Doomed Confessionary: Brad van Staveren (Cavalcade)
Guess what… Here comes the second interview for today!!!
Cavalcade is an experimental sludge/post-metal band out from Lansing, Michigan featuring Sean Peters (vocals, keyboards), Brad van Staveren (guitar), Cale Sauter (guitar), Craig Horky (bass) and Christian Urabazzo (drums).
The band’s new double album »Evergreens« was released on November 4th, 2023 via Bermuda Mohawk Productions.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Cavalcade is a marsupial blend of many rock genres into one creative entity and based in Mid-Michigan. One of our favorite descriptions has been “Black Metal Grunge”.
What was the biggest challenge for the band this year?
One of our biggest challenges probably was the final mixing and mastering stage of our album »Evergreens«. This stage is never easy and with all the different minute little details off our insanity, it’s hard to land on a mix for one song, let alone a whole double album. The work and attention to detail all paid off in the end though! We are super proud of this gargantuan swampy beast!!!
What can you be most proud of this year?
Our double album »Evergreens«!!!!
What was your biggest regret?
Probably not getting down to play in Ft. Wayne this year. That’s always a highlight for us.
Also, not having the album out in time to hand a copy to Claudio Simonetti of Goblin when I seen him perform in October. I’m sure he would have tossed it in the garbage, and never listened since he was on tour and had his own shit to worry about, but it would have been fun to see him look over the artwork in a perplexing way.
What was the best concert/tour this year and why?
For concerts that we played, it would be our album release. We had a great turnout in our hometown of Lansing, Michigan and it was a fantastic feeling to finally release this album we had worked on for around 3 years with many of our closest friends and see everyone just be in the moment and have a blast to the tunes.
For shows we attended it would probably be The Cure tour since most of us went to that and it felt like a big band outing and The Cure were on point and mezmerizing. Also, seeing the Danzig/Behemoth/Twin Temple/Midnight, Joe Perry Project and Mr. Bungle shows were also big highlights for me to witness personally.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Not sure if there were any big surprises this year. I guess I was kind of shocked to see Robert Smith of The Cure actually fight the pricing system with Live Nation.
Where can we see you live next year (concerts/tours)?
We have plans to get out of state and hit up some old fun haunts of ours. Kentucky, Chicago, Ft. Wayne, Toledo are all on the list.
What are your plans for the next year as a band? What do you personally want the most?
I think we are looking forward to getting out and promoting the new album through live shows and starting some writing as well.
Do you already know what are you doing on New Year’s Eve?
I am boring on New Years, the wife and I watch some films we missed during the year and get drunk and cook some steak and enjoy each other’s company. Might finally watch that new Indiana Jones movie lol.
How can people best support your band?
Come out to a show or give the band a listen and spread our swampy propaganda.
Do you have any message for your listeners here?
Stay weird and keep making art!!!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well