band interviews

Interview: Seethe

April 4, 2025 — Leave a comment

Seethe is an alternative/nu metal artist hailing from Pittsburgh. Spawning from the isolation of Covid lockdowns in 2020, this project has taken on a life of its own. With a handful of albums and EPs and an expansive catalog of singles to his name, Seethe shows no signs of slowing down.

One of the first people to let me review his music when I started my own journey, I’m surprised it has taken us this long to do an interview! We discussed his musical beginnings, inspiration, dream collaborations, and much more – and I feel like we only scratched the surface! Check it out!

***

Mostly Music: So let’s talk some background first. How did you get started making music?

Seethe: Music has always been there. It’s in the blood on both my mom’s side and my dad’s side. I grew up around anything from oldies, to bluegrass, to metal, rock, and hip hop. I was air guitaring and singing with a brush as a microphone before I was even potty trained!

MM: That vast array of exposure explains a lot. Lol. Your music definitely has quite a bit of variety.

Do you have any particular band/artist that was, like, The One that made you really wanna pursue this? Or a song? I know it’s not always that specific, but…

Seethe: There are many layers to that. First, I was a guitarist that dabbled in some piano and bass, then over time, transferred to lead vocals. Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jerry Cantrell made me wanna pick up and sling the ole six string. In my high school years, I was deep into acoustic pop rock with the likes of John Mayer, Secondhand Serenade, Dashboard Confessional, and Five Times August. When it came down to vocals (waaaaay early on), I hadn’t found my voice and was attempting very bad Creed/Breaking Benjamin vocals til I started actually singing and exploring my voice round 3, 2016. Phil Anselmo, Tim Williams, and Billy Keeton were very, very influential in where I was trying to go vocally as I began to explore my voice.

MM: Okay, with all that going on, how did you find your sound? I know your sound varies, but for a while, you leaned heavily into the trap metal end of things, so to speak. Was that a conscious decision, or was it more…you played around with ideas and found that that particular genre fit what you were going for?

I feel like I’m wording that badly…

Seethe: Covid honestly was really responsible for the creation of Seethe. I had begun to dabble in electronic music but never had the guts to release it. Anything I had released up to that point I had a band or a partner in crime, and I always had that comradery and support, but never enough guts to put something out solely by myself. At the start it was mainly just to make some music with an electronic edge like the “Queen of The Damned” soundtrack with the modern soundscape of the trap metal genre that had been blowing up in recent years. While a niche genre, it allowed me to develop and grow. After 4-ish years of producing and releasing trap metal tracks, I had decided it was time to start branching out and shifting my sound. That’s honestly the beauty of being a solo artist. Yes, there is more work, and it literally all falls on my shoulders, but I could/can do what I want, when I want.

MM: So, this may be a stupid question, but with the recent releases veering into a less electronic/trap-oriented direction, are you still working solo?

Seethe: Nope. If I had the equipment and better resources, I definitely would (Lord knows it would probably be cheaper if i did, given my rate of output). Fortunately, I have met many different and awesome producers along the way. Sometimes, we work together on a project from the ground up, or it’s a matter of me merely scavenging beats/instrumentals I find and lease or purchase. Some awesome producers I’ve worked with (but not limited to) – Slaughter, APXLLYXN, Exor, Gus Wallner, VIXLENCE, Last of a Dying Breed. Can’t forget Aura Abnormal, and Dead Prophet Alive.

MM: You have released four tracks so far this year. Congratulations on that, by the way. Can you give me a bit of background on the most recent single, “Oceans”?

Seethe: “Oceans” is one of the first songs in a while that wasn’t written introspectively. It’s more of an observation about the world as we see it now. All of the doom and gloom and tension that hangs in the air. REM said it best: “it’s the end of the world as we know it.”

In the recording side of things, this was a fun/challenging one to work on. Jacob Lizotte is an amazing producer/composer, and that forced me to really up my game vocally. The music not only goes hard in the paint,  but it’s also very open and has a sort of ambient atmosphere to it, so I had plenty of room to paint the canvas with my craft.

MM: I wanna ask a question that’s kinda just for fun, but I love the answers I get. If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

Seethe: Dream collabs would be Layne Staley, Phil Anselmo, Damien Starkey, Brock Lindow, and Chad Gray.

MM: A Chad Gray collab would be SO good!!! So what is your creative process? How do you piece songs together? (I’m interested in both the writing and recording aspects, but hands down, I grasp the writing part a lot more easily. I know nothing about recording.)

Seethe: The creative process varies. It’s honestly one of my favorite things about art. I am a multi-instrumentalist, but I unfortunately don’t have a means to record anything besides vocals. I have been fortunate enough to work alongside multiple producers and composers to build songs from the ground up. Sometimes, someone will hit me with a piece of music and want me to man vocals. Other times, it’s merely me scavenging on BeatStars or YouTube, looking for a beat that catches my ear. A lot of times, the songwriting for me is very spur of the moment or if something catches my ear. You never know when inspiration is gonna strike.

Or other times I will have a song written up and it’s a matter of finding or creating the music to bring it all together. There are times I will sit on a song or idea for months, or it comes out on the spot in minutes. Collabs are always fun as well. It’s a different energy when you have someone bring you on and you are putting your craft with someone else’s vision.

MM: We could probably keep talking for ages, but I’ve already used up a lot of your time. Thank you very much for this interview. I look forward to hearing what you come up with next and perhaps having another conversation about…well, everything!

***

In the time since we wrapped up our chat, Seethe has announced the release of his fifth single for 2025, “Reprieve.” The track will hit streaming services on April 26th. You can pre-save it here!

But while you’re waiting, be sure to listen to the other songs he has dropped since January – “Mandela Effect,” “IDT (Falling in Wait),” “Depths,” and “Oceans.” These four offerings grant a glimpse into the wide creative range Seethe possesses and the varied stylistic choices he makes. If you enjoy what you hear, follow him on your favorite platforms so that you never miss any Seethe music news!

