Doomed Confessionary: Dee Calhoun

Dee Calhoun was the final voice of doom metal legends Iron Man, and currently fronts Spiral Grave.

Dee has released four albums on Argonauta Records: »Rotgut« (2016), »Go To The Devil« (2018), »Godless« (2020) & »Old Scratch Comes To Appalachia« (2023). He also released the independent EP »A Dream Within A Dream« (2020).

In addition to music, Dee is a published author and does voiceover work.

Can you say a few words about you?
I’m a solo artist based out of Maryland, USA. I began writing solo music as a for-fun kind of thing, and it all sort of just took root and eight years later I’m still doing it. My music is acoustic-based, swampy and heavy. My themes are dark, and as a published author many of my stories cross over into my music. In recent years I’ve begun adding non-traditional instruments such as cigar box guitars, shovel guitars, and diddley bows into my music to even further my dark Americana vibe. In addition to my solo work, I am also the voice of Spiral Grave, and play guitar with folk singer-songwriter April on South.

What was the biggest challenge for you this year?
Probably expenses. Things aren’t cheap, and budgeting gets tight. Fuel costs to get to gigs, equipment maintenance, keeping merchandise items stocked – all of those things are pricey, and we’re all going through it.

What can you be most proud of this year?
A new album and a new book! At the suggestion of my son I cross-marketed »Old Scratch Comes To Appalachia« (the album) and »Old Scratch Comes To Appalachia: Four Devilish Novelettes« (the book) and the concept has been very well-received. The album is a two-CD set; CD one is the album, and CD two is the title story from the book in audio form. The book is a collection of four long-form stories. It has been a real treat to see my two main creative vocations combined in such a way.

What was your biggest regret?
2023 has been a good year for me. I guess if there’s anything that I wished for that didn’t happen was traveling outside of the US to perform. All in good time…

What was the best concert/tour this year and why?
I was out and about a LOT this year. The show that jumps into my mind first is the Pennsylvania Cigar Box Guitar Festival in York, PA. This was my second year playing it, and this year I was on the main stage. It’s just a cool gathering of people with weird instruments having great fun, and I love that I’ve become a part of it. It’s completely removed from the normal circuits I move within, and it’s always a great time.

What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
That the corporations and fickle listeners who are slaves to nostalgia haven’t completely killed it yet. To my fellow lifers down here in the trenches of the underground: keep banging away. I’m first and foremost a fan, and speaking for other fans who don’t rely on the mainstream for our entertainment, we love the hell out of you.

Where can we see you live next year (concerts/tours)?
There are a lot of things in the works, and being confirmed as we speak. I will continue to do a mix of all-acoustic shows and shows where I’m an acoustic act on a bill of heavy bands. I anticipate being at the aforementioned Pennsylvania Cigar Box Fest again, and I’m also in talks regarding a similar fest in Pittsburgh. I’ll also be active with Spiral Grave and with April on South. The best thing to do is keep an eye on my website and/or social media for updates.

What are your plans for the next year? What do you personally want the most?
To keep gigging, and to keep expanding into new areas and seeing and meeting new people; and most importantly, to keep having fun. I’m not in this for the revenue stream, I’m in it for the love of the art, and for the fun that comes with it.

Do you already know what are you doing on New Year’s Eve?
I have it narrowed down to three things, which means I’ll likely end up staying home hahaha.

How can people best support you?
The best way to support me or any band is to come to shows, buy merchandise, and spread the word. With money being as tight as it is it’s hard to get out to support, but if you can, please do. We aren’t that far removed from a time when you couldn’t go out to do things, so take advantage of it and enjoy it now.

Do you have any message for your listeners?
Above anything else, THANK YOU! Keep a look on my website (screamingmaddee.com) and let’s get together and have some fun and music sometime very soon!

Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well