
EMQ’s With Opus Arise
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Canadian Folk/ Prog ensemble, Opus Arise. Huge thanks to their Guitarist/ String player, Shawn, 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?
I’m Shawn, Guitarist / String Player and founding member of Opus Arise. It’s an ensemble with folks who have a love for Prog, Metal, Classical and Video Game music.
How did you come up with your band name?
Just finding two words that who be kinda of a cool balance between the Classical and Metal elements of the band.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
We are from Vancouver B.C! It has grown quite a bit over these last few years, especially with festivals such as Hyperspace Metal Festival, Modified Ghost, Armstrong Metalfest, etc.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
“The Network” releases December 2nd, finally!
Who have been your greatest influences?
From Prog like Dream Theater and Symphony X to Classical Composer such as Holst and Sibelius to Video Game Composers such as Nobuo Uematsu and Hitoshi Sakimoto.
What first got you into music?
“Machine Head” from Deep Purple and “Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Always down to work with composers who want to bring their works to life.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
ProgPower would be a rad time, I think attendees would be curious who the heck we are.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
We’ve had some folks under the influence of alcohol and drugs give us interesting feedback after sets.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Be yourself!
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Can’t answer that one, too many…
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Without a doubt the creative work into making music and seeing the results of it. The business / monetary side of things always brings it down, for me at least.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Less competition and more community.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Images and Words” by Dream Theater.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Downloads / Streams for the average listener, the former three for the collectors.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Playing Star Wars covers at a Canucks game to 18,000+ people back in 2019.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I was heavily into Martial Arts before focusing on music solely, I was also into drawing comic books when I was younger as well.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
My bandmates!
What’s next for the band?
We have our 2018 demo “Invisible Walls” fully re-recorded and should be out next spring. Our follow-up is nearly done being written and got plans for recordings of arrangements of pieces from Movies to Video Games.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
https://opusarise.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/opusarise
Instagram: www.instagram.com/opusarise
Twitter: www.twitter.com/OpusArise
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?
I should inquire that to Mr. Readman…
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for the interview, we hope everyone enjoys “The Network”!
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.