EMQ’s with ADRIAN BENEGAS
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Asuncion, Paraguay based Symphonic/Power Metal solo artist, and also member of Tragul, Adrian Benegas. Huge thanks to Adrian, 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?
Hello, this is Adrian Benegas, a songwriter, producer and keyboardist. I’ve started this solo project with the release of my debut solo album called “THE REVENANT” back in November 2019.
How did you come up with your band name?
Easy, 😉 My parents did it for me, haha.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
I’m from Paraguay, a small country in the heart of South America. Well, we’ve a nice “still growing” community of metal heads over here, there are a lot of bands producing music and trying to be heard.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Well, as I mentioned, I’ve released an album called “THE REVENANT” in November 2019. Lately, I’ve been releasing the 2 promotional singles taken from my new EP “DIAMONDS IN THE DARK” released on May 21st, 2021. The first one called ‘ORPHAN OF LIFE’ and the second, ‘POISONED LOVE’.
‘Poisoned Love’ feat. Herbie Langhans and Sascha Paeth (Animated Short)
‘Orphan Of Life’ feat. Herbie Langhans and Sascha Paeth (Lyric Video)
Who have been your greatest influences?
Tough one because I listen to all kind of music since I was young. But into metal, and during my adolescence I remember listening to a lot to bands like Stratovarius (with Timo Tolkki), Rhapsody (original line-up), Nightwish (with Tarja), Sonata Arctica (original line-up), Ozzy Osbourne, Dionysus, Crimson Glory, and many more. As a composer, I always admired the music of Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, Howard Shore, Enya, among others and my favourite composer and pianist of classical music is Frédéric Chopin from the Romantic period.
What first got you into music?
The need to express myself. As an escapist, I was and am always lost in my own mind and imagination so I needed/need to put all these crazy/dreamy stuff somewhere, hehe. So, that’s why I got into music.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?
I am used to working with the musicians I like. So, more than musicians, I think I dream to work in great studios with great producers. Maybe one of my life dreams is to record and produce an album in Abbey Road with a big orchestra playing my songs. Anyway, if you ask me for a “current” singer I would say Jake E, he is phenomenal.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Maybe Wacken because in my opinion, it is the greatest metal festival out there. Anyway, someday I’d love to produce my own festival 😉.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Well, not weirdest but the most I liked was a beautiful abstract hand-made painting that is hung in my living room. Love abstract art!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
More than a message, I’d say THANK YOU.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Hmmm…Tough one again haha, maybe Freddie Mercury.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
The part that I most enjoy of being a musician is that the so called “work” is total fun, I mean, my “work” consists of expressing myself and helps me to manage stress or anxiety, etc. So, I think it’s the best work I could have. And the part that I don’t like too much is the social media madness, I mean, everything that is part of being a musician but has nothing to do with “music” itself, hehe.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I don’t know, I mean, it is what it is. I try to understand and manage it as much as I can. Music industry has a good and bad side, same as all things in life so I’m fine with it.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Just one?? Haha, very difficult! I mean, it’s kinda impossible. Sorry! 😊
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
I grew up listening to vinyls (when I was a kid), then I moved to cassettes and finally CD’s. Nowadays, I’m most into streaming services so If I get nostalgic, I would choose cassettes but at the end, life goes on and we have to adapt ourselves to the new generation’s formats.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
The next one 😉
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Maybe a writer, painter, movie maker or something where I can express ideas and tell stories.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Well, my closest friends.
What’s next for the band?
Promoting my new 5 track EP, released on May 21st, called “DIAMONDS IN THE DARK”, that I had the pleasure to produce in collaboration with Herbie Langhans (Firewind, Avantasia) and German producer Sascha Paeth during the pandemic lockdown in 2020.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
You can visit my website: www.adrianbenegas.com, where you will find not only my solo project but also, my parallel symphonic metal project TRAGUL.
Also, my Instagram: www.instagram.com/adrianbenegasmusic and Facebook, www.facebook.com/adrianbenegasmusic
Find my videos on Youtube: www.youtube.com/adrianbenegasofficial and finally, listen to all music on Spotify and all streaming platforms.
Listen to the EP Here
www.sym.ffm.to/yvrx2q1
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Biscuit? haha
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?Thanks for having me! It was a pleasure to answer to all the questions! Rock On and stay heavy
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