WERESS INTERVIEW (EN) Celestial Dungeon Synth
- Noire Lemag
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
NOIRE: Hi John, can you introduce yourself in a few words?
JOHN LORDSWOOD: John Lordswood is one of the names I use to present most of my musical projects; it's a way for me to bring together what I create under a more coherent artistic identity. Today, it represents a more fully embraced part of myself that continues to evolve through the projects and ideas I develop.
NOIRE: Since when have you been producing music and what do you like the most in your compositions ?
JOHN LORDSWOOD: I've been releasing music since 2012. At first, it was very instinctive; I was discovering and experimenting with a lot of things through different projects. It took me a while to observe how to record my ambient tracks and express what I wanted, and then, as time went on, I was able to find my way toward something that truly resonated with me. Today, I still love creating atmospheres. What I enjoy most is being able to express what I feel deep inside through different sounds. Some projects are clearly a therapeutic way for me to move forward in my life or to exorcise certain thoughts, to give them form and release inner tension, which is necessary for me. I'm always learning, and that's something I also really enjoy, especially mixing lately.
NOIRE : Weress is a dungeon synth project, embarking us in the far reaches of cosmos. Can you tell us more about it?
JOHN LORDSWOOD: Weress is a project that evolves within the Universe of Dreams, a world that is both celestial and introspective, where I blend cosmic and medieval landscapes while expressing my emotions. The first era, from 2012 to 2018, focused primarily on experimental electronic demos oriented towards Space Ambient. Then, starting in 2019, a second era marked a turning point with the arrival of the first major Dungeon Synth influences, followed by more structured releases in the form of albums and EPs.
This connection to the stars and space has always been present in Weress. I have always sought to evoke something mysterious, as well as a sensitivity that deeply resonates with me through dreams, memories, nature, and solitude. Nighttime is when I feel most connected to myself and the world around me. I love observing the stars; it soothes me, and it's always a time for reflection and taking stock of things, which is reflected in this project. I try to express these nocturnal visions through music—visions that are almost fantastical when you combine them all—in the form of an inner quest, always guided by a contemplative atmosphere, like when I gaze at the Milky Way.
NOIRE: You appear in costume. What do this iconic outfit and mask represent?
JOHN LORDSWOOD: When I was offered the chance to perform on stage, I immediately thought of this character who is the king of his own world; it perfectly reflected the main idea of the project. He already appeared discreetly in the album Au-Delà des Lieux Légendaires (Beyond Legendary Places), where I had hidden a piece of music from the upcoming album, Rêvasseries Chevaleresques (Chivalric Reveries). In it, we saw the white king returning to his roots. I've always loved theater, the white masks frozen like those of a statue—it's something that resonates deeply with my childhood memories. I love the silence it creates, allowing gestures and music to express themselves. With the white royal attire, it perfectly matched what I had in mind; it's as if a lord were a beacon in the night.
NOIRE: On the first of April came out a new tape, untitled Éveillé. What did you want to express with this new record?
JOHN LORDSWOOD: I unveiled it at the beginning of spring to express a sense of renewal. Éveillé (Awakened) follows on from the previous EP, "Aux Temps Anciens et Mystiques" (In Ancient and Mystical Times), and represents the heart of a trilogy built around three phases, three states, and three colors (white, representing clarity and origins; gray, the in-between and the suspended state; and black, which is yet to be revealed, representing darkness and deeper depression). This central section evokes a more internal, transitional state of what I was feeling, like a struggle against certain thoughts and a search for peace through the night. I wanted to leave a degree of ambiguity so that everyone could freely project themselves into it, like a dream one tries to remember. As I described when introducing it, it's an EP conceived as an immersion through the stars and oneself, dedicated to those who walk alone in the shadows, in search of something more peaceful.
NOIRE: How did you make this album?
JOHN LORDSWOOD: I wanted to explore other sounds by using more analog synthesizers to achieve a warmer feel and richer textures, while still retaining Weress's signature sound. I used different scales in some tracks; it was also a way to explore something new. I also tried new ways of creating atmospheres, particularly on the last track, "Ailleurs," which is completely drenched in reverb, for example. The tracks developed gradually, as did the arrangements.
For the album artwork, I wanted an astrophotograph that would reflect this feeling of solitude and celestial contemplation. Photographer Emilio Garcia took the original photo, and illustrator Noirs Dessins reworked my logo to give it a more dreamlike quality.
NOIRE: Recently, I interviewed Erang. Which dungeon synth artists inspire you?
JOHN LORDSWOOD: I've known Erang since his early days; we started releasing music the same year. He's an artist I admire both artistically and personally, and he inspires me in many ways. We've had several opportunities to be together at festivals in Europe, and those exchanges have always been precious moments. He's someone with a wealth of ideas who truly follows his creative impulses with great authenticity.
There are so many artists on the scene who inspire me, each in their own way, all expressing something sincere through their music. I can't name them all, but if I had to give a few names that inspire Weress, for the older generation it would be Arcana Liturgia, Depressive Silence, Jim Kirkwood, Mournlord, and Secret Stairways. For the more recent ones, it would be Ancient Boreal Forest, Aura Negativ, Arthuros, Descort, Cimerion, Foglord, Malfet, Old Sorcery, and so many others.
NOIRE: What are your future projects?
JOHN LORDSWOOD: I'm like an iceberg with a lot of things planned for the coming years. I have numerous releases in the works for each of my different projects, as well as new collaborations, quite a few productions on Ancient King Records that should be coming out, and some upcoming concerts for various projects as well. For Weress, I'm currently finishing the editing of several music videos I filmed for the release of the fifth album, Les Ombres du Temps (The Shadows of Time), and I'm really looking forward to completing them. I'd like to launch several new concepts to challenge myself, such as finishing my magazine, starting some podcasts, and a radio show on YouTube. All of this has deep meaning for me because I love creating all of this, and I hope it will continue to resonate with those who take the time to listen.
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