Interviews: CUNABULA

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Sludge Metal/Post-Metal band CUNABULA from Lithuania. Check out this band and follow them on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Goda: The name came from Kurt Vonnegut's „Cat‘s Cradle“ and the word cradle had a special meaning for us at the time the band formed. Cunabula is Latin for cradle.

Tadas: I don’t know why, but this book is very highly regarded in Lithuania. Maybe it’s the same in other countries too.

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

Tadas: Never thought about fitting into some genre, just write the music that I am interested in.

Goda: This genre wanted to play us.

Kostas: Totally agree with Goda. I always loved some different and unusual-sounding metal music. And when I first heard Tadas’ early demos of the songs I thought to myself “This is the shit!”.

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

Goda: Some for over 15 years, some married with children, but overall – no. 

Kostas: I have known Jurgis for about 20 years. Tadas, Vytis, Jurgis, and I all are session musicians so we have run into each other from time to time.

4. Each band member's favorite band? 

Goda: Wolf Alice at the moment.

Vytis: Blawan.

Tadas: Isis, Burzum, Pink Floyd, Meshuggah etc…

Kostas: Queen.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

Tadas: I always have many ideas in my head, some good, some bad. The main inspirations probably are different particular feelings/memories/atmospheres. 

6. Where was your last gig? 

Goda: We had a great gig to support Ukraine around a month after war started, in 2022.

7. Where would you like to act? 

Tadas: It could be any place as far as our music fits.

Goda: It would be nice to play a gig in some open-air metal festival in Europe, on some late time, festivals have a unique vibe.

8. Whom would you like to feature with? 

Tadas: Ha, I remember the days, when often support bands were booed off the stage, for playing different music from the headlining band. As long as the atmosphere is compatible, I see no probs in playing with any band.

Kostas: Meshuggah, Cult of Luna, Russian Circles to name a few.

9. Whom not? 

Tadas: The bands that deliberately avoid deepness.

Goda: There is no straight answer to that, but probably a band that totally doesn‘t suit our genre. But sometimes it could also bring some value.

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

Goda: Would listen for those tips definitely.

Tadas: It is very different for every single person. For me, learning to ‘want’ to go on the stage worked the best.

Vytis: Practice.

Kostas: I still feel a shadow of it before Cunabula shows. My advice is that the first 20 years are the hardest. Then it becomes easier.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Kostas: Lithuanian band called Čilinam.

Goda: Right, this one. Kind of inspired to go in the opposite direction here in Lithuania.

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

Goda: We‘re still looking forward to it!

13. What do you think of your fans? 

Tadas: They are very open minded, otherwise it would be impossible to like our music.

Goda: Other than being grateful if they exist, we wish them to stay tuned for some weird stuff.

14. What do you think of our site?

Goda: It‘s nice to see people who truly love metal and care for its future as promoters.

15. Something to add?

Tadas: Thanx for supporting bands that are not mainstream.