EMQ’s with THE BLOOD REPUBLIC
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with London, England based Grunge/Psychedelic Metal band, The Blood Republic. Huge thanks to multi-instrumentalist, Zak Muller, 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?
My name is Zak Muller, I am primarily a guitarist and singer, but I am also a multi-instrumentalist.
I started The Blood Republic in 2018 as a solo project, but with a band name, as I liked the vibe of the name. I released an album called ‘Into The Earth’ in 2019 and then after that I moved to New York and released a few stand-alone singles as my sound was slowly developing. I was in New York until the pandemic hit. That’s when I came back to the UK and started work on my upcoming album “Archonic”. ‘Unbound’ is the first single from the album!
How did you come up with your band name?
I had been trying to come up with a band name for this project for months. Every day I had been racking my brains, writing down literally hundreds of different ideas. The Blood Republic just came to me though. One morning it was just in my head when I woke up. It was really cool. I had that feeling when you’re like, yes, that’s the name! It was cool, but it also represented what I wanted to be doing musically and visually with the project!
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
I’m basically from London and the scene here is pretty great for Metal/Rock. The UK in general even has quite a few