Interviews: Lotus Born

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metalcore band, Lotus Born from Australia. 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?

Initially and as it sounds, we wanted a band name that didn't have meaning or make sense on its own. Names like Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Northlane, Coldplay, Crystal Lake don't mean anything in isolation. But when you think of it now you immediately think of the band and their music. In that same way, we wanted a band name that only made you think of us, our music, and our story when you saw those words We landed on Lotus Born because of the symbolism of flowers (in particular a Lotus) that was taught to Edwin and Suhada growing up A Lotus grows in a swamp. Something beautiful is born from something that isn't. Flowers are impermanent and no matter how beautiful they are they eventually wither and die. In that same way, I wanted to write music that was beautiful and that helps us, our band, and whoever listened to us rise out of their own mess. We also see it as a reminder to keep creating. That our band is a journey and our stories - when one song ends, another one should follow

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Rhys: Hardcore or alternative music has always been a passion for all of us, as a band we combined the different sounds we each enjoyed and tried to create something that could be a blend of everything we liked. It’s also the genre of music that engages an audience the most on a physical level.

Brendan: I'm drawn to fast, aggressive and energetic music. Doesn't matter if it's hip hop, electronic, punk, orchestral, tech death. If there's energy and at least a little bit of catchiness, nothing feels more therapeutic, satisfying, or exhilarating. Miss me with that slow boring shit

Edwin: There's an almost theatrical addition to this sort of performance, which just adds a lot of fun to play. Of course, your presence is still important in other genres but I feel it doesn't impact it as much as this, and as a result, becomes lots of fun!

Suhada: There is something so raw and free in heavier styles of music. I think it's what makes it so cathartic to listen to and so revitalizing to play. But in all honesty, we never made a firm determination to play this genre, it's just something we organically found once we combined all our styles and interest as a band. Being in Lotus Born has been an opportunity to constantly create and experiment with 3 of my closest friends. We will no doubt continue to change our sound with time as we continue to grow and be inspired by new things and I look forward to that journey.

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

Edwin and Suhada have been friends/neighbors for most of their lives and Edwin met Brendan during high school. Rhys met Suhada during his first year of university and we were all brought together to form our band – a plan that Suhada had conceived many years prior.

4. Each band member's favorite band? 

Rhys: Alpha Wolf

Brendan: August Burns Red

Edwin: Vulfpeck

Suhada: Ellegarden (was really hard to just name one band, but Ellegarden is the reason I started playing guitar, started learning Japanese, what led me to study in Tokyo and what finally encouraged me to want to start a band) 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

We each contribute something different to our songwriting process. Generally, one of us approaches the others with a new concept, be it a guitar riff, a catchy melody, or just wanting to have a song that sounds tough for the mosh crowd. We try an incorporate something that each of us can be proud of when writing our new tracks.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was at the Duke of Enmore in Sydney – supporting Modality on their East Coast tour.

7. Where would you like to act?

We would love to perform at one of the many emo nights across Australia, we think that’s a scene that would receive us well!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We would feature with any artist who was down to collaborate – but of course, featuring alongside a well-established band such as Alpha Wolf or Northlane would be a dream!

9. Whom not?

We would never turn our noses up at anybody. Maybe not Kanye.

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

Brendan: A little at first, though after like a minute or something all is fine. The key IMO is to ignore everything except the music and just bring the energy to match that vibe. Practicing over and over also gets that muscle memory going so you can go ballistic on stage without worrying about what you're actually playing. That lets me throw down more energy and reduces self-consciousness about my performance

Edwin: Yes, very bad. (Un)fortunately had no secrets, just did it more and more until performance became normal. Probably at least 10 performances before turning stage fright into adrenaline

Suhada: I always get nervous jitters before a set, but I always feel a sense of calm and clarity once we start playing. I've always liked performing (in any kind of regard)and just letting go of the moment. I think nerves are just a reflection of a lack of preparation and we're always ready!

Rhys: I still get nervous immediately before a set, but always feel better knowing I’m not performing that set alone and we usually have a really active crowd letting me know they’re enjoying the set!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Brendan: blink-182, August Burns Red, Four Year Strong, Bullet for My Valentine, Trivium, Protest the Hero, Parkway Drive, Sum 41, Escape the Fate, Bliss n Eso, A Day to Remember, Rise Against, the list goes on and on. Anything fast, aggressive, and with catchy bits

Edwin: Vulfpeck, dream theater, Louis cole, plini

Suhada: In terms of bands Ellegarden, One Ok Rock, Survive Said the Prophet, NOISEMAKER, Crystal Lake, Stand for the Fallen (Marcus Bridge's high school band), and Earthists. My journey with music really started in Tokyo where I spent a lot of time going to shows and meeting a lot of the bands I just listed. Seeing their passion, their creative process, and their own success is what encouraged me to chase that myself and bring the experiences and sound they all taught me to Lotus Born (I like to think that's the reason we sometimes get told we sound like an anime band sometimes haha). I also grew up listening to a lot of rap and hip-hop. The lyricism in artists like Joyner Lucas, J Cole, Joey Bada$$, and D Smoke has helped me appreciate storytelling in my own lyrics.

Rhys: My favorite heavy bands like Alpha Wolf, Justice for the Damned inspire me to play high-octane shows. Bands like Vices really showed me how you can stay true to your music and get a message across and still have people pull up and scream the words back at you.

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

We haven’t been asked too many weird questions, but a personal favorite request is “come to Brazil!”

13. What do you think of your fans?

The best, the toughest and rowdiest bunch out!

14. What do you think of our site?

A top-tier platform for exposing new fans to new music across the hardcore scene! 

15. Something to add?

We have a new single titled ‘Public Enemy’ coming to all streaming services on December 2nd! We can’t wait to share it with everyone and hope everyone is as excited as we are!