Interview: Chris Reza of Collide the Gemini

March 28, 2025 — Leave a comment

Collide the Gemini is a post-hardcore band hailing from El Paso, Texas. The trio consists of guitarist/vocalist Chris Reza, bassist Nate Sansom, and drummer Brian Carbajal. They have released one EP so far, 2022’s Dioscuri, but another EP is on the horizon!

I had the pleasure to chat with Chris about the band’s beginnings, their influences, the upcoming EP, and even his favorite sci-fi movies. (We also might have briefly touched on the topic of the Backstreet Boys…) Read on for more!

***

Mostly Music: So I always start super basic out of the gate. How did Collide the Gemini form, and what’s the story behind the band name?

Chris Reza: Collide started out of the end of a previous band my drummer and I were in called The Roaring Twenties. Brian [drummer] and I wanted to continue pursuing music so we kept going, but we felt like the new songs and new lineup needed to be under a new name, so we decided to change it to Collide the Gemini. 

The name came from my weird obsession with the word Gemini. The more I researched the story behind the Gemini and the twins, the more I felt it connected with our music. The name basically reflects what we try to do musically, colliding opposing sounds – light and dark, heavy and soft, simple and complex – and creating a balance between the two. 

MM: That is one of the better stories behind a name I’ve heard, and it serves a purpose while being memorable. 

So let’s go back a bit and talk about you. What inspired you to start creating music? Is that something you’ve always wanted to do, or did you have a defining moment that changed your trajectory?

CR: Well, I think art in general has always been something that I’ve wanted to do. Since I was a kid I’ve loved drawing, and growing up, I got into film and photography and graphic design. Music was just another creative outlet and one in which I could combine everything else. Even now I do a lot of our merch designs, music videos, and promos.

MM: Oh, so you’re a multi-talented creative person. I’m jealous. Lol. I want to be good – or…capable, I guess – at so many things, and I’m not. Writing is just about it.

Who would you say is your biggest musical influence? 

CR: That’s a tough one. It changes all the time. I would say The Mars Volta. Mainly because they are hometown heroes of ours and also musical geniuses. But I would say we strive to sound more along the lines of a Dance Gavin Dance or Fall of Troy.

MM: On a related note, but also just for fun, is there anyone you listen to that might surprise people? (I refuse to call them “guilty pleasures,” because I don’t feel guilty about anything I listen to. Lol.)

CR: Haha, yeah, I totally agree with you! Like what you like, you know? I would say most people are surprised that I listen to hip hop. I’ve also been known to jam to some Olivia Rodrigo as well, haha!

MM: I still pull out some Backstreet Boys on occasion. (I’m old.) I went to see them in 2019 and my coworkers judged me. Lol. They were used to me listening to rock and metal. Anyway, let me get back on topic.

Y’all released “Take to the Skies” at the end of January. Can you tell me the story behind the song? 

CR: Oh nice! Nah, the Backstreet Boys are awesome!

So “Take to the Skies” is a song that will be on our upcoming EP that will be out later this year. The EP is a concept record that I wrote. It’s loosely based on some of my favorite sci-fi films. “Take to the Skies” is told through the eyes of the protagonist’s wife, who must see him leave for this journey to save humanity in hopes he’ll return.

MM: And now you have caused me to debate whether to go ahead with music questions or dive into your taste in films. I can’t help it: that’s the stuff I love to know about my favorite musicians. Okay, I have to ask. Favorite sci-fi film(s)?

CR: Haha, no worries, I love talking about that stuff! For sure, the film that really inspired me to write this record was Interstellar. It’s a masterpiece! But Alien, Event Horizon, and The Thing are all in my top 5.

MM: I watched Event Horizon for the first time last year, which is odd considering what a horror buff I am. Haha. I loved it. My dad is a big sci-fi guy, but it’s all the really old films (he’s about to turn 70). I’ll have to check out Interstellar, though. I’ve never seen it.

CR: Oh, you have to watch it! It phenomenal.

MM: In regard to the EP, I like the idea of a concept album. Has your writing process been much different for this record? And (let me see if I can word this correctly) – do you think it’s been easier to write with a story to tell, or has it made the process more complex? 

CR: The writing hasn’t changed much. We’ve had some kind of concept or story in mind while writing all of our previous material. I find that’s easier, at least for me, to write this way. Writing in the moment or from my personal experience can be a really good catalyst for songs, but I find that it’s sometimes hard to complete them. Whatever I felt about that topic at the time might change the next day, and I always find myself disinterested in continuing with the song. That being said, I have written about my own experiences. They’ve just been masked by a story, which makes it feel like I’m writing about someone else. If that makes sense, haha.

MM: I was thinking I could see both sides to working with a story. Like, it would be easier in a way because you have a set focus and a point to work towards, but at the same time, there might be difficulties because you’d be confined to working within certain parameters, i.e. your story. I guess that’s why I wanted to ask the question. 

Piggybacking off your answer: do you think that masking your personal experiences behind a story makes them more relatable to your listeners? Maybe it’s easier for them to apply it to themselves when they don’t feel so much of the artist’s personal element? (Or maybe I’m overthinking it…)

CR: That’s a good question. I think listeners are going to relate it back to themselves regardless, whether it’s a song about a personal experience from the artist or one about space travel. At the end of the day if the song is hitting us at an emotional level that’s all that matters. We tend to find a way of connecting to it if we love it. 

MM: I feel that on a spiritual level. I don’t understand how there are people out there who don’t “get” music. I always wonder if they just haven’t been fortunate enough to find that song or artist that grabs their soul and won’t let go. Lol. Not to be overly dramatic about it, but music means a lot to me.

What are Collide The Gemini’s plans for the rest of 2025? I know you said y’all are going to release the EP…

CR: Collide has a few things planned for 2025. We have our EP coming out this year titled A Spark in the Horizon. No set release date yet, but hopefully before the end of the year. We also have some plans to do some touring this year. We’re gonna do a small Texas run, hopefully this summer. Other than that, we will be dropping singles until we release the EP. So be on the look out for that!

