Energetic rhythm, melancholy and melody, we caught up with guitarist and vocalist TAP, to tell us more about the band's new album
PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR US WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH YOU AND YOUR MUSIC AND TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.
We - TAP, Thierry & Bryan - are Atomic Rocket Seeders, a trio based in Luxembourg, creating a sound that touches a broad variety of musical genres, with a strong focus on Metal and Rock music. Since our first gigs in 2017, we already had the opportunity to win several local contests and perform at the legendary Wacken Open Air festival in Germany and as support act for Limp Bizkit. Our self-titled debut album launched on October 30th and we can’t wait to finally be able to start touring as soon as it’ll be safe again to do so.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR NEW ALBUM OR SINGLE?
Our main focus lies in creating an interesting and energetic listening experience. That’s why every song on the album has an individual character and shows the different musical influences we’re into. Our first single 'Eternal Ashes' incorporates some of those influences, ranging from energetic rhythmic sections to melancholic and melodic parts, while staying pretty accessible at a first listen. This song should give you a little taste of what’s more to come and make you wanna check out the entire album.
WHAT INSPIRED THE ALBUM ?
I’ve been influenced by so many different music genres since an early age, growing up mainly with Hard and Prog. Rock from the late 60’s/early 70’s and Fusion Jazz, while growing up listening to heavier Metal subgenres and occasionally HipHop and Electronic music. Many of those influences can be heard throughout the album. Even though I can find unique elements in each of the genres, the raw and uncompromised sound of a distorted guitar and drums always brings me back to heavy music.
CAN YOU SUM UP THE ALBUM IN A FEW WORDS?
An interesting mix of different metal genres and other musical influences, blending heavy riffs, beautiful melodies and some progressive parts together.
WHAT RECORD CHANGED YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
If I have to choose one, I’d say Deep Purple’s album 'Burn'. The first song that goes by the same name is simply a masterpiece. Energetic, great riffs, interesting song structure, beautiful solos and everything else a good song needs. As it goes for most hard rock bands from that era, rhythm and blues played a major role in the songwriting. Regardless of how heavy or soft a part was, it always had a lot of soul. That’s something that really shaped the way I listen to music.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE MUSIC VIDEO FILMED BY YOUR BAND OR ANOTHER ARTIST?
If you haven’t already, check out our music video for 'Eternal Ashes'. Beside this one, I really love the works of video director Chris Cunningham. My favourite ones are both music videos he directed for Aphex Twin - 'Come to Daddy' and 'Windowlicker' - and The Horrors’ 'Sheena is a Parasite'. The way he creates a weird atmosphere that makes you feel uncomfortable, yet completely amazed by the pictures that fit the music perfectly, is unique. It would be a dream come true for me being able to work with him on a video project.
WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT MAKING MUSIC?
There are plenty of things I enjoy doing and I'm interested in. I love everything related to cars and motorbikes, especially Japanese cars from the nineties. I do myself own a Subaru Impreza Sti from '98 and a Buell XB12S from '04 and use them as dailies and sometimes to hit a race track with. I'm also a geek and using a lot of my spare time playing video games. Same as with music, I do like many different genres and can lose myself in those worlds for hours and days. Another thing I recently started doing is Bowling. It’s very satisfying and fun to me to focus on the right movement to hit the target as good as possible. I'm easily attracted by almost everything that requires skill, even if I'm lacking thereof (laughs)
DO YOU GET NERVOUS PERFORMING LIVE, IF SO HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?
I mostly do get pretty nervous before hitting the stage. Especially when performing at bigger events. Just basic anxiety I’d say. Afraid of missing some notes, breaking a guitar string or whatever else that strikes my head at that moment. I know it’s pretty stupid and it’s no big deal, even when stuff does happen, but that’s how some brains work, unfortunately. The good thing with weird mental blocks on the other hand is the fact that the more you’re dealing with them and try to overcome the negative thoughts, the easier it gets. I won’t let myself NOT enjoy my own gigs (laughs)
HOW DID YOU FORM THE BAND?
The band was formed several years ago by Mike Riedel, our former guitar player, who asked me to also join on the guitar. As time went by and we couldn’t find the right person to fill the spot on the vocals, I started working on my own voice practising the coordination while playing the guitar. We had many lineup changes throughout the years until we found the right members to start with our first gigs in 2017.
HOW DO YOU WRITE? - DO YOU HAVE A KEY SONGWRITER, OR DO YOU ALL WORK TOGETHER?
Most songs on our debut album were written by me and some of the riffs and ideas came from Mike, our former guitar player. It simply was a natural consequence of playing with many different musicians during the first years. This made me the only constant member and therefore also only songwriter. But as far as possible, every great idea is taken into consideration! For instance, one of the newer songs planned for the second album has been written for the most part from our bass player Thierry. As a general rule: Everything that sounds great is taken into account and will probably be used in a way or another.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I’m pretty much inspired by everything going on around the world, as far as I can grasp the extent. Nature, science, music of course and psychology are just a few things I like to dive into. As much as I like many different music genres, these influences lead me to the lyrical topics I’m using for our songs. When searching for a subject, I completely rely on the feel I get when listening to music. Once I know what I want to write about, I start searching for the best possible words to fit into the chosen melody, while making total sense with the message I’d like to get through.
WHAT IS NEXT?
More music videos will follow in the next couple of months to continue promoting our first album. We chose songs that sound quite different to show the band's varied musical roots and inspirations. There’s the plan to further release three live videos, recorded in a studio environment. This way we can bring the live experience into your home that represents the real deal as close as possible. We're also constantly writing new stuff, so that there's a seamless evolution in our songwriting and for the simple reason that we just love creating new music and touch on different areas we haven't yet. Due to the pandemic, regular gigs and tours will also be a part of our future plans and I can't wait to finally hit the stage again!
PLEASE TELL US ANY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS SO WE CAN SHARE.
Sure, there you go:
YouTube
Website
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