KKM: Where are you located and what are the vibes like musically there? Have the different places you’ve lived inspired you differently or brought unique challenges to you as an artist?
LOCKJAW is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin near the shores of Lake Michigan. It is a city with lots of talent and great bands. Not neccessarily a place of growth with a thriving particular scene. A great place to start. I have lived here my whole life but have found my biggest inspiration in places like Ontario, Silverthorn, Colorado and The Keys. The things that I have found in places like those have kept me going in a place like this.
KKM: The very first Lockjaw release, according to your Bandcamp page was 20 years ago in 2004. What’s changed since then when it comes to the writing process and how was it handled during the pandemic?
The first official release was called “Looking Like A Devil” from 1998. It isn’t available online and only as a hard copy cd. But the music from that point on slowly got heavier and more abrassive and turned into a band presentation from originally just being me.
The pandemic caused issues between me and my lineup at the time so we parted ways. I proceeded to write and record 2 eps’ during the pandemic and they were the start of the new and present era of LOCKJAW. Because of the pandemic I was able to rebuild my recording studio and had the time to just work on music. It gave me the opportunity to get back in the musical game.
KKM: Can you talk about the current single and the next one?
The first single released from “Songs of Death” was called “Screaming”. One of the more upbeat and in your face tracks from the album that was inspired by bipolar mood swings and being trapped in a world of limitations imposed by the system.
The next single we will be doing a video for is called “Resist”. A dark and gothy esque tune inspired by the likes of Bauhaus and Christian Death. Heavy in the style of older LOCKJAW albums reminiscent of our 2005 album “Hell Inside”.
KKM: How do you balance time between your profession, your creative work and family? Is the discipline in balancing a challenge?
I do music for a living. From my band to teaching guitar, bass and performance. There have beeen times i have stage managed at venues, booked shows and recorded and produced artists. I usually do what it takes to stay a float but try to keep it in the musical realm.
I recently got married. If it wasn’t for my wife then I’m not sure we would even be having this conversation. She inspired me to start playing again and writing my best work ever. She takes an active role in my band and sells merch at our shows and helps with our online presence. I couldn’t ask for a better wife who is more supportive.
KKM: How important is literature to you as an artist?
It use to be very important and i’d often get inspiration from literature, novels, etc. Nowadays I don’t read books and lost the focus for that. But as a musician I feel it is very important to be familiar with and understand literature and proper sentence structure and the beauty of poems. If you aren’t poetic then music may not be the first thing I’d recommend as a passion.
KKM: Favorite cities to visit or perform in?
I have had my biggest shows in Milwaukee but I have always loved going to Chicago and Madison. Two places I have always felt welcomed and appreciated. And fitting enough now our band is a quarter from Chicago for the last almost 2 years.
What’s been your favorite journey as an artist? It doesn’t have to be a physical journey. It can be looking back on a path that’s brought you to where you are today.
The journey of going to shows when I was younger. Then one day sharing the stage with these bands I use to go see and always listened to. Then to eventually getting aknowledgement and validation from some of those bands or artists. Occassionally even becoming friends. Almost like a dream thats too cool to be true.
KKM: What scares you as an artist?
To stop growing or reaching people. Becoming irrelevant in my statement and presentation. But if that day comes then I will just spend more time fishing and being outdoors.
KKM: Have you ever cried after you created a song or during the process? If so, what song?
I have had many songs that made me cry at some point when the track was finished and I stopped to remember what inspired it. I had to put one of my dogs down a few years back. Her name was Khaos and it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. A countdown until the final appointment. And when she was put to sleep she died in mine and my wifes arms. It was horrifying. I wrote lyrics about it and music just to keep my focus somewhere else and the song ended up being called “Tribe of Khaos”. We played it live a couple times but eventually in the song I would start getting over emotional and crying. And it really effects screaming vocals when tears start coming out. I decided it was too difficult for me to relive that song on stage and it is now retired from our set. But it helped doing it and I feel better now.
KKM: What was the last great record you heard?
I discovered two great records on the same day last Summer. Oxbow “Lovely Murk” and Spotlights “Alchemy For The Dead”. Both have some of the greatest musicinship I have heard. “Alchemy For The Dead” is a combo of doom and stoner rock riffs with very melodic vocals and just catchy parts. Oxbow just resonates on such a pure and organic vibe that it goes straight for my soul. Both albums are amazing!
KKM: Motto?
Reject and Rejoice. Meaning reject the things we are forcefed to believe and told to be like and celebrate being ones self.
KKM: What have you planned in the coming months for the band?
LOCKJAW will be in Chicago july 6th and 19th. Madison, WI on Aug 3rd and Milwaukee on Sept 3rd. We will be working on a video at the end of July and will continue to promote and push the latest album “Songs of Death”.
Thanks for your time and questions
~Medavon DeRaj’e(frontman/song writer)
written by W.Z
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