MM: While I have you here, I’m gonna ask just a couple more questions. What’s  your favorite thing about playing live?

CR: I would say connecting with fans, for sure. Seeing how our music affects them and sharing that experience. Also, as a fan of live music myself, seeing a band live and being in the moment with them is such a great experience.

MM: I think it would be so cool to experience it from both sides! Last but not least, do you have a dream tour lineup? Collide the Gemini with…? 

CR: Oh God, I have too many to list, hahaha. I would love to do a tour with Hail the Sun. We’ve gotten to open up for them a few times and it’s always a good time. But maybe my dream lineup would be The Mars Volta headlining, maybe Coheed and Cambria supporting or something like that.

MM: Thank you so much for your time! And I look forward to all you guys have coming this year!

***

Check out Collide the Gemini’s latest single, “Take to the Skies,” and be sure to follow their socials, as well as on your favorite streaming platforms so you don’t miss their upcoming releases or updates about the new EP!

Interview: Robbie Ekblom, Jr., and Hall of Lost

March 10, 2025 — Leave a comment

Robbie Ekblom, Jr., is a Finnish/American guitarist who focuses on lead and has influences ranging across the metal and metalcore landscapes. Philadelphia-based Hall of Lost is a hard rock/alt-metal project put together by singer and guitarist Jeff McAllister.

And when the two acts come together, listeners are gifted with a track like “Darkness Befalls.”

I had the chance to chat with Jeff and Robbie about their collaboration – how the artists met, how the song came to fruition, and what the odds are of them making more music together in the future.

***

Mostly Music: Okay, so tell me how this came together. I’ve talked to artists who have worked on a track from different places, but I’m not sure they’ve ever been from different countries!

Robbie: Long story short, we were able to get acquainted on Instagram and combined our appreciations for artists like Breaking Benjamin, Tool, Seether, and create our own track using our studio setups from across the Atlantic. That’s how our collaboration came to be. I think this story could motivate people who want to work together but don’t live near one another. You really can come out with some pretty cool stuff, and you can get pretty creative these days when it comes to recording.

MM: How did you and Hall of Lost handle writing “Darkness Befalls”?

Robbie: I had come up with an instrumental track for “Darkness Befalls,” and Hall of Lost contacted me on Instagram after hearing some of my other music and said that they’d be interested in doing a collaboration. So then Jeff and I started messaging each other and he said one of your tracks is something that I really wanna work on and beef it out with some lyrics and his own instrumental additions.

For the recording itself, we both have our own setups. I have a home studio, and he has his setup over there in the U.S. So we just combined sounds and sent one another the music files and kept adding bits and pieces until the final version was fully edited.

It’s been a first for me working with somebody as talented as Hall of Lost. Jeff is a phenomenal musician and really has an incredible appetite for creating music and creative arts in general.

MM: That’s a great segue into Jeff’s side of the story. Ha ha! Jeff, what was your inspiration for “Darkness Befalls”?

Jeff: Sure thing, Melia. This track was a fun one to work with because Robbie had all of the instrumental completed, and most importantly, he had a title for the song. So many songwriters attempt to write a tune without first having a title, and there’s nothing wrong with it…I’ve done it myself, but what you typically find is that if you have a solid title, that drives the whole process forward. Needless to say, with a title like “Darkness Befalls”, I had a lot to work with!

Those riffs Robbie plays on the song emote plenty of feelings, so the inspiration came pretty naturally. I wanted to capture a sense of an alter ego, an anger hidden inside, being taken to a place you don’t want to go. When the anger takes over, that’s when darkness befalls.

MM: This question may sound almost naive, but how different is it writing and recording a song remotely as opposed to physically being in a room (or the studio) with those you are creating with? I imagine it requires a change to your normal approach?

Robbie: From my perspective, being in a studio or in a recording space together has the advantage of being able to adapt or change things on the fly because you’re all together and can discuss recording, or certain segments of a song, lyrical changes, whatever it might be, in person immediately. Whereas doing it remotely like this has sort of a time lag between making the changes, especially given the distance between Jeff and myself. We have a 6 hour time difference. That means anything we want to discuss has a one day, or at least one night, lag. But what is really nice about this is, because we both have our own studios and equipment, and are familiar with our own recording infrastructures, it – at least, for my part – has been very comfortable, because I know exactly how to use my stuff. There hasn’t been a need for any gear changes or adjustments to any of the actual tech we’re using. I do imagine, depending on how much we continue to work with Jeff, it would be cool to get into a room and just jam out and make music in person.

Jeff: I think Robbie said it well. This really worked out very smoothly, and I think what it came down to mostly was faith. I had complete faith in the musical track Robbie laid down. In fact, upon hearing what he crafted, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. It was such a big sound. Conversely, he allowed me a lot of creative freedom with his baby, allowing me to suggest a few arrangement suggestions and modifications to fit the lyrical delivery. From there, I would run the lyrical ideas by him and send him some samples, and we would go back and forth on any edits needed, volume changes, etc., but all in all, those were minimal. The fact that Robbie doesn’t seem to sleep also helped.

It would be great to eventually get in a room together. We’ve become great friends throughout the process, so beyond the creative chemistry, I’m sure he and I would down some beers together and come away with another great track.

Robbie: 100% on the downing of some amber lager and making magic happen! That day will come eventually, guaranteed! Haha!

As for the sleep; I had to get myself into somewhat of a routine of maximizing the time to keep in touch and to discuss music with the time difference. Now I’m in this loop where I stay up late, but it doesn’t bother me much because I’m so excited about the music and our project.

MM: So y’all are definitely working together again in the future? Can we expect another collab anytime soon? Because I would be 100% behind that.

Jeff: I can go on record saying that is definitely going to happen, especially if you’re making a request, Melia.

We have something in the works right now, actually. Schedules have been a bit tight, but the process has started, so it won’t be long. We really appreciate the support.

I imagine that won’t even be the last of it. Robbie is a riff machine. He has probably pumped out 2 songs before eating his morning Cheerios today.

