Murder By Death Interview

I recently got to interview Matt Armstrong, bassist for Murder By Death, about their upcoming album Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon for Invisible Vanguard. Here's a preview of what we talked about, and you can read the whole thing HERE.

It's tempting to say that if this were a fair universe, Bloomington, Indiana's Murder By Death would be a household name in American music. But anyone who knows their distinct brand of dark and eclectic music knows that, like Tom Waits' oeuvre, it's just a little too weird for broad public consumption. Like many artists of their stripe though, those who know them tend to know them very well indeed. Their musical ability is unassailable, and in their decade as a band they've shown themselves more than capable of capturing any mood or atmosphere they choose, it's just that what they choose seems to be on the stranger side of things.

Past albums have allowed listeners to meet zombie children, doomed sailors, dangerous women, wanted men, all manner of thieves, brigands, outlaws, and even the devil himself. All the wild things that roam the deserts, mountains, and plains of the American subconscious are there populating their country-tinged rock and roll.

September 25th will mark the release of their sixth LP, entitled Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon, and bassist Matt Armstrong graciously took some time out to talk to Invisible Vanguard about their new album, new band member, and the new approach to marketing that Kickstarter has provided.


INVISIBLE VANGUARD: Murder By Death has built their reputation of delivering consistently strong albums that each have a distinct flavor. How will Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon stand apart from your previous efforts? Are there any particular themes that went into this release?

 MATT ARMSTRONG: Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon will certainly stand out sonically from all of our other releases. I think that's going to be the first thing people will notice when they hear the album. Thematically it isn't really a concept album, but there are some recurring ideas. A lot of it involves the idea of thinking you're in a nice, quiet town, but it turns out there's a seedy underbelly. Think "Twin Peaks" or "Blue Velvet" without the backwards talking and gas-huffing.

This is just a preview; read the full interview over at Invisible Vanguard!