Interview: Temple 95

1: How did you decide on the name, “Temple 95"?

The Ministry was founded in 1995 and has been underground for quite some time. This temple is dedicated to the bravery of our founding members, hence the band name “Temple 95.”

2: What inspires you to create?

I create out of a desire to say the things people feel but may be too afraid to say. To shine a light on the deeply flawed yet beautiful world that we inhabit. I create because it is something that will live long after I leave this world and that’s poetic. Everything that lives is predestined to pass on and I think we should all do what we can to make a positive impact, even if it is just on one person.

3: What advice would you give to someone who wants to be in a creative profession?

Do what the fuck you want. Do let people label you or pigeonhole you into something so specific you feel like you can’t move. I’d also say that it is never too late to do something you are passionate about. 

4: Do you feel open minded about what you listen to? Do you like going out of your comfort zone?

I do feel open-minded about my musical taste. I listen to everything from hip-hop to rock to pop to death metal that sounds like a greased pig held up to a microphone. I do not believe in guilty pleasures, I think everyone should feel free to listen to whatever art they want to. This also reflects on the music I look to make. On our EP, I chose to make 4 distinct tracks. “Apollyon Rising” (which got uploaded incorrectly) has more strings and orchestral tones infused into it, while “Blood on the Altar” is more of a doom metal-ish sound. “Descension” is a short and sweet piano instrumental while “Joy” is more of a classic rock/hard rock anthem. I love the idea of infusing several different styles into an album.

5: What outlets do you find out about music from? (Record stores, magazines, samplers, etc.)

Typically Spotify but the occasional record store trip helps as well.

6: What is your favorite format to listen to music on? (CD, Vinyl, etc.)

CD or Vinyl. I’m more partial to CD but you can’t recreate the vinyl sound anywhere.

7: How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

I think that the internet is great for music. There are so many great bands out there who may never have seen the light of day without the internet. It’s a great tool to expose people to any type of music which is great!

8: Who was the first band/artist that became your favorite band?

The first band that I truly fell in love with was My Chemical Romance. I had bands that I liked growing up but I was relatively impartial to music, being raised in an ultra-religious home. But once I heard “The Black Parade,” it was like “holy shit, I can’t get enough.” 

9: If you could open a show for any artist, who would it be?

My dream was always My Chemical Romance, but aesthetically and influentially, I feel we would be a good opener for Ghost. Hail Satan, amiright?10: What was the inspiration for your song “Joy”?

Joy was my first indulgence in telling a story through song. It’s the story of a girl in the LGBTQ+ community who has to hide herself because of her family’s religious beliefs. It goes through her battles with feeling secluded, self-harm, depression, and suicide. I wanted to bring attention to the hypocrisy of an organized religion that preaches loving one another and helping others while allowing people like those in the LGBTQ+ community be assaulted and murdered or shunned into attempting suicide because they feel so alone. I want people to know they are worthy of living this life and living it the way they want to.