heavy metal interview

Interview – Endless Grin. August 2022

Posted on: August 14th, 2022 by Greg Jordan 2 Comments

Greetings Endless Grin from Canberra Australia. Welcome to Metal Health and thanks for being here.

Congratulations on two brilliant releases. The newly released single ‘The Shadows’ and ‘Decode’ released on 31 st December 2021. They are both brutal onslaughts of pure sonic power and invention. Strong energetic performances and great audio production. The sound is passionate and massive.

Hey Greg, massive thank you for having us on and for your kind words, we’re beyond stoked that you’ve enjoyed our songs and I’m looking forward to diving in with this interview!

What does good mental health mean to you?

As you know Greg, I work in the field of mental health and I think this is a great question. I’ll try and answer it without sounding too clinical. All of us go through parts of life that cause, sadness, anxiety and stress, and some of us may even go through it more than others. I think good mental health begins by building a certain degree of self-esteem and self-confidence. I don’t mean thinking that you are top shit at everything, but knowing in yourself that you are enough and then learning to trust yourself to navigate the world because it is essentially innate that we are wired for survival. Remember that your self-worth should never be dictated by anyone but you. I believe the next step is learning ways to deal with stress and coping with adversity in a healthy and positive way.

Life is fucking hard and the obstacles are going to be there
whether we like it or not, but we can control how we let them shape us. There’s tons of
resources out there that detail how people have overcome some of the worst situations in their lives. Talk to people, share your experiences and be open and flexible to change. I’m a big fan of Stoicism and I recommend reading “The Obstacle is the Way”. Be present in the moment. This sounds cliché as fuck but think about it. How many of us are stuck ruminating over the past or feeling anxious and planning for the future that we do not stop to just enjoy the present. Try it. Just actually stop what you’re doing right now and notice the smell in the air, the ground beneath your feet, or how your breathing sounds. That’s the thing I love about playing live because I get to immerse myself in everything that is going on around me at that point in time.

Do not be afraid to seek purpose. I believe having purpose in our lives, whatever that purpose may look like gives us a focal point, so that no matter what we encounter we know that we have something we are striving for. I also believe that your purpose whatever that may be should only be defined by you. Finally I think good mental health means taking care of your sleep. I say this but I’m probably the worst in the band for it.

Sleep is crucial to brain function and there’s a heap of research showing how even having a tiny lack of sleep can add up and have adverse effects on mental and physical health.

Great answer. What motivates you? What keeps you going?

The thing that motivates me I think is being able to play alongside my brother. It’s a lifelong dream and its easy because he’s such an awesome person and guitar player all round. He can also be fucking annoying but he’ll probably say the same about me. He keeps pushing the envelope and that definitely keeps me going because he shows me what is possible in terms of guitar playing and song writing. Coming together and playing with a group of like-minded metal heads is the other thing that motivates me. Everybody brings a perfect piece of the puzzle into the equation and its hard not to look forward to catching up with the band to make music. I think the best feeling of all however is bringing it all together on stage and just letting everything go in the moment. Seeing the crowd go wild at the end of it all makes everything worth it because I feel like they’ve literally shared a part of me and genuinely enjoyed it – and that makes me want to do more.

Have you experienced any tough times personally that you’d be okay talking about? If so, how are you/did you get through this?

Without getting into too much detail, Joel and I lost a close family member about 2 months ago. It is bloody hard but I’m thankful that we have people around us that we are able to confide in and talk to, friends and family which meant we were not necessarily processing things alone in our head. I never really had to deal with grief or loss at this level so it all came as a pretty rude shock to me but I learned that by looking at the times we had together and fondly remembering them rather than focusing on the loss helped me cope with it. The other thing I think Joel and I did was to try our best and keep to our routines as much as possible. I’m not saying we didn’t feel sad or we ignored it. When the feelings came up we let ourselves feel them but at the same time we tried to do everything we’d normally do just to keep some sense of normalcy in our lives and to keep inching forward.

My condolences to you and family. I think your answer will be very helpful to anyone experiencing loss at the moment. Thank you. What does making music mean to you? Why do you do it?

For me making music is really about self-expression. I’ve always felt that an emotion or idea is always conveyed better when there is music paired with it. I do it because it’s fun, expressing yourself is cathartic and it is even more magical when 4 other people are in sync with you. You add the crowd to this and it’s just magic. The feeling never gets old for me.

When did you start making music? Was it like finding some buried treasure that you didn’t know you had, and how did making music fit in with the rest of your life?

