Interview With 'Gnostic Gorilla'

Firstly, introduce yourselves and tell us a little bit about the project Gnostic Gorilla and how you came to be?
Gnostic Gorilla is a ‘Dark Electronic’ experiment. Originally, when I was a wee lad, I released a single under the name “Dean Mason” only and the single was released on “The Lonely Ghost Productions” so called label. Later in 2012, I decided to go purely Electronic (with some exceptions—Damla Bozkurt on Violins for example) and used the name “The Lonely Ghost Project”. In 2015, for the release of my first album, 'St. Basil’s Asylum', I chose the project name “Gnostic Gorilla” because I discovered there was a band out there called “The Lonely Ghost Parade” and I wanted to avoid confusion. Since 2015, I’ve released about 7 albums (some no longer available) and two albums now belong to Cleopatra Records as of 2018. ('St. Basil’s Asylum' and 'Shaman Rave'…to be released in summer of 2019)
What were you up too prior your getting into recording music--was this always the chosen path or did you have other dreams and aspirations?
I had a lot of dreams and aspirations. I wanted to join the RCMP but I realized it was not the type of career for me. I went for studies and more or less sought after some kind of profession. Music has been and continues to be something I do on my days off.
Tell us about your latest release and why our readers should check it out.
“Freaks’ Mind” is the latest release available on iTunes, YouTube, Spotify etc and of course Bandcamp. https://gnosticgorilla.bandcamp.com/album/freaks-mind This album, which started as an EP was not really planned as such. I had not planned on recording new music but one track at a time from November of 2018 to January 2019, I recorded an album’s worth of dark, Industrial/Dark Wave/Gothic music. The reaction to this album has been phenomenal.
Who would you say is the main song writer or and where do you draw your inspiration lyrically and musically from?
Music/Lyrics by myself, Dean Mason. Many different artists and bands have inspired my approach to recording music. To name a few: Gary Numan, Bauhaus, Skinny Puppy, Type O Negative, Ministry, Rammstein and many others. I have a great love for The Doors.
What do you believe is your greatest achievement to date and why?
Getting a label deal with Cleopatra Records. I just never thought such a thing would happen. Cleopatra is a legendary label and I’m very proud to have my little ‘niche’ within the Cleopatra family. I also have two other label deals: one with KL Dark Records and the other Nowhere Now Records. You have to remember that I have been doing music mostly as a hobby. Never thought it would go this way, yet here we are.
Have you ever come face to face with someone within the music scene who has left you awestruck and why?
You know, I have to say, and I’m hesitant to even say this, but having met those whom I consider to be my ‘idols’ I just felt, “they’re just people like anyone else”. I met Gary Numan three times, and he is a really kind soul, but I didn’t walk away thinking I met a deity. I also met other celebs and at the end of the day, we’re all just human. I’m sure that’s not the most inspiring answer but it’s how I feel.
What do you enjoy most about touring?
At this time, Gnostic Gorilla is not doing live shows.
If you had one artist/band that you could go on tour with tomorrow who would it be and why?
It would be cool to do a one off, opening for Gary Numan the way Nash the Slash did in Toronto, only because I know the way he treats supporting bands and he’s very cordial. But I don’t see that happening.
If you can spend an hour with a musical icon living or dead, who would you pick, why and what would you speak about?
Jim Morrison I guess is one of them, from the ‘deceased’ category. From the living? I’m not all that buzzed about meeting anyone these days, I’m not into the hero worship, but having a quick chat with Al Jorgenson of Ministry would be cool I guess.
And finally and most importantly is Die Hard a Christmas Movie?
Of course! I especially like the part where Rudolph blows up the building. Oh wait. Hahahahahaha …wrong nightmare! Ok, all jokes aside—it’s Christmas in the movie itself so, yeah sure. Christmas movie.
We just want to say thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.
Much thanks to you.
Website - www.gnosticgorilla.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gnosticgorilla/