Music is a never ending journey of discovery - Wo Fat

How and when did you start on your musical journey?
As a band, we started jamming together about 5 years ago. Individually, we've all played music for a long time. Michael, our drummer, and myself, Kent, have known each other and played together in various musical incarnations covering a number of different styles (including funk, jazz and heavy rock) for roughly 20 years. Tim , our bass player came from playing in an experimental improvisational noise band. Wo Fat was born from a desire to just Rock.

What kind of music do you like to make? How would you describe your music?
Wo Fat's music falls into the genre usually referred to as Stoner Rock, which is rock and roll that harkens back to heavy metal's roots: 70's rock, psychedelia, and the blues. It's a music that is heavily riff-based and stems directly from the blues. We think of our music as Roots Metal.

Who is your musical inspiration?
There are many musical inspirations for Wo Fat. Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, Cactus, Zeppelin, Tommy Bolin, Leafhound, Buffalo, Leslie West and Mountain, Budgie, Fu Manchu, Sleep, Nebula, Kyuss, Trouble, ZZ Top, Church of Misery, Miles Davis(especially the 70's stuff), Atomic Bitchwax, Herbie Hancock's Mwandishi and Headhunters bands, John Lee Hooker, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Junior Kimbrough, RL Burnside, Howlin Wolf, Pink Floyd, and many many more. Music is a never ending journey of discovery and we are inspired by listening to as much great music from the past and present as we can get our hands on.

How do you distinguish yourselves from others?
We don't really think about that. We just make the music that we dig.

Tell us more about your album on Guitarati. What is the inspiration behind the album?
Our only album, which is the one for sale on Guitarati, is "The Gathering Dark." It is a collection of songs that mostly use imagery from horror movies, H.P. Lovecraft, etc. to convey a fairly political message. Take what you want from it. You don't have to agree or even know what the message is. It just so happens that the songs were all written during some dark political times in America and that's what was on our minds. The title track, "The Gathering Dark", was written right after the 2004 elections. All of the songs with the exception of one are original, that being "Dreams of Milk and Honey," which is by the great Leslie West.

Which is your favorite song from your album 'The Gathering Dark'? What is the story behind it?
One of my favorites on the Album is "From Beyond," which actually is one of the first songs that we wrote. It just turned out killer I think. Another favorite of mine is the instrumental song that finishes the album, "Runnin' the Voodoo Down." If you didn't get it from the title, it is inspired by some of the mindblowing stuff Miles Davis was doing in the early 70's.

Are you working on a new album?
Yes. We are currently working on a new album, to be entitled "Psychedelonaut." It will be again packed with riffage, and I think will have a bit more of the psychedelia goin' on in it. We are tracking it on 2" analog tape using killer analog gear, so it will be good and thick. We are hoping to have it completed sometime this summer.

What is a day like in the life of a musician?
For me, I spend my days in the recording studio as an engineer recording bands. I am lucky enough to be able to make my living in the music industry. I work with a huge variety of musicians of all styles every day, which provides me with many ideas and much inspiration.

Any parting shot?
Lastly, I would like to mention what a great thing websites like Guitarati are doing for musicians. More than ever before it is possible to get your music heard and to connect with like-minded people without being under the boot of a major label. Down with mindless corporate music and right on for independent artists!