MM: If I’m making a request? Okay! Consider this my request. And y’all are very welcome! I’m excited to hear what’s next!!!

***

Y’all be sure to check out “Darkness Befalls,” and then do a deep dive into both artists! I’ve shared links to their socials below.

Also, this is not my only conversation with Jeff and Robbie. I will be back with a second interview in which we discuss their respective musical journeys, and maybe some off-the-wall topics as well, so please keep your eyes open for that!

Robbie

Hall of Lost

Interview: Arturo Jara of Candamius

June 10, 2024 — Leave a comment

Candamius is a progressive rock/metal band hailing from Peru. They have released two singles – “Patient Friend” and “Visitor” – and are busy crafting their debut album.

Having discovered Candamius via Instagram, thanks to “Visitor,” I soon began to talk with Arturo. We discussed the band’s formation, influences, writing process, what’s next for them, and more! Read on for the full interview.

***

Mostly Music: Can you tell us about the origins of Candamius? How did you all come together as a band?

Arturo Jara: First of all, thank you for this interview. I am Arturo Jara, a founding member of Candamius, along with Deyvi Gutierrez Amar. We founded [the band] in 2018 in Ica, Perú. At first, we initially didn’t know what name to give the project. One day, Deyvi and I ran into each other at the university where we were studying. We hadn’t planned to meet that day, but we went to lunch and started talking about the strangest dreams we had ever had. I told him that I had a dream where a friend of mine came to my house and said to me, “You are Candamius.” As soon as he said that, he left, and I woke up. I immediately searched for information to see if this word existed, and indeed, it does. Candamius was a god of the Astures and Cantabrians, associated with the sky, storms, and thunder. Remembering this dream, I suggested this name for our project to Deyvi, and he agreed. Since then, that’s been our name.

MM: And for you personally, what was it that made you want to pursue music?

AJ: Well, I remember the first time I formed a band when I was in high school. It was a great sensation to be there on stage, playing my favorite songs to an audience. However, in terms of finding the band that inspired me to pursue music, it was definitely Nirvana. I remember that I literally copied Cobain’s vocal style when I was a teenager. I wanted to be him, not only in his vocal style but also in his movements on stage.

When I started songwriting at 15 years old, I was thinking, “How would Cobain write this riff?” and I began to write it. Over time, I felt that songwriting was something I really needed in my life. It allowed me to express my own ideas and feelings and create my stories with total liberty.

Despite Nirvana motivating me to pursue music, I feel that I always had this sense of seeing music as a lifestyle. Song after song, composition after composition, there is always something to express and share with others.

MM: Who are the biggest musical influences on the band as a whole, and how have they shaped your sound and style?

AJ: Our influences are diverse and include Tool, Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Meshuggah, Lamb of God, and Celtic Frost, among others. These bands have shaped our sound and style in various ways. Tool influenced us in creating long pieces and meticulously thinking through every aspect of the composition. Alice in Chains inspired our focus on vocals, especially the harmonies. Nirvana’s influence is evident in my vocal style, which is rooted in grunge music—I grew up with their music, so it naturally finds its way into mine. Meshuggah influenced some of our instrumental parts, Lamb of God inspired the groove metal elements, and Celtic Frost contributed to the atmospheric aspects of our music.

MM: Are there any bands/artists you listen to that might surprise people?

AJ: Well, I like Dvořák, Penderecki, Prokofiev, Franz Liszt, and other representatives of classical music.

MM: Are you working on any new music or projects at the moment? What can fans expect from Candamius in the near future?

AJ: Yes, we are working on the album. We are putting all of our effort into releasing a good album, so that is our priority right now.

MM: On the subject of writing and recording, what is your process like? Do you typically start with lyrics, a melody, or a specific instrumental riff?

AJ: Generally, I start with an instrumental riff, then I create the melody, and finally the lyrics. Sometimes, the lyrics and melody come at the same time.

MM: From where (or whom) do you draw most of your inspiration?

AJ: A lot of my inspiration comes from literature. Authors like Dostoyevsky, Oscar Wilde, Victor Hugo, and Shakespeare have significantly influenced the songwriting process and the creation of the stories of Candamius.

MM: Let’s get specific. Y’all just released the single “Visitor” in April. What’s the story behind that track?

AJ:  In terms of lyrics, the song is inspired by Poe’s poems, as well as the poem “Negro Sayón” by José María Eguren and ” Los Heraldos Negros” by the poet Cesar Vallejo. It also receives influence from Shakespeare concerning the concept of dawn. However, the song has two protagonists: one of them is Death, personified and taking human form, while the other is a woman struggling with suicidal thoughts and existential questions. At the beginning of the song, Death is introduced as a character. As the song progresses, there is an inevitable encounter with the woman, who reveals her struggles and internal demons through the lyrics. At a certain moment, the music intensifies, symbolizing Death’s chase of the woman to end her suffering. In the part where Death says, “You must invoke the almighty, he will give you the answers,” I mean to convey that often when we cannot find answers to things we do not understand, we tend to seek explanations from a higher entity. The music accompanies Death’s speech, symbolizing its approach to its prey. Eventually, Death succeeds in entering and delivers the following speech: “There´s no exceptions, you all have the same fate. I know the path that you´ll be going through, and I will be at the end.” Later, the music changes, announcing the final part of the song where the woman gives her last words, saying: “Waiting for the dawn, I shelter in the storm now, drifting on the tide, begging for the dawn. The dawn escapes from my arms. Dim lights, all I know.” The “dawn” symbolizes hope, renewal, and the possibility of a fresh start. The storm symbolizes sobbing and pain, and “drifting on the tide” evokes a sense of being carried along by external forces, lacking control or direction. Finally, she says, “Dim lights, all I know,” referring to the minimal hope she has left. Tired of battling in life, she stares toward Death in the final part of the song, and a crescendo ends the song, suggesting that this entire story might have been a dream or that she is now in the afterlife. The listener will make their own choice.

MM: Just for fun, what would be your dream tour lineup that includes Candamius?

AJ: Playing along with Tool and Alice in Chains.

