Interviews: The Reticent

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Metal band, The Reticent, 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?

The Reticent seemed like a natural moniker because when I first began writing music under the name it was a repository of all sort of experiences and emotions that I was typically silent (or reticent) about in everyday life. The word “reticent” was one that had found its way into some lyrics I had written and I realized it was the perfect encapsulation of what I was doing.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

Progressive metal presents a lot of opportunities to explore and push boundaries sonically while also encompassing a wide variety of expressive tools for the composer. Fans of the genre often seem more open to those kinds of explorations or concept based compositions than the average listener. That being said, I don’t actually set out to write a deliberate prog or metal track – I simply write whatever it seems the moment in the story or the emotion calls for in my limited view.

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

The band has long been a solo project so the guys that I brought on board to help bring the music to the stage for audiences were performers I knew and respected from the regional scene. This album is the first I’ve done where I’ve had a dedicated additional member on the recording that of my lead guitarist James Nelson.

4. Each band member favourite band?

I would say, unequivocally, Neurosis.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Personal experience. I attempt to drain venom from my own wounds, experiences, memories, etc. The last two records have been very explicit concept albums (On The Eve Of A Goodbye being about the suicide of someone I cared about and The Oubliette being about how Alzheimer’s destroyed someone I cared about) and so I decided ahead of time what I needed to deal with, what I needed to confront, what I needed to feel. That informed every note and every word so that there was the intention behind everything.

6. Where was your last gig?

Motorco Music Hall in Durham, NC at Shred for Music Ed 3 – a benefit concert series raising money for high school music programs. We were supposed to then do a short tour supporting the new album but obviously the pandemic shut that down.

7. Where would you like to act?

Anywhere that people would be receptive to our message.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

It would be wonderful to share the stage with the greats of progressive metal like Opeth, Porcupine Tree, BTBAM, The Contortionist, etc. Selfishly I would just love the opportunity to perform alongside Neurosis.

9. Whom not?

There’s no one I’d be against playing with at this time.

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

I don’t know about stage fright but there are definitely nerves every single time simply because our stage show is so personal and emotional in its storytelling theatrics that I always hope that the crowd will be open to. To a beginner with stage fright, I would say that the best way to beat it is to close your eyes and go to the place where you are most at one with your music. If you feel it, they’re more likely to feel it. 99% of the mistakes you think are big deals, they often don’t even notice so always keep moving forward. Worry more about expressing yourself than anything else and the fear will start to wane.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

I hate to be repetitive but once again Neurosis. I’d add to that list all manner of amazing performers, composers, and singers: ICS Vortex, Greg Graffin, The Ocean, Miles Davis, B.B. King, Beethoven, etc.

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

A fan once asked me to “write anything at all” with her pencil and then give her the pencil back at a show. I complied but it did seem odd. She was very happy so I guess it’s fine – perhaps she just wanted my fingerprints.

13. What do you think of your fans?

I think that the people that support The Reticent are the most wonderful and generous of people. So many have shared with me their own struggles and travails and how my music has helped them through. We’re not any kind of huge band so our fanbase is a small, loyal, and kind group of music lovers that enjoy looking beneath the surface.

14. What do you think of our site?

I really love the way it is laid out and that folks can check out New Music, Music to Buy to support artists, Free Music, etc. There is a plethora of meticulously put together info on there and, especially in contrast with a lot of the more clickbait-oriented metal sites, Breathing the Core seems to be run by and for those that are here for the most important thing: the music!

15. Something add?

I hope I might persuade any of your readers to look into support some of the organizations helping to fund research in the fight against Alzheimer’s Disease in their areas or nationally. The entire premise behind the new album The Oubliette is to hopefully shed light on how vicious the disease really is and how the numbers keep climbing higher and higher. As much as I would absolutely love for folks to check out my new record and want even more for them to check out any of those organizations such as: Alzheimer’s Association, Alive Inside Foundation, Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, Banner Alzheimer’s Initiative, Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research, etc.