And Now The Band

Tom sits down with Hessel and Tomas of Gates of Kiev to talk about the band’s musical journey, their evolution from teenage musicians into a more serious and adventurous project, and the unique sound behind their self titled album.
Gates of Kiev began when Hessel and Tomas were around 18, eventually taking a five-year break before returning with a renewed commitment to the band. Their earliest rehearsals already contained ideas that would eventually become part of “Cosmic Chronograph,” giving a glimpse into how their sound developed over time.
The conversation dives deep into the band's songwriting and performance process. Gates of Kiev often begin with long jam sessions and improvisation, but those initial ideas can evolve dramatically over months of development. Live, they approach their songs as structured improvisations—keeping the framework of the recorded material while allowing each performance to take on its own character.
Tom and the band also discuss creating a huge, layered sound without a traditional guitar player, using keyboards, organ, bass, drums and other textures to build their music. Although Gates of Kiev features intricate studio layering, the band's live shows are driven by intensity, energy and the chemistry between the musicians.
Their music crosses boundaries between progressive rock, garage rock, punk and underground heavy music, something that has helped them connect with audiences outside traditional progressive-rock circles. The band talks about playing Amsterdam's underground scene, performing for younger audiences, and why today's listeners seem increasingly open to musicians who refuse to stay inside one genre.
Hessel and Tomas also reflect on their earliest shows, the painful reality of hearing recordings from those performances, and the importance of continuing to grow rather than settling for what you've already accomplished. They discuss the balance between technical development, creative experimentation and simply keeping music fun.
The addition of bassist Eszl has also opened up new possibilities for Gates of Kiev, including his contribution to the concept behind “Drunkship of the Mice.” The band explains why they intentionally leave some imperfections in their recordings to preserve a raw, human and live feeling rather than chasing sterile perfection.
The conversation also covers vintage equipment, finding the right stage setup, audience reactions, the challenges of performing experimental music, and Gates of Kiev's plans for the future—including their November 11 release show in Amsterdam and their hopes of eventually bringing their music to the United States.
Topics Covered:
Gates of Kiev • Tales of Ion • “Cosmic Chronograph” • “The Drunkship of the Mice” • Progressive Rock • Garage Rock • Punk • Improvisation • Experimental Music • Amsterdam Music Scene • Underground Music • Live Performance • Songwriting • Vintage Equipment • Independent Music
And Now The Band — EP394
Featuring: Gates of Kiev — Hessel & Tomas
Album: Self-Titled
Genre: Progressive / Experimental / Underground Rock
#GatesOfKiev #TalesOfIon #AndNowTheBand #ProgressiveRock #ExperimentalRock #GarageRock #PunkRock #Improvisation #AmsterdamMusic #UndergroundMusic #HeavyMusic #IndependentMusic #ProgressiveMusic #LiveMusic #EmersonLakePalmer #ELP

On EP393 of And Now The Band, Tom sits down with Jon Andre of Hempire to talk about the band's new EP, the story and sounds behind it, physical media, touring, and the challenges of building a heavy music band in today's underground scene.

The new Hempire EP draws inspiration from the USS Indianapolis disaster and the movie Jaws, giving the release a distinctly dark and atmospheric theme. Jon explains how the band incorporated unusual sounds into the recordings, including car crash samples and sonar pings, to help build the atmosphere around the music.

The EP's artwork was created by Hempire's friend Dave Hood, adding another layer to the visual identity of the release.

Jon and Tom also discuss Hempire's plans for physical releases. The band is starting with CDs after looking at the current local market, while holding off on vinyl until there is enough demand to make a pressing worthwhile. A cassette release is also being considered.

The conversation gets into the changing physical-media market, with Tom and Jon discussing how economic conditions have affected record sales while CDs and tapes have seen renewed interest because they remain relatively affordable and easy to store.

Touring is another major focus. Hempire has been building its regional presence, recently purchasing a van to make traveling more manageable, and is looking toward new markets—particularly the Northeast. Jon explains the importance of strategically booking shows and why Hempire is interested in being the middle band on a bill rather than always trying to headline. For a touring band, getting in front of the right audience can matter more than being at the top of the poster.

Hempire is also preparing for an upcoming October run, including a October 24th show at Wild's Last Resort in Whitesburg, Kentucky, as part of the Halloween Hootenanny.

Tom and Jon discuss the importance of younger audiences to the future of live music, how concert experiences change as you get older, and why finding the right balance between comfort and being in the middle of the action becomes increasingly important.

The conversation also travels outside music, with Jon talking about Asheville, North Carolina, outdoor activities, Boone, regional tourism, and the differences between music scenes in places such as North Carolina, Vermont, Maine and Arkansas.

They compare larger festivals like Louder Than Life with smaller community-driven events and discuss why certain regional scenes can thrive even when major touring acts don't regularly visit.

