Golem Dance Cult is a musical project that blends industrial heavy rock with dance, electro goth rock. The group consists of Charles Why, a multi-instrumentalist who plays bass, guitar, cigar box, harmonica, various traditional instruments, programming, and sampling, and Laur, who handles percussion and vocals. The duo recently released their latest single, “Dalek Rhetoric”, which offers a unique, ritualistic groove with soul and grit.
The track starts with a fuzzed out guitar riff over pounding percussion that immediately sets the tone for what’s to come. The delivery of the vocals is raw and passionate, adding to the track’s aggressive nature, combined with the instrumentation which is heavy, with distorted guitars, thumping bass, and punchy drums.
“Dalek Rhetoric” is a strong follow-up to Golem Dance Cult’s debut EP, titled Grotesque Radio. The track showcases the duo’s ability to blend various different musical styles seamlessly to create their own fiercely original sound. The track’s driving rhythm, powerful instrumentation, and compelling vocals make it a standout work in the genre.
We caught up with Charles and Laur to find out more about their inspirations, their new single “Dalek Rhetoric” and what they’ve got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Golem Dance Cult below.
What was your biggest highlight in 2022 as Golem Dance Cult?
Charles Why: Finalising our first full length album âLegend of the Bleeding Heartâ which will be released in March. Aside from this, I moved from UK to Australia, so that was âbig yearâ personally.
Laur: Maybe getting more and more interest from people too.
How did you first get into making your own music?
Charles Why: I started music at the tender age of 8 with saxophone. Then at 15 I started playing bass and there was no turning back. From the start I always wanted to compose my own song, what I was hearing in my head.
Laur: I started playing drums at 16 then played in many bands. Even as a drummer, I’ve always given a special place to lyrics and melodies in my bands.
Which artist first made a lasting impression on you?
Charles Why: My first musical crush was Motley CrĂŒe. It is actually thanks to this band that I met Laur as we were the only âCrue Headsâ in our little French town, Belfort.
Laur: Yes, we met through our passion for the CrĂŒe as teenagers. My first music crushes were KISS, Sparks, Joan Jett… The Sex Pistols also made a lasting impression on me, HanoĂŻ Rocks, New York Dolls, The Lords Of The New Church, then the Manic Street Preachers with their bold mix of pop, punk, hard rock, glam imagery and situationist lyrics…
Which artists do you draw most inspiration from today?
Charles Why: Influence came in all sort of shape and form, it can be musical influence, or painting, a movie, book or even fashion. I recently attended the Alexander McQueen exhibition in Melbourne and that will influence my approach to composing even if it is not related per se. As per musical influences, I will say Janeâs Addiction, Killing Joke, David Bowie, T.Rex are the big ones in terms of rock and I love Hip Hop too particularly Supreme NTM, PE, NWA, Beastie BoysâŠ
Laur: Funny, I’ve been listening to Killing Joke and N.W.A a lot too lately. Bowie and Bolan are always a source of inspiration for sure.
How else do you find inspiration for your music?
Laur: Books, movies, paintings, news… Life!
What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?
Charles Why: Our music can be a soundtrack to an real life adventure with sound turn to 11, but I will say that Golem Dance Cult is âbest consumedâ with headphones on, turn the light off, light a candle and there you go!
Laur: Yes! Although listening to our songs very loud on a stereo with a drink in your hand will work too! Haha
How did you find making your recent single âDalek Rhetoricâ?
Charles Why: Dalek Rhetoric is one of the last songs we recorded for the album and the first song I composed when I landed in Australia. I just had my bass and a laptop so I recorded the basic track like this, super raw. With Laur we found this âabrasiveâ aspect interesting and built on that quite quickly (compared to some other songs).
What was the message you wanted to get across with this song?
Charles Why: We donât really think in terms of message as we try to let listener make their own interpretation (the Magik in Music), however the idea for this song was started by juxtaposition of fiction and reality. Invasion of Ukraine by Russia for the latter and those extraterrestrial killing machines that exterminate you if youâre not one of them, Dalek from Doctor Who, for the former.
Laur: We can also draw a comparison with the rise of fascism around the world.
What can listeners expect from your upcoming music?
Charles Why: Our album has been created with the idea of musical flow. We know we live in a World of single track to be play on Spotify, Soundcloud and so on. It have its interest as you need to grab the attention of listener. However as we primarily create music to satisfy ourselves and we come from this culture of long format, where you listen to an album from side A to side B, we wanted âLegend of the Bleeding Heartâ to be a full and self-contained aural experience for the audience with a beginning a middle and an end, ebb and flow, a sonic trip.
Laur: More variety in the influences but a stronger identity at the same time.
What artists have you been listening to most recently?
Charles Why: I discovered this amazing Punk legend, Cosmic Psycho. They are an âoldâ band from Australia but after seeing them live, i became a fan! In terms of recorded music, i really enjoyed the latest The Cult album, âUnder the Midnight Sunâ.
Laur: The Cult’s new album too, Gunfire Dance (finally on vinyl!), Peace de RĂ©sistance, the new Suede album…
Whatâs the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?
Charles Why: Pleasure! As artists we create for our own pleasure, however, it is always a plus when this pleasure is shared with someone else.
Laur: As long as they feel something when listening to our music, then it’s great!
Whatâs been your favourite live show so far?
Charles Why: Tool touring their first album in as small club in Germany, which I attend with Laur. Still with Laur, Faith No More in Paris again at the beginning of their career. Maceo Parker who play for 3+ hours. David Bowie in a festival when he was touring his âOutsideâ album and Page and Plant, they were playing with both classical and moroccan orchestra⊠stuff of legend!
Laur: We haven’t played live yet because we live on different continents but when it comes to other artists, Fugazi and old NIN were among my favourite live shows. This week I saw powerviolence legends Dropdead, haven’t seen them since 1996 and they still impress me.
Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?
Charles Why: Killing Joke, a reunited Fugazi, Nine Inch Nails and Golem Dance Cult at the Eurockeennes Festival in Belfort (where Laur and I came from).
Laur: That would be a great bill! Let’s add the Manic Street Preachers because they rarely play in France and they are still amazing. Plus that’s where I saw them live for the first time.
Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?
Laur: Don’t follow us, we’re lost too!
Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?
Charles Why: Big one is the release of our first full length âLegend of the Bleeding Heartâ in March and then we will discuss touring.
Listen to Dalek Rhetoric below
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