Black metal guitars. East Club club music drums. Pummeling EBM synths. In the music of Ayegy, disparate elements collide, break apart, and re-form into something beyond the sum of their parts. Over the past half-decade or so, the Pacific Northwest-bred, New York-based artist has been building a body of work that often feels like its own self-contained universe, one where pagan imagery shares space with vocal chops and hard-ass kicks. We sent over some questions to the artist—give them a read and listen to Ayegy’s newest record, BLACKTHORN, below.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, were you exposed to any local music that was important to your development as an artist? 

Ayegy: I was exposed to a lot of heavy music like punk and grindcore, and this was my gateway into my love for other guitar-based music, like folk and country. The Do It Yourself spirit in the local music scene really influenced me, and it’s something I still carry with me today. 

What does the term “spiritual music” mean to you?

Music that is vulnerable. Music that invokes a feeling of the Divine.

Your music really connects the dots between a lot of disparate styles. What connects, say, black metal to Jersey club for you?

Nothing connects them. They shouldn’t be combined, it's beautiful and stupid.

Could you talk about the title of your most recent release, BLACKTHORN? Does it relate to any themes that you explore throughout the record?

The title is in direct reference to the blackthorn tree, which represents shadow work and death/rebirth in Celtic mythology. These topics are touched on a lot in the album, especially with “Release Dove.” It’s also a rumor that the blackthorn made up Christ’s crown of thorns, so this album is the perfect representation of my journey with both paganism and Christianity.

What is your production process like? Is there a “typical” way an Ayegy song comes together?

The thought of making music stresses me out, because I never know how it’s going to come together. It may start with a GarageBand loop, or it may start with some guitar feedback that I accidentally fed through the wrong effects chain.

Who is your favorite producer right now and why?

Cleowalksthroughglass. He’s influenced by everything under the sun just like me.

What is your favorite thing to do when you’re hanging out in the middle of the woods?

Look for the best walking stick I can find.