Interview с Pomegranate Tiger : DARKSIDE.ru

I’d like to start with a simple but important question about how did you start playing and composing? And what bands and musicians turned you into metal?

Martin: I started playing classical guitar at age 6. When I first started composing music I was mostly into Alternative music and some Metal. Some of the first bands to have a serious impact on me were Slipknot, Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Finger Eleven. Slipknot and Joey Jordison were pretty much what made me want to play drums. There was nothing else like it at the time. I began to play drums when I was 13 and also got a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree from the University of Windsor in Percussion Performance. I am definitely a drummer at heart... But it was mandatory to play an instrument (any instrument) at the elementary school I attended and so I chose to play guitar. I enrolled in the RCM program (Royal Conservatory of Music) and finished my grade 10 level exam by the 12th grade in high school.

Keith: I started playing piano at a young age, and then moved to guitar/bass around age 12. Since music is strong in my family, I have been around music all my life. A lot of my family members played guitar, no one played bass, so they elected me t

o play bass. Then got introduced to metal around 14, and have been hooked ever since. I remember loving the technical aspect of metal, and the heavy feeling. I’m more into melodic and lyrical music than thrash or dark metal.

Phil: I wasn't even really interested in music at a young age. Through elementary school I was introduced to reading music and brass instruments which never really piqued my interest. In grade seven I heard Slipknot for the first time after beginning to play snare for school and that really did it for me. I taught myself to play drums for years until university where I began taking lessons and hanging out with other drummers which really revolutionized my playing.

Matt: I was watching something on TV and noticed this guy playing a guitar and he just seemed really cool. I ran upstairs and said «Dad can I have a guitar?! » He was ecstatic that I wanted to play an instrument and I got my first guitar for my 15th birthday. I distinctly remember playing it (or at least trying to play it) until my fingers bled. From then on I was hooked. I rarely dabbled in composition until I met Martin. He and I began writing material together, some of which ultimately ended up on our album. I think the first ri

ff that I wrote with him is actually in New Breed come to think of it.

How do you think if musician, especially rock- or metal-artist have a special education, know how to read notes etc.?

Martin: There is a huge benefit to knowing the ins and outs of music theory and understanding how to read music. Having that said I believe that all people are different and there is no right way or wrong way of writing music. It should all come from the heart, and it should make you feel something regardless of whether you are using complex math equations to write your music or you barely know anything about music theory. I use both personally, but I will say that 90% of the Pomegranate Tiger sound doesn’t start with any music theory. Everything starts with simply playing the instrument.

When, where and how did you meet each other? How the band was created?

Martin: The band was originally formed by myself, and former bass player Chase Bryant at the University of Windsor Music school. About a year later, our other guitarist, Matt Shaheen joined the band and about a year after that Phil Gatti, our drummer, joined the band. Pomegranate Tiger has a been a slow pr

ocess of evolution over the past 4-5 years, that first started as just a “for fun” project (under the name Rockasaurus Rex). Everybody met at the school of music. Our current bass player Keith Wilkinson is the most recent member replacing Chase Bryant who recorded «Entities». Keith joined mid-2012. Chase left to attend the Musicians Institute in Hollywood California.

Who invented the name? Does it mean anything special?

Martin: Former member Chase Bryant came up with the band name. We had been a band for quite some time with no name. Finally one day we were looking at Salvador Dali paintings, one specific piece came up titled «Dream caused by the flight of a bee around a pomegranate a second before awakening». The name was derived from that painting as we were all a fan of Dali and his Surrealism. We like to think that if our music could be described in a visual art form it would also be Surrealism.

Why instrumental progressive? Why Pomegranate Tiger has no voice?

Martin: Honestly, we’ve always strived to be better at our individual instruments. And playing instrumental progressive music pretty much requires you to have some sort of proficiency

as a lot of this music is tailored towards other musicians. So taking our individual goals of wanting to be better collaboratively the band ended up being instrumental because of things that we were playing and practicing.

Phil: We should note that we've experimented with several vocalists but haven't found a good fit. To sacrifice so much work in order to inject vocals that detract from the music seemed like a bad move so we opted to move on without vox.