Tom and Jon also talk about Hempire's future, including the possibility of expanding into new territories while maintaining relationships with promoters, venues and audiences they've already built.

From the USS Indianapolis and Jaws-inspired concept behind the new EP to physical media, touring strategy, Asheville's music scene and the realities of reaching new audiences, EP393 is a conversation about where Hempire came from—and where they're going next.

🎙️ And Now The Band — EP393
⚓ Jon Andre — Hempire
🎵 Sealed By The Sea EP
🦈 USS Indianapolis • Jaws • Horror-Inspired Heavy Music
📅 October 24 — Wild's Last Resort, Whitesburg, Kentucky

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On EP392 of And Now The Band, Tom talks with Arms about their upcoming fourth official release, I Wish You Were Down Here With Me, arriving December 4th.
The band takes Tom inside the writing, recording, production and release of the new album, explaining how Arms has evolved from Paul's early solo recordings into a more technical and ambitious full-band project. The writing process began with Michael and Paul, eventually bringing in session drummer Emmett Siglia for the recording before Nick joined the band as their new drummer.
The album represents another step forward for Arms while maintaining the band's commitment to challenging, guitar-driven music.
A major part of the conversation focuses on the physical release of I Wish You Were Down Here With Me. Arms is working with Pirate Press for the vinyl pressing, with pre-orders available at ArmsBlackout.com and shipping planned for early December.
Tom and the band discuss the current challenges of vinyl production, including pressing delays that can stretch from five to seven months or longer. Arms initially ordered 300 records for pre-orders and will determine whether to increase the pressing based on demand and upcoming touring plans. The first pressing will be all black vinyl, with the possibility of special colored editions in the future.
The band also talks about their current live set, which runs approximately 25–27 minutes across five songs, including time for interaction with the crowd. Arms wants to expand its touring, with potential plans for the West Coast and Europe, while dealing with the financial realities of transporting a band across the country or overseas.
Technology and gear are also part of the discussion, including how modern pedalboards and mobile recording equipment have made it easier for musicians to travel lighter without sacrificing sound quality.
Tom and the band talk about favorite venues, including St. Vitus, as well as the importance of venues that genuinely take care of touring bands. They also discuss the realities of operating music venues in New York, including rising rent and regulatory challenges.
The conversation gets into some unexpected musical recommendations, with the band members trading artists and albums including Miles Davis, Boris, Circa Survive, Every Time I Die, Shai Hulud, Hopesfall, Oranssi Pazuzu, and Pallbearer.
One of the deeper conversations revolves around authenticity in recorded and live music. Tom and Paul discuss how click tracks, editing and modern production techniques can sometimes change the relationship between an album and the band's actual live performance. They explore the growing interest in rawer, more genuine forms of music and media, where mistakes and human imperfections aren't necessarily something that needs to be hidden.
Michael also talks about “placebo fuck,” one of his favorite songs from the album, particularly because the technical guitar work became a personal challenge during the writing process.
The discussion eventually turns toward playing in Kentucky, with Tom offering to connect Arms with Metal Monday at Mag Bar, potentially opening another door for the band to bring their music to Louisville.
From vinyl production and touring to guitar-driven songwriting, live performance, music discovery and the continuing push toward more authentic recordings, EP392 is a deep look at where Arms is headed next.
🎙️ And Now The Band — EP392
🎵 Arms — I Wish You Were Down Here With Me
📅 Album Release: December 4
💿 Vinyl Pre-Orders: ArmsBlackout.com
⚡ Progressive / Technical / Heavy Music
#Arms #IWishYouWereDownHereWithMe #AndNowTheBand #ArmsBlackout #HeavyMusic #Metal #TechnicalMetal #ProgressiveMetal #UndergroundMusic #VinylRecords #VinylRelease #IndependentMusic #NYCMetal #StVitus #MetalMonday #MagBar #LouisvilleMusic #EveryTimeIDie #Boris #DoomMetal #MusicPodcast #MetalPodcast