MM: With it being 2024 and the age of social media, how do you engage with your fans and community, both online and offline? What role do your fans play in your music and career?

AJ: At the moment, we interact with our fans primarily through social media. Our fans play a crucial role in our music. Since we released “Patient Friend,” the support we have received has been amazing. I am incredibly grateful for them and have only words of gratitude.

MM: Is there anything you’d like to say to the fans, and my readers, here?

AJ: I want to tell them that the album is coming, and I hope that they enjoy it as much as the first two singles.

***

Candamius is a band determined to put their best foot forward. They clearly work hard to only share their music once they are fully happy with it, and that mindset has produced two amazing singles. Check out both of those songs below and find Candamius on their socials, as well as your favorite streaming platform. Big things are on their horizon!

Vacation Mode Activated

October 19, 2023 — Leave a comment

I still have 11 days before I fly to Colorado to visit my brother, but my mind has already abandoned the real world. I am so ready to escape my job for a week. Plus, while I’m out there, I get my birthday gift: we’re going to Albuquerque for the Wednesday 13 Performs Murderdolls tour – and my brother bought me the VIP experience, so I’m meeting Wednesday 13!!!!!! I’ve been a fan since I was 15, and I just know I’m going to make a fool of myself.

In other news, I had an appointment with a gastroenterologist last week. I had been having some abdominal discomfort, up to and including mild pain just below my breastbone and slightly to the right. The doctor said it was most likely a pre-ulcer or an ulcer. I was given a medicine to coat my stomach when I eat and another that is supposed to help control my stomach acid. I also had an ultrasound done. Well, the office has not called with the ultrasound results, but the medicines seem to be helping. The only pain I’ve had in the past few days has been at work. One of my coworkers said that suggests an ulcer, because I’m hurting only when I’m stressed. I guess we’ll see. If I don’t hurt at all in Colorado, then the problem is my place of work. Haha!

Just wanted to share another personal post, give y’all an update on things. In regard to the music side of the blog, I have two interviews coming up: hard rockers Sever Red and the industrial metal band Corvin’s Breed (who is opening for Psyclon Nine on their upcoming Infection Divinum Tour). These will both be written, as I don’t yet have the option to do video or phone interviews. I’m also continuing my weekly Bands You Should Know, so if there’s anyone I need to do a brief blurb about, tell me in the comments!

I hope this post finds all of you well! Oh, and if y’all wanted to see a half-assed shot of what was visible in Alabama during the annular eclipse…

I was in the parking lot at work with three other employees trying to catch that. The picture might not be great, but we were having a lot of fun! Lol.

The Mostly Music Podcast, Ep. 1: Fun With Carbonstone

August 1, 2023 — Leave a comment

My none-too-serious interview with Carbonstone is now live on YouTube! Give it a watch!

The Mostly Music Podcast

July 30, 2023 — Leave a comment

I finally did it, y’all! I finally decided to start a music podcast. My sister-in-law has been encouraging me to do this for well over two years now: she says I’d be great at it because I’m so passionate about music.

I posted the idea to my Facebook page, and it was met with enthusiasm and several bands/artists looking to be interviewed. I fully intended to get the ball rolling before now, but technological issues impeded my progress. However, I am fairly certain I should have that sorted soon, and then I can begin scheduling video interviews.

Luckily, I had the chance recently to meet up with Maryland-based metal band Carbonstone and do an in-person interview. They played a show in Alabama and of course I went! As many of you know, I interviewed frontman Corey James for my blog earlier this year, and I reviewed their latest single, “Damaged Like You.”

With Carbonstone was Anoxia vocalist – and Corey’s wife – Chrystal James. She was gracious enough to agree to be interviewed as well!

Having already discussed music pretty thoroughly, I decided to have a little fun with Corey and Chrystal, and Carbonstone guitarist Neely Johns, for this interview. Since I titled my blog (and podcast) “Mostly Music,” we took on topics other than music, such as movies, dessert toppings, and places they would love to visit. But we naturally discussed a few music-related things, too.

The video is going live tonight on my new YouTube channel. For now, that’s the only place it will be. I added subtitles because both Chrystal and I had a couple of instances where we didn’t speak loudly enough, given that we were in a bar and there was a lot of background chatter. I will improve, though! I was just happy that my first in-person interview was with someone I had talked to before. It created a certain level of comfort, and I think that really comes through.

I would love it if y’all would check it out! Consider your viewing of it an early birthday gift. The video will be available at 5:30 p.m. CST.

Interview: Clay Soldiers

May 31, 2023 — Leave a comment

Clay Soldiers hail from the UK and blend elements of alternative, grunge, and stoner rock in their music. Formed in 2020, the band consists of vocalist/guitarist Leon, bassist Stu, and drummer Pablo. They have already seen a few notable achievements, including 16,000+ all-time streams across the various services and listeners in forty different countries.

I recently chatted with Clay Soldiers about their backgrounds in music, influences, playing live, and their debut EP, Life After Death.

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First and foremost, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule for this interview. Let’s start with the story behind the band’s name. I always find those interesting.

Stu: Initially, we were talking about Greek mythology and we were looking for names along the lines of mythological beasts and history. However, Leon states that “Clay Soldiers” came from the idea that people are molded in terms of their way of thinking, their resilience – they are not as strong as they think they are and are made to believe they are invincible.

Clay Soldiers’ sound encompasses multiple styles. Who are the band’s influences?

Stu: Our biggest influences are the bands and sounds of the 90s, such as Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Queens of the Stone Age, and Faith No More. We also take inspiration from classic rock, like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, and lately we’ve drawn from some newer bands on the scene, particularly our friends in Dunes, The Grudge, and High Desert Queen, in terms of their performance and style.

So, if you don’t mind, can you tell me how you got started in music? What made you decide this is what you wanted to do?

Stu: We have always been interested in music in a big way. However, truly thinking about it, we lived through the 80s and 90s, where the music was an inspirational element in our lives. So, seeing bands that had grown considerably from the late 80s to the mid-90s and beyond, it was something that we had always felt that it wasn’t out of reach to do. It was a case of finding the instrument that we could share the rocking vibes with and over time, learning what it means to write songs, what it means to write from the heart through our own lived experiences that listeners can relate to.

