FIRE-TOOLZ - Interview

(I)

ETHEREAL.PRESS

Tell us about your 'Eternal Home' (2021) release. What was your intention behind the project?

FIRE-TOOLZ

It started the way it always starts. I just start working on songs, and something starts to take shape. Then about 25% of the way into the project, concepts and visions for the final product form. I don't think there is really any intention behind anything I do besides to explore and express. I don't have any particular goals with these albums. As long as I feel like I flushed the pipes so to speak, I've done what I needed to do. Inspiring people is always cool, but really the anticipated end result is to just feel like everything I wanted to communicate was communicated.

Even if it's cryptic and confusing for a lot of people. Sometimes it's cryptic and confusing for me too. I can't say I fully understand everything I explore and express, but if I didn't do these things, I would not be nearly as in touch with who and what I am.

(II)

ETHEREAL.PRESS

'Eternal Home' (2021) is divided into four sections: Gateless X-1, Amygdala Mandala, Interfaith Fatigue, and Home for Now. What was the intention of breaking the project up into four parts?

FIRE-TOOLZ

I wanted an excuse to use more words to express and decorate my work. I wouldn't say the work is really "broken up" into parts as much as it is labeled as such. For me, the work flows seamlessly. But I can understand how presenting it to others with each side of each record having its own title would communicate "chapters" or "movements." If anything, the chapters and movements are reflected in the way each song differs from the others. Other ways of grouping and labeling things, for me, is just a means for expressing myself in more detail.

My record Skinless X-1 contained some text about each song that didn't appear in the lyrics or in the track listing. My upcoming record has a track listing in which differentiated sections within some songs are iterated. Part of this tendency comes from my love for prog rock. Growing up I listened to a lot of Rush, Dream Theater, and Fates Warning. They all did this kind of thing.

(III)

ETHEREAL.PRESS

The visual design for your album covers is unique with a colorful mix of 3D/2D elements. Why do you choose to present your art this way?

FIRE-TOOLZ

3D computer graphics have been something I've loved my entire life as I was born in an era where that stuff was becoming rapidly popular in TV and film. It evokes a nostalgia within me I can't explain. I feel connected to it on a soul-level. The fact that 2D elements are worked in is somewhat incidental. I would be even happier if every single element in every art piece associated with Fire-Toolz had a clear 3D look to it.

(IV)

ETHEREAL.PRESS

On the Odd Cat Sanctuary (official video), it says in the description that you edited the video. Your editing skills are excellent! How did you start editing/filming music videos?

FIRE-TOOLZ

I have created most of my music videos. All of my skills were self-taught and I would not say that I am very diverse in my skill set. I only know how to do what I need to do, and even then I would like to improve. I think I started doing it out of a perceived necessity, because I wanted videos associated with my songs, and it's (understandably and justifiably) really expensive to commission artists for music videos. I've been doing that a lot more lately as I have far less time to create videos these days, but I cannot afford as many of them as I'd like. The music industry cares less about music videos now more than ever, so it's not even worth it to invest in them as much as I'd like. Music publications used to premiere music videos, but they don't do that very much anymore. Nevertheless, I anticipate every new album I release having at least a small handful of music videos to accompany the singles.

(V)

ETHEREAL.PRESS

Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

FIRE-TOOLZ

My romantic partner, Eliza. She is an excellent musician and composer, and we are moved by a lot of the same music. I'd also love to do a song with Trent Reznor some day.  I want to collaborate with more musicians who aren't as immersed in the electronic field as I am. Jazz fusion horn players & guitarists, & maybe some singers from classic emo bands like Mineral, Casket Lottery, Cap'n Jazz, etc. I've spoken with Tim Kinsella (of Cap'n Jazz, etc.) a few times but I don't know him well enough to attempt a collaboration. I am very careful who I ask to collaborate with me.

It really puts people on the spot, and frankly I feel uncomfortable when I am asked most of the time. I asked Max from Eve 6 once if he wanted to sing on a song of mine, as we've become buds via Twitter over the last year. He gave me an enthusiastic "yes" but I am not sure if that'll ever materialize. I have to admit, I'm not the biggest fan of their music most of the time, but I really like Max as a person, so I would be excited to collaborate with him at some point. Some people from some bands I really love have reached out to me in the past to collaborate, but the ball remained in their court and nothing ever materialized, so unfortunately all that stuff is on the back-burner.

(VI)

ETHEREAL.PRESS

What inspires you creatively outside of music?

FIRE-TOOLZ

Nature, spirituality, my every-day life experience. Emotions, interpretations of experiences. Theology, psychology, physics. My cats. Weather patterns. The mystery of life.

(VII)

ETHEREAL.PRESS

What's next for Fire-Toolz?

FIRE-TOOLZ

Hopefully just more albums and more albums and more albums. I know that is a boring answer, but it's true. I just love putting together albums. I like it more than performing and more than being a public figure.

I will be doing this until I physically can't anymore.

ARTIST LINKS: YOUTUBE - INSTAGRAM

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