On EP391 of And Now The Band, Tom sits down with members of Masters Ashes to dig deep into the band's album Masters Ashes—a record conceived not simply as a collection of songs, but as a literary work meant to be experienced from beginning to end.
The band explains how the album was structured almost like a book, complete with a beginning, continuous narrative flow, and an ending that functions like an epilogue. Written as a trilogy of songs, Masters Ashes was created from a conceptual standpoint and, according to the band, without expectations about where it might lead. The goal was simply to create music for the love of creating music.
The conversation explores the band's blend of doom metal, death metal and black metal, while maintaining a traditional rock-oriented setup without relying on electronics. Special attention is given to Katie's keyboards, which add another atmospheric dimension to the album without overpowering the core band sound.
A major part of the discussion focuses on the album's recording and production. Six basic tracks were recorded in Afzaals home theater loft, with additional recording taking place at Ryan's studio. The band talks about Ryan's ability to create a massive, epic sound while still maintaining warmth and character through digital recording.
Tom and the band also discuss the changing relationship between analog recording and digital Pro Tools, and how modern digital techniques can still capture the qualities musicians traditionally associate with analog equipment.
The band had particularly positive things to say about working with Ryan, praising his versatility, collaborative approach and ability to bring a different perspective to a recording. Tom compares Ryan's work with other respected producers including Steve McAllister and Billy Anderson, while also discussing Ryan's work with Bad Wires.
The conversation eventually turns to one of the most important questions for any heavy band: How do you capture the feeling of a live performance on an album?
Tom and the band talk about why imperfections, unexpected moments and even mistakes can sometimes make a recording better. They share stories about recordings where something unplanned ultimately became part of the magic, and discuss the importance of stepping away from a song when something isn't working and returning with a fresh perspective.
“Conflict 3” becomes a particular point of discussion, with Jeff identifying it as one of his favorites because of its connection to the band's live performances at Born Free. Tom and Afzaal agree that the song has a particularly strong groove and live energy.
The conversation also gets into the band's approach to playing Masters Ashes live. The album isn't designed around constant touring, and logistics make live performances more complicated. The band has already been offered a festival opportunity for 2028 while exploring possibilities for 2027, but any performances will need to be carefully planned to preserve the quality and character of the music.
There is plenty of gear talk as well, including bass cabinets, 8x10s, 4x10s, 1x15s, potential 2x15 setups, traditional cabinets versus in-ear monitors, and why some musicians still prefer the physical impact and organic stage presence of a real cabinet setup.
Tom and the band also discuss the importance of having an open-minded studio environment, allowing musicians to experiment rather than having someone dictate every detail. That freedom, they explain, helped make the Masters Ashes recording experience particularly rewarding.

🎙️ And Now The Band — EP391
🎵 Masters Ashes — Masters Ashes
⚰️ Doom Metal • Death Metal • Black Metal • Atmospheric Metal
🎚️ Production & Recording • Ryan • Analog vs. Digital • Live Sound
#MastersAshes #AndNowTheBand #DoomMetal #DeathMetal #BlackMetal #DoomDeath #ExtremeMetal #HeavyMusic #UndergroundMetal #ConceptAlbum #AlbumInterview #MetalPodcast #MusicPodcast #Ryan #LouisvilleMusic #HeavyMetal #IndependentMusic #Metal

EP390 of And Now The Band features Matt McGuyer discussing his upcoming album Silver Linings, arriving October 30th on streaming platforms.

Tom and Matt dive into the writing, recording, and production behind the new album, including Matt's collaboration with mixing and Mastering by Mario Quintero of Spotlights. Matt explains how Mario understood the sound he was trying to create and helped turn his musical ideas into mixes that captured the album exactly the way he envisioned it.

At the heart of Silver Linings are deeply personal songs shaped by Matt's experiences as a husband, father, musician, and working professional. With three children and a full-time job with a local street department, Matt talks about finding time to create music while balancing family and everyday responsibilities. He describes many of the songs as essentially "songs to myself"—personal reminders about lessons learned, staying positive, and continuing forward when life getsdifficult.

Matt and Tom also discuss the organic way songs develop, recording music independently, and the differences between creating music alone and working within a band. Matt breaks down his guitar-first songwriting process, recording multiple takes, and the challenges of capturing vocals, drums, andother instrumentation when you're handling much of the recording yourself.

The conversation expands into their shared love of heavy and alternative music, including Hum, Failure, Molly McGuire, Spotlights, Shiner, Electric Hawk, Sweet Cobra, Deftones, Mr. Bungle, and the Melvins. They talk about the importance ofbands connecting with an audience and how a great live performance can turn someone into a lifelong fan. Matt also discusses the possibility of bringing Silver Linings to the stage. He's interested in playing shows in Louisville,Indianapolis, St. Louis, Nashville, and on the East Coast, but finding the right musicians—particularly players who can sing and perform the material live—remains a challenge. Matt explains why he would rather perform with a realband than rely heavily on tracks.

The discussion also touches on the tight-knit regional music community, including Blessed Black, Veilcaste, Crop, Moon Temple, and other local acts, as well as the challenges of balancing music, work, touring, and family life. A new single is planned for early October, followed by the full album on October 30th.

🎙️ And Now The Band EP390 — Matt McGuyer
🎵 Album: Silver Linings
📅Release Date: October 30, 2026
📀 Streaming Release
#MattMcGuyer #SilverLinings #AndNowTheBand #HeavyMusic #AlternativeMusic #Doom#Metal #UndergroundMusic #LouisvilleMusic #LouisvilleKY #MarioQuintero #Spotlights #Hum #Failure #Shiner #MollyMcGuire #Deftones #IndependentMusic#NewMusic #MusicPodcast #HeavyMusicPodcast