And now, y’all have released your debut EP, Life After Death, and have garnered some well-deserved attention with it. Can you tell me a little about the writing and recording process? From where did y’all draw inspiration?

Stu: We tried to make music to reflect life experiences and take to heart how the lyrics can resonate to a wider audience. We wanted to write in a more thoughtful way and build connections with people as they find they can relate to it.

In terms of the recording, we often lay down all our demo stems on an app called Bandlab. It is a piece of software that really helped us to lay out and structure our ideas for the EP. The artwork was an awesome piece hand-painted by UK tattoo artist Jeep Bluezone (who is originally from Thailand). Initially, it was painted on canvas, then she offered to let us use it for the EP cover. We felt the image reflected every song on the EP, which is all about death and recovery – hence the name ‘Life After Death’. In other words, the day the world halts and then we start again.

On a personal level, what’s your favorite song on the EP?

Leon: All songs are very meaningful. If there was one overall song, I would choose “Ghost,” as that is the most epic sounding song.

Stu: I would choose “Ghost,” as it was one of the first tracks we actually wrote by accident and became one of our most evolved tracks. It has quite a cinematic, epic sound to it.

Pablo: “Ghost” for me.

I saw that you guys just played a show with Elkapath, Doomicidal, and At War With the Sun. What is your favorite thing about playing live?

Stu: That was a great show. Our favourite thing about playing live is seeing people enjoying and sharing the moments with us where the music is creating a positive atmosphere like no other. In that moment, we are family! 

And on the topic of playing live, how is playing live and writing music in the studio connected? When you write, do you think about how it will translate in a live performance? 

Stu: Everything we do in the studio is connected to live shows because  everything we work for in the studio, it all comes to a conclusion in live shows.  We want everyone to get a first glance of our music. For new fans who are seeing us for the first time, it is about how we can connect to those people and make new friends. For existing fans, it is showing how our music evolves and the fans grow with us. 

What is next for Clay Soldiers? I saw y’all hinting at new music on Facebook (I say hopefully).

Stu: Social media is a massive tool, definitely, and it is helping us to reach more people and all around the world. New music is constantly coming, new songs and new forms of composition are there, and we are taking all different styles to create our own way to make music.

What do you feel is the ultimate goal for the band?

Stu: The goal is to keep growing, musically and as a band. To be able to perform regularly. It is not about being famous but is about being original and offering something to people where they can identify. We are now at a stage where we are building a brand and we invite everyone to the opportunity to get involved and be a part of that process.

Is there any message you’d like to give your fans, old and new? 

Stu: We would wholeheartedly like to say a massive thanks with much love and respect for all the love and support everyone has shown us. Absolutely everyone is welcome to come and see us, no-one should be left out, regardless of pronoun, gender, sex, where you are from, etc. We just want everyone to be united in the moment, take care of each other and enjoy good times again! All we ask is just come and support local artists, local music! Keep the dream alive! 

And a fun question I always ask, just to wrap this up: what would your dream concert lineup be? Clay Soldiers and…?

Stu: Dream lineup… to play an international open air festival, with bands who would love to play
with Clay Soldiers! We would also absolutely love to be on the same lineup as the bands which have inspired us
from the start of our musical inception, such as Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins, Queens Of The Stone Age, Foo Fighters. Would be nice!

**

Clay Soldiers are on a steady upward trajectory, earning new fans and followers with every released single and live show. They bring the best of rock in everything they do. From what I’ve seen, the band will be giving us a taste of their darker, heavier side with their new music. Be sure to find them on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, etc., and check them out! Here is the track that the trio voted as their favorite from Life After Death.

Interview: Stickman

April 22, 2023 — Leave a comment

Stickman is a Canadian rock band that consists of guitarist/vocalist Kim Whitford, bassist and backing vocalist Randall Taylor, and drummer Des Vegas. While their sound is heavily influenced by 90s/00s alternative rock and grunge, there is definitely an element of modern day hard rock, as well as nods to classic rock & roll.

I had fun interviewing the band. We discussed everything from influences to their songwriting process, what they love about playing live to their dream tour lineup. As you’ll see, the trio don’t always take themselves too seriously. Their talent and obvious enjoyment for what they do is what makes it work.

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Okay, first and foremost, how would you describe Stickman’s sound? If you had to actually use a genre label, what would it be?

Kim: Our sound is a blend of grunge, post-grunge and hard rock, with hints of 70s and 80s classic rock. Post-grunge is the label we identify with most.

Randall: Hard rock/Dad rock

How did the band form, and what’s the story behind the name?

Kim: Stickman was formed in 2017 by Randall and myself. Des joined in late 2017. All three members are long time school friends, who had either played in the same bands or bands that were associated with each other. The name Stickman came from a list of band names we were considering at the time and that was the one we liked best. Turns out the name is very marketable and well used, lol.

Randall: Kim and I have been in many bands together since the 90s. We had a new bunch of songs we wanted to record but didn’t have a drummer. Luckily, an old friend of ours from high school was jamming in the same rehearsal space and the space owners brought them together. Des Vegas joined and the “project” became a band. Stickman was on a long list of potential names. I just thought it looked cool to have a stickman as the “T” in the word, haha!

Who are the band’s main influences? I know late 90s/early 2000s, but who specifically?

Kim: Failure, Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Nirvana, Tool, AIC, Pink Floyd, Ocean Machine, Metallica, The Beatles

Randall: KISS, Alice In Chains, Failure, Black Sabbath

Des: Deftones, Mötley Crüe, Crosses, AIC

So, for you personally, what inspired you to get involved in music? 

Des: I was around 10 years old and my brother Aaron was playing drums. I idolized him and I wanted to do what he did. He was really the reason I picked up a pair of sticks.

Kim: I’ve had a love of music since my earliest memories. Listening to KISS albums and studying the artwork. As I got older, exploring and discovering all the greats from all genres.