Joel and I grew up in a household where there was always music so it was pretty normal for us to start dabbling in songwriting soon after we both picked up our instruments. Both of us played in different bands from a young age but we just never had the chance to play in the same band together I guess due to the fact that there is a 8year gap between us, me being the older one. I had actually stopped playing guitar for like 10 years until Joel moved from Singapore to Canberra in 2019 and that’s when I slowly picked it up again. I’d say I’m still getting into the grove f songwriting whereas Joel is just a machine. All of us are working full time pretty much but we make sure to carve out time to make music because it is important to us and it is fun. It does mean that we have to sacrifice certain other things but thankfully we all have pretty supportive partners in our lives and this makes it easy.

Your biography mentions the diverse musical backgrounds and experience of the members. How does the influence of Delhi, Singapore, Canberra, the world, impact your music?

I think in the fact that we aren’t purists. Different genres of metal like different cultures have elements that make it unique and wonderful. We’re not afraid to blend stuff in if we think it sounds good. I think the shadows is a good example of that.

Harshit’s vocals are incredible and drive home the bands powerful songs. How did you put the lyrics and vocal lines together? Do you have a whole lot of thoughts or ideas written down to draw upon, or do you wait to hear the music to get vocal ideas?

Harshit normally waits for us to give him the complete song. Sometimes we will give him a theme as well like for the Shadows we told him the song has to be about an assassin. If we don’t give him a theme then it is mostly him just coming up with a theme by himself and he will write lyrics that fit that theme.

I suppose it’s not difficult to find plenty to write about currently in Australia. What are some areas of life that are important to the band?

The Shadows started with Joel basically playing too much Hitman and then wanting to write a piece that reflected the tension and mystery of an assassin that infiltrated a party and went on a killing spree finally killing his target and slipping out amidst all the chaos. We conveyed this to Harshit and he basically took that and ran with it, crafting the story of the assassin that slays the wicked to free his people who are oppressed. We come from cultures where we’ve had to fight for freedom at one point or another so it tied in perfectly with our beliefs. We have themes that we are passionate about that will be obvious in our other songs but we usually write what we feel inspired by at the time and these tend to be tied into
the things we feel strongly about.

How important is it for the bass guitar and drums to be tight, and where do you see guitar and voice fitting in the groove?

Our songs are driven primarily by the guitars and vocals but it needs to have a solid foundation. I believe part of the reason why the guitars and vocals sound so good is because the bass and drums work in unison to bring our riffs to a different level. It is very important for the bass guitar and drums to be tight and form that foundation in which we can layer our guitar parts and vocals over.

Joel and Josh on guitars. Do you both give a lot of thought and arrangement with guitar parts, or do you have a more intuitive style where it just seems to fall together effortlessly?

Josh; For me it’s a mix of both, I usually hear a melody in my head and then sit down and figure out what it is. After that I try and break it down to see what is going on and how I can mess with the rhythms or the notes to make it more interesting. I like to get a fair bit of input from Joel first so there’s a bit of back and forth before the final parts get written. Generally I think being brothers lends itself to most of our guitar parts working well with each other? You tell me LOL
Joel: Part of my guitar practice includes lots of improvisation. Sometimes while exploring new ideas I will come up with very interesting lines which forces me to stop my practice and develop the idea. I often gravitate towards changes between riffs that are very bold and dramatic in nature. I would say 90% of the time we will come up with stuff where everything just seamlessly falls into place. I would attribute this to the fact that we both grew up playing guitar together and listening to the same kind of music. And honestly there is no better feeling than working with another guitarist who understands the music that we write together. The icing on the cake is that he is also my older brother as well so I get maccas after every jam session!

Love the improv angle! How was the recording process for The Shadows and Decode? Did you record it live, or record an instrument at a time etc? Have you been recording some new songs too?How is it going?

Covid threw a massive spanner in the works for us recording wise because we had pretty much recorded guitars for 4 tracks but then there was issues with the studio closing and as such we had to start from scratch. Joel basically took it upon himself to learn how to record and he has basically been
responsible for recording the band. We do it one instrument at a time and its been a learning process for him but it’s also pretty cool because now we have control over how we want things to sound before it gets sent off to be mixed and mastered
.

What are your plans? Are you in the studio recording more material? Some more touring, or any dates you can mention?

Our drummer Jamie is a bona fide rocket scientist, who unfortunately has gotten a job offer in Auckland and is relocating there. We’re in the process of finalizing a new drummer and then it’ll pretty much be all systems go. The plan is to finish up one or two more originals before the end of the year and hopefully do some shows along the east coast so stay tuned!

