Interviews: Inner Urge

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal band Inner Urge from Canada. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

I was digging around for ideas and was thinking about how I had a burning desire to get all of this out. I started thinking about different words and phrases for that and stumbled across "Inner Urge" which, miraculously, both weren't taken and fit the theme and music of the band perfectly.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

The level of musicianship required by each band member was the biggest draw for me. I have a very busy mind and metal often has enough going on that I can actually focus my attention on it and enjoy the experience of listening. It's a big reason why Dream Theater is my all-time favourite band; their mastery of their instruments and abilities to weave together their musicianship into cohesive (and long) pieces of music keeps me coming back for more. I wanted to start working on creating this experience for my own music so I could share a piece of myself and my busy mind with the amazing listeners out there.

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

No, we did not. Actually, I wrote most of the music over the last several years (some as much as over 10 years ago) and gradually wrote the lyrics and vocal melodies over the past year and a bit. I was in search of a vocalist that matched the sound I heard in my head and I managed to stumble across Berzan Önen's singing on his youtube page. Berzan lives in Turkey and I live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, so we've yet to get to meet in person.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

My favourite band is, as listed above: Dream Theater. Berzan's is: Nevermore.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I love music that makes me pay attention and that makes me want to learn more. That, and the ability to express what words can't, is my main drive for writing songs. I've always had a weird issue with remembering and focusing on what words are sung, but I can always sing back the vocal melodies; so the music itself drives me to create interesting melodies that I catch myself singing back and sections that I find myself tapping the rhythms on my legs.

6. Where was your last gig?

We haven't actually gigged yet. We're hoping and working to piece together a band and possibly meet in Europe for a tour in the future.

7. Where would you like to act?

Anywhere and everywhere.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Obviously, my dream band would be Dream Theater, however, we'd be happy to get to play with nearly anyone that works well with others and are open minded individuals.

9. Whom not?

Aside from overtly hateful groups, we'd be open to playing with mostly anyone.

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

I often get the first song jitters right before the song starts. However, after the first note is played, they drop out and I feel at peace and home on the stage. The best way to overcome stage fright is just by making sure you know your material and just getting on stage. When you know your material then the nerves you feel help boost your performance. The times that you crash are when you haven't worked on a particular section enough and that's where the nerves hinder, rather than help you. So practice your songs and play live - because the only way you can practice playing live is by playing live.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

The last few years has been Dream Theater, however, my early years on guitar were spent obsessing over Ozzy's guitarists and discography, Children of Bodom and Alexi Laiho's guitar work, and Brazilian Power Metal bands Angra and Hibria.

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

In a previous band, I was asked to go live at a fan's house. They wanted me to be their roommate. I respectfully declined.

13. What do you think of your fans?

I think they're amazing and I can't wait to form a proper band to be able to perform our material in live venues for them. Music isn't anything without participation in one form or another, so the fans are everything.

14. What do you think of our site?

I think it's very well put together and a fantastic place to check out the pulse of the music world and what's fresh and on the move.

15. Something to add?

Just wanted to thank you for this time and all your support with our hard work. If anyone is interested in contacting me directly, you can easily get a hold of me on my website at www.mattwhiteheadmusic.com