Interviews: IN VIRTUE

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Modern Metal band IN VIRTUE from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Our old drummer suggested it. It's actually from a quote from Shakspeare's "The Tempest" - "The rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance. Which is funny because I also played in a band called Vengince.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I don't ever consider genres when I'm writing music. I am drawn to heavy sounds because of the addictive power of them, the ability to elicit extreme emotions from myself, and from the audience. But initially, it was the huge, epic sounds and over-the-top ambition of metal that really hooked me.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

We're currently in what I'd call "phase 2" of In Virtue, with myself being the only original member remaining, so I didn't know any of the guys back when we started. But sometimes it takes a long time to find the right fit for a band, people who have the right attitude and mindset.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Trey - Amaranthe

Jamie - Trivium

Rami - Protest the Hero

Alex - Sonata Arctica 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I take inspiration from so many sources it'd hard to narrow it down, but recently it's been a lot of movie scores, pop music, and experimenting with weird and epic sample libraries. I stream once a week writing songs on Twitch (twitch.tv/treyxavierwrites) and I write all kinds of different styles and stuff, it's crazy fun. Lyrically, I've been recently drawing more and more on my own life and personal things and then trying to take an outside look at them by projecting them onto fictional characters. Our forthcoming album Age of Legends is about a modern-day Sisyphus type character trying to move forward with his life after completing his punishment for his past mistakes and forgive himself, and it's very autobiographical.

6. Where was your last gig?

At a pizza joint in Long Beach. We don't play out much hahaha, we were looking forward to touring this year but then the world ended so 2021?

7. Where would you like to act?

I'm not sure I understand the question but I'll just go with it - I'd love to act in Judd Apatow comedies and weird indy films with low budgets and great scripts. Probably not what you were asking but, fuck it.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

I'd love to be a featured singer on an Amaranthe album or a guitarist on a Danny Elfman soundtrack.

9. Whom not?

Trapt.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

I always get a little nervous before shows, but I only get stage fright of any kind if I'm not prepared enough for my muscle memory and instincts to take over. The problem comes from lack of preparation which leads to overthinking in the moment, so you have to practice in a real way until your muscle memory won't let you do it wrong at all, then you can not just play it right, but with real soul and also put on a good show.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

The Beatles did everything before everyone else and did it so well that sometimes I wonder why I bother writing songs hahaha. I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing now if it wasn't for them, Dream Theater who got me hooked on playing difficult guitar stuff, Blind Guardian for introducing me to huge epic sounds in metal, and Amaranthe for reminding me how to enjoy music without picking it apart.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

I've signed a fair number of boobs in my day, not that unusual but it never gets old.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Best fans in the world. The reason to release music that you've made isn't just to become famous or loved, but to find like-minded people who get what you're going for - those are the kinds of fans we're sending our music out into the world seeking. Every song is a little heat-seeking missile trying to find us some new friends across the world who feel like we do.

14. What do you think of our site?

It seems like a pretty awesome place to find new bands and new music!

15. Something add?

Thanks for all the great questions! You can see our new music video for our single "Where The Edges Meet" here: https://bit.ly/EDGESMEET and please subscribe to our YouTube channel for more music coming soon!