Ok, last question. What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or finding life difficult at the moment?

If you’re struggling right now please be kind to yourself. You are not alone in this and there are people out there that care immensely about you. Do not be afraid to lean on them for support. You are absolutely not a burden and just need a helping hand because you are experiencing a tough time that is out of your control. Reach out, talk, seek help, things can and will get better!

Thanks Endless Grin for taking the time to talk with us.
Greg \MH/.

Music links: https://www.facebook.com/endlessgrinofficial

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa1ICUwJpynavCwrGws4JoQ

https://www.instagram.com/endlessgrinofficial/

https://www.endlessgrinofficial.com/

Interview – Slaves of Dissonance. 24th July 2022

Posted on: July 24th, 2022 by Greg Jordan No Comments

– Greetings Slaves of Dissonance from Brisbane, Australia. Welcome to Metal Health and thanks for being here. 

Thanks for thinking of us for the interview. privilege to be here 

– Congratulations on your new single ‘Involuntary Lobotomy’ from the forthcoming E.P.  ‘Toxoplasmosis’ due for release on 12th August 2022. For me it’s beautifully harsh and in your face. Great performance and production. The preview track ‘Failure’ also rocks. The drumming and vocals stand out immediately as forces of nature. Strong supportive bass lines with solid guitar that also has a real fluid feel, kind of effortless, weaving through the music.

Thanks a lot! They are both very fun to play. keen to share our whole EP to the viewers and the metal community. 

What does good mental health mean to you?

Good mental health can be challenging to maintain due to all the variables that are affecting our mental state. I think it’s near impossible to live day by day having “good” mental health. I think it’s all about being aware of how you are feeling and knowing your triggers. A good diet and exercise gets overlooked and also doing things that make you happy/healthy at the same time. If you’re after a fast dopamine kick in substance abuse, gambling or whatever it may be, it’ll decline your mental health in time. So, to sum it all up its to be aware of the healthy and unhealthy decisions you make and being aware of how they affect you before your mental state declines drastically.

–  This is a question i would usually ask pre – pandemic, but gigs are back in most cities. How is life for you off the road or when you’re not gigging? Especially after a tour or a big gig. Is it difficult to adjust back into life at home after time on the road? Or after an inspiring recording session? If so, how do you adjust/cope?

We haven’t played any shows yet as “Slaves of Dissonance” but we are just starting to book shows this year. hopefully see us on the road soon. With recording it can certainly humble you, after playing the parts so often you think you can go to the studio and bang out the songs very easily, but the variables like the pressure of doing your parts to a professional standard that makes you start to second guess yourself. It’s all about the preparation of the mindset before you walk into studio and being aware that things might not go your way on the day. 

-What motivates you? What keeps you going?

What motivates us is being able to write songs we enjoy and to show the people what we can create. Always a lot of hard work behind the scenes but it all makes it worthwhile 

– Have you experienced any tough times personally that you’d be okay talking about? If so, how are you/did you get through this?

We’ve all been through some very tough times whether it be losing a loved one, suffering with depression/anxiety or bad health. These tough times circulate in and out of our lives and when you’re consciously aware of a struggle you’re going through at the time, its about speaking up to your friends and loved ones with how you’re feeling to get that social support. I think it backfires on us if we try “weather the storm”. Can’t expect to engage in all of the self care and hobbies that make you happy when you feel this way, just have to give yourself time to heal during the tough times. 

-Well said. Tough times do circulate in and out of our lives, but nothing’s permanent, especially if we ask for support. What does making music mean to you? Why do you do it?

Means a lot to all of us. Just busting our backs to write a good product and then sitting together as a group and listening to what we created is just the most amazing feeling. We do it to prove to ourselves what we can do with time and effort and showcase our skills on our instrument that we’ve spent years and years trying to master. 

-Very cool. You can hear all that hard work in the songs. When did you start making music? Was it like finding some buried treasure that you didn’t know you had, and how did making music fit in with the rest of your life?

John (guitar), Dylan (Bass/backing vox) and Alik (drums) have spent time time in our teens and early adult years in some bands. Alik has spent the most time out of all of us dedicating his time to music with his project in Europe where is also a multi-instrumentalist and other bands he played for in Spain etc.. Andrew our vocalist is new to playing in a band but he’s got so much knowledge with music that his contribution is as impactful as all of us. Finding a buried treasure for sure with Andrew, as he has been a close friend to a one of the members for a long time and he came from no where when he asked to join the project. Music is definitely an important puzzle of all of our lives. 

