EMQs With Contortion

EMQ’s With Contortion

Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview with USA Multi-genre Metal band, Contortion. Huge thanks to their Vocalist/ Guitarist, Stone, 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?

Good day! I’m Stone, the singer/guitarist for the band and the founding member of CONTORTION. It has been a littered history, not without its successes and failures, but one of intrigue for those that follow what we do. Truth be told, I was the last person in the original line up to agree to start the band up again, back in 2013. Suffice to say, we have had several line-up changes, but I believe we have settled now upon a group of very dedicated and talented musicians that all have similar goals in mind for where this band is headed. 

During the wilder years of Contortion’s growth, we had the pleasure of releasing a short EP in 2013, “Live Grenade” and a full length album, “False Flag Paradigm,” (2015). We were honoured to be invited to perform at both Mayhem Fest and Knottfest in 2015, and were on the “upswing” but members began to leave shortly after. The writing was on the wall that Contortion would keep growing beyond what they’d imagined, and I believe it became too much for them to work with.
So, we floundered for a few years but have regained footing. This year we’ve been releasing “The Common Thread”, and touring extensively both for the build up to and post release. 

How did you come up with your band name?

Contortion is a reference to the music style: a twisted amalgamation of multiple Metal subgenres. It also references the meditative mindset of those who perform acts of contortion, suspension, yoga, and other body modifications in order to reach higher states of mind. 

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

We are based in Southern California, loosely around the LA region. We have a solid standing in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, and what’s known as the Inland Empire (East of LA). Metal is a thriving, if not somewhat subdivided, scene in California. Always has been, and I believe, always will be. 

What is your latest release?

We released “The Common Thread” earlier this year and are extremely proud of our work on it.
We were fortunate to have multiple friends, spanning the Metal scene and genre, to come in and perform their talents to our album. It added so much flavour and texture to the tracks. Members of Cattle Decapitation, Mower, Allegeaon, Death by Stereo, God Forbid, & Butcher Babies, to name a few, all added to the spectacular feel and sound of these songs. It took us a lot of time to write and record, but we feel it was worth all the time and effort. 

Who have been your greatest influences?

For me, and much of the band, it has varied over the years. I love artists that consistently push the boundaries of their art and sound. Ever evolving and ever changing. Those that are true to this form and have passion in their work never cease to amaze me! The Mars Volta, Faith No More, Gojira, Between the Buried and Me or Opeth, would be a few that come to mind. 

But one can never shy away from the classics and originals like Slayer, Megadeth, Rush.

What first got you into music?

Music got me into music. Lol. I have always wanted to be a musician. There is little else that interested me as a child. It is a passion that I think only artists really know or understand. 

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

Oh man… A number of people come to mind, and rest assured that you will see new collabs in future Contortion albums! Right now, as I consider it, Devon Townsend or Michael Akerfeldt would be A-listers. 

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

There are so many to choose from… Waken is up there… or Hell fest! The audience, of course. Though, there are a few based on location that come to mind. I am aware of how amazing some of these shows can be, like Obscene Extreme. 

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

Funny story… While touring Central America, I was given a bullet for a necklace. It’s a nice enough gift, and pretty Metal… but it got me in hot water while going through airport security. It was a rough round with them, but I still made the flight! 

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

It’s actually two: 

First, please share our music and info with friends! This is the only way we can grow! 

Second, think for yourselves and stop letting the media, your governments, and corporations do it for you! And fight back with your money, purchases, votes, and everything at your disposal.

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

Beethoven. I know it’s not a typical rockstar, but I would love to hear what a brilliant mind like his would construct with all the technology we have now! Whatever his choice in music style would be (probably Metal) I’m sure it would blow people’s minds! 

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

I love writing, recording, and performing! All the things that are baseline attributes to the art. I don’t enjoy all the new side things that are not really part of being a musician: Social media, creating content, advertising… all of the things that aren’t actually part of being a musician. 

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

The greed and corruption in the industry. Too many people with their hands out and trying to take money from artists when we have so little to give. It’s gross how we, being the actual commodity, are asked to pay for every nuanced thing… while everyone makes money off of the art other than the artists themselves. 

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

Damn… um…. “Rust in Peace” comes to mind. Probably the best Thrash Metal album of all time. But BTBAM: “Alaska”, Pink Floyd’s “Saucer Full of Secrets”, The Mars Volta: “De-loused in the Comatorium”, Alice in Chains: “Dirt”, are all hard contenders. 

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

I have lately been really into vinyl, personally. I need a new record player, but I have a pretty nice system in my home that I blare from time to time. There is a warmth to it that reminds me of my youth. The clarity of online music is nice and convenient… Yet, there is something about taking the record out, holding the case in your hands, viewing the art on the record, all of that, that my phone or computer can’t compete with. 

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

With Contortion specifically, it’s a divide… depending on the time and era, I would say Knottfest for the experience and fun that was had backstage. Sarajevo was an amazing gig on this recent tour! The crowd really felt what we were doing, and it was a packed house! Almost any time we perform in San Diego, at Brick by Brick, is a blast. It is something of a home base for us, and we have many friends and fans there.  

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

I did attend university to be a teacher… so, probably that. 

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

Living? Damn… Joe Rogan (been a fan since about 1996), Eric Weinstein (to pick his brain), Simon Posford (Shpongle member and musical genius – one of my all-time favourite artists),  Brian Cox (Physicist, whom I saw give a lecture a few years back), Adriana Lima (my favourite model).

What’s next for the band?

We have a break until next year… so rest and relaxation for a few. But we do have plans to return to Europe! We may also be adding S. America to our tour list and of course a US tour as well.  

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

IG: @Contorrtionofficial

Website: Contoritonofficial.com

FB: @Contortiontheband

Youtube: Contoritonmetal

 

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?

Ummm… I’m going to have to plead my ignorance on this subject. In the States we would probably call that a bun. 

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

Thank you as well!!! Just want to let everyone know to follow, subscribe, and keep watching! There are some great things in the works! 

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 both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.