Brisbane progressive rock outfit Caligula’s Horse are preparing to drop their third studio Bloom later this week as they kick off an Aussie tour in support of fellow prog-heads TesseracT, so we got the band to run us through some of the most common misconceptions about their beloved prog scene.
As it turns out, the band say ‘scene’ probably isn’t the best word to use when describing progressive music, but they also have some words of wisdom to share about the types of people who enjoy prog-rock, “the biggest stigma surrounding the prog scene” and the notion that prog-rock is just a big sausage fest.
Catch it all, below.
1. ‘Scene’ is almost the wrong term for music that is experimental or progressive or whatever else
It’s not like metalcore or something like that where the culture and the appearance of people within that culture is just as important to their identification of the music is.
2. People that love prog come from varied walks of life
You could be a prog fan and totally lone wolf the shit. You’re not part of a community at all, you’re just into your own music and don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks. You can show up to the show in thongs and shorts — we don’t care. The culture is not based on superficial appearances.
3. Because of that fact that there’s a broad spectrum of people
Perhaps more broad than other genres that have a specific approach to what they do. Although stereotypes can be true, but they’re not as ubiquitous as they might seem to be. Because people sort of imagine ‘standard’ prog fans as overweight dudes with neck beards, hanging out the back, but no — that’s not true. It’s a really, really broad spectrum of people.
4. We think the biggest stigma surrounding the prog scene is elitism
Pseudo-intellectual elitism and people thinking that the music they listen to is inherently and objectively better because it’s more complex — It exists but it’s mostly on the internet and mostly from people that aren’t making music, so they don’t have the view of the creator.
But, most of what we’ve seen in the Australian prog scene, from other bands and fans, is welcoming, warm, open, lovely people who just love to listen to or share music that they’ve either made or that their friends have made. It’s a real community kind of vibe.
5. It’s not all dudes!
That’s a misconception that we need to clear up right now. There are a lot of ladies that come out and support or are involved in prog bands, and there a lot of ladies who are fans of Caligula’s Horse and that’s awesome to see.
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Caligula’s Horse’s new album ‘Bloom’ is set for release this Friday, 16th October. Catch album cut ‘Marigold’ below, alongside details of the band’s tour in support of TesseracT.
Watch: Caligula’s Horse – Marigold
Caligula’s Horse Supporting TesseracT’s Australian Tour
Wednesday, 14th October 2015
The Zoo, Brisbane
Tickets: Destroy All Lines
Thursday, 15th October 2015
Factory Theatre, Sydney
Tickets: Destroy All Lines
Friday, 16th October 2015
Max Watt’s, Melbourne
Tickets: Destroy All Lines
Saturday, 17th October 2015
Fowlers Live, Adelaide
Tickets: Destroy All Lines
Sunday, 18th October 2015
Amplifier Bar, Perth
Tickets: Destroy All Lines