-How did you put the lyrics and vocal lines together for the E.P? Do you have a whole lot of thoughts or ideas written down to draw upon, or do you wait to hear the music to get vocal ideas? I suppose it’s not difficult to find plenty to write about currently in Australia. What are some areas of life that are important to the band?

Andrew came up with all the vocal lines and lyrics. Some of us had some subjects for Andrew to touch on in the songs and he worded it all to suit the songs etc..

It was easy for Andrew and us to come with ideas especially with 2 of us working in social services (youth, family services,mental health/NDIS).

the lyrical content range from mental health disorders, government conspiracies, brainwashing media organisations and misleading and exploitative faith groups

-How important is it for the bass guitar and drums to be tight, and where do you see guitar and voice fitting in the groove?

Very important for the bass and drums to be tight. Luckily Dylan and Alik have great chemistry and noodle around and have good jams together at practice. Usually guitars and drums laid out first and bass connects the drums and guitars together afterwards. And comes in naturally at the end. pretty straight forward process, it’s all about challenging ourselves to make the best product.

-How was the recording process for ‘Toxoplasmosis’? Did you record it live, or record an instrument at a time etc?

We recorded at Pulpitation Studios with Chris Ross in Browns Plains Brisbane. Chris made the process really relaxed, he is very knowledgable and professional. Chris exceeded all expectations with the finished product, we are all very happy. We did one instrument at a time, Drums first, guitar second, bass third and vocals last.

-Agree re Chris. The sound quality is excellent. What are your plans?  I know the E.P. is set for release soon. Some more touring, or any dates you   can mention?  Is the live scene back to full strength in Brisbane?

Because we were recording and writing the last few months we missed booking a lot of shows, we have only just started looking. We have one date booked at New years at the Backroom in Brisbane under Brewhouse productions. Hopefully we pick up a few more before then but. We are keen and ready to play shows. 

-Ok, last question. What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or finding life difficult at the moment?

Reach out to your family and loved ones. If it exceeds the level where you think your family and friends can help you, please go see a professional. Also, to focus on healthy hobbies and healthy routines in your life. Don’t neglect your health and diet. 

-Agreed. It’s important to keep connected. Thanks Slaves of Dissonance for taking the time to talk with us. 

Greg \MH/.

Band Music links:

https://linktr.ee/slavesofdissonance

Happy new year for 2020!

Posted on: January 4th, 2020 by Greg Jordan No Comments

Happy new year everyone!

Hope you are good and ready to give it plenty in 2020. There will be  lots of new and great music being made to be sure. We have more interviews with metal artists and people who have something to say around mental health coming up.

On a more sobering note. Major bushfires are burning around Australia at the moment, sadly resulting in loss of life and property. Our thoughts are with all affected by the fires. In Victoria if you want to help, you can donate here https://www.communityenterprisefoundation.com.au/make-a-donation/bushfire-disaster-appeal/?fbclid=IwAR26-dr3dRyjJm9wom-pUNR-dzNV9uuNkTOgFUxF6FM0RAi6HcBS6cC7IA8

Take it easy and talk soon.

Greg \Mh/

Neorythm – Interview May 2019.

Posted on: May 24th, 2019 by Greg Jordan No Comments

Greetings friends. Hope you’re good.

The other day I caught up with groove metal duo Neorythm, currently  based in Rovaniemi, Finland  for a yak about mental health. The band was formed over 300 years ago, so i suspect these ‘temporary conductors of the eternal’  may have learnt a thing or two about mental health over the years. Read on……

 

– Hello Neorhythm! Welcome to Metal Health and thanks for being here.

Red1: Greetings!
Red2: Tekhae erruob!

– What does good mental health mean to you?

Red1: It is enough for me to feel that I am on the right way. If it is, then everything is fine with health.
Red2: The state corresponding to the healthy natural balance of the three-dimensional world, correlating with the full physical health, with all the included and well-functioning neural-psychological barriers and protective reactions. Thinking in the direction of creation and goodness.

– How is life for you off the road or when you’re not gigging? Especially after a tour or big event, is it difficult to adjust back into life at home after time on the road? If so, how do you adjust/cope?

Red1: We are always at home and at the same time always on the road. This is a very conditional division of concepts … The most important thing is how we perceive reality. Thus, we are always ready for any difficulties.

– What motivates you? What keeps you going?

