EMQ’s With Of The Sun
EMQ’s With Of The Sun
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with USA Progressive/ Groove Metal band, Of The Sun. Huge thanks to their Guitarist/ Vocalist, Patrick Duvall, 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?
Patrick Duvall. I’m on guitar and vocals. Of The Sun started in Myrtle Beach, SC, as an all-brother metal trio called Aftermath back in 2000. We started having line-up changes in 2007 when our brother, Joe, quit playing drums for the band. After recording our debut album at Brian Mckenzie’s Music Factory, the band relocated to Austin, TX, in 2010. We played somewhat larger shows and recorded another record before the band dissolved in 2017. I’ve carried forward with the efforts since that time. The project is now based in southern Germany, where I live.
How did you come up with your band name?
While brainstorming ideas with my brother, I reflected on our last name. It means of – or from – the valley, in French. This didn’t have any relevance to our sound, vibe or direction, but the derivative nature of it, the “of”, stuck with me. We were in my room, and my computer had a desktop image of a sun. We both looked at it, and David (my brother) suggested at the same moment that I thought “Why not Of The Sun?” It made sense in that instance. The vital energy. The unifying nature of the name. The realness of its significance. We ran with it.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
Of The Sun began in Myrtle Beach, SC, relocated to Austin, TX, and is currently based outside of Ingolstadt, Germany. The fans of metal around here are really enthusiastic and tight knit. Munich is pretty close, and Backstage is a venue that showcases a ton of metal. Shows are always packed.
What is your latest release?
“Pattern Rebirth” is my latest release. It’s a single and has a music video. https://youtu.be/dhekLj4HFro
Who have been your greatest influences?
Boredom, novelty, stubbornness, and outrage.
What first got you into music?
My dad’s garage band, Full Tilt. He played bass and sang. After my siblings and I witnessed that, we started forming play bands in the yard with buckets and sticks and Fischer Price toy instruments. We emerged into the real thing really young, not too long after playing in the yard.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
It’s a draw between Gautier Serre and Nils Frykdahl. Both would be unreal.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Hellfest. Come on.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thank you for believing in me.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Zac De La Rocha.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Fresh discovery is the thing that keeps me at it, my favourite aspect about it. I hate the depression that comes from slacking off even for a day.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I don’t necessarily have an amendment to the music industry, but I would like to see cultural programs in every developed nation that allow creatives to collect a living wage while they advance their art. Imagine the richness that would come from that.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
It’s only been around a few years, but Nadir by Black Tongue is a masterpiece. It claimed a spot in my all-time favourites after the first listen.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?
Wax cylinder.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Hard to say. Either the time when I got arrested at the venue and bailed out just in time for our set in Myrtle Beach, or debuting in Austin back in 2012. Probably that one. My brother and I connected with the Texas Metal Collective before our band was re-assembled, and we formed a strong bond. We booked the show with them before it was a sure thing, but we pulled it off and the reception was just fantastic.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I’m not strictly a musician. I build things, create visual art, work with my hands in a variety of ways that don’t involve making money as the imperative. If I could choose a different calling, it would involve community action and organization. I might do that in the future.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
The 5 richest people in the world. No dinner would be served.
What’s next for the band?
I have a few more singles emerging before the EP consolidates everything into one record, and I’ve got new material in the works. Also, I’m reaching out to potential collaborators so this project can start playing shows again.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
The big ones, but I might leave it once I get my website running again.
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
They’re little cakes. Anyone who says differently is a blaggard.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Nothing is inevitable.
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.
