From basements in his hometown of Budapest to all corners of Europe, stages small and big, THE DEVIL’S TRADE has been relentlessly walking on his pathfinding his voice and calling, and that is to let listeners glimpse into himself through his heart wrenching songs.

Hello! First of all, thank you for doing this. Can you tell me how The Devil’s Trade started? Where you found inspiration for this name? When did you start writing music?

I don’t really remember where the name comes from but I clearly remember it was back in the myspace times. The meaning changed a lot through the years according to my relation with religions and churches’ temptation and knowledge.

I wrote my first song at 19 when I was struggling with a serious injury that ended the first period of my sports career. I was heartbroken depressed and in a lot of pain.

What can you tell us about your latest album? There is a story behind it? What about the artwork?

The title and the title song came from the most peaceful moment of my life when I arrived at a peak of the Austrian Alps. That silence I have been searching for my whole life. The song between the two parts of the title song is most deeply personal and for the first time, I found the way to be political in my music while successfully avoided to write protest songs.

The artwork is by my old friend Rober Borbas aka Grindesign and just like with the previous album it was a long and beautifully creative process we did together.

What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?

First of all, it is my mental health. I need to write and perform to use and exchange my energies that otherwise would turn against me. That a few people can find relief or comfort in my music is a gift for me too and also a huge responsibility.

A distinctive element of your music is the banjo. What led you to learn to play it? Is this your favorite musical instrument or you learned to play other instruments too?

Back then in 2006 when I first heard a banjo being played in a more traditional way it sounded like nothing else before. It dragged me out into the woods. And till this day when it is played properly with those old picking styles, I feel the cool breeze, the wet and soft soil immediately. I never learned to play the guitar or the banjo properly so I’m not even an average player but I need them to be able to create a vibe to sing on it.

Photo via The Devil’s Trade Facebook

Which musician would you like to collaborate with next?

I have some new projects planned. I’m not in the state anymore where I want or wish or dream about anything that is not in front of me. The planned projects will be public when they are closer to be born. I have been working on some black metal, dark ambient, and more traditional folk music, and also some bigger versions of the TDT sound.

I suppose that besides creating music you’re also a fan of other bands and for sure you do have some recommendations for us to listen to. What are your top favorite albums of all time?

That would be a very long list and I would be afraid to forget something important. So let it be a top 5 of this moment:

Radiohead – Ok Computer

Muzsikás – Nem arról amerről hajnallott

YOB – Clearing the Path to Ascend

Neurosis – The Eye of Every Storm

LLNN – Dead

Let’s create a hypothetical situation. What do you do when you have writer’s block? Happens often?

It’s not hypothetical at all. It feels like living in constant writer’s block especially in the last year. From time to time some melodies are leaking through but those moments are never conscious. I never learned to play the guitar or write music, music theory, and I hardly know what notes I pick on the instrument. From the first time I could make noise with a guitar I started to play my music and rarely tried to learn someone else’s creation. So I don’t have a proper way to write music it just happens when it wants to. The only thing I know that I can’t force it.

What motivates you and gives you the strength to continue making music during these harsh times?

Without live shows actually nothing. Nothing motivates me but I need to do it.

What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Wow, that is a hard question. Probably to learn to play the guitar. But never too well. And don’t learn martial arts that ruin your fingers forever.

Thank you again for the interview! It was a pleasure talking to you. The last words belong to you.

Thank you for the opportunity, I appreciate it! Iubesc mititei.

Follow The Devil’s Trade on:
Facebook | Bandcamp

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Miruna Vitriol

Enthusiast writer at CVLTARTES
I am trying to become a better person by embracing my own weirdness.