EMQ’s With Into the Unknown
EMQ’s With Into the Unknown
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with UK Symphonic Rock band, Into The Unknown. Huge thanks to their Bassist and Producer, Rupert, 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 names Rupert, I’m the bass player (and producer) with Into the Unknown. The band was originally formed around 2016 by myself, Guitarist Ryan and our former singer Lucie. We released two full albums as a three piece, as well as a covers album, but then decided that we wanted to expand the lineup to play live, and unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control (Brexit and Covid lock downs), Lucie had to return to her native Czech Republic so we also needed a new singer! We recruited James (guitar), Paul(keys), Richard (drums) and Natalie (vocals) and started working on new material. We released another covers album last month, and are currently working on our new full album.
How did you come up with your band name?
There was never actually an intention to form a band, we had just started writing and recording some songs, before we realised that we had quite a few songs, and other people also liked them. The name Into the Unknown came about because of that … we weren’t planning things and we didn’t know where we were going to go with things, thus we were venturing into the unknown.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
Luckily we are based in the UK, so we do get to experience a lot of Rock and Metal. For example, last week I was fortunate enough to see Within Temptation at Wembley, and tomorrow I get to see Delain.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
We have just released our covers album follow up, called “The Other side of the Wall, Part 2”
Who have been your greatest influences?
Numerous! My big influences when it comes to Into the Unknown are bands such as Nightwish and Within Temptation, but also a lot of the 80s rock bands. Ryan is influenced by bands such as ACDC and Guns N Roses, James is on the heavier end such as Lordi and Gwar, but both Lucie and Natalie are more influenced by pop acts such as Adele, Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga. It does lead to a fairly unique writing collaboration!
What first got you into music?
Actually I was late getting into music, my family wasn’t musical at all. I think I can safely say that one of my neighbours, Ian Mosley from Marillion, was the most influential person in getting me interested in music.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I would love to work with Nightwish, but maybe collaborating with Marillion would be good!
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Personally, I love Sweden Rock Festival. I was lucky enough to go to the festival for a few years when it was basically starting up, working with other bands, so it holds a special place in my heart. Playing there would be awesome.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
so far, nothing weird!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thank you so much for liking what we do!
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Jan Keuhnemund, an amazing person, and a close friend of mine.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I love recording, that’s why I now have a studio and work as a producer as well. I’m currently working a lot in Dolby Atmos, and although it’s new (and therefore sometimes frustrating), it’s very fulfilling to create immersive music mixes.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
The streaming setups by certain companies who are not actually interested in music, just making money (but trying to position themselves as the ‘saviours of the music industry’ whilst actually being the villains.) I think that it’s very wrong that they can get away with not paying new and up and coming artists, and then when they do pay royalties, it’s a pittance.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Imaginearium” by Nightwish
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Actually, I’ll be controversial, and I think CD. I still use CDs a lot, it’s a consistent quality format that can be moved between players (car, home etc). Downloads are generally MP3 which are lower quality audio, and vinyl isn’t particularly user friendly.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
We did an acoustic gig (as our first gig) in front of 2000 people, so that must stand out as the best I think.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Well, I used to work in the Record Industry, running labels, and I’m also a producer/engineer, so I guess that answers that!
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
five? That would imply that I am sociable …. :p
What’s next for the band?
The new album … we are probably 75-80% there with it, so that will hopefully be out sometime in 2025, and we are actually very excited about it.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClXxDhKyf4YPRqR6hHZIFqw
Instagram: @Into_the_unknown_band
Video link for the new single https://youtu.be/aUe1E18bEH0
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?
It’s a roll, obviously, especially if it’s crusty! A bap is a soft roll, muffins and tea cakes aren’t strictly bread! A bun is a cake, and a cob is a loaf of bread!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thanks for speaking to me, watch out for us on the road sometime next year!
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