Doomed Confessionary: Nate Dunn (Snore)
Hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Snore is a blackened psychedelic doom metal solo project by Nate Dunn of Void Master and Dronegazer.
Snore has just released the first demo »Apnea« on June 14th, 2024. Available now for streaming on Bandcamp.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Sure! Snore is really the dark side of the other band I am in, Void Master. Snore is really heavy no-nonsense doom with lots of influences from Monolord, Cough, and Windhand. After moving from Philly to Pittsburgh I felt I needed to play in an actual band. Snore had been on the backburner of my mind for a while and I finally felt it was time to make it happen. Right now it’s just me. The drums were done by a gentleman in the Lehigh Valley named Matt Molchany of Shards Studios. Everything else is mixed and recorded here in house.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Currently it’s finding members motivated to work towards shows and new music. Of course balancing promotion, online presence, and practicing/writing with a day job is always a struggle.
What can you be most proud of so far?
»Apnea« really was a big step for me as a musician as it wasn’t going to be geared towards the fun stoner sound Void Master was. I wanted to make doom that was more based on heavy riffs. I took the leap to move towards something I really wanted to do.
What was your biggest regret?
Currently my vocals haha! Honestly it was that I put off starting Snore for almost two years. So much Void Master stuff had taken my time up and I really wanted to get away from the weed-based songs. I started writing heavier and more oppressive sounding stuff that never really fit the band and I just stashed it away for Snore.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
None for Snore yet! Void Master’s first show was in a field on the side of a mountain on the back of a trailer with a light tower for power. The first show with the current line up of Void Master was fun though. We played to like 8 people and the opening bands were all way off the beaten path, i.e. an acoustic act, pop punk, and then we came on and just brought the hammer down. The venue was none too pleased with the shift of genres to end the night haha!
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
The doom music scene is the best group of people I have ever been involved with. Everyone is so supportive and I’ve made some real friends, shout out Matt of Mill Town FX and Tyler formerly of Wizard Killer. I was used to the death and black metal scene because that’s what I always was involved with. They’re still great guys but the doom community welcomed me with open arms.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Currently the new Ten Ton Slug album has been on a lot, Necrot, Void Odyssey, and the »Sigillum Luciferi« album by Cough.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
A fortune cookie I got when I was like 20 said, “The time is now to tune your instrument and play!”. Also Daddy Longlegs of the Bloodhound Gang was a friend of mine back in Philly and he told me to just “Shut-up and play. To 1 person or 10,000 people, you’ve got the shit.” That always kind of stuck with me. Someone from a popular band actually giving me the thumbs up was mind bending.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Cartoons for sure. I can watch hours of old cartoons. I also have a soft spot for old country, specifically David Allan Coe but also enjoy Hank III a lot!
Can you say something more about the music scene in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania?
Pittsburgh does not have a very good doom scene. Lots of hardcore around here which isn’t my forte so I don’t make it to many shows.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
I’m not sure if 2024 holds anything for Snore in a live setting. I play guitar in a band called Appalachian Doom Cult, which is just some psychedelic country rock, and I believe we are looking to do a few shows in September. Our drummer is in Mounds Of Orchids and he is pretty busy.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Snag some members and hit the streets.
How can people best support your band?
Just a follow on Instagram or it would be great if people checked out »Apnea« on Bandcamp. If you’re into stoner doom I’d recommend Void Master. If you like drone like Sunn O))) and old Boris then Dronegazer might be up your alley. Really just seeing a new follower notification means the world to me and almost anyone in a band. I feel like I floated around so many bands and projects I apologize. Snore and Void Master are still active though!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thank you so much for the support and kind words. Keep supporting the scene!
Void Master:
Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube
Dronegazer:
Bandcamp
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well