EMQ’s With Sifting
EMQ’s With Sifting
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQS interview, this time with Venezuelan/American Progressive Metal band, Sifting. Huge thanks to 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?
WINSTON: Winston Jarquin – Bass & Growls. The band originated in Venezuela. Eduardo essentially came with most original members to the US in hopes of reaching a wider audience and eventually one thing led to another with our current lineup. We share similar ambitions, goals and aspirations and love the same things about music and Metal as well.
We are all inspired by the very fact that music connects us all and we have a platform to spread cool tunes while hopefully making a good impact in the world.
How did you come up with your band name?
EDUARDO (VOCALIST & GUITARIST): The truth is we just spent a whole afternoon looking for cool words in an English dictionary, and we thought “Sifting” was a cool word with a cool meaning. However, I don’t believe in coincidences, because this name represents exactly how this band operates: sifting through our favorite genres of music, which are VERY diverse between each member, and creating a unique sound. So 20 years ago, I’m sure I was connected to the purpose of this band already.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
Edu: I am originally from Caracas, Venezuela but now I live in LAS VEGAS, NV. Back in Venezuela the Metal scene is very active, but due to the terrible things my country is going through economically, socially and politically, people can’t really support bands how they would like.
What is your latest release?
Edu: We just released “Silent Acquiescence”, an original piece full of intricate rhythms, harmony and structure. It’s a song we started writing during the pandemic and due to line-up changes and personal difficulties we ended up finishing this year. However, we’re extremely stoked that this song carries all the energy, frustration, happiness and power we accumulated throughout these years, making it really special for us. We also released “Nemesis”, an Arch Enemy cover, our first one ever. We feel extremely happy with how it turned out.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Edu: I’d say Metallica, Rata Blanca (Argentina), Dream Theater, Megadeth, Marty Friedman, Kitaro, Green Day, Angra (Brazil), Luis Miguel and Elton John.
What first got you into music?
Edu: Honestly, my mother made me go to piano lessons since I was 6 or 9… or 69… hehe. But it wasn’t until I turned 16 that I grabbed a guitar and really fell in love with the instrument. I guess watching Metallica’s “Turn The Page” video on MTV back in 2000 really made a change in me and I just wanted to play really loud music.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Joey (DRUMS): I’d love to collaborate with Animals as Leaders and make the most insane prog songs.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Joey: Download Festival in the UK. Growing up I would just see the flyers online and lose my shit every time because there’s always so many good bands all stacked together. Playing it would be cool but headlining it is the ultimate goal.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Joey: A fan made all of us shirts with little cartoons of us on our last tour. It isn’t weird at all but the fact that she took the time to do that was really surprising and awesome.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
“Fate lies on our will to change right now. Begging for someone to save you all? Well no one will be saving you, no one. Gotta think for yourself, find your own way. Nothing will survive while we doss.”
– Silent Acquiescence
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Stevie Ray Vaughan.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Joey: What I enjoy the most about being a musician is inspiring people, the feeling of joy when someone listens to your songs and compliments you on it like “holy shit that was dope!” Or after playing a show the feeling of having people look up to you and want to talk to you is always a humbling experience. What I hate about being a musician is that we usually don’t get paid shit. Having to go through so many companies and platforms to go digital or physical just to make cents in the end is a tiring battle.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Edu: I think that would be the “visibility” and transparency. I think people, mostly new artists, deserve to know the music industry usually works based on how much money you invest; how good your contacts are; and lastly: talent, not the other way around. How much new artists have to invest on youtube, facebook, IG, etc, to actually get real exposure and become sustainable, how much music industry executives make compared to artists. For example Spotify, Youtube, big labels, production companies, etc. A huge issue here is that the majority of new artists out there get extremely frustrated because they think they are not “good enough” comparing themselves to other new artists that do get “Youtube famous” or something. When in reality the vast majority of these famous youtubers have the means, either money or good contacts, to get wherever they want to go. And I’M NOT SAYING THAT’S BAD OR WRONG, it’s just a fact, they can actually get exposure while others can’t, and those who can’t just think they’re not talented enough and quit. The band is actually working on a documentary right now, and this is one of the points we’ll be touching. Transparency and visibility would change not only the music industry, but the world. When you play a game knowing all the rules, because they’re plainly visible and not mysteriously hidden, everything starts becoming fair.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Green Day – “Nimrod”.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Edu: Vinyl!
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Edu: I’d say when we opened for Tarja in Quito, Ecuador. That was a great show and memory.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Edu: Probably a Cinematographer, which I am right now.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Marty Friedman, John Petrucci, James Hetfield, Billie Joe Armstrong and Walter Giardino.
What’s next for the band?
Mo La Mastro (Guitarist): We’re planning on releasing an album later this year! We’re really looking forward to sharing new music with you guys, and hitting the road to tour/play shows again soon after! Personally, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we get to play a show with the Aristocrats! It’s always been a dream/goal of mine.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
NEW VIDEO: https://youtu.be/bsKVv7oK4tA
STREAM OR DOWNLOAD: https://ffm.to/sftsil
NEMESIS: https://ffm.to/sftnem
Our website – SiftingMusic.com
Instagram – www.instagram.com/siftingmusic
Facebook – facebook.com/siftingmusic
Twitter – twitter.com/siftingmusic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6KBCQUMH5o8l76WxJOkzew?si=o9uifEONSEOY1n88AJnUuQ
Apple Music https://apple.co/2G7zmkE
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?
Edu: No idea! A Muffin???
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Mo: Well after the previous questions I’m sure our fans know that new music is upcoming this year. Just know that we are all working very hard, and seriously pushing ourselves musically to surpass our limits and properly capture the essence of that! Aside from the new music and the documentary there will be other announcements along the way so stay tuned, and as always thank you so much for your support! We love you!
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.