Who doesn’t love it when two of their favorite things combine to make something extra special? Two of my favorite things – music and comic books- have come together in one band, September Mourning. Worlds colliding can be an awesome thing.

I’m hoping that they will be coming to a comic book convention near me as soon as possible. In the meantime, Emily Lazar, aka September Mourning, has agreed to do an interview.

1. Can you describe your group for those who are new to you?

We are a Dark Alternative Hard Rock Musical Graphic Novel Art Project. In layman’s terms, we combine rock music with storytelling through stage performances as the characters from our own original comic book series as well as other media that is in development.

2. How did the main character become half-human?

September’s soul was marked by Fate (in this case personified) as a soul that was to be collected. Fate sends the reaper Riven after her. He observes her long enough to fall in love with her and becomes the first reaper ever to refuse to do the deed. Instead, he gives a part of his power and his gift of eternal life to her. She is transformed into a human reaper hybrid with no recollection of her past/ human life.

3. What is going on with the comic book project?

We have published 2 books through Top Cow comics. The second one releases with the album on July 29th. We intend to finish this story arc in future issues.

4. Have you performed at comic book conventions?

Yes we have performed at a few… most noteworthy, the Atlantic City Comic Con. We hope to be doing a lot more of these in the near future.

4B. Are the comic fans receptive to the band and your projects?

Yes definitely. They enjoy seeing something in print form come to life before their eyes.

5. What has been your biggest accomplishment?

Making this entire vision come to life so far… through the comics and the music and the costuming and the performance and the story lines… and of course reaching so many of our fans which we call our Children of Fate.

6. Where did the idea for September Mourning come from?

I wanted to create a world… a total immersive platform of entertainment through music and story. The story stemmed from my obsession with death and the afterlife. The story became my way of controlling the things we know nothing about.

7. Have you ever had interactions with internet trolls? If so, how to you deal with them?

Yes all the time. In this day and age it is very easy to sit behind a screen and fire off on something without any fear of real confrontation. My way of dealing with them is to ignore them. The more people talk, negative or positive, the more awareness of your project spreads and grows. Bring on the haters… we have a lot of passionate fans that will counter anything they have to sling at us.

8. You’ve switched record labels several times. Is there a reason for the changes? Are you happy with your current label?

Not really actually …  We had a distro deal for some demos in Europe which we fulfilled very early on in our career as a project. We were signed to Virgin for a minute but now we are signed to Sumerian. The staff at Major labels changes so much… if the person who signs you leaves it can be a real detriment to your growth as an artist. We wanted to find a home that supported the entire vision and had a track record of actual artist development. Sumerian is great like that. A rarity in labels these days.

9. The makeup is amazing. Does September ever go do regular stuff in full makeup?

Like go to the grocery store haha… well she’s a supernatural being that can only be seen by those about to die and Claire because of her rare power. So to answer your question… even if she did do those things you would never know because you can’t see her hehe.

10. You’ve been on tour with Mushroomhead. Did you ever get to see an old school show? Also, how amazing is it to tour a with big names like Otep and Marilyn Manson?

No… My first Mushroomhead show experience was actually on that tour! Incredible visuals and very cool sonics. Marilyn Manson is always inspiring to tour with. I look up to him for what he accomplished in his career, and how true to his art and message he is. I’d have to say my dream tour would be with My Chemical Romance though… if the rumors are true and they get back together. Bring on the Black Parade!

http://www.SeptemberMourning.com

http://www.facebook.com/SeptemberMourning

http://youtube.com/TheSeptemberMourning