EMQ’s with DEEM INDEX
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Netherlands based Metal band Deem Index. Huge thanks to guitarist Lars 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?
Hi, my name is Lars and I am one of the two guitar players and composers in DEEM INDEX. Our band started out of the remains of some local metal and hardcore bands. After a couple of line-up changes we’ve been together in this line-up since 2011 and going strong since.
How did you come up with your band name?
Ah yes, this is the question that gets asked the most. DEEM INDEX is about the order you see things or how you deem to see them, as everyone views things in a different way.
What country are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
We are from eastern part of the Netherlands, the Arnhem and Nijmegen region to be precise. The metal scene is pretty cool in our area. There are some awesome underground bands and a couple of annual festivals. Looking at the Dutch metal scene I’d have to say it’s pretty amazing what’s happening throughout the country, there are some cool up and coming bands!
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single or Video)
We recently (March 2020) released our second EP “MASS//MINUS”.
Check it out here:
We’ve accompanied the release of our EP with a lyric video for the song HALO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzXRkJljA4Y
Who have been your greatest influences?
The five of us all have different influences from different genres. I can’t speak for all of the band members, but riff wise I’m influenced by bands like The Haunted and In Flames. Structure and feeling wise I take influence from Killswitch Engage. But when I’m writing new music I’m not listening to anything else, because it will only distract me.
What first got you into music?
A teacher in upper elementary school recognized a bit of musical talent I guess. I started out playing piano. But when you hit puberty that’s not cool anymore. In the meantime I was already discovering rock and metal music and I started learning myself to play guitar. My introductory albums were “Appetite For Destruction” and the “Black” Album.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I would love to work with Adam D. from Killswitch Engage. He’s an awesome musician and a great producer and he seems like a nice dude. I’d love to pick his brain and learn from him.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
For nostalgic reasons I’d pick Dynamo Open Air, here in the Netherlands. Other than that I really wouldn’t know. There are so many festivals. I guess I’d pick a southern European or Latin American festival. From what I’ve seen and from what we’ve experienced with the band, the people in southern European countries are so dedicated. That’s really awesome to experience!
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I know our drummer Elwin once got used boxers (yes, from a dude) thrown his way during a show. Personally, I never had a weird gift.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
At this moment: stay healthy, stay safe, stay metal!
If you could bring one Metal/Rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Phew, hard question. I think I have to go with Chuck Schuldiner. I don’t need to explain this one right?
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I love the creative process of it. And obviously I love playing shows! The Netherlands is not that big, so the travelling to shows doesn’t take that much time. Also, when we are with our regular travel company (band, driver, roadie, a fan or 2) the drives to a venue are always fun! We travel in this 70’s Ford Galaxy van with hippy decoration!
I hate it that the pay in metal music sucks!
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Mo’ money, less problems 😊 It’s probably a cliché but as said above, the pay sucks. I don’t know where to change that in the Dutch music industry…but there’s a whole lot of things going wrong when a cover or tribute band makes more money than a band who play actual original music.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Dude, really? I really can’t name one, that’s impossible. It’s a different album every day. But since you insist: “Rust In Peace” by Megadeth. That album blew my mind. I started out with “Countdown To Extinction”, which I love. But hearing Rust for the first time? The technical skills, the speed, Friedman’s soloing. Wow. Just wow.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Never cared much for vinyl. I grew up with cassettes and CD’s, but only have a handful of them. The last CD I bought was “Prequelle” by Ghost. But I use Spotify most of the time.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Oh wow. I’d have to dig deep. There are a couple of them, for different reasons. The second time we play Patronaat in Haarlem; we shared the bill with some cool bands and the staff took great care of us. The show also kicked ass! We also played a headline show on a 2-day metal festival on the Azores, which is like halfway to the USA. As a band we combined it with a short holiday as it was our first show abroad. It was AWESOME! We were treated like rock stars. We had our own apartment, our own driver who’d take us across the island. And then there was the show. The crowd was SICK! So passionate, so awesome. We never experienced something like that in our own country.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I’m not a full-time musician, so I have a regular day job. I’m responsible for the online marketing and communications at a temporary work agency. We specialize in construction workers.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
My wife and the rest of the band. Have some beers, chuck some meat on the barbecue and have a nice evening!
What’s next for the band?
We’re still waiting to play our release show. A week before we were to play that show the Corona hell broke loose. It’s been postponed twice since. Last week we set the new date at the 16th of October. And I’ve been writing some new music for the band. I’ll have a sit down with Jelmer, our other guitar player, soon, to compare and exchange music.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
www.deemindex.com/
www.facebook.com/deemindex/
www.deemindex.bandcamp.com/
www.spotify.com/artist/0hPQIYQSCDzCpI47GVkVFg
www.amazon.com/s?k=DEEM+INDEX&i=digital-music
www.deezer.com/nl/artist/6445042
www.play.google.com/store/music/artist/DEEM_INDEX?id=Ahjhvywaof4ot7lmlm22q33zny4
www.itunes.apple.com/nl/artist/deem-index/id910619315
www.youtube.com/channel/UCbYiKZjzHCZFkIM1CVJln8w
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
I’d say mix of both, like a Jaffa cayscuit? They’re way too soft to be a proper biscuit, but they’re too small to be cake. Then again, the bottom of the Jaffa is made of sponge cake. So yeah. I love ‘em though!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thanks for having us! Be sure to check us out on our social media channels and give us a like!
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.