Red2: Understanding of our infinity and the omnipotence of our mind and strength. The desire not to lose this cosmic perfection, presented to us by nature, but constantly ruined by ourselves.
Red1: I am motivated by the fact that we do not know much about the world around us. Continuous thirst for knowledge and new horizons.

– Are you positive thinkers? How do you stay positive?

Red2: Certainly yes. Positive prolongs life (and there is nothing better than immortality!), and we have it for many centuries. Just everything is nothing. All – there are little things. And everything can please.
Red1: I can’t always be positive. The world is not perfect and often I experience negative emotions that I try to use for good. It helps me focus on a specific problem and write music about it. I would even say that I need negative emotions. But I can control it, so there are no problems.

– Have you experienced any tough times personally that you’d be okay talking about? If so, how are you/did you get through this.

Red2: Of course there were, we are not iron. But hard times are given to overcome and grow, and also so that they are erased like dust from the consciousness afterwards.

Red1: Times can’t be tough or easy. To any difficulties in life leads a certain chain of events. We try to foresee this.

– What does making music mean to you? Why do you do it? Is it simply the opportunity for self expression?

Red2: Great happiness. A surge of internal energy, giving life.

Red1: For me, music is life itself. If I could not make music, I would not. It is like the ability to talk or watch.

– I note the band formed over three hundred years ago, but when did you start making music individually? Was it like finding some buried treasure that you didn’t know you had, and how did mak-ing music fit in with the rest of your life?

Red2: The music is infinite, it was always there, and before our birth, it is the breath of “god”. We are only temporary conductors of the eternal.

Red1: Yes, he said everything correctly. Is always.

– I have just been listening to Nanogods from your Facebook page. Some nifty right hand syncopation work on the guitar riffs. I also love Diatribe. Great song! ‘Gravediggers of the earth, you are like parasites, on mother’s body’. It’s a great lyric, and a necessary reminder of the damage being done to this planet in the name of greed. Do you do any other work in the area of conservation or social issues?

Red1: I have no purpose to write complex music. I just try to convey my thoughts on the strings. If syncopes sound good, they will be there. If not, I’ll remove it and play differently. These techniques are simply a way to convey the right musical atmosphere, a way to highlight something, and to put something in the background.
Red2: As for our poems, our message, for which I am responsible – I am a poet, my work is a word, so I try to change the world by that. Everyone has their own purpose, and who knows what is more important.

– How important is it for the bass guitar and drums to be tight, and where do you see the guitars and voice fitting in the groove?

Red1: Oh, this is the question that always interests me. We used a large number of different recording techniques before we achieved the desired rhythm section sound. Guitar work usually goes a little easier. The voice in our songs is a complete instrument, just like a guitar or a snare drum. It requires some space in the mix. Now we have started sharing multitracks of our songs on the Patreon page. There you can study in more detail the sound of the instruments and production as a whole. https://www.patreon.com/neorhythm/

– How was the recording process for your last record? Did you bang it down live, or record an instrument at a time etc?

Red1: We use a common song recording scheme. First drums, then bass, guitars and at the very end we record vocals. There are only two participants in Neorythm, which is not enough for recording at one time.

– So what are your plans? I read you are recording a new album? How is that going? Some more touring or any dates you can mention?

Red1: Yes, now we are working on new songs. It will be a big, conceptual, unusual album. Currently four songs are ready. We really want to finish recording this summer and release an album this year. You can listen to the demos on the Patreon page, as well as some parts of new songs on Instagram.
Red2: Believe, our second album will be very interesting in its theme!

– Any other projects musical or otherwise happening?

Red2: The most valuable is the secret.

Red1: At the moment we are on Earth, where many people live. Anyway, we communicate with earthlings and influence what is happening here. You can hear our work in other projects, but no one knows that this is our own work.

– Ok, last question. What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or doing it tough at the moment?

Red2: Know yourself!

Red1: Be yourself!

– Thank you Red 1 and Red 2 from Neorythm for taking the time to talk with us. All the best with the new album and future projects! 

Greg \Mh/

 

Some links to the bands music  below:

Red1 – music

Red2 – lyrics, messages

https://neorhythm.bandcamp.com/ 

https://www.patreon.com/neorhythm 

LP Zetetic http://smarturl.it/zetetic 

EP Meteoric Thoughts http://smarturl.it/meteoric_thoughts

https://www.facebook.com/neorhythmofficial/

 

Interview with Brazillian metal legends Melyra – February 2019

Posted on: March 2nd, 2019 by Greg Jordan No Comments

Ola friends. I just interviewed Brazillian heavy metal legends Melyra via email. Not only are they a brutal and musically skilled band, they are a delight to talk with. Read on – 


Ola Melyra! Welcome to Metal Health and thanks for being here.

