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Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
Goda: In some non-artistic and rather technical terms, we’re having small tasks for the album PR and also for the upcoming album release show that needs to be organized. Mentally, we’re trying to look forward and not take the album release fact as some result after which we can finally rest. And it’s not an easy task.
Recently you have released a new album, musically how does it differ from your previous ep?
Jurgis: I would say that the recent release has a more consistent and defined sound than the previous EP. Also, musically the new album has some recurring rhythmic composition techniques that in my opinion plays a strong role in overall musicality of this album. Whereas the first EP was more experimental and dedicated for bands musical research.
Tadas: The album production is less polished and more raw/live. Musically every song on the album is like a journey, everything is more coherent. And the vocals are much more important now.
This is also your first release since 2017, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
Goda: After the EP release we were into live performances more, rehearsing, bringing our audience together, and when we started developing our recent album, we actually faced lots and lots of waiting in every single phase of it. Not mentioning the pandemics that wasn‘t very grateful for the band.
Tadas: On the other hand, we had an opportunity to try the songs live before the recordings. Only two tracks in this album were never performed live.
What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?
Tadas: Our lyrics are very abstract, it’s the atmosphere that matters, not the story. As the sole songwriter (so far), I wish other band members would get themselves involved in the songwriting more, it would be nice to explore collaborative songwriting.
What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Cunabula'?
Goda: The name came from Kurt Vonnegut's „Cat‘s Cradle“ and the word cradle had a special meaning for us at the time the band formed. Cunabula is Latin for cradle.
Tadas: I don’t know why, but this book is very highly regarded in Lithuania. Maybe it’s the same in other countries too.
Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
Goda: Nojus Petrauskas, the author of the painting in the artwork, is a Lithuanian painter, an amazing surrealist, which was noticed by us accidentally after we spent hours searching for what could be an organic fit for our album visually. We just saw the painting named ‘Heart’ and we knew.
What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Goda: We vividly remember the gig when we were given a chance to support Conan band – the evening was insane. Also, it is Something Else to play at an open-air festival. And what’s regarding the listeners – we always receive some unexpected feedback about how gigs make people feel. For me, those words are exactly how I’d wish to feel as a listener in some heavy gig myself: partly hypnotized, partly scared, and energetically crushed to the ground. That kind of feedback is definitely inspiring.
Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
Goda: Not sure about the touring, but we definitely want to have an album release show in Lithuania.
On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black, sludge and post metal?
Goda: We are happy to have some worldwide fans reaching out to us personally to express their gratitude for what we do. In general, the feedback is greatly motivating to keep doing what we do.
Tadas: Yes, the feedback was mainly positive so far. Our style is a tough cookie to crack, so it’s hard to fit it into one simple description. The music like this probably will never be popular, but if someone likes it, we are happy.
Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Jurgis: I think Cunabula has potential for the unexpected, I would not be surprised that we would take more experimental turns in the band's musical future. However, at this moment it is fair to say that some essential elements of our music would still be transferred to our future works, especially harmonic, and textural qualities of our sound. Which in my opinion has a big role in defining Cunabula as a band and are hugely responsible for the emotional weight of our music.
What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?
Jurgis: I think the overall musical spectrum of what we listen to is very wide, but regarding Cunabula style I strangely find much resemblance from 20th century’s academic minimalists or even some of the composers from New Simplicity wave. For example, works of Steve Reich, David Lang or Arvo Part. Though the similarity with such music is more of primal musical ideas level. As for stylistically similar artists I think bands like: Cult of Luna, Russian Circles, Meshuggah plays a big role in our development. Also, i’d like to mention Polish post metal band Entropia, especially their album “Vacuum” which was a very fortunate discovery for me personally a few years ago.
Tadas: Old Norwegian black metal, new French black metal, classic sludge metal bands, some old prog rock, some random classical music.
Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Goda: We enjoyed reading such personal and deep questions, thank you for that.
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