Randall: Two words – KISS Alive.

What is your favorite thing about playing music? 

Des: My favorite thing about playing music is that moment when you’re on stage with your boys doing what you love and the audience responds. It’s another level.

Kim: Getting to put “my take” on music and putting it out to the universe. If someone else likes it, that’s great! If not, that’s great too!

Randall:  Interaction with the crowd and being onstage. I have a strong desire to be performing in front of people.

Tell me a little bit about the latest single, “Sacrifice.” What was the inspiration for the song? (And side note: how do y’all decide which songs to release as singles?)

Kim: Inspiration comes in many forms and from many different sources. Musically, most ideas just come out when I pick up the guitar and play. I try to keep the lyrics ambiguous so they’re open to interpretation. This song is loosely based on my feelings towards social media and the obsessiveness of it. How some people will go to great lengths to get likes and followers. We decide to release songs that “work” and we all like them. By “work”, I mean it all makes sense, musically and lyrically.

And, still on the subject of your songs, what is the song writing and recording process like for Stickman? 

Kim: I will typically record every idea I come up with. If it moves me in some way, I will flesh it out a bit before showing it to the guys. I will record a rough draft, with multiple parts and typically with drums and bass and whatever else added. We will then tear it apart and build it back up from there. There is usually a melody in mind early on, but lyrics tend to take a while in most instances.

Randall: Kim comes up with the bones of the song and then we flesh it out together in practice until we’re comfortable with all the parts. We’ve recorded in professional studios, but for the time being, Kim is acting as engineer and we’re recording all our new music ourselves.

All of you mentioned the live element as part of what you love most about music. Can you describe what a Stickman performance is like? 

Des: For me, each performance is an event. I play like I’m at a giant stadium playing the last show of my career.  

Kim: Our shows are more about the entertainment side of things. We have songs “run” into one another and add bits of other songs in between. We try to entertain instead of just going on stage and playing each song.

Randall: Surprisingly energetic for a bunch of old guys! Also, we like to keep a tight set. One song will lead to another, and even things like the tuning breaks and crowd “raps” are choreographed. We try to minimize the dead air. Quick and exciting!

When you’re writing/recording, do you think about how the songs will translate live? 

Des: Yes, I always try to think about how I’ll play live. I usually try to play more solid beats while we record, so by the time we play live, I can really ramp it up with that live energy.

Randall: I do for sure! I’m always thinking about how the songs will be played live and how they will translate to each other in the set.

Kim: Definitely. Especially the singing aspect of it. I don’t want to complicate the performance by having the singing interfere with the guitar playing I do.

What are the band’s plans for 2023? 

Des: I’m very excited to say we are in the early stages of writing the next record, and a big part of the next year will be working on that.

Kim: Get back to playing live shows and writing and starting to record our next record.

Randall: To play shows whenever possible and record a new full-length album.

What do you feel is the ultimate goal for Stickman?

Des: I really love that I get to be with my brothers, writing kick ass music. We play shows where and when we can. People show up and dig it. Man, that’s all I’ve ever wanted. I guess I’ve reached my goal, haha.

Kim: To continue doing what we do and help keep rock alive!

Randall: A band with a reasonable following that can be trusted to play any show and entertain – and to continue to release interesting and fun new original music.

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Is there any band/artist you listen to that you think would surprise people?

Des: I listen to everything from Deftones to SADE, so ya, there’s probably a ton of stuff people would be surprised I listen to, lol.

Randall: I still like Nickelback. There, I said it.

What is your dream tour lineup that includes Stickman? 

Des: Wow! Not sure what that would look like, but I would have loved to have had the opportunity to talk with Chris Cornell and Layne Staley, among many others.

Kim: A touring festival. Take a look at our influences and put them on the bill with us!

Randall: I don’t even need to say some big market arena tour. I think I’d be just as happy with a club tour through western Canada and the Pacific Northwest with a couple of other local bands that we’ve befriended over the years.

And lastly, is there anything you’d like to say to your fans, both new and old? 

Des: I honestly love that you dig what we do. I could never thank those who support us enough.

Kim: Thank you for taking the time to listen to our music and giving us the chance to connect with you through our music.

Randall: Thanks for listening! We really do it for us in that we’re not trying to write to a trend or consumer group, but it’s nice when other people dig it, too.

**

I highly suggest following Stickman on Facebook, etc., as well as your favorite streaming platform; from all that I’ve heard, this band is getting better with each song they release! I can only imagine what is coming in the future.

Check out their latest single, “Sacrifice,” and two of my personal favorites! (I couldn’t narrow it down to one.)

Interview: Viktor Vetika

April 15, 2023 — Leave a comment

Viktor Vetika is an artist who enjoys several creative outlets. Starting in thrash/metal bands, he has since ventured into writing a comic book, making music videos, and fronting a more rock-oriented ensemble that bears his surname. It seems he can do it all!

I had the fun of chatting with Vetika about music (mostly), though we did touch on the subject of his other endeavors. Read on to learn more.

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Thank you so much for talking with me! Let’s start with my standard opening question: what made you want to pursue a career in music?

VV: I was at the end of a relationship after college and I was really depressed, this was 1992. I was listening to a college radio station and heard a song that was very powerful called “Inner Conflict” by Carnivore, and it hit me differently than any other song I’d ever heard. I made a decision right after that song that I would start singing for a band. I knew I couldn’t sing to save my life, but I knew I could shout and scream like Peter Steele in Carnivore.  

How did Vetika get its start?

VV: I’ve been in many bands since the early 90s. Each band I’ve been in has been a headache. I got divorced and stopped playing in bands in 2010 to get my life back on track. I enrolled in a masters in fine art degree and achieved it in 2015. Then I was slowly feeling the music bug again in 2017. I decided this time I would be the boss and enlist musicians and play in the direction I want to go rather than letting the fate of a democracy make the decisions. I’m drawing a comic book called “United Forces” and one of the main characters in the book is me. So to push my comic, I named the band Vetika, my last name. 

