Interviews: Cascadent

In this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Post-Hardcore/Progressive Rock band Cascadent 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?

Jam: We felt that we had been building up energy for quite some time and when it became time to release all the energy that had been building all this time, we felt something reminiscent of a waterfall was appropriate. Something natural. Something powerful.

Brad: I feel like our name really represents our sound as a whole. There are so many layers we build upon in the writing process. We always think about where we can take these songs and it almost feels like a crescendo.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Brad: I really wanted to stretch my abilities as a vocalist. I primarily sang for more mainstream sounding projects but this band really attracted me because not only was it progressive, but it integrated very approachable elements for casual fans of the heavy music scene.

Sam: It was initially hard determining what genre our music fell into. Our songs blend different inspirations and sounds from different sources; that is where the progressive genre monicker falls into play. Ultimately, I wanted to play something that felt right to my emotions, but I also wanted to be able to push myself in both energy delivery and musicianship. I’ve never been able to escape the visuals of my favorite bands going absolutely insane on stage.

Jonah: I went all throughout high school listening to bands like The Fall of Troy, and Dance Gavin Dance. Progressive post-hardcore has been my favorite genre of music since, so it was natural for me to want to create more of it.

Jonathan: Same with what Jonah said. I enjoy progressive/mathy style of music. To me, it's challenging to play and fun to listen to. It’s a unique style that is essentially a mixture of different genres of music. That fluid nature allows us to truly be creative with what we do.

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

Sam: I actually did not know of any of the guys formally before this band was formed. I am sure I crossed paths with them at some point in the past at shows, but we did not come together fully until 2016. Our first vocalist and Jonathan responded to a Craigslist ad and asked if we could meet at a letlive. show that summer. Well, it turned out that I ran into our first vocalist earlier that year waiting in line to get into the Underoath reunion show at the Tabernacle. I immediately recognized him when we met that summer, and he then introduced me to Jonathan. The rest fell into place shortly after with the addition of Jam and Jonah. I’ve always known Brad at a surface level from the various shows he worked as an employee for the Masquerade. I distinctly remember hearing him performing his Battle of Heart & Mind material at an acoustic night, and he stayed in my mind ever since.

Jonah: I met Jonathan Lee through facebook due to a mutual friend posting a Fall of Troy song that we both commented on, so we kind of bonded through that conversation. I saw that he played guitar and asked him if he wanted to jam sometime, and the rest is history. Jonathan

Lee: I met Jam at a friend's house (Big shout to Moose) during a rough time in my life. We "jammed" and just enjoyed the vibes. We ran into each other again at our buddies in Like Mike's awesome house party and I asked him if he wanted to play in this band. Little did I know that he would become an important coach to all of us and we all became a very close family after that.

4. Each band member favourite band?

Incubus (Jam), Emery (Brad), Thrice (Sam) , The Fall of Troy(Jonah), The Mars Volta (Jonathan)

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Brad: Personal experiences will always be the primary motivator for me. Music provides a platform to be vulnerable, and talk about the things that many people do not typically feel like they can talk about.

Sam: Playing music on stage is one of the few things in my life where my mind is blank, but in a good way. Most of the time, I don’t remember any thoughts I had while playing our music live. It is an indescribable feeling, but it is a source of some sort of peace. Also, especially with this band, seeing folks interact to our music is absolutely wonderful. 

Jonathan: My surroundings are important in the songwriting process, especially the energy from my fellow bandmates. Although I am not classically trained, I've always been inspired by classical pieces and jazz artists growing up. When I originally listened to The Mars Volta's first album, De- Loused In the Comatorium, it gave me perspective on how great songs with tension and release are written. From then on, the songwriting process became very fun for me. It really is an unexpected journey and I'm all for it.

6. Where was your last gig?

Jam: Furnace 41 in Jonesboro, Ga. It was a huge lineup of Atlanta bands that featured our friends in Rest Easy, Moreland The Shooting, and The Callous Daoboys

7. Where would you like to act?

Sam: A personal dream of mine is to be able to play the Tabernacle here in Atlanta, GA. That is my favorite venue. Red Rocks Amphitheater, touring in Japan, and playing the main-stage at a major music festival, like Reading, would be incredible.

Jonathan: Honestly, everywhere. Just being allowed to share the music that we worked hard on is something that I'm truly grateful for.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Brad: I would love to do a feature with a band like Erra. That band is killing it right now.

Sam: Featuring with Microwave would be a blast. Silent Planet would be amazing as well. Of course, I would love for us to play with some of our influences, like At The Drive In or Thrice, but being able to play with Hail the Sun this month is already a huge step!

Jonah: Lite or Ling Toshite Shigure. 

Jonathan: Anderson Paak. That dude is so talented.

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

Brad: The nerves are there before every show. I have struggled with anxiety most of my life but once the music starts, I tap into a creative zone where it all fades away. My body goes into cruise control. As far as how to defeat anxiety, you kind of has to talk to yourself a lot. Positive affirmations are my mantras. You have to figure out your own.

Sam: Stage fright to me is general anxiety around the show. It stems from things that I cannot control fully between technical glitches, mixes, or show logistics. When I was younger, I felt more stage fright about physically playing the show, but it hasn’t impacted as much with more experience. From a drummer’s perspective, my teachers always stressed having a pre-show routine. I would take at least 30 minutes to warm up with a practice pad, stretch, do some exercises, and play a song to a click track. Don’t forget to breathe too. Seriously, sitting still and taking some deep breaths helps. 

Jonathan: I always get a little nervous before a set. Since we are a high energy act, it can get a little unpredictable for us. I usually stretch and get a little bit of oxygen into my brain. I usually tell myself something along the lines of “I can't turn back now.'' Also, looking at my bandmates really helps me get into my zone.

Jam: Embrace the fear. If it doesn’t scare you it probably isn’t worth doing.

10. What bands have inspired you the most?

At The Drive In, Letlive, Underoath, Thrice, The Chariot, Funeral for a Friend , My Chemical Romance, Periphery

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

Sam: This semi counts, but one of our recent shows was with our friends in A Sunday Fire and The Superelevators. During A Sunday Fire’s set, Christopher asked in a song transition “What if Sam Freeman and I kissed at A Sunday Fire show?” and my wife yelled for it to happen. Probably one of the funniest moments ever. 

12. What do you think of your fans?

Sam: Absolutely thankful for everyone that takes the time to listen to our music and come out to a show. It truly means the world and then some. It is still insane to me that people enjoy what we do! 

Jonah: My mom is pretty cool.

Jonathan: I don't even consider the people that come out and support us as fans, they are our friends and without their love and support, we wouldn't even be here. So I'm very thankful for that. But that being said, they are literally the best.

13. Something to add?

Sam: Thank you once again to everyone that has supported us and been apart of our musical journey. Those local to Atlanta should come out to see us on 9/26 with Hail the Sun and say hi! (https://cascadent.bigcartel.com/product/hail-the-sun-9-26-presale-tickets) Also, reach out to us on any of our social media channels here:

Twitter: @cascadentband

Facebook: @cascadentband

Instagram: @cascadentband

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5tPEybYynEiJo9Lmcmj2tZ?si=RXI6A9xuTZeJpTXZoFNegQ