Firstly, congratulations for recently being recognised as number one band out of the top five female bands for the website O subsolo. Wow!

Fe: Thank you Greg! And Thanks a lot for having us for this interview, we are very happy about it!

What does good mental health mean to you?

Fe: Good mental health for us is when you are happy with who you are. Even though we all have problems, when you are sure you’re in the right path and you’re sure about your beliefs you can rest your head on the pillow at night and wake up the other day ready to fight.

–  How is life for you off the road or when you’re not gigging? Especially after a tour or big event, is it difficult to adjust back into life at home after time on the road? If so, how do you adjust/cope?

Fe: Well, all of us have other occupations beside music. So, for us, is easy to change from “musician mode” to “regular people” mode when we’re not playing because we do it often.

What motivates you? What keeps you going?

Fe: MUSIC! We’re passionate for music and we love what we do. To be at the stage and know that the songs we’ve created touched someone’s life is the best sensation ever!

Are you all positive thinkers? How do you stay positive?

Fe: In general, yes we are. As I said before, we all have problems though. The beauty of being a band is that, when one of us is down, the other always help this one to cheer up again. We always see each other as family.

Have you experienced any tough times personally that you’d be okay talking about? If so, how are you/did you get through this.

Fe: Everybody knows that we’re experiencing tough times here in Brazil. We all have been into financial crises during the past/current year. To overcome this we always rely on each other. In this band we see each others as sisters, we feel comfortable to talk about our issues and we help each others to solve them.

What does making music mean to you? Why do you do it?

Fe: When we make music, we are the best version of ourselves. It’s how we express our feelings and feel free. We do it so we can spread our message to the world and, maybe, help other people to feel better about life and inspire them to find their better selves.

I know the band formed in 2012, but when did you  start making music individually? Was it like finding some buried treasure that you didn’t know you had, and how did making music fit in with the rest of your life?

Fe: I always loved music, but I only started to play the guitar in my 20’s. Before Melyra, I had another band where I helped as a songwriter, but was still trying to find my way to do it. I think Melyra helped me to show my best to the world.

Nena: I come from a musicians family, my father was a guitar palyer and songwriter and I used to join him in rehearsals and saw him playing all the time. My house and my relatives’ houses were always full of music, so it was very natural to me.

Roberta: My family is also full of musicians and my mom is a songwriter so I live this life since I was young. I saw her making music, learned how she did it and it was automatically taking part of myself. I’ve improved it over time and keep improving it every day.

Verônica: I sing since I’m little girl at the church. Around 8 years ago I was at a Karaoke night with my friends and I met a maestro and two musicians there. Since that I started to sing professionally. I’ve played several different styles and made a lot of friends on that road. Nowadays I live for music!

Drika: My father and almost all his family are musicians. My love for music comes from the childhood. Sundays were the best days, when my dad was at home, because he used to watch his jazz VHS and I was fascinated by the drummer’s brushes. I’ve started to play drums at 8 years old and it was all very natural. In 2002, the drummer of my father’s gospel band left the band and I said that I would replace him. I knew all the songs and watched all the rehearsals at the drummer’s side. I just loved it! And so it was. The first time I played, people liked it and I was the drummer for my father’s band for a while, until I had my own band.

I have just been listening to your  new album ‘Saving you from reality’ and some live performances on your website. Veronica, you are badass with such a great strong vocal tone. Lot’s of body and depth, and when you go high, it’s something else again! How do you look after your voice? I love the single ‘Dead light’ and the lyrics. ‘A black spot with dead light’. I can relate to that in times past!

Verônica: Thanks a lot for the compliment! I study a lot ! I’m very tough with myself. The voice is an instrument you can’t replace so it needs lots care and attention, avoiding things like cigarettes, alcohol, acid foods, etc. Besides that, I take lyrical singing lessons, that helps me to reach and sustain the notes, keep in tune and breathe better witch helps me to take care of my voice.

Strong, blistering and precise guitar work from Fe and Roberta, and also from the solid grooving rhythm section.

Roberta:  I love playing with Fernanda! We have an unexplainably perfect tuning. The way we connect helps a lot when it comes to writing guitar themes because we fill each others ideas. She inspires me this mutual feeling and we both understand the most important thing that is studying our instruments.

Drika, I look forward to hearing you on the next record. How are you settling into the band?

