EMQ’s with STORM THE EMPIRE
EMQ’s with STORM THE EMPIRE
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Kelowna, BC, Canada based Melodic Metalcore band, Storm The Empire. Huge thanks to all of them 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?
We are Storm the Empire from Kelowna, BC, Canada. We play a unique form of Metalcore mixed with many influences. The band has been officially together for just over a year and we managed to work our way to being signed with Artillery Music Group out of Florida.
How did you come up with your band name?
It started off as just something that we called ourselves not really thinking too much of it, but the longer we’ve been a band the more the concept of Unity worldwide becomes our main vision. Storm the Empire is a name we’ve grown into like a big pair of shoes, It’s become our Identity.
Where are you from and what is the Metal & Rock scene like there?
We’re from the sunny ass Okanagan in the South Central part of BC, Canada. Our music scene has given birth to bands like Spiritbox, Stutterfly, The Wild, Yukon Blonde, Living Machines and so much more. Our scene in BC is incredibly tight, but lacks the support from venues for our genres.
What is your latest release?
Our single ‘Leap Of Faith” dropped on May 14th on all major platforms. This song has a bit of everything in it so people will love it. Punk rock baselines, wailing guitars, throbbing double kick, and the perfect blend of clean and dirty vocals.
‘Leap Of Faith’ (Official Video)
Who have been your greatest influences?
Norm: Lamb of God
Dale: Dorje
Robb: While She Sleeps
Jake: Black Sabbath
Andy: Mars Volta
What first got you into music?
Norm: My next door neighbour ran a summer rock school. Asked if I wanted to join, and I looked up to my brother and father. Who were both musicians. I decided I would be a musician as well and the rest is history.
Dale: I started playing guitar when I was 11; Unfortunately, 4 weeks after my first lesson, I had a life altering accident that left my arm severed in two. Guitar then became not so much a hobby, but became my Physiotherapy to rebuild the severed nerves in my left arm. 14 years later, here I am, awaiting the borders to open, so I can return to Canada.
Robb: My whole life has been based around music. My mother sang in Blues bands and I would go to her jams. I started playing guitar seriously at 11. By 12 I was performing at open mics. 20 years later, I’m fronting (in my eyes) the greatest band on the planet, I wouldn’t trade these guys for anything. Except for Dale.
Andy: I just don’t know how to answer that question. I didn’t just decide one day that I wanted to play drums. I just always knew I did. An involuntary need in my DNA, like air or water.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?
While She Sleeps
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Glastonbury, Bloodstock or Download 100% . Those line-ups are too die for.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Norm: A guy asked if I wanted a BJ after a show…it was the most uncomfortable 10 seconds of my life…
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Just to love one another for who they are, not what you want them to be. Be respectful to everyone and try to give back to your community as much as you can, lord knows we need all the help we can get in this world.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Dimebag Darrel hands down.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Being on stage, the feeling you get when all five of the members close eyes and just sync up telepathically, is mind-blowing. No one other than musicians will understand this concept, that is the most beautiful part of being in a band; That almost Euphoric connection you get, and that energy wears off on the crowd.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
The fact that no one appeals to the younger crowd. Everyone is to focus on booking bars and or getting on festivals, and overlook the youth and what power they hold. They youth are the future of our world, our music and the ones who we need to spread our message to. To sum it up, BRING BACK ALL AGES EVENTS!
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Slipknot’s Self-Titled album.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Live performance. Anyone nowadays can record and make it sound good but not everyone can perform and sound good. (Great Answer – Rick)
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
We had the privilege of opening up for the legendary Bison BC in January of 2020, before the world ended.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Norm: Yuck. A sheet metal worker.
Dale: An Engineer or work with troubled youths.
Robb: I quite literally don’t even know. This has been my whole life, it’s all I’ve ever known.
Jake: I would probably be involved in the performing arts somehow. Before I came to Kelowna to study Audio Engineering, I considered going to school to be a backstage hand/tech for theatre performances.
Andy: If not a musician I’d be a recording engineer…wait a sec…
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Norm: Randy Blythe
Dale: Jim Root
Robb: The worm from The Labyrinth, he seems super polite.
Jake: Dracula and/or Darth Vader
Andy: Will Ferrell
What’s next for the band?
The sky’s the limit. We want to get Dale back to Canada and start touring and finish off our first official full length album.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
www.stormtheempire.com/
www.facebook.com/StormTheEmpire
www.instagram.com/stormtheempire
www.open.spotify.com/artist/7lHJgfF2M6fh0LxXNPfaOm
www.youtube.com/channel/UCklmIM3bnmPaHoi1t7v70FQ
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Jaffa Cakes! Problem solved.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
We want to throw a huge thank you to Artillery Music Group, San PR, Heavy Metal – A way of life Facebook group, Our fans and family. Thank you to everyone who’s supported us this far; This is just the beginning so hold on to your seats… the storm is coming.
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 said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
