Ghost Cult Keefy caught up with John Dyer Baizley of Baroness to discuss the band’s recent album “Stone” – out now on Abraxan Hymns, the band’s own imprint. We discussed the new album, the consistency of the current lineup, their tradition of unplugged shows at independent record stores, John’s lyrical growth over the years, and much more!
On a beautiful autumn night we headed out to see one of my favorite bands in one of my favorite Bay Area venues. To readers of this website, no one will be shocked that Baroness is one of my all-time top bands and I hold all their albums in high regard. We recently did a deep dive discography over at the Glacially Musical Pouredcast. I even own an exclusive John Dyer Baizley-made print from the Yellow and Green album era (Relapse Records) that holds a special place in my heart. Needless to say, the 2023 release of the album Stone (Abraxan Hymns) has not left my rotation. Not only was I getting to see one of the best bands to ever do it live, three other killer bands were joining them tonight in Primitive Man, Midwife and Agriculture. The approach of the headline band to have different sets of rotating openers should be a more common practice when possible.
Since the music of Baroness has been unlike any other band to me, and more akin to a spiritual experience since I first got into them in 2007, I set the mood for myself before listening. I turned the lights down low, cracked the window open to get a nice breeze going, and heard the sound of large late summer raindrops filling my ears. The city’s heartbeat in the deep background was the only other sound besides my breathing. I just stared at the new album artwork for five straight minutes. At peace for a change, in the still and calm of myself, and by chance, present in the city of my birth for a few days, I hit play on the promo and then let the first notes hit me.
6/14/2019, Rough Trade Records, Ghostcult Magazine, Brooklyn.
Heavy Rock legends Baroness will perform their last album Gold & Grey (review here) in full and live for the first time ever performance, on Sept. 10 at 8 pm Eastern as a livestream from Long Island City’s Culture Lab LIC at The Plaxall Gallery. Tickets, which are $14.99 and available now via the link below. The link will grant access to the premier livestream event as well as unlimited viewing for 48 hours beginning at the time of redemption. The concert is available throughout the weekend, ending at 11:59 pm Eastern on Sunday, Sept. 13. A limited-edition collection of merch items to commemorate the special outing will also be available to ticket purchasers.Continue reading
Ghost Cult was fortunate to chat with Sebastian Thomson of Baroness recently. Recognized as one of the greatest drummers in the word, the Brooklyn resident talked about the new album Gold & Grey (Abraxan Hymns), what success looks like for the band, the new writing dynamic in the band with guitarist Gina Gleason, insights into his other work with Publicist and even his old band Trans AM, drums and his drumming technique, and much more. The band kicks off their European tour, tonight, September 23rd with Volbeat, and Danko Jones. Continue reading
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6/14/2019, Rough Trade Records, Ghostcult Magazine, Brooklyn.
Baroness is currently on tour for supporting their acclaimed Gold & Grey album, released this past June via their own label Abraxan Hymns. They have just shared an extensive behind the scenes video which you can watch below. Continue reading
6/14/2019, Rough Trade Records, Ghostcult Magazine, Brooklyn.
Ghost Cult was lucky enough to be among the select few to witness one of Baroness’s special record release gigs. The band released their stellar new album Gold & Grey via their own Abraxan Hymns imprint and wanted to celebrate with their fans. The small intimate affairs dotted the east coast and saw the band perform both unplugged (as a duo) and also with the full band. Even as we waited in line to get into the tiny room at Rough Trade Brooklyn for the show, making conversation with fans who were pumped for the new album, talk of “all-time great bands” was bandied about. It was legit exciting just to be there. People already had bought the album to be signed as well as other merch. Rough Trade does a terrific job with these events and we have been to many diverse ones over the years from Wardruna to most recently, Amanda Palmer. Continue reading
Baroness released their acclaimed new album Gold & Grey yesterday, June 14th, via their own label Abraxan Hymns. The band performed a short set at Rough Trade Records in Brooklyn, NY, as well as signing for fans. Then the band headed over to the Revolver-sponsored Art Exhibition, focusing on the artwork of frontman John Baizely and Marald van Haasteren, taking fans piece by piece process of how the art of Gold & Grey, and some of his other iconic work has come into being. Watch fan-filmed videos and check out some of the photos from the gallery. A proper review and photo set is coming to Ghost Cult next week. Continue reading
Baroness is back with a new album, and once again it is one of the centerpieces of the release schedule for this year. Still, a band that does things on their own terms, in a DIY punk rock way, but still creating heady music for music lovers by music lovers. Gold & Grey (Abraxan Hymns) is an album that arrives with a justified glow of hype, especially following Purple. The former album is actually the standard Ghost Cult uses in our grading system as “perfect”, in case you had been wondering about what kind of esteem we hold this band. Continue reading
Baroness drops their highly anticipated new album Gold & Grey via their Abraxan Hymns label this Friday, June 14th! Stream the entire new album now at NPR! Continue reading