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.
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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.
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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!
Mostly Music 