I’ve had 7 guitarists for this band so far, starting with Tom Wills with a thrash song. Then Angel Lee, the singer/guitarist of Devils Envy, wrote a few of the songs off the Skull with Magic EP. Then there was Brian Ballas and Jeff Fernandez. They wrote songs for the EPs She is Magic and Power of the Pit. My old bandmate, Jason Parke, shot me over some songs, and I’m still working with him. I worked on one cover song with Ben Johnson. I have a new guy, Neid, who’s been writing songs for this newest EP.

You’ve been doing this a really long time, then. How do you stay inspired? What keeps you excited about what you do?

VV: The creating aspect of making a song, and making a music video. Every band you make music in is going to be different. I knew this would be the case for this band. I’ve worked with different guitarists in this band and each time there’s a new sound, it inspires me. 

I’m also an artist, and the new thing about my musical career is the technology I haven’t had in the past to create music videos affordably. Since making music videos during Covid, I wasn’t able to bring my band mates together to film, but I did have myself. I painted a wall in my living room green for a green screen and started filming myself as different Vetikas. In the music video “One Regret,” there are multiple Vetikas, and this started an idea that has even crossed over to my comic book “United Forces.” Using this idea of the multiple Vetikas, I incorporated the idea into the music videos “Power of the Pit” and “The Sunrise of Nothingness.” There’s a good Vetika, a bad Vetika, a scared Vetika, you get the point. Some are in this dimension, some are in other dimensions. 

In the “The Sunrise of Nothingness” video, Vetika is walking through this foreign land. The foreign land is photos of ripped foam laying on a styrofoam sheet I bought from Joanne fabric, lol. The video making really gets me off. I’m not too fond of the filming and acting out parts of the story, but I love editing and seeing the story come to life. My barometer for if the music video is working or not is when I laugh out loud at how silly a part of the video is, when I do that I know I’m on the right track. After shooting this video, I took a photo of myself in the foreign land to create the album art. 

Another area that keeps me inspired is that I’ve been inviting musicians from the central Florida area to collaborate with us. I’ve had Bobby Koelbe (Death), Ken Andrews (Obituary), and Adam Phillips (Indorphone, Pro-Pain) play solos on songs; Meka (Meka Nism) sing a duet with me in a song, and Angelo “Crisco” Miceli (Seven Nations) and Kevin Collado (In This Day) play drums on a few songs. Currently working on a few songs with Russel Ray (Reddstar), who is a drummer/producer. The Vetika camp keeps growing.

In your own words, how would you describe your music? If you had to categorize it, what genre would you be?

VV: The first few EPs started off as thrash/metal, but I’ve recently been slowing down and trying to sing a bit and go in a hard rock & classic rock direction. 

What bands/artists inspire you?

VV: I listened to unsigned bands from the 90s when I was starting, which inspired me because those bands were coming up with their own thing and learning how to be a band. Their music is unorthodox. Bands like Dissolve, Implode, Shaman Mary, Sheldon, Nothing Face, and Stuck Mojo. These were bands I saw live when they were just starting.  

I’m also inspired by top 40 ’80s music because it sounds nothing like what’s being made today. The funny thing is, I grew up in the 80s and hated top 40 then, but have a huge appreciation for it now.  

That happens. I like alternative rock from the 90s much more now than I did when living through it. Still on the subject of what you like, is there anyone you’re a fan of that you think would surprise people?

VV: My newest song “The Sunrise of Nothingness” was inspired by David Gilmour’s guitar playing. I love how he plays guitar. Go have a listen to his album About Face. It’s amazing.

What is the story behind that track?

VV: It’s about contradictions and hypocrites.

Tell me a little about your songwriting process. From where do you draw your inspiration? 

VV: My process is I hear a song that I like, and it inspires me to write one that is similar. Now that I’ve put out a good supply of songs, I’m leaning more on the mix/master part of the song production, which I hadn’t really focused on before. I’ve been inspired by the mixing of these newest songs and listening to the richness of the production quality. 

That leads directly into my next question. What has been your writing/recording process for the tracks on this new EP?

VV: My process is always hearing a song and telling my guitarist this is what I want to do next. He’ll take the idea and make it his own. He sends me a sample and I’ll tell him if he’s hit the mark or not. If he hits the mark, I tell him to keep going. If he misses the mark, I’ll give him directions on what to do next. When we’re done, the songs sound nothing like the songs I got the inspiration from. 

This has been the most rewarding band for me because of what I mentioned already and technology. Every band I was in up until Vetika we could never record easily, it took a lot of money. But with technology now I can get my guitarist to put together a few riffs and plug in some electric drums, get my bassist to record his tracks and then I sing over it at my house on my computer. Send it off to get mixed and mastered. I come up with the music video ideas, film them, and edit them in Adobe Premiere Pro.  

What is coming next for Vetika, and what is the ultimate goal?

VV: I’ll be putting out the next music video “Overturned” and wrapping up a few other songs for the The Sunrise of Nothingness EP. My ultimate goal is to play some shows and get word out about the band to more people. We were about to play live, and then Covid happened. I currently have a drummer and bassist from a previous band I was in, but the guitar part is hard. The guys I’ve been using are not able to play live, so I’m trying to recruit some guitarists. 

What would be your dream tour lineup?

VV: Play with Metallica. Why not play with the best to get the word out. 

Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans, new and old?

VV: If you’d like to know more about me, pick up the comic book titled “United Forces” at www.monarchcomics.com. The main character is myself and Phil Foulder. Also watch my music videos on viktorvetika.com. They tell my story as well. For the foreseeable future, all of the music videos will be about me in an insane asylum, making music videos in my head. 

And by all means, send me fan mail. It’s lonely in the asylum. My email is victor.vetika@gmail.com

Last, but certainly not least, where can my readers get their hands on your music?

VV: All streaming services.

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It seems that Viktor has his proverbial plate full, his excess of creativity finding its outlet on multiple fronts. Be sure to check out the comic book, stream his music, and follow his socials for news on all his endeavors!