EMQs with Zeistencroix
EMQs with Zeistencroix
Hi Everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with USA Post-Industrial Noir Rock band, Zeistencroix. Huge thanks to their vocalist/ guitarist, Orlando, and Drummer, Santi, 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?
Orlando “OD” Draven: My name is OD. I’m the lead singer and guitar player. Everything started around 2014 with our first single, “Stranger.” The band was created in LA after a difficult time in my life, and we’ve been doing this project ever since.
Santi Rivillas: I’m Santi, and I play drums in Zeistencroix. We’ve always wanted to build something that’s heavier than just the riffs. Every song is about creating an atmosphere where groove, melody and emotion all work together.
How did you come up with your band name?
OD: I wanted a name that belonged only to the band — something that could identify us. I’ve always hated long or convoluted names that sound like a phrase, so I gathered elements from three different languages and formed them into one word.
Santi: We wanted something that sounded unique and left room for interpretation. Once people hear it, they usually don’t forget it.
What country / region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
OD: Right now I’m in LA, and the music scene is strange — it always has been. You have all the big names either starting or finishing their tours here.
Santi: We’re based between LA, California and Miami, Florida. They’re not always the first places people think of when they think metal, but there are dedicated scenes and a lot of talented musicians pushing each other.
What is your latest release?
OD: We’ve just released our latest album, “Psychotronic”, and we’re also preparing to shoot a video for our single ‘Deceiving.‘
Santi: “Psychotronic” keeps exploring the ideas that have always inspired us — identity, control and finding your own voice in a noisy world.
Who have been your greatest influences?
OD: A lot of different bands and artists: Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Marilyn Manson, Rammstein, The Prodigy, David Bowie, HIM, Placebo, The Cure, PIG, Garbage, Deftones and many more.
Santi: As a drummer, Tomas Haake, Danny Carey, Mario Duplantier, Tim Alexander, Matt Cameron, Dave Grohl and Abe Cunningham have had a huge impact on me. As a band, we also draw a lot from Nine Inch Nails, Gojira, Deftones and Tool.
What first got you into music?
OD: My mother. She taught me how to play when I was six years old.
Santi: The drums. There’s something about rhythm that’s universal. Before I understood music, I understood the feeling of a beat.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?
OD: I’d love to collaborate with Shirley Manson, Marilyn Manson and Trent Reznor. There are a lot of people I’d love to sing with.
Santi: Trent Reznor. I think his approach to sound would fit our world really well.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
OD: Rock am Ring. So many legendary performances from bands I love have happened there.
Santi: Hellfest. The diversity of the line-up and the energy of the crowd are incredible.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
OD: Panties from a fan.
Santi: Someone gave me a pair of drumsticks with “Break in case of emergency” engraved on them. I still have them.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
OD: Thank you for putting up with us.
Santi: Thank you for believing in what we do. Every stream, every show and every conversation helps us keep building this.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
OD: David Bowie.
Santi: Chris Cornell.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
OD: I really enjoy playing live and writing. I hate the industry and the business side of it.
Santi: I love the connection you can build with people without saying a word. I don’t love loading gear at 2 a.m., but I guess that’s part of the job.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
OD: The greed and the lack of integrity. The people working in the industry are fans too, and they should be thinking about the fans more often.
Santi: I’d make it easier for independent bands to be discovered without having to chase trends or algorithms.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums.
OD: Violator by Depeche Mode.
Santi: Lateralus by Tool.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?
OD: I loved CDs. There was a kind of mysticism around buying a new album, opening it up and exploring everything that came with it.
Santi: Vinyl at home. Streaming on the road.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
OD: A show in Riga, Latvia, at a place called The Cave.
Santi: Honestly, it’s usually the next one. Every show teaches you something.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
OD: I’d create a start-up company.
Santi: Probably working somewhere that still lets me build things with my hands, or behind another drum kit teaching the next generation.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
OD: If they were living: Marilyn Manson, Till Lindemann, Ville Valo, Dave Gahan and Iggy Pop. If we’re including people who are no longer with us: David Bowie, Lou Reed, Mick Rock, Ozzy Osbourne and Lemmy Kilmister.
Santi: Danny Carey, Trent Reznor, Mario Duplantier, Christopher Nolan and Anthony Bourdain.
What’s next for the band?
OD: I want to tour, but I also have three more albums already written and waiting to be recorded. Depending on schedules, time and money, we’ll do one or the other — hopefully both.
Santi: More music, more shows and pushing ourselves creatively. We never want to get comfortable.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
OD: Zeistencroix can be found across the main social and streaming platforms.
Santi: You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music, as well as at www.zeistencroix.com.
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?
OD: I’m not sure, but I’d go with a cob.
Santi: Whatever gets me fed before soundcheck.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
OD: Thank you for having us, and keep the music alive.
Santi: Thanks for supporting independent heavy music. Hopefully we’ll see you somewhere on the road soon.
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