“I started writing mellow acoustic songs with no intention to play them live,” says Sean Raven, founder of the acoustic doom blues band Chakobsa.

The band’s “heavy mellow” style emerged from Raven’s original acoustic writing and his adaptations to his own physical limits. While he began his music career as a songwriter and guitarist, he eventually became unable to endure rehearsals on the six-string, due to some problems with his arms. But he kept at his musical endeavours and, even though he is no longer a full time guitarist, he has become a very capable vocalist and was able to put together a group of very supportive musicians and friends to perform his music. The band has a full-length self-titled album in their repertoire, and a second one in the works. But before the next album comes out, Raven is releasing a special E.P. featuring songs that got him back on guitar.

“Through forcing myself to play the songs, I started to realize they could be the most honest songs I had ever written, and as a musician it was my duty to let them go,” Raven reveals.

The album titled The Entity is being released June 4 at the Distillery. Only 100 copies will be sold, and all three songs on the disc will be performed that night at the end of Chakobsa’s set.

Raven took the time to answer some questions about the direction his music has taken and his upcoming releases and we hope his answers will intrigue you enough to join us at the E.P release.

Has the band turned out as you expected?

I don’t know if I ever had a solid vision for it. The songs I write have become my main musical outlet. I have started to include all of my ideas, instead of keeping some ideas for my metal projects, and keeping some for this venture. It has gotten heavier since the inception. I also now write with a band in mind, not just a guitar line and vocals. Also having the line-up change always morphs the sound of the group. At this time, Chakobsa’s sound is very different from the minimal acoustic tracks I was originally writing and has been a welcome surprise.

Can you tell us a bit about your problems with your arms and how you overcame this adversity?

Originally, the doctors said it was tendonitis, so I then did a bunch of different forms of treatment, none of which helped. Now, a new doctor believes it’s carpal tunnel, so I can opt for surgery. I may go for it if it means I can play guitar again. As for overcoming this, I give full props to my friends and band mates.

What did your band mates and friends do to encourage you?

The thought of not playing guitar live was absolutely wearing me down, and I was in a very depressed state. My band (Collision System) even folded due to the arm problems, so I just felt useless and that I had let them down. Then they showed me what being brothers means by coming up with the plan to be my band and play my music. The whole thing brought me back to life, got me back working and, without their support, this band would likely never have happened.

What drives you to continue with music now?

What drives me today and forever: I’m haunted by the need to make music. It is always in my brain. I’m always writing another song in my head.

Can you tell us a bit about your E.P. The Entity?

It is a project that came out of another bad situation in my life. These songs reflect the pain I was feeling, but also gave me an outlet to examine these feelings and come to terms with them. I can’t wait to get these songs out, as I’m not only proud of them, but they also represent the closing of a chapter in my life.

What led you to put together this E.P. as a solo project?

After some harsh events in a short amount of time, and tough lessons learned, these three songs poured out of me and were so personal I wasn’t sure I would show or play them for anyone. I had them for a good six months and could barely get through them on my own., so I set to work recording these songs for the band to learn. After spending a bunch of time to record the parts, and still being very attached to the songs themselves, I realized I should release them as is: raw, grimy, real. I’m not a producer, so they sounded rough, but the more I listened, the more I liked them in that state because it reflects how I felt when I wrote them.

How did you get Marvel artist Cary Nord involved with the artwork?

Cary Nord is a new friend of mine, but we hit it off immediately. We met through some friends in common a little over a year ago. At that time, I was going through the events that led to this E.P. and he was going through some of the same things. We then started hanging out to drink beer and vent about our problems, and a tight friendship was formed. So as I have been writing this E.P. he has been there, listening to early recordings and giving me encouragement. So naturally, being a Marvel artist, when my mind turned to artwork, I immediately thought of him. He liked the art concept and was excited to do it.

Where did the art concept come from?

The art concept is the album concept: succubus! A woman that gains your trust and then sucks your soul. I watched a show on T.V. about “The Hag” which is a famous ghost in eastern Canada that sits on your chest, sucks your soul and can even kill you… supposedly. Laughingly, I thought immediately, “I know that bitch!” So I started searching for more info and saw some good old succubus paintings and art ideas began to form. I ran them by Cary and he put the ideas in action.

Can you give us any details about Chakobsa’s next full-length album?

I have the whole second disc written, and my band has six of the songs learned. I hope to start recording it later this year. I’m still trying to put together funds for the project.

With you as the main songwriter, how do the other band members contribute?

The band contributes their time and excellent music skills. They are also my support group and my best friends. Most of the members play in multiple projects with different writing dynamics, but this project they are my arms. This project is my baby, and I put a ton of time into it, but without my band I would still be doing it in my basement. It is through their selflessness that I’m able to put my music out for the public.

How do the songs come together?

I’m the type of artist that likes to finish things so I can get on to the next project. As a result, I close the book on songs very quickly. I try to just trust the process. Once I’m writing, I put things together fast and usually finish the basic structure of a song in a night. I then just play the song over the next couple of months, forming bass lines and vocal lines and may make some alterations, if any. Then I record a rough cut for my band. Once they have the song, they learn it and we are jamming it within the week. They learn like I write: fast.

What do you have planned for the future of the band?

In the narrow view, I’m thinking about our second album, keeping us tight and playing regularly. In the broad view, I’m thinking about trying to get our sound up and out of Calgary through some small tours and see if we can generate some buzz. I’d like to see a small label take us on and help us with touring and distribution. If anything, I plan to just keep writing, singing, growing, adapting and see how things play out.