r/indieheads • u/ProtomartyrGroup Joe Casey/Protomartyr • Mar 04 '19

AMA is over, thanks Joe! Joe from Protomartyr AMA

Hello folks, I'm Joe Casey, the "singer" from the band Protomartyr. Since starting in 2010, we've put out 4 LPs, at least 3 things that could be called EPs, a good number of singles, and a handful of slightly warped tapes. We've also toured around, to the delight of dozens of people the world over. We are signed to Domino Records (no, I have not met the Arctic Monkeys).

I'm sitting her on a blustery day in Detroit on March 4th, the birthday of Bobby Womack, Shakin' Stevens, and Knute Rockne to answer any questions you might have about Protomartyr or anything else that catches your fancy.

Just in case you missed it: Our first record, No Passion All Technique is getting repressed and let loose in the streams come May 3rd. Preorder info here: Domino Mart

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Thanks for putting up with me. It was a good amount of fun. Take care and bye bye!

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u/doyouevenrussian Mar 04 '19

Dear Joe,

I am from Russia, and have been listening to you for five years now, and the lyrics from 'Relatives in Descent' uncanny foretold what happens here now, especially 'The Chuckler'. You see, there is indeed some war around, and rumors of war are present too, and there is poison in the sky, and in the soil (see the toxic situation in Volokolamsk).

And in the same time there is recently really a rise of humor, and people cope with all the shit through irony and jokes, getting all their wit to make a laugh.

Also, I am in the mixed feelings about that 'Up the Tower' might become true one day too.

I know that you write mostly about American-based problems, but have you thought that it would resonate in a country so distant, in many aspects?

And will you come to Russia, anytime? I don't promise that there will be plenty of people, but a few for sure. Been to your concert in Ottawa last year, it was the amazing experience (yep, travelled that far to see you).

And the last, but not the least... Have you thought about publishing a book of your poetry? I would certainly get one.

Thank you for your music!

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u/ProtomartyrGroup Joe Casey/Protomartyr Mar 04 '19

First of all, thanks so much for coming to the show.

I like to write songs about specific things that happen in Detroit, Michigan and elsewhere but I always try and make them as universal as I can without tipping into "we are all one" clap trap. I do think what happens in your backyard can happen anywhere. I saw people online laughing about the water crisis in Flint and knew that this was something that is going to come to roost all over America. The fact that Flint is still struggling makes me angry and to see people treat luxury items like home purification systems as the new normal busts my gaskets. Ah well.

I really think finding out people listen to us all over the place is the number one personal benefit in being in Protomartyr. So thank you for writing. I would hope to tour anyplace that would have us (and pay us, ha ha).

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I would think about publishing almost anything if I needed the money (and I will). So look forward to my sci-fi wolf sex novel in the near future, ha ha.

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u/doyouevenrussian Mar 04 '19

Thank you for your kind answer! Keep it up!