Interviews: Obsidian Skies

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the  Symphonic Progressive Metal band, Obsidian Skies 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?

We wanted a name that captured the void and darkness that one would experience on a voyage into the unknown. A lot of our music deals with mystery and intrigue so we wanted to reflect that with our overall image. Once we came up with the idea of using “Obsidian” in our name it just felt right and we went from there.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Metal has always been a large influence on both of us. We enjoy the combination of complexity, passion, and intensity that metal offers. There are so many sub-genres of metal that provide different outlets of expression that we can get lost in. Metal, as well, allows us to explore writing in an open fashion; we don’t feel as constrained by form or genre limitations.

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

Yes. We helped form the band Endlight in 2013 and have known each other ever since. We were roommates for a few years and Logan was even a groomsman at Tim’s wedding. We always wanted to be involved in a project where the two of us could make creative decisions.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Tim Watervoort: Eluveitie

Logan Dougherty: Alkaloid

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Nature, the unknown, and science really inspire our lyrical themes and motivate us to write music. Both of us also just have a need to create some form of art and music is a great outlet for that. Great stories and fantastical worlds inspire our songs.

6. Where was your last gig?

Currently, we are a studio project, so we are not playing live gigs. With enough traction on the album, we do hope to tour in the future.

7. Where would you like to act?

We would love to one day tour Europe. It would be an honor to be able to play at a festival like Wacken.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We’d love to play with Ne Obliviscaris, Alkaloid, and/or Insomnium as we feel that our music complements theirs. But the list of bands that we would be honored to play with is really quite endless: Fleshgod Apocalypse, Behemoth, Amon Amarth, Opeth, Gojira, Obscura, Epica, Nightwish, Eluveitie, Lady Gaga, Protest the Hero, and so many more.

9. Whom not?

I don’t know if there are many artists we wouldn’t want to play with, just a bunch of genres that we feel would make for a very incohesive live show that would leave the audience confused, and possibly upset. We would avoid artists that spout any hateful rhetoric (racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, etc.).

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

Yeah, we both have experienced stage fright while performing. As cliche as it sounds, the best advice we can give is to keep performing. It’s important to know that even in the worst circumstance, if you completely mess up a part, the world will keep going and nobody is really going to remember it. People will remember your successes and not your failures and you are your own worst critic.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Tim is influenced by bands like Eluveitie, Ne Obliviscaris, Insomnium, and Alkaloid as well as great bassists like Linus Klausenitzer and Dominic LaPointe. Logan draws a lot of inspiration from tech death bands like Obscura and Alkaloid, as well as classical and film music composers like Debussy, Rachmaninoff, and John Williams.

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

Tim once got asked, after a live show, if the fan could kiss Tim on the cheek. Tim said “sure”.

13. What do you think of your fans?

They’re great! They motivate us to continue writing music. We both used music as a crutch to get us through difficult points in our lives and knowing that we are creating music that might serve the same purpose to our fans is very meaningful to us.

14. What do you think of our site?

We think it’s really awesome that your site gives so much coverage to new music and exposes the world to a lot of bands that might go unnoticed!

15. Something to add?

Members:

Tim Watervoort: Guitars, Basses, Vocals

Logan Dougherty: Guitars, Piano, Orchestration