"Vart" by GODDAMN GOTHS ON METH is a chaotic, boundary-pushing multiverse of fictional bands, real influences, and AI-driven creativity. Explore the album’s bold themes, experimental sounds, and innovative storytelling.
1.
“Vart” brings together such diverse collaborators and styles. How did the idea
of creating a multiverse of fictional bands and real-life influences come
about?
GODDAMN GOTHS ON METH has always been about experimentation—pushing boundaries,
trying out different approaches to sound, and seeing where it takes me. Some
ideas worked, others didn’t, but the beauty is in the process. Over time, the
idea of a multiverse felt inevitable. It’s a natural extension of that
trial-and-error creativity—blurring the lines between real-life influences and
fictional personas. Each “band” or style in the multiverse serves as a vehicle
to explore different sounds and ideas, letting them exist within their own
worlds while still tying back to the broader vision of Vart. It’s chaos, but
it’s controlled chaos.
2. Each fictional band in “Vart” has its own distinct identity. Could you
tell us more about how Indigo Harper, Honky Tonk Hellfire, and Dark Skanks on
Crank were conceptualized and brought to life?
Once I warmed up to the idea of creating these fictional bands, I started
thinking about how to introduce their music in a way that felt fresh but still
tied back to GODDAMN GOTHS ON METH. Releasing them as individual singles just
felt exhausting—and honestly, like a waste of time. It’s hard enough to get
people to give a shit about something new, let alone something totally
unfamiliar. That’s when it hit me: these fictional bands could reinterpret GGOM
tracks, offering their own takes on the music while introducing their unique
identities.
So The result is Vart, a compilation under Varsavati Records where Indigo
Harper, Honky Tonk Hellfire, and Dark Skanks on Crank each bring their distinct
flavor to GGOM songs. It’s a way to reimagine the material while building a
multiverse of sounds and styles—one that both celebrates and reinvents the
music at its core.
3. AI played a significant role in shaping this project. Can you walk us
through how AI was used to create or inspire the music, lyrics, and overall
sound of the album?
At first, I shared the skepticism that many artists and creators have about AI
in music—the fear that it strips away human expression and floods streaming
platforms with soulless, synthetic tracks. It felt like cheating, actually,
like something that might cheapen the craft. But as I worked with AI, I came to
realize that it’s not replacing creativity really. it’s expanding what’s
possible.
For me, AI helped to push past some limitations, opening doors to ideas and
certain sounds I might not have considered on my own. a tool that enhances your
threshold for the craft, and giving you more room to explore and experiment. On
Vart, AI wasn’t a shortcut; it became a collaborator that helped shape the
music and lyrics in ways that felt realistic yet innovative. It brought a
unique dimension to the project while still leaving room for human feeling and
intention at the core.
4. What were some of the challenges of blending AI-driven creativity with
human spontaneity? Were there moments when the technology surprised you?
Blending AI-driven creativity with human spontaneity was a strange
ride—sometimes exciting, sometimes frustrating, and occasionally downright
unsettling. There were moments when the technology didn’t just surprise me—it
almost pushed me over the edge.
One example that stands out is when I uploaded an old, crappy recording of a
guitar chord progression I’d been casually playing around with. AI processed it
and somehow turned it into something just fucking outstanding—far beyond what
I’d ever imagined the song could be. It was both inspiring and humbling, but it
also made me question my own abilities. When AI can take something you’ve
dismissed as a throwaway and make it shine, it’s hard not to feel a little
conflicted.
Another challenge was managing the overwhelming amount of material. I swear, I
have around 1,500 songs in various states of completion, but only about 60 of
them feel usable to me—or align with my vision. AI helped me sift through that
mountain of ideas, revealing gems I’d overlooked and reframing things in ways I
might not have considered. At the same time, it forced me to reckon with my
creative process and where to draw the line between inspiration and
intervention.
Ultimately, I realized that whether people like it or not, this is going to be
the future of music production. Fighting it didn’t make sense, so I decided to
embrace it and use it as a tool. It’s not about replacing human creativity—it’s
about enhancing it. AI gave me new possibilities to explore, and that’s what
creativity is all about.
5. You’ve mentioned influences like Billie Eilish, Nine Inch Nails, and Hank
Williams III. How did these artists and styles come together to shape “Vart” as
a cohesive project?
It’s less about directly pulling from their music and more about channeling the
attitudes and creative approaches they represent. Billie Eilish inspires with
her ability to blend intimacy and atmosphere, while Nine Inch Nails brings raw,
industrial energy and unflinching honesty. Hank Williams III, on the other
hand, was more of a reference to the rebellious, unapologetic attitude of the
project rather than a musical influence.
Vart reflects that kind of chaos and defiance—melding these seemingly disparate
energies into something that’s cohesive, yet unpredictable. It’s not about
copying styles but capturing the spirit of pushing boundaries and doing things
your own way, no matter how unconventional it might seem.
