OpenTube

DEAFHEAVEN: George Clarke on Lyrics, Mental Health, Sobriety & Black Metal

Craig Reynolds | The Downbeat

52,609 views

My guest this week is George Lesage Clarke IV (seriously). George is the vocalist of the pioneering black metal/shoegaze band Deafheaven. A deeply poetic and well read man, we do a deep dive on their latest album Lonely People With Power (my AOTY) his lyrics, the nature of hereditary vices…and Cradle Of Filth.

WAYS 2 SUPPORT YA BOY:
✔ the downbeat clothing available at:
https://www.thedownbe.at
✔ get 30% off all plugins with code THEDOWNBEAT at https://www.neuraldsp.com
✔ patreon: Patreon: thedownbeat
✔ twitch: Twitch: reynlord
✔ twitter: Twitter: reynlord
✔ instagram: Instagram: reynlord
✔ discord: Discord: discord

Chapters:

00:00 Craig Introduces Guest and Episode Sponsors

00:03:57 Unpacking George's Name and Early Dark Influences

00:11:40 The Genesis of Deafheaven and Poetic Lyricism

00:16:28 Discussing Tour Life, TikTok, and Diverse Show Lineups

00:28:15 Deep Dive into Lyric Inspiration and Family Themes

00:39:38 Sobriety's Impact on Art and Father-Son Dynamics

00:58:26 Exploring Grandfather's Influence and 'Luna' Trauma

01:12:58 George's Journey with Mental Health and Fitness

01:25:47 The Influence of Cradle of Filth and Black Metal

1:38:55 From Goth to Type O Negative and Cradle Of Filth Rankings

20 Comments

@SpookySkeleton738 1 month ago

infinite granite defense squad reporting in

@gabazz84 11 months ago

Awesome interview! Great idea to do a deep dive on the lyrics, I think a lot of Deafheaven fans will appreciate the chance to hear about it!

@stevefleur 11 months ago

Deafheaven is an instant watch for me

@nekromanced 1 month ago

i don't care much for the concept of celebrity worship, but as a decade long fan of deafheaven, i find watching george in interviews really adds to my adoration of this band. what a cool human being :)

@poftyzoinks8 11 months ago

This is the most important interview I've ever seen. You asked every question i've wanted to ask.

@S-B-R 11 months ago

When George spoke about him not going to a dark place and instead connecting to the audience, I really saw that when I saw them with Knocked Loose. I've never seen a vocalist connect with the audience like he does. At the Leeds show there was a guy who clearly loved Deafheaven so much he was screaming every word and it just seemed like he and George were locked in this connection. It was incredible to see.

@bottlemanic 11 months ago

I said aloud "oh fuck yeah" when i saw this. This has been the year of deafheaven for me

@redonline808 11 months ago

Truly great interview. I'm a Deafheaven latecomer. Going back through their catalogue has been one of the most rewarding sonic experiences of my life.

@apaleguy 11 months ago

I haven't clicked on a Downbeat episode faster than this.
He's one of my vocal idols.

@SLE3PR 11 months ago (edited)

I love George and Deafheaven. Fun Fact, if you'll allow me to use my otherwise useless art degree, Goya didn't name the painting "Saturn devouring his son" - he just painted it on the wall of his house and people named it that after his death. It's just a monster devouring a person.

@madiasch 11 months ago

Dude, best interview to date!! What a wonderful conversation

@Mayajordan3374 11 months ago

I dont get the hate for Infinite Granite, I love that album so much. If it was made by any other shoegaze band it would be a classic.

@FarcastedUK 11 months ago

Infinite Granite appreciation comment (for the algorithm)

@RelaxingRecordings 11 months ago

I absolutely love Deafheaven, but agree - Infinite Granite is fucking awesome.

The best thing is you can hear it's influence in Lonely People With Power, that album wouldn't exist without how they experimented on that one.

@lost_fiction 11 months ago

Such a good and honestly very wholesome interview . George is the man. Another great episode !!!!

@ryandlv 11 months ago

Oh man this flew by for me.

I was so pleased to hear you two talk about Luna so in depth. It’s always been my favorite Deafheaven song and the new album has become my favorite as well. Thanks for doing this interview as well as all the others.

Take care 💜