replacement for Kevin as he and Kevin came up with the name Mountain Dust together.“
Do you propose a Heavy Rock that incorporates elements of Desert/Stoner Rock, Psychedelia and Metal, how did you approach these sounds and how would you describe your style?
Hal: “We all come from different musical backgrounds, and we all listen to different styles of music, so our sound has a very wide range of musical influence.“
The new album “Mountain Dust” was released on January 24, 2025, what do we find inside this work?
Hal: “9 new songs from Mountain Dust.“
A solid and engaging sound, how is the creative process of your music?
Hal: “Usually someone will bring a riff, or a sequence of riffs to the band first. Usually this is very undeveloped and basic. We build from there, working out all of the songs as a band. We all have a big hand in writing each song.“
You enrich the sound with effects and modulations, what equipment did you use to make this album?
Hal: “For the recordings we used a variety of guitars, amps, and effects that were available in the studio. For the most part however, Brendan plays a Strat through and Acoustic 370 amp, Hal plays a Rickenbacker 4001 through an Acoustic 370 amp, Pat plays lap steel guitar and vintage Korg organ through an Acoustic 370 amp, and Blair plays a Tama kit with Paste cymbals.“
The cover has a great painting, who made it and what represents?
Hal: “Marigold Santos is an amazing Canadian artist, and a dear friend of ours. She listened to our album and came up with this design while she listened. It represents her interpretation of our music through her visual art.“
Your first demo came out in 2013, how has your sound evolved since then?
Hal: “Our sound has changed a lot since those original demos. Kevin was a big part of writing and recording those original songs, and he left shortly after they were released. He was replaced by Pat who plays organ and lap steel guitar in the band, and the change in instrumentation really changes the sonic texture of our music. When Pat joined, we scrapped all of the songs we had written with Kevin, and started fresh with brand new songs, written by the new lineup.“
Many of your fans and our readers are wondering if there will be a chance to listen to your music live, do you have any plans for the near future?
Hal: “We list all upcoming shows on our website mountaindustofficial.com so check back often. We came to Europe in 2018, and we would love to come back with our new music. Getting booked as a support act on a tour, and/or getting booked on some of the amazing European festivals will be crucial for us to come back to Europe.“
Do you have any particular memories or anecdotes that you would like to tell us about your live experiences?
Hal: “A highlight of our 2018 European tour was playing Freak Valley in Germany. What an amazing festival! It was our first European festival, and our first show in Germany, and we have been wanting to go back across the Atlantic ocean ever since that day.“
The underground scene is full of festivals and concerts, how important is it to keep these live events alive?
Hal: “Without the festivals and concerts, there is no scene. They are imperative.“
What advice would you give to young artists who approach the mudica by proposing a genre like yours?
Hal: “I think young artists have a better sense and understanding of things like online promotion and collaboration with other artists. As long as this is combined with a continued pursuit of playing live concerts, I think young artists will be just fine.“
Do you have other activities or artistic passions outside of music?
Hal: “Being a dad and riding a motorcycle are 2 of my favourite things outside of music.“
Thank to Hal for the interview, wishing them the best for the promotion of their new album and the continuation of their artistic career.