EMQ's

EMQ’s with RAIBARD

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EMQ’s with RAIBARD

Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview, with Boston, MA based Experimental Rock band, RaiBard. Huge thanks to guitarist/vocalist Daniel Gil, 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?

Daniel Gil, I play the guitar and sing. Back in 2016 I had written a bunch of songs and was looking for compatriots to play with. I came across a craigslist ad from Phil Mackay so I emailed Phil and he said he was going to come over, so we could play together. Funny story actually, my wife was worried that he was going to be an axe murderer. turns out that from the moment I opened the door and I saw Phil it was like I’ve known in my whole life; that is a very strange occurrence when it happens and very rare. So, Phil at the time was looking to do some recording work and after we played that initial session he decided to just play together and let’s and see where it took us.

How did you come up with your band name?

My wife came up with it actually. We were having dinner and some wine and she said what about RaiBard? Which kind of means the shining bard or the bard of light. this seemed appropriate, as my intention starting this band was to show the connection between music, spirituality and consciousness. Funny thing – when I was doing initial research into the name to see if anyone had it, I came across some accountant in Montana, whose name was Ray Bard. So, I changed it to the old French spelling of the name.

What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?

We all live in the Boston area. There’s a lot of really great metal bins in the area, and Greg and Phil were in a really amazing band called Ichabod some years ago. And Greg currently plays in ox blood forge if you haven’t checked out their stuff it’s fabulous! But the scene for live music in Boston is cool, but it could be a lot better it’s kind of seen a downturn in the last five or 10 years

What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)

I just did a remix of a song from our last album called “Pomegranate”. I’m working on lyric videos for remixes of our entire last album which is called “Queen Of The Night”. I think I recently hit a really great stride in terms of mixing. I am using a really great analog signal chain to get a really clear and direct sound, so I hope these remixes reflect that.

‘Meaning’ (Lyric Video)

Who have been your greatest influences?

That sounds cliché but I’m really influenced by so many different kinds of music. I write contemporary concert music or classical music. I just actually had some pieces premiered, a string quartet and a piece for choir. I am influenced by everything from Indian classical music to rap to heavy music to electronic experimental music  

I am primarily influenced I think from the confluence of folk music, rock music, and the western classical repertoire.

What first got you into music?

I can remember laying in my crib as a baby and hearing some beautiful folk music. And I’ve been hooked ever since.

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?

Robert Plant.

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

I’ve always wanted to play at the Edinburgh festival. I’m so drawn to the city and I can’t explain it.

What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?

I’d rather not say. \m/

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

Learn to listen to yourself truly and deeply. Trust in your own insight into things, and learn to think about and analyse the world.

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

Muddy Waters.

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

I enjoy the music the most. There’s nothing more enjoyable than music for me. Dealing with politics, and people’s stupid shit really can be frustrating.

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

We need to get rid of the gatekeepers or at least teach them how to really recognize talent and quality.

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

Kansas – “Point Of No Return”

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?

Honestly? It’s all good just get yourself in the mood and sit down and really listen to stuff. But that being said there’s nothing like vinyl.

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

The first gig we ever did, was really amazing I had been fasting all day as I do from time to time to try to increase my awareness of the spiritual world, and we played to you know five or six people, but we really did it and it meant the world at the time!

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

I’d probably be researching ancient texts on esoteric subjects in some academic environment but who knows, I might just be doing a regular job though I know I’d be unfathomably less happy.

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

Geddy Lee
Albert Einstein
Jimmy Page
Muddy Waters
Dmitri Shostakovich

What’s next for the band?

Getting in front of audiences again and sharing our vision.

What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?

www.raibard.com/
www.facebook.com/raibard
www.twitter.com/raibardband
www.instagram.com/raibard/
www.open.spotify.com/artist/33UFYutGwoMOhRnMsxGAQB
www.youtube.com/channel/UCpWtuxhv6V4gOrC3UgMci7Q

Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?

It’s a Ciscuit.

RaiBard Promo Pic

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.

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