True rhythm revealed

I had the chance to catch up with the delightfully enthusiastic Matt Cameron and gain his insight into his new group, Wellwater Conspiracy, and his passion for music. Cameron has been the rhythm section for Soundgarden and currently drums for Pearl Jam, while collaborating with Wellwater Conspiracy. This month marks Wellwater Conspiracy's fourth CD release, with their self-titled album released on September 9. The group formed in the early '90s from Matt Cameron's and Monster Magnet's John McBain's common interest in the 1960s-era psychedelia and experimental recording. Cameron urges that, "We wanted to create a fun listening experience." So, Cameron, McBain and their latest addition on keys, Glenn Slater, set off to test their musical limits and entertain their fans' desire for unpredictability. Still, they needed a name. "McBain had heard this urban myth when he was a kid about the water supply in Minnesota being laced with LSD," and so the group was named after this wellwater conspiracy, as Cameron explains. What Cameron describes as "making music for music's sake" seems to be the driving force behind the album. Wellwater Conspiracy is filled with an air of unpredictability, which makes the album uncontrollably engaging. From dark, shadow-filled compositions, such as "Dresden Overture," to the more uplifting messages in "Sea Miner," the versatility of the band shines through. Wellwater Conspiracy's sound is something of its own and does not fit into any modern-day molds. The group has successfully created an unprecedented spin-off of several musical movements. There are elements of avant-garde jazz, grunge, rock and heavy metal that can be heard in combination throughout the album. The inventiveness of Wellwater Conspiracy's sound and lyrics combine to convey some forceful messages. The group clearly focuses on their fans and what those fans want to hear. They don't seem to worry about where they fit within the music industry. "The entertainment industry is based on a lot of of falsehoods, as they try to shape the artist into what they want--which steals from the art,'' Cameron explains. This appreciation for the rawness of spontaneous human emotion has turned into art, which is Wellwater Conspiracy's music. Some fans may buy the album expecting it to be strikingly similar to the music of Pearl Jam, only to be taken aback. Although there are some resonating tones of Cameron's background in a few tracks, like the pulsed "Wimple Witch" and the heavy "Night Sky," any musician picks things up along his or her way and is defined by his or her past experiences. So, these similarities are merely inherited impulses. Both Pearl Jam and Soundgarden fans will be pleasantly surprised to hear of Cameron's other musical endeavours, as he plays the bass, guitar and drums in Wellwater Conspiracy. Cameron is also the primary vocalist and plays a monumental role in the development of lyrical and rhythmic composition. Wellwater Conspiracy is an adventerous group creating powerfully diverse music. They are crossing lines and gracefully overstepping boundaries while promoting musical change. With their newest, self-titled album, Wellwater Conspiracy will undoubtly earn the recognition they deserve.

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