Premier Rock Forum

nozomiphoenix wrote:

caix wrote:

johnnyshape wrote:

Paradox surrounds Nozomi Phoenix. Sophisticated yet raw, unconventional while still accessible, alternately atmospheric and hard-hitting: the band is adept at lending congruity where there should be none, and in this rectification of duality sits their inner essence. The band's style of moody evolutionary rock has garnered comparisons to artists such as Jeff Buckley, Sonic Youth, and Pink Floyd, to name several. The band itself is influenced by visual and aural artists such as: Akira Kurosawa, Sebastiao Salgado, Amon Tobin, Slayer, Charles Mingus, Anton Corbijn, U2, Richard Avedon, Mamoru Oshii, Fugazi, Massive Attack, Neil Young, Quasimoto, Diane Arbus, and Tracy Silva-Barbosa. The mission of Nozomi Phoenix is not to evoke images of imitation, or ideas of surface things, or of egomania and closed doors, but to heal, to awaken, and to enable.

Our debut EP is available to anyone in the US for an affordable $8,

That's extraordinary. Someone sat down and wrote that.
Amazing.

All bands with public 'mission statements' or 'manifestos' are invariably shit.

I wouldn't say "all," unless you're not a fan of bands like the Sex Pistols, the Clash, Public Image Limited, etc.

I never read stuff about the band, unless it's a bio. I just listen to the music. There's a ton of stuff out there I'd just hate because of shit like this, but I'd rather just hear what they sound like and have that be the explanation.

i'm the guitarist for nozomi phoenix, and i wrote the above statement that has been discussed here. i can appreciate the honest opinions that come with any forum like this -- it's a valuable thing to have an objective opinion. i would disagree with broad generalizations like "all bands w/ public 'mission statements' or 'manifestos' are invariably shit", however. what's lacking in the world right now are people who aren't afraid to say what they believe in. it's much easier to be cynical.
in retrospect, the statement really comes across as pretty egotistical. that wasn't the intent, but if it's getting in the way of the music, it's time to rethink it.