EMQ’s With Jaodae
EMQ’s With Jaodae
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Canadian Heavy Progressive Metal band, Jaodae. Huge thanks to their drummer, Spencer, 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 Spencer and I’m the drummer for Jaodae. Our guitarist Rob and I started the band in 2016, just meeting a couple times a month to jam without any intention of playing gigs or even recording. In 2019 we decided to self-produce, record and release our debut album, and after all those typical and relatable covid setbacks, we’re writing, gigging and recording more than ever. Recently paired with Black Throne Productions and brought on a full-time bassist. Things are finally running smoothly!
How did you come up with your band name?
It’s a Twin Peaks reference, Season 3. Judy (or Jowday) is “a mythological entity and powerful negative force studied by the Blue Rose Task Force.”
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
We’re from Toronto, ON. The scene here, from our perspective anyway, is vast and hard to put a finger on, in a good way. There is definitely a boom in hardcore and doom metal, but the benefit of being a band that sounds like a smorgasbord of genres means we get to play with bands of all different subgenres of metal, hardcore and punk. We like that.
What is your latest release?
Our latest single PORCOCANE is from our upcoming EP CHIMAERA, out March 17th on Black Throne Productions
Who have been your greatest influences?
As a band, that’s tough to nail down, but in our Venn diagram of bands include Ihsahn, Intronaut, Gojira, Enslaved, Meshuggah, stuff like that. Proggy without being noodle-y, and always heavy. Those bands definitely influence our composition style.
As a drummer, I’d say my top 5 are Jamie St Murat, Navene Koperweis, Thomas Haake, Nick Yacyshyn and Kevin Boutot. Listen, I CANNOT play anything like Jamie or Navene or Thomas, but it’s kind of who I’m channelling when writing parts. Even if it’s just a vibe.
What first got you into music?
My Dad playing Zeppelin IV in the car when I was something like 4 years old. I asked him to play Stairway to Heaven about 4 times until he was like “… I think that’s enough”.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
It would be amazing to get some kind of industrial element into some future tracks, so I would say Drew McDowell or Tristan Shone from Author and Punisher. I always thought doing an album with a different singer on each track would be cool too. Nice to be instrumental, gives you that freedom.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
ROADBURN. Easily the best curation of any heavy festival anywhere, I would kill to go to it let alone play it.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Bands get gifts from fans? Sounds nice!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Been digging into a lot of David Crosby recently, would have loved to see Crosby, Stills and Nash live. Even if they all fought each other on stage. What a show, ahmirite?
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I’m also in film and television, and after working so many different jobs in the arts, I have to say that the pipeline from song idea, to song, to recording, to performing is all a lot easier as a musician. I didn’t say it’s EASY, but being DIY with your music is achievable without a crew of people. That’s fucking amazing.
I hate that musicians are priced out of music gear.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
That they should listen to our band, we’re sick.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Lots come to mind, but I feel like a “metal” answer would be appreciated, so I’ll say Meshuggah: Catch 33.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?
I would have to say Vinyl because the band’s art – music and album art – can be experienced at its full potential while they can actually make a bit of coin off of it.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
I wouldn’t say it’s the best, but our first gig was an opening slot in Windsor Ontario. People really come out to shows in Windsor, and it was amazing to look up after a nervous first few songs and actually see a full house of support. I remember being like “This is the best. I missed this”.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Writing TV, it rules.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Larnell Lewis, Gene Hogan, Matts Morgen, Bernard Purdie and Benny Greb. They’re all world class drummers and they all seem friendly and it’s a dinner party at my house for fuck’s sake, everyone be NICE.
What’s next for the band?
Lots. EP coming March 17th, and an even bigger release later this year. Hitting a lot of new places with some killer bands, and we have some special video / visual treats coming with us.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
You can find our music on ALL streaming platforms, but we always point people towards Bandcamp for a download. We’re busy on Instagram (@jaodaemetal) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jaodae), so if you want to keep up to date on new music, gigs, anything at all, gives a follow.
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
What? Jam and chocolate? I’m not a monster, thank you very much.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Just reiterating that aside from our VERY exciting CHIMAERA EP release on March 17th, we have SO MUCH MORE coming out through Black Throne Productions in 2023, so we encourage you to give us a follow on our socials and get your ass to gig!
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