When did you start composing material for «Entities»?

Martin: 75% of «Entities» was written in late 2011. The other 25% were all 2010-2011

What is the conception of the album? What is it about?

Martin: «Entities» is a combination of Art, Philosophy, and human emotion.
Phil: The album is based largely on mood that we wanted to achieve. The idea of surrealism, as Martin previously said, was something we wanted to convey. We tried to explore different musical styles and methods of writing as well, and being as this was our first effort as a band, a lot of it was just an experiment for us.

Is there any special story that you’re trying to tell th

rough this album?

Martin: Each individual song has its own story and meaning but «Entities» in its entirety can be described as a journey. We had this idea about the evolution of a world that the song titles and album structure are based on.

What about influences? What musicians and albums inspired you?

Martin: John Williams soundtracks, Roland Dyens, Chris Coleman, Dream Theater, Elbow, Animals as Leaders, Frank Zappa, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Zakkir Hussain, Between the Buried and me, Skrillex, Knifeparty, Circa Survive, Gojira, Dafnis Prieto, Cynic, Incubus, The Human Abstract, Dream Theater, Guthrie Govan, Protest The Hero, Leo Brouwer, Villa Lobos. Pretty much mash up all those and you have what happens in my brain when I write music.

Phil: Chase and I brought a little more death metal sound to the band with influences like Children of Bodom, Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir, etc. Later some of us became more interested in jazz and other styles, so you might hear a little more Dave Weckl/Gavin Harrison influence for example in the Ocean trilogy.

Matt: Between the Buried and Me, Meshuggah, Opeth, Dream Theater, Yes, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Animals as

Leaders, Periphery, Frank Zappa, and countless other guitarists.

Many listeners compare your music to Animals As Leaders, Scale The Summit and Between The Buried And Me, what do you think about these comparisons?

Martin: All are big influences on our music. Love all those bands and how creative they are with their music. I would say it’s a good comparison, although I don’t believe our music is as chaotic as some of those bands can be. Although I’m biased, I wrote a large part of «Entities» so I hear it differently.

Are you ready to compete with the bands listed above?

Martin: Hell Yes! Let’s all go on tour together!

Many journalists, bloggers and music fans have already called «Entities» a candidate for ‘2013 best progressive album’. As to me, it’s early to make such a conclusion, but the album sounds so promising… So, what are your feelings concerning such a warm reception?

Martin: To be «honored» into this category already is pretty crazy, especially when no one knew who we were just last week… and the reception that we’ve already gotten is also insane. Moving forward independently as a DIY-band we are extremely

overwhelmed with the reaction we have gotten with «Entities». Music comes first, everything else will follow. We've taken the time to do this album properly, and we're hoping people will hear that and be receptive.

As I understand you’re still unsigned? Are there any offers from record labels? Wanna got it?

Martin: Yes, we are still unsigned. No real offers from any labels, we have been talking to some management companies though. If the right deal comes along we might take it.

Phil: We're pretty independent I think, I'm personally enjoying doing everything ourselves for right now. Of course, we're always open to offers.

What can you tell about Ontario metal stage (especially progressive)? What do you like/dislike? Is there any trends?

Martin: To be completely honest, I’m not too impressed with «Ontario prog-metal acts». There has only been a couple that have really left an impression on me aside from that many bands are falling into the djent category. I am constantly looking for new, original music, progressive music…whether metal or not coming from anywhere. I enjoy music most when it has a new sound, and not something I’ve heard before.

Phil: I imagine every area has good and bad bands, the latter far outweighing the former. I feel like whenever someone really invests in their music it becomes evident. Not too many bands in our area have done that but there are a few gems.

What are you own plans for the near future?

Martin: Already planning another release before the end of 2013. And looking for touring opportunities and opening spots.

Traditionally, let’s finish with a couple of words to your Russian listeners!

Pomegranate Tiger: Thank you for enjoying Pomegranate Tiger! Hopefully we can get to Russia and play for everyone soon!

Interview by: Kristina ‘v_potemkah’ Sarkhanyants
7 мар 2013 the End


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