6. Themes like isolation, existential humor, and the blurred lines between
reality and imagination run through this album. How do these themes reflect
your personal or creative philosophies?
It’s a direct reflection of who I am and how I live at this moment. Themes like
isolation and blurred realities come naturally when you’re experiencing them
firsthand. I’m 47, single, a self-proclaimed drug enthusiast, and caught in
this surreal space where I’m either being gang-stalked or completely
schizophrenic. I hear voices that force me into isolation, but sometimes the
absurdity of it all is undeniably hilarious.
These experiences shape everything in my creative process. The humor and
existential chaos aren’t something I have to invent—they’re just part of my
reality. For me, the blurred line between what’s real and what’s imagined isn’t
just a theme, it’s how I navigate life. The album became an outlet to capture
that strange, messy balance between fear, laughter, and creativity.
7. “Vart” features standout tracks like “White Star” and “Snatch Chat.” What inspired these songs, and what do you hope listeners take away from them?
I hope listeners take away the humor in it all, even if the subjects are a bit too dark park, “White Star” tackles human trafficking, but it does so with a sharp edge that’s meant to provoke thought while still catching you off guard. On the other hand, “Snatch Chat” dives into the absurdity of going on a meth bender—endlessly watching porn and jerking off for days, completely lost in this strange loop of anticipation, convinced that some kind of reward is just around the corner.
In the process, the character loses jobs, relationships, friends—everything—because of this obsessive, singular focus. It’s tragic, but there’s something ridiculously human about it too. That’s what I want people to take away: the ability to laugh at the madness while still seeing the layers of commentary beneath it.
8. The recording process for “Vart” was unconventional, involving home studios, AI tools, and digital platforms. How did this hybrid approach enhance the album’s multiverse theme?
The hybrid recording process was essential to bringing the multiverse concept I don't know why I’m on this fucking multiverse phase! Bit any way. Each tool—whether it was a home studio, AI, or a digital platform—acted as its own “universe” with its own unique rules and possibilities. Home studios provided the raw, personal, and experimental energy. AI added this unpredictable, futuristic element that brought out sounds and ideas Ii never have thought of on my own. Digital platforms tied it all together, letting me manipulate and layer these elements into something cohesive.
By combining these different approaches, the album itself became a multiverse of sounds and methods. Each track feels like it comes from its own distinct world, but they all connect in a way that mirrors the project’s overarching theme. It’s a process that felt chaotic at times, but that chaos is what made the whole thing work.
9. With the album’s focus on chaos and curation, how did you decide on the final tracklist and overall narrative arc of “Vart”?
The chaos was the easy part—there’s always plenty of that in my creative process. The challenge was the curation, finding a way to make it all feel cohesive while still embracing the unpredictable nature of the project. I started with a mountain of material—literally hundreds of tracks—and had to whittle it down to something that felt both diverse and purposeful.
The final tracklist came together by focusing on the multiverse theme. Each song had to stand out as its own “universe” while still contributing to the larger narrative. I thought about how the pieces interacted, like puzzle fragments that tell a bigger story when placed together. The overarching arc is less linear and more experiential—it’s meant to feel like you’re stepping into different worlds, each with its own sense of chaos, humor, and identity.
It was a messy process, but in the end, the messiness is what makes Vart feel alive.
10. “Vart.” What can fans expect from these events, and how do you plan to translate the album’s multiverse concept into a live performance?
Fans can expect chaos, immersion, and unpredictability—just like the album itself. Translating Vart’s multiverse concept into a live performance means stepping away from a traditional show and diving into something more theatrical and interactive. Each fictional band from the album could have its own segment, complete with distinct visuals, personas, and stage setups that bring their “universe” to life.
I want the audience to feel like they’re jumping between worlds—whether it’s the gritty energy of Honky Tonk Hellfire, the sleazy irreverence of Dark Skanks on Crank, or the ethereal vibe of Indigo Harper. There’s room for humor, absurdity, and even moments that make you uncomfortable. It’s about creating an experience that feels fragmented yet interconnected, much like the album itself.
Ultimately, the goal is to take the themes of Vart—chaos, reinvention, and the blurred lines between reality and imagination—and make them tangible in a way that only live performance can.
11. “Vart” pushes artistic boundaries in both concept and execution. What do you hope this release says about the future of music and the role of technology in creativity?
When I first started using AI, I worried it might ruin certain aspects of music. If a machine can take an idea—no matter how half-baked or directionless—and manage to turn it into something better, where does that leave human creativity? But over time, I realized that’s not the point. The fun lies in the potential. AI doesn’t always create something brilliant, but the possibility that it could is what makes it exciting.
With Vart, I wanted to show how technology doesn’t have to replace creativity—it can enhance it. It’s not about letting AI take over but about using it as a tool to unlock ideas you didn’t know were possible. I hope this release sparks a conversation about what’s possible when we stop fighting technological advances and start embracing them. The future of music isn’t just about what we can do on our own; it’s about how we collaborate with the tools and possibilities at our fingertips.
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