Interviews: NUSQUAM

We have had the opportunity to interview the Death Metal/Black Metal band USQUAM from France. 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 come out just like that?

I chose this Latin name because this "dead" language gives a timeless dimension. The first idea was to call this project 'NUSQUAM' which means "nowhere" in Latin. The name was already taken, so I decided to remove the particle (N, the 1st letter is a negation), so we went from 'nowhere' to 'somewhere', just by removing a letter. In the end, it's a much more positive idea!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I played in many bands, a lot of punk rock or hardcore but one of my bands was very black metal. So I went back to my first passions. It's a bewitching style that I never stopped listening to. However I am a lover of melodies and I never thought of doing 'raw black metal' which musically is close to punk. I wanted an extremely dark music, but guided by melodic and memorable lines. I see our music as a synthesis of the melodies and atmosphere of black metal, the strength of death and hardcore. Blackened death metal' is a label that is often applied to us...

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

I started this project alone as a studio project and then I realized the live potential of the songs and started to recruit members to allow me to go further in the studio but also to set fire on stage! I'm happy to have DRAUGR and L.H by my side. 2 other members will also accompany us on stage. In the same idea, we started in auto production then the Italian label "Wormhole death" proposed us to work with them. Thanks to them, I do this interview with you... ‘Alone we go faster, together we go further'.

4. Each band member favourite band?

For me, I think it's Dissection. For L.H it's Wintersun and DRAUGR is Insomnium. 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I'm not inspired by anything in particular. I just spit it out because it comes from the bottom of my soul. I compose almost in a trance state. It's a need, it has to come out!

6. Where was your last gig?

As I told you at the beginning, it's initially a studio project. It led to a band at the beginning of the fucking COVID crisis that brought the planet... and the concert halls to their knees. So no live album yet but it's obviously planned. USQUAM makes music made for life.

7. Where would you like to act?

On a beach, naked in corpse paint, at GOA before the full moon party ah ah... More seriously, in the big metal festivals. Touring in South America or in Eastern countries, where the audience is wild. In Japan too of course because this country is incredible...

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Playing with Behemoth could be a really great experience!

9. Whom not?

Kiss maybe, to avoid their shitty state of mind!

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

Great question! Stage fright is an expression of our fears and adrenaline. Naturally I am very fast so before going on stage it is multiplied by a thousand. I don't need to take drugs or anything. When I'm on stage it's to fight. Period. A piece of advice for those who have stage fright: take advantage of this stress because it can be your best ally! Close your eyes, take a long breath and send the decibels. Once the first notes are sent, the stage fright disappears.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Dissection, Dimmu borgir, Carcass, Deidice, Dark funeral. Iron maiden at the base... Melodies and a rhythmic placement of madness!

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

I once signed an ass! Does that count?

13. What do you think of your fans?

I think... they are crazy enough if they come to see us play naked at GOA!

14. What do you think of our site?

I like the logo and the fact that you are eclectic about styles. The country section is a good idea. I like it!

15. Something to add?

Thank you for this interview. Long life to Breathing the core!