BESTIAL MOUTHS

Negative Gain Productions recording artists have most recently released a full remix LP called BACKBONE. Not too many remix albums maintain the diversity that this particular one does. It exclusively includes tracks from their most recent studio release, ROTT (inmyskin). We're very grateful that vocalist and founding member Lynette joined us for an interview today.

Your latest release is called ‘BACKBONE’. It has some intriguing artwork as does its predecessor. What’s the concept behind it?

The art work for ROTT (inmyskin) (which stands for Road Of Thousand Tears) is the next in its lineage from INSHROUDDS (cocooned) to RESURRECTEDINBLACK (alive and showing the scars of living) to now. The color palettes are earth tones and darker to represent life and the aging process. Covered in moss to show the length of time but yet moss lives, breathes and continues. Crowned in regular jewelry yet with an edge of sharpness and

danger. A reptile (a real live bearded dragon) representing our animal instinct but weathered skin and changing of colors. In a pile of soil to represent being buried or being born.

With ‘BACKBONE’, were there factors more important than a remixer's reputation or metrics that went into your selection?

BACKBONE we asked upon what grabbed my soul and those I felt so honored to take my babies into new forms. Some approached us and knowing our music reached them so dearly, how could I refuse?

Bestial Mouths has an incredibly unique sound. Outside of the goth/industrial/darkwave arena which you are most often associated with, what do you think the most unique musical inspiration is for you?

I have never wanted to or tried to recreate a certain sound. I take all I have listened to in the past and present and let it flow through me and let it take its form. I like to think of us as modern dark music. Life is the most inspirational to me, from nature to animals to random sounds or conversations or sculptures, buildings, rocks.

Where does the name Bestial Mouths come from? What’s the inspiration?

The name comes from my first band called African Greys. It was in a song called ‘POOR POOR POOR’: “Bestial mouths singing to drag in the winter”. I’ve always loved that line, and it just seemed to fit.

Could you give us some insight into your studio, your “tools of the trade” so to speak? How much is hardware/physical instruments and how much is based on softsynths and the like?

The very early stages of Bestial was all physical gear - acoustic drums, bass, guitar and analog synth. As we progressed (and as tech kept getting better) we elevated the sound when recorded - things that actually sound better to listen to. So today a lot of it is done in the studio and then we recreate it for live.

What’s the biggest technical challenge that you’ve had to overcome? That could be anything from a computer crash, “learning curve” or anything like that. How did you overcome it?

For me it’s having no classical training or background in music. When I first started I learned one note bass or guitar or synth lines. I just listened to singers and sounds and recreated it. As time progressed I learned more and more technical aspects, but to this day I truly have no clue what notes, keys etc are. I just listen and place it.

Let’s say you were stranded on some island but you had the capability to put a flash drive with three of your most important songs into a sealed bottle and send it out to the world. These are songs that mean the most to you and best represent your legacy. What are they and why did you choose them?

Three Bestial tracks? The latest is always what stays with me so that would be the ROTT (inmyskin) album.

Road Of Thousand Tears" - it is where I sing in Spanish and English and tell my tale. I learned this is my story and I must walk it. I also conquer a fear, for though I’m Puerto Rican, English is my language and I am often ashamed I do not speak fluent Spanish.

"Slit Skin" - this song acknowledges the fact that I can not bear children. On one hand I never expected to want to have kids but being left without the opportunity leaves you feeling less. But it also plays on the fact that this is my body, my

life. A note to the world to shut up about what YOU want from me and let me live. I’m exhausted from all your pressures and at capacity.

"Hex (I am the spell") - This one I feel proud to take something so painful and feeling so lost with no control back. To face a bully and try to tell others to do the same. Continuing to live my life and be the spell, now directed toward good for me to prosper - because you are “just a laughing waste of time - a parasite”.

Have you ever composed a song that was written from such a painful perspective that you refused to release it?

I believe most of my songs are this but that is how I heal and hope to heal others.

We appreciate your time. Feel free to share anything upcoming fans should know about.

We are all the sun.

Remember to adopt, don't shop - rescue animals are the best.

and we put shows as they are confirmed on our website bestialmouths.com and please say hello (it means so much and keeps our hearts beating).

William ZIMMERMAN
20/03/2024