EMQs with Asylus

EMQ’s with ASYLUS

Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with California based Post-Hardcore band Asylus. Huge thanks to Davon Harper & Naz Munoz for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Davon: My name is Davon. I sing vocals, play keys, and push buttons on an Ableton Push.
Naz: I’m Naz one vocalist of Asylus. We were founded in Orange County in 2013 and we’ve been playing and trying to create dope music ever since.
How did you come up with your band name?
Davon: I remember Mel telling me when I first joined the band, and it’s been my motto ever since. Asylum essentially means a safe place for the mentally ill aka outcasts of the world. Asylus is a play on that word meaning a safe place in US.
Naz: Some of our members have said it means that we are the Asylum with our music. As for myself I’m not too sure what I want it to mean, but I know that Asylus has been my asylum at times. Eeeeeeeeeeee that’s some deep shit, foo haha
What country are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
Davon: We are from Anaheim CA in the USA. Metal is HUGE in SoCal some of the most well-known names in metal came from here. The scene has always been filled with tons of talent and lots of new support.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single or Video)
Davon: Our Latest release is a Single called ‘The Wave’ It’s on all platforms check it out.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Davon: The band has had a TON of influencers of all genres. Ranging from Linkin Park, Asking Alexandria, Veil Of Maya, all the way too Fever 333, Scarlxrd, Juicewrld and many others. Just a huge mix of different music for sure haha!
Naz: My biggest influences musically have been the bands Fellsilent, Tool, Deftones, and artists such as Earlsweatshirt, Immortal Technique, and soooo many more.
What first got you into music?
Davon: I started playing music when I was 4 years old and took piano lessons until I was 17. Can’t remember what the trigger was that first made me want to play music: I just knew I loved making noise.
Naz: The first time I picked up an instrument and continued to practice was when my nephew got his first guitar. I kind of just claimed it because he wouldn’t play it as much as I did. I eventually bought my own and got into to learning vocal techniques later.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Davon: Definitely Post Malone, Fever 333, or Poppy they’re dope.
Naz: It would have to be Deftones. That band will go down as one of the most amazing and unique bands in history. They’re sound unmatched. I would love to lay down some tracks.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Davon: Definitely Coachella. One of the biggest music festivals, it’s always had a good mix of different artist it would be awesome to rage with that many people.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Davon: Trolli Gummy worms. Don’t know if that’s weird but Marco you the GOAT!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Davon: Please talk to us. About anything really! We love exchanging stories and helping each other through this wild thing called life. Communication and being heard is a huge part to self-healing so yeah. You don’t have anyone to turn too, hit us up.
Naz: Y’all are dope AF for supporting us. I hope that our music continues to make you move and touches your soul.
If you could bring one Metal/Rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Davon: Chester Bennington. I think the band as a whole was shocked by his death. Definitely miss him for sure.
Naz: XXXTentacion. Dude was too young with too much potential. It’s a shame that he didn’t get to grow.
Davon: I agree with this.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Davon: Definitely the fact that music connects people on a different type of level. It honestly feels like a superpower sometimes. When you make something out of nothing and then on top of that have other people resonate with whatever feeling you were pushing out at the time like they were there with you when you wrote it is beyond words. The only thing I guess I personally hate is the lack of supporting different ideas/sounds. Art is subjective but regardless we should be building each other up and get inspired by competitors. Not bashing things that are different purely out of intimidation.
Naz: I enjoy writing and live performances, but I hate writers block. It’s the bane of my existence
Davon: I agree with this as well haha.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Davon: I feel like it’s in a great place right now. The art and platforms provided really leave a lot of control in the artist’s hands. The business stuff is never really fun but it’s needed for protection it feels like, so I wouldn’t necessarily change it: maybe just find a way to make the knowledge of the industry apparent so people don’t get taken advantage of so much.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Davon: The Fray – “How To Save A Life” I feel like that album has something for everybody. ‘Over My Head’ is still a BOP.
Naz: Tool – “Lateralus”
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Davon: I recently just heard/used a vinyl last Christmas, and I have to say my life is changed. What a way to experience music, seriously.
Naz: Downloads are so convenient.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Davon: We host a holiday show every year at Chain Reaction. Last December was absolutely insane. The turnout was insane, the support was crazy, having everyone vibe out to the new stuff we’ve been writing was just so much fun! That definitely is one I will never forget!
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Davon: Comedy. I love making people laugh, I’m definitely a clown. Not the best at making others laugh but I love trying too. That’s the only thing I’d say I’d do if I couldn’t be a musician.
Naz: I would be bored!
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Davon: Easy! Chris, Naz, Mel, Erick and Adam! Adam runs the practice spot we rehearse at. He’s the best, and that would be a party.
Naz: My band and my Cat.
Davon: His cat is the cutest. I’d trade Adam for his cat haha.
What’s next for the band?
Davon: We played NAMM in January for the Legator Booth. I was so excited for that, I’ve never been. Then it’s back to writing, we have a few more songs planned to release, and possibly hit the road again.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Davon: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, all the usual’s you can find us. We’re working on our TikTok game so that might be a thing real soon.
http://www.asylusmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AsylusMusic/
https://twitter.com/asylusmusic
https://www.instagram.com/AsylusMusic/
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Davon: Not going like don’t know what that is but I’m going to go with biscuit. Names on foods usually never add up to what it truly is in the package so yeah biscuit for sure.
Naz: Absolutely no clue what that is. But it says cake in the name.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Davon: Thank you for having us. It was fun. Follow us on all platforms, find us, and hit us up. We’d love to talk to any of you.
Naz: ASYLUS 2020 baybee we out here!! Woo!
 
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