Clint: Long Winters Stare is a Symphonic Dark/Doom metal with Neo-classic Edge. We are from the tiny state of Rhode Island. The members are: Clint Listing- Guitars & Harsh vocals Greg Ball- Synth, Contra Bass, Programming and Clean Vocals, Diedre Faith- Female Vox.

How would you describe the sounds of LWS? How long have you been producing music with this group? Has the music evolved with LWS, if so, from what sounds to what and why?

Clint:  Weve been a Band for four years now with three releases out. Yes LWS started out as Doom/Death band worshiping My Dying Bride and Early Anathema. The latest carnation of LWS would be Symphonic Dark Metal with Gothic Neo-classic Style. We are far more experimental and have included a Female vocalist on our latest CD.

What about the name Long Winters Stare? Is there any philosophy connected with the name, music or lyrics? You recently signed with Dark Symphonies Records. How is that going for you and how long will you be releasing with them?

Clint: The name can from an Old English Poem I read five years ago. I just like the way it sounded. Yes we've signed to Dark Symphonies for two CDs worldwide. They are all I could have ever asked for at this stage. They gave us fair studio budget and doing major promotion and got us on the Milwaukee Metal Festival. For all info go to http://www.darksymphonies.com/ as Dark Symphonies is LWS's home for a long time I hope. Ted is an Excellent label owner.

When did you get involved with music? Do you have any formal training in making music or in music theory? Is there anyone you would like to credit for giving you inspiration in creating your music? Do you have any side projects going on or  plans for any?

Clint: I started listening to music at an early age. My father was a big 50's and 60's US music fan. At fiftteen, I got a Bass and it was all from there. I'm self taught but Greg went to Ohio State for a Music Major. He's brillant at composing. Deidre has work in theatre and folk groups. The reason I started playing music was because of bands such as Black Sabbath and Judus Priest, they got me wanting to rock. Greg And I are also in As All Die (Neo-classic Dark Folk). We have split CD with Veinke on Dragon Flight http://listen.to/dragonflight/. I also have a new Guitar manipulation / noise solo thing called " When Joy Turns To Saddness" A CD will be out by the end of 2000.

What type of gear do you use to create the sounds/music of LWS?

Clint- LWS is Synth (Kurtzwiell PC88), Contra Bass, Down Tuned Gibson Guitars, Strings, Drums (Yahama Electronic kit) and 3 Vocals. We have no Bass or Bassist in the band.

Have you performed live anywhere? Are there any dates coming up for you in the future? Who will be  performing with LWS for these performances?

Clint: We have been playing many shows as LWS in NYC, Pittsburg, Chicago, Providence, Newark NJ. We have also played the New England hardcore and metal fest and March Metal Meltdown in NJ. We will be Touring across the Eastern and Midwestern USA this July and playing the Milwaukee Metal Fest. http://www.metalfest.com/ for updates on Milwaukee Metal Fest. Upcoming dates for our tour in July: http://www.darksymphonies.com/. As far as touring with whom, whomever will have us. [If you are interested in doing a gig with LWS in July, contact Clint.]

If there was one person or band you could work with in the studio or in a live performance, who would that be and why?

Clint: That is So easy Garm / Trickter G of Arcturus, Ulver and Borknagar. The man is my musical god. He does all the best music on earth. I just try to follow his vision and create the most original music I can.

You also co-own and manage the successful Dragon Flight Records. How long have you been involved with the label and in what capacity? What was the impetus behind starting up Dragon Flight?

Clint: Yes I Co own Dragon Flight Recordings [DFR] LLC with Greg. DFR has turned "one" in March of 2000. We're a Label for Dark non-metal music. We have released 4 CDs so far: Long Winters Stare, The Cold -- The Silent Compilation CD, ASAllDie/Veinke Split CD and Necrophorus-Gathering Composed Thoughts. Coming in June [2000] is LS-TTL CD and Winter [2000] is Vedisni CD. We have done two Issues of our Print Zine Called The Dragons Flight. Issue three is out in June. We started [the label] to expose music that is ignored by major labels and bigger indies. Go to http://listen.to/dragonflight/ and explore. We have mail order also with over 130 Dark Ambient, Neo-classical and Experimental Metal titles.

The Tears Of Odins Fallen -- June 2000 Release

Where can we get a catalog? Do you distribute any imports? If so, what labels and bands? Are you signing on any new bands? What type of criteria do you use when signing a band? Are you taking on any new bands or labels for distribution?

Clint: Yes we have a web catalog and print one. We trade with many labels world wide so our distro and mailorder is very strong. We just signed Vedisni our 5th band and to be our 6th release. Vedisni is Dark Ritualistic Industrial with a noise touch. Our vision for signing bands is anything that gives me the feeling of isolation and despair in the Dark Arts. We don't just distro bands or labels. We trade with anyone we see that fits our vision and we carry their stuff that way.

How do you feel about the use of MP3s on the web? Do you use them on your web site for publicity? Do you find the use of that technology as a band and a record label to be a positive addition to the business?

Clint: Mp3's are the single best things to happen to underground bands. Now anyone can hear your music worldwide. I disagree on stealing full CDs of an artist on Mp3s, but for a taste of new music they are supreme.

If you could change one thing in the sub-cultural music scene, what would it be and why?

Clint: The stigma that Metal is music for stupid people. There is so much experimentation and creativity in metal this days. Metal is mixing with so many styles (this is what LWS is.) Dark Ambient and Metal are brothers eternal in music.

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. Do you have any other comments?

Clint: Thank you for caring enough to speak with us. Go to http://listen.to/dragonflight (our creation for musical world) and http://www.darksymphonies.com/ (LWS fine fine new Recording Home). Finally, always explore new terrains musically, psychically and mentally!!!

You can reach Dragon Flight Recordings, Zine and Mailorder at the following locations

Dragon Flight
http://listen.to/dragonflight