BARONESS - 'Coloured In Stone Ahead of Dark Mofo'

“There's no map for you to follow and take your journey. You are Lewis and Clark. You are the mapmaker.” – Phillipa Soo.

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark are perhaps two of the most renowned explorers in the history of the USA. In 1804, President Thomas Jefferson proposed to these men an opportunity to lead a two-year overland expedition from Missouri to the Pacific Ocean. The two voyagers recruited members for what would become the “Corps of Discovery” and in two years and three months, this discovery squadron traversed over 11,000 kilometres on foot, by boat, and by horse.

Lewis and Clark, as well as numerous of their comrades, documented their journey in significant detail, including their interactions with numerous Native American tribes; the collection of scientific specimens; and they recorded valuable observations about flora, fauna, astronomy, Native American culture, and the climate. Their journals were published to wide acclaim, and the maps that they drew expanded previous knowledge of the territory’s geography and waterways. These periodicals remain to be some of the most detailed accounts of early American exploration still to this day.

While Grammy-award winning actress and singer Phillipa Soo is unmistakably of a different artistic universe to Georgia’s progressive sludge rock trailblazers Baroness, her description of “following” a “journey” remains above valid and relevant for the Grammy-nominated quartet.

Guitarist, vocalist and pioneer John Baizley has been the mapmaker for Baroness for over two decades. Since its inception in 2003, Mr. Baizley has directed and crafted six studio albums, an array of EPs and split releases, as well as guided a revolving door of musicians through an exceedingly accomplished touring mission around the globe. He is the sole original member of Baroness, but his creative ambition and passion for his “mapmaker” artistic pursuits as a globally adored musician and lyricist have no sign of losing momentum. In fact, this momentum follows the map incredibly in a “reversal of time” avenue in some instances; for example, a revisitation to musical archetypes that were an exploration that fitted in a different time and pathway from their original course. In simpler terms, the song ideas written for a release in the past that were omitted from the project at the time, being revisited when that artistic exploration fit into the future undertaking.

“It's always possible. I mean, for instance, there were some pieces of songs that we had from writing the Red album sessions that made it onto Purple. So, if an idea is good enough that you remember it five or 10 years later, it tends to make the cut.” John reflects in laughter before continuing – “But I think when we start a new record, we'd like to start with kind of a clean slate.”

The Purple LP which was released in 2015 was a commercial success and met with critical acclaim; the single ‘Shock Me’ achieved the aforementioned Grammy nomination in 2017 for Best Metal Performance.

This assuredly gives testament to John Baizley’s music mapmaking virtuosity and his knowledge of compositions’ destinations.

Baroness’ latest full-length Stone released in 2023 is another essential listening experience for any devotee of the four-piece, and arguably any enthusiast of the heavier side of music. Expanding their incredible soundscapes further, the 10 tracks navigate between stoner rock, progressive alternative metal, sludge, post punk and even spoken word passages and harmonies reflective of The Beatles.

Self-produced in an Upstate NY AirBnb location which was converted into a studio, the band cut down 37 song ideas to the final 10 that became their sixth LP. Following the essence of this article, a map, this item requires essentials such as: Direction, location, title, scale and sources (there are undoubtedly many more elements involved). Utilising this metaphor, the “direction” could be assigned to the tracks’ sounds, “location” could be the lyrical themes, “sources” could translate to the instrumentation and "title" and "scale" are somewhat self-explanatory.

Incorporating these profound foundations of music creation for over three-dozen songs, only to drastically abandon them from Stone is courageous to say the least. It plagued this writer to ask Baizley how torturous this process must have been?

“Not particularly, because I think what the 37 songs at the initial stages of recording were, that was more similar to the idea that we had 37 things that we started with over the course of preparing for it. So, in many cases, we just took lots of little pieces and put them together and made songs out of them. And I think that's kind of a typical thing. We didn't throw out 27 songs, now that would be psychotic.”

Do you think some of those ideas will be revisited in the next project? With the current Baroness members and the family unit you have become, a new energy could emerge in the upcoming writing sessions?

“Yeah! I mean, that’s exactly right. Honestly, I think when you're writing a song, it's like, if something is working, whatever other ideas you've got in mind sort of disappear at that moment. So, there's sort of a practical aspect of writing music where, if it's working, you just continue until it's done. Nine times out of ten, that takes a very different form by the time it's finished. So, I think from prior writing or recording sessions, we can always go back and just pull them out if we need to.”

The location where Stone was crafted and recorded was one of rather peculiar features. The vacation home was positioned in a rather remote area with barely any other human presence besides the quartet themselves. The full-length was crafted and put-to-tape while COVID restrictions were still present to a degree, so the isolation was familiar and impelling for the band to ensure their work ethic remained elevated and their experiments, more escalated.

Recording outdoors and capturing sounds of nature including birds chirping and wind through the trees, keeping drum stool squeaks and the drumsticks clicking in the final product is quite uncommon in this modern age of production perfection. For this scribe, it was a must-ask if any ideas of recording were abandoned for being too implausible?

“No, not really. I think the more far-fetched the idea, the better.” John Baizley admits with a heartfelt chuckle – “Something that might become a bummer, or something that would, I think, be less than interesting for us, would be to have to use too many normal tactics in a recording. The fun part is the adventure and the sort of creative spirit of discovery.”

Did you discover any interesting items in the house you could use for the recording?

“Well, we found a little like ‘Gong’ thing. The owner had a gong on show in the house that ended up making the record.”

“We smashed that thing. It exploded!’’ Percussionist Seb Thomson yells in glee.

Any other weird objects?

“We found a medical instrument of sorts, colonic piping.” John admits in hysterics.

Is that why the album is called Stone? That process of clearing colonic stones?

*All members erupt with laughter.*

“There was no connection there.” Baizley clarifies, trying to catch his breath.

When Wall Of Sound caught up with John, drummer Seb, bassist/keyboardist Nick Jost and lead guitarist Gina Gleason via phone call, the four-piece were in high spirits and following a very familiar map, one that would guide them across the US for an 18-show tour performing the Red and Blue albums in full.

“We're halfway in between Kansas City and Indianapolis at the moment, at a truck stop. But truthfully, we are really excited to comeback to Australia. Even though, it's just one show, and it's not on the mainland, we're all extremely excited about getting down to Tasmania.” JB explains with unbound positivity.

Baroness will be heading to our shores for only one appearance at the enthralling festival that is Dark Mofo taking place in Hobart and Launceston. Occurring (practically) annually, during our winter months, the multiple-weeks-long event attracts some truly phenomenal artists from all around the globe. Heavier music is a major feature of the festival; however, there is so much more involved in the expansive and amazing arts universe, namely: theatre, film, death-defying stunts, art features from all parts of the spectrum and so much more.

For this sensational solitary Australian experience happening merely days after the Red and Blue tour, it prompted the question of how the spirits of Baroness were during this rather intense show schedule they were currently navigating?

“For me, this was really good experience to really get deep into the details of the way Allen [Blickle, former drummer] played on those records.” Seb discloses with a passionate disposition – “It was like a really good challenge; it was a fun challenge. I learned a lot and the thing that's interesting now is that now we're all trying to own the songs in our own way. Sort of put our own little signature elements in there, which has been a good journey.”

The Baroness’ mapmakers live for their next journey.

Interview by Will Oakeshott @teenwolfwill

Baroness will play The Odeon Theatre in Hobart, June 8th 2025 as part of the Dark Mofo Festival.

Tickets and information: Baroness | Dark Mofo

Stream and Buy STONE here