Interview with Pillars of a Twisted City's Johnny Stewart
- Samuel Stevens
- Jul 28
- 4 min read
How would you describe your music to any person who may have never heard it before?
Johnny: The sound of Pillars of a Twisted City touches upon a few different genres. But the underlying thread that ties it all together is the love of post-punk and early '80s new wave with a touch of industrial and blackened thrash metal.
What's the significance of your band's name?
J: The band name was inspired by the writer HP Lovecraft. The Band doesn’t necessarily align with all of his ideals, but his poetic writing of dystopian sci-fi is where that name came from.
What are your musical influences?
J: Depeche Mode, Enslaved, Mogwai, The Northern Pikes, Agent Orange, and Killing Joke.
What are your musical inspirations?
J: Jazz, classical music, Spanish flamenco guitar, poetry, and isolation. What's the new song, "FALSE PROPHET", about?
J: This song was originally a poem, which was then transposed to fit the music of the song.
The music integrates everything I love about late '70s and early '80s post-punk/new wave. Lyrically, the song touches upon individuals who lose connection with the natural world. Becoming indoctrinated into systems that negate creativity, autonomy, and connection to the self.
What's something you hope people take away from the new songs on the EP?
J: As an artist, I can only hope that the sounds and style resonates with listeners out there. This music is honest, non-contrived. A real human, playing instruments and recording in remote environments.
Which songs on the album were the most fun to write, and which were the most challenging to write?
J: The three songs on the Brimstone Prophecies EP were all conceptualized in one writing session. The recording and mixing process happened over the course of one month. The three songs, lyrically and conceptionally to me are like one song with three distinct parts. It was sort of a mini-opera inspired by Pete Townsend.
What did you allow yourself to do creatively for this song that you haven’t in the past?
J: I will allow myself to be free without any pressure or timeline. To create something that resonates with me and the listener. Writing not just about myself, but topics that everybody can relate to in their lives.
Do you have any favourite song off the new project?
J: "False Prophet"
How does FALSE PROPHET compare to your previous self-titled debut and second album, Sentinel?
J: I believe that Pillars of a Twisted City has a common theme of melting genres together from the beginning to the most recent release. The recording processing the quality has been improving.
That’s the most noticeable change.
When you find yourself in a creative rut, what do you usually turn to? Any habits, environments or even non- musical sources that help you reconnect with your creativity?
J: I live in Tofino, Canada. A big part of living in that environment is one’s own journey of reconnecting to the natural world. Working in harmony with the day that’s given to you, not working against it. Living in this environment has creatively inspired me, and thus far, has not seen any creative ruts.
Do you have any favourite songs to perform live? Or are you looking to perform the new EP live entirely?
J: The Band’s next live performance is on September 6, at Green Auto, in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The songs have taken on a new life with the live band that’s been put together. Very dynamic and fun to be a part of. "Subatomic Love" is the song that is the most fun to currently play. It’s a textured swirling song that would resonate with fans of My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins.
What do you currently have planned for the remainder of the year?
J: Over the past several months, I have been writing and recording demos for a full-length album. The full recording will take place over the winter with a hopeful release sometime next spring or summer 2026.
So are there any plans to tour the project across Canada in the future?
J: We would love to tour across Canada. Wouldn’t be doing that this year, but hope to see everyone out there in 2026!
If your music were a type of food, what would it be and why?
J: A combination of Manitoba-grown wild rice, Chantelle mushrooms, fiddle heads, and pumpkin seeds, with a miso dressing.
What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you while performing?
J: Performed a gig at an all-girls catholic private school, during a lunch hour break for the grade 12 graduating class. Two songs into the performance, the Nuns ran on stage to shut down the show as they deemed it too much. The students loved it, but the nuns definitely didn’t.
What's the most random thing that has ever inspired you to write a song?
J: Clouds' movement; moving across the sky.
What's the most useless talent you have, and would you incorporate it into your music if you could?
J: I don’t believe anyone has a useless talent. Talent is subjective to the individual and how they choose to express it. With that said, I find it a challenge to throw things into a garbage can from a distance and celebrate the accomplishment when it goes in.
Thanks for the time today, Johnny. Is there anything else you may want to add that I didn't touch on?
J: Thank you very much for the interview. We appreciate people taking the time to listen to the music. Feel free to reach out on our band's Instagram page or the band's YouTube page.
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