Drika: It’s very easy to set into Melyra! I’ve just came across four women that know what they want and what they want to reach, with an amazing potential to get all of our goals. What fascinated me, besides the high standards in music, feeling, geniality and love for music, was exactly that. We don’t wait for things to happen, we make them happen. This, for me, is the magical element that will take us wherever we want to go.

Nena, i note you play fingerstyle. Do you prefer the tone it gives, as opposed to a plectrum? You really drive it hard!

Nena: I like to play with my finger because it sounds wider and it fits me better. And the unique feeling of my fingers touching the strings fascinates me! Although I have no problem with the ones that choose to play with a pick, I’d rather use my fingers.

Why do you all play and sing? Is it simply the opportunity for self expression?

Fe: Our producer (Celo Oliveira) did an amazing job with the vocal section of the album. You can hear many different vocals recorded at the album. We really love them so we wanted to make our live performances as close as we can to the album. It costed us hours of rehearsal to make it happen, but we think it payed off in the end.

– Sim, the production and sound Celo and you all achieved on this record is astonishing. It’s a first rate performance and production. How important is it for the bass guitar and drums to be tight, and where do you see the guitars and voice fitting in the groove?  

Drika: To me, it seems like the drums without a bass guitar loses it’s magic. When we rehearse and Nena’s bass is too low I get nervous, trying to give more weight and feeling to the song but it simply DOESN’T HAPPEN! I need Nena to hold myself as a drummer. The bass guitar is the base of our kitchen and the guitars and voices are our special ingredients.

How was the recording process for your last record? Did you bang it down live, or record an instrument at a time etc? 

Fe: We’ve recorded the album at Kolera home studio, here in Rio, with Celo Oliveira as our producer. The album was recorded one instrument at a time at the studio. First drums, then rhythm  guitars, bass guitars, guitar solos and at last the lead vocals and backing vocals. It was mixed and mastered by Celo Oliveira at Kolera studios too.

So what are your plans?  Some more touring or any dates you can mention?  

Fe: We are negotiating a few dates here in Brazil for the next months. And yes, we intend to tour and take our music as far as we can.

Any other projects musical or otherwise happening?

Verônica: I’m part of other two musical projects. Six years ago I’ve joined Biographia54, a pop rock/alternative band that plays brazilian 80’s music. I also sing at a lyrical group, called Chão de Folhas, that focus on the lyrical circuit events.

Ok, last question. What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or doing it tough at the moment?

Fe: Keep strong! We know life ain’t easy sometimes and we have to face challenges all the time. Always talk to someone you trust, let them know how you feel and ask for support. Your life matters to us!

 

Obrigada  Melyra for taking the time to talk with us. I hope we see you in Australia sometime! Wishing you safe travels, and all the best with the upcoming shows. Greg \Mh/.

Verônica: Our pleasure, Greg! We want to thank you for this great interview and for all your attention. We’re looking forward to show our music in Australia! We also want to invite everyone to follow our social media channels and to listen to our new album, “Saving you from reality”. We are at Facebook, Instagram, Youtube (look for @melyraband) and at your favorite streaming service too. Thanks a lot!

 

Thanks mi amiga’s!  Check out this amazing band at sites mentioned above, and also at links below –

Facebook –      

https://www.facebook.com/melyraband/

You tube channel –      

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCru4VH4C0mBQwKryu72DGjg

Happy new year 2019!

Posted on: January 6th, 2019 by Greg Jordan No Comments

Happy new year everyone.

We have some rippa interviews lined up for 2019 so stay tuned. A New year  can be  an opportunity for new beginnings, or just tweaking a few areas in our lives we’ve been meaning to look at. Metalhealth wishes you and your loved ones a healthy, peaceful and fulfilling 2019.

Get some self care in daily.

Take it easy out there. Greg \MH/

Interview with Genevieve Rodda from Temtris. March 2018

Posted on: March 22nd, 2018 by Greg Jordan No Comments

I had a yap yesterday with lead singer Genevieve Rodda of Australian metal band Temtris. When you listen to Genevieve sing, she is such a powerhouse and strong life force. As you will discover here, music is a huge part of who she is.

 G’day Genevieve. Welcome to Metal Health and thanks for being here.

No problem at all 🙂

 What does good mental health mean to you?

For me it is all about a balanced life. I like to keep fit and i train Krav Maga once a week which is a street smart self defense system. I run at least twice a week to de-stress. I feel good when i eat well and try to follow a healthy diet 5 days a week but let myself relax on the weekends. I like to work hard but i like to party hard too and let loose with my friends at a show with a few vodkas.

 How is life for you off the road or when you’re not gigging? Especially after a tour or big event, is it difficult to adjust back into life at home after time on the road? If so, how do you adjust/cope?

I love gigging but it is stressful leaving my kids so when i am home i try to make the most of that time. We recently have had a break from shows and i am missing not singing live. We would all love to be able to live the touring scene but the reality is most musicians need a day job to survive. I work at a special needs school and it really gives you a good perspective on how awesome my life is when you see disadvantaged kids day after day.

 What motivates you? What keeps you going?

I am not very good at sitting still, i am a doer. But i do like to set goals and move forward and push myself in most things and i do not like to quit. If someone said i couldn’t do it that would make me chase it even more. My love for the metal scene keeps me striving and moving forward. Music is a great way to get anyone motivated even when you are having a bad day.

There have been times when i wondered if i should stop creating music and gigging but i think i would feel like some of my soul would be missing if i did that.

 Are you a positive thinker? How do you stay positive?

Yes i am. We all get down at times. I do believe things happen for a reason within reason and i always wait to see what the outcome is before i let it get to me or i will put on some metal and sing my lungs out, it always helps.

 Have you experienced any tough times personally that you’d be okay talking about? If so, how are you/did you get through this.

Been through my share like most people. I have had to part with so called friends who have treated me badly and abused my friendship. They thought that this was ok, It was not easy at the time to remove long term friends from my life and it helped to have a close friends i could talk to. Remembering that it won’t be like this forever and trying to focus on things to move forward and appreciating the good things in our life helps.

 What does making music mean to you? Why do you do it?

I like to write about life experiences and quite a few of our albums have been concept albums so we have themes we can write too. But it is the creation of the album including artwork, songs and the whole story coming together that i enjoy.

 When did you start making music individually and as a band? Was it like finding some buried treasure that you didn’t know you had, and how did making music fit in with the rest of your life?

I have been writing music from about 13 years of age when i started learning guitar. I use to like sitting in my room just playing guitar and putting together songs. I joined my first band at 14 and did my first gig then also. I decided after that first show that this was what i wanted to do and had a goal to be known as an Australian female metal singer in a professional band. After 4 albums and a fifth one on the way it has not always been easy continuing while raising two children and working but when your doing something that you love nothing can stand in your way, even time lol

 How important is it for the bass guitar and drums to be tight, and where do you see guitar and voice fitting in the groove.

A band should be tight and work as a team. We work really hard on our song structure to make the vocals work with the guitars. The song needs emotion to be able to convey to an audience

 i was just listening to Awakening from your first album, and Enter the asylum from the 4th record. I love your vocal approach. You convey a strong sense of purpose and really project the lyric.

Why do you sing? Is it simply the opportunity for self expression?

I want to be strong , i train to be strong and i guess i want be seen as a strong female in the metal scene so when i sing, i sing with conviction because i mean it.

 How was  the recording process for your last record? Did you bang it down live, or record an instrument at a time etc?

Drums and vocals were recording in Main Street studios Wollongong. The guitars were recorded in the guitarists own studios.

 So what are your plans? Some more touring or any dates you can mention? I believe album number 5 is coming out soon?

Next gig is the 5th May at The Bald Faced Stag Sydney. Our album Launch for the 5th album is set for later in the year if all goes as planned.

 Any other projects musical or otherwise happening?

All my focus is always on Temtris and always has been.

 Ok, last question. What would you say to fans who are struggling with their mental health, or doing it tough at the moment?

Talk to someone, find something you enjoy doing and focus on that. Surround yourself with positive people and don’t feel guilty about looking after yourself and saying NO!

Smile and remember tomorrow, things can get better.

 Thanks for taking the time to talk with us Genevieve. Wishing you safe travels, and all the best with the upcoming shows. Greg \Mh/.

Been great chatting with you and thanks \m/

Look out for album # 5 and upcoming shows. Links to band pages – 

https://www.facebook.com/Temtris/

http://www.temtris.com

Heavy metal is good for our mental health

Posted on: February 23rd, 2018 by Greg Jordan No Comments

Greetings everyone,

We know metal is good for us, and here’s a news story from Australia’s ABC news supporting this. Well done to Liam Frost-Camilleri for organising the Beyond black gig in Ballarat, Australia which saw bands raise money for the mental health organisation Beyond blue. Here’s the link to the story – Greg \MH/

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-19/heavy-metal-helps-soothe-the-soul/9450576