My Robot Kills is an experimental metal band from Prunedale, California. They mix elements of metal, synthwave, darkwave, doom metal and other genres to create a thought provoking and unique style that is all their own. Members include: Donovan Campbell: Guitars/Vocals (Vulture King, Dr. Luna, Martyrs of a Lost Generation, A Temple of Mirrors), Josh Wagner: Keyboard/ electronics (Umlaut, A Temple Of Mirrors), and Patrick Golden: Guitars (Vulture King, Piscean Creed, Bog Iron).
In this interview spotlight, I chat with the band about the latest music, challenges, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
My bandmates and I are all originally from the Monterey Bay area of California. We started off as a darkwave/ synthwave project that has now evolved to include elements of Industrial/Goth/ and Doom metal. We now refer to ourselves by a term we think we invented called Doomwave.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
Music has been a lifelong journey for us. We all started off wanting to be rockstars and live the life. Nowadays we cannot live without the music. It is our way of truly creating something out of chaos and the unseen.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
This release (Breathe It All In) is definitely not only the heaviest song we have done as a band so far, but of any other musical composition we have ever done to this point. Vocally I used channeling methods to create something otherworldly and the result did not disappoint. All of us are growing with each release and the music is getting more intense and interesting.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this over saturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
I think one of the main challenges and the elephant in the room is the fact that artists are not able to perform live. That issue effects the entire industry and has negatively impacted the world as a whole. We are determined to create art for others to enjoy even when we cannot perform live.
The other huge challenge is just trying to get a fair shake from these SM sites that claim to connect people. But then only show your post to 20 friends unless you pay. And if they don’t like your art or imagery they block and censor it with little or no explanation. I guess you will just not be able to compete if you are one of these unlucky bands who are trying to push the envelope.. It is disgraceful and we a are currenly seeking fair places to market and network that allow us and our peers our creative expression.
What was the last song you listened to?
Hellametal – Digitized
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
As a band I think we all would agree that Vinyl has the superior choice. However any way we can hear our favorite music works for us.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Of the options listed Bandcamp would be the best in my opinion. From the standpoint of them not censoring free speech and using predatory practices that rob artists of a chance to survive.
Apple and Spotify are making billions while artists make pennies. And if that wasn’t bad enough they don’t even help with the promotion. I hope it becomes a cultural norm to reject corporations who exploit the years of hard work of honest artists.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
You can stream all of our singles and music videos for free at www.myrobotkills.com
You can connect with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/myrobotkills
And you can support us by purchasing our music at https://myrobotkills.bandcamp.com
Anything else before we sign off?
As a new band we have really struggled like many others to spread the word about our band and music. We thank you very much for giving us a voice and an opportunity to connect with others. We hope our friends out there in the world find ways of uniting and not dividing. That is the only way we will truly have change. It is also the only way you will ever hope to win against the robots.
