INDIE BAND OF THE WEEK: IN GOD WE RUST

In God We Rust is a solo project started by Carson Allen, formerly of Escape The Fate. After moving from Seattle to Denver, Allen has accomplished more as a solo artist an continues to impress by releasing music. Here is this week’s Indie Band of the Week: In God We Rust!

Who are you and what is your role in the band?

I’m Carson Allen. And I sing and play guitar for Seattle’s IN GOD WE RUST.

How did the band get started?

The band started earlier this year as more of a side project to give some focus to the songs that were coming out of me. That didn’t quite fit the style of the band I was playing in at the time. I went into this amazing studio in Denver to track three of the songs, not knowing exactly what would become of them… and at the end we had (what would become) the Keep it Cool EP. Hearing the final recordings really lit a fire in me as a writer and a musician, and after a few chats with the people whose opinions I care most about, I decided this should probably be my main focus. I quit the other band and moved to Seattle to do IN GOD WE RUST full-time.

When it came time to build THE BAND, I pulled in my great friend Joe Fox, a FILTHY drummer who’s just as much of a road dog as I am. When I knew Seattle was the must-be home for IGWR, it only made sense for me to reconnect, artistically, with Nick Wiggins. After so many great years and records with Me Vs Myself, I couldn’t see anyone else filling the role. I really wanted to keep the band a 3-peace, but as I started messing with some key/piano layers, I realized it was a must. The hunt to fill that role was incredibly easy as my unbelievably talented wife, Melody Mars, is one of those people who can/does do it all. Assembling this group was almost too easy!

Who are your influences and how do they play a role in your sound?

This go-round I really wanted to take a step back from the “Entertainer” roll and focus on making music that people can get lost in. Whether that be on record or live. I wanted to shift my writing to capture “That Magic” of all the records I grew up on. Creedence Clearwater Revival was one of my first albums. Everyone knows I’m a 90s kid and the influence is clearly there in my past works, but CCR was THAT band for me. The blown out vocals and vibrating riffs. The bounce that the bass and drums evoke. That shit sang to my soul. Inspired me. That’s what I want to accomplish. Writing this first wave of music was about forgetting every formula I normally use and Keeping myself outside of my comfort Zone. All while keeping everything simple and purposeful.

What has been your most meaningful experience being in this band so far?

Reconnecting with former band mates and brining my wife on board has really been the most amazing part of this. Creating art is very personal. You need to trust those around you and be comfortable enough to put yourself out there to criticism during the writing process. We have all been friends for years so with that familiarity already there, we have been able to creat Magic from the start.

What do you hope to accomplish with your music?

This is an ever evolving answer, but our only real focus right now is to bring people together. The world is in a weird place, and I believe in the power of community. Through our live show or lyrical content, and even our merch. I want to bridge the gaps that we create between each other.

Something about you that no one knows?

Most people don’t know wood working is a side hobby of mine. When I took a few months off from writing music to clear my head and work a little more with my hands, I started selling quite a few pieces of furniture, and needed a name to throw on them. Since I insist on using reclaimed materials, I came up with “IN GOD WE RUST”. Felt it was the perfect name since my work usually consists of rusty metal and barn wood. When I needed to name this band, it only felt right to use IGWR as it reflects my drive to pull influence from the generations of music that came before, and repurpose them to fit in my creative expression.

What is next for the band?

The next 6 months include non-stop touring and lots of focus on becoming the best live band on the road today. I believe in this music and the people on stage performing it with me. We have a hell of a show in the works, and the music is evolving daily. All we can do is keep creating!

Connect with In God We Trust (click icons):

by Kinsey Blake Haynes, RockRevolt Journalist