EMQ’s With Pistacia

EMQ’s With Pistacia

Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with USA Nu-Metal band, Pistacia. Huge thanks to their Vocalist, Vic, 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?

My name is Vic and I am the vocalist of Pistacia. I met the guys in college, and we decided to take a class together. This particular class was basically a cover band for a grade. I liked working with them so much that I asked them to join me in Pistacia. 

How did you come up with your band name?

I am very into Ancient Egyptian culture as well as death in general. Pistacia is a type of tree and the Egyptians used the resin from these trees. They poured it into cavities in the skull to prevent it from collapsing during the mummification process.

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

We are based in Boston and New England in general has a wonderful metal scene. There are so many Death Metal, Deathcore, Metalcore, Hardcore, and Punk bands here each with their prospective scenes. Now and then there will be some subgenre overlap at shows which I think is sick. Overall amazing people and I have had very few problems with my scene.

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

Our latest release was ‘It Was the Cat’. It was a single and it is now available on all streaming platforms plus the video was released on Circle Pit. 

Music Video – It Was The Cat

Who have been your greatest influences?

My personal influences are Lady Gaga, Pierce the Veil, and My Chemical Romance. 

What first got you into music?

My mother would play music in the house all day every day. Cleaning, cooking, laundry, and taking care of the dog. There isn’t anything she did not do without music. Since it was always on in the house, I ended up singing along to some songs and was encouraged to do so growing up.

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

I would collaborate with Pierce the Veil or Ice Nine Kills. Their sound is great, and I feel like we can do a vocal swap or something.

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

Maryland Death Fest. We are so far from being a death metal band that I think it would be funny. 

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

I haven’t received anything weird from a fan just yet besides some interesting comments.

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

Gift me more weird things!

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

I would bring back Amy Winehouse. I know she did not make rock music but she sure as hell was a rock star. I admire her no-fear attitude while being a sweet and sensitive soul at the same time. She was so genuine, and nothing beats that.

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

I love making people happy. I love being the reason why someone has fun even if it’s for 4 minutes. Music is an escape and to be someone else’s is an honour. What I hate is unwarranted advice. Being a woman in the industry oftentimes people try to give me screaming lessons upon introducing themselves. I get so many “you should try this” or “dude you are too this” when I never asked in the first place. I just want to scream my feelings and shake my ass. Perfect or not.

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

The misogyny in general. I could go off about how women are compared to one another even if they don’t make sense. I was called the “Wal-Mart Ash Costello” once. We don’t even make the same music, but our hair is the same colour and some guy ran with it. Media outlets do the same thing. 

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

“A Flair for the Dramatic” is a perfect album. It’s Pierce the Veil’s first album and every single track is beautiful, and you can feel the raw emotion.

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

Want me to give you my honest answer or the one Grind fans will applaud me for? So as most people know by now artists make basically no money from streaming services. The beauty of downloads is they can make money off of individual songs. What matters most to me, is accessibility. Music should be accessible, and downloads seem to be the best option for that. All that aside, cassettes are sick as fuck. 

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

The best gig we have played is by far the “Filthy No Bummer Summer” in New Hampshire. Every year a buddy of ours, Rob Kulingoski, throws a local festival in his backyard. The scene is so close, and everyone is family there. I wouldn’t trade that comfort and warmth for anything.

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

Before I decided to pursue music, I wanted to become an orthopaedic surgeon. Medicine fascinates me and I used to love studying anatomy. In my free time, I study the history of medicine and human experimentation so my love for art never left. 

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

Oh I’d have to say, Jenny Slate, Kristen Schaal, Tim Robinson, Jack Black, and Lady Gaga. I love comedy and cartoons just as much as I love music.

What’s next for the band?

We have an EP coming out this fall called “Edgy” and it is literally that: edgy as fuck. 

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

Pistacia Website
Pistacia Instagram
Pistacia Linktree
Pistacia Twitter
Pistacia Facebook
Pistacia YouTube
Pistacia Spotify

Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?

I’m gonna go with bap?

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Nothing but thank you so much for the chance to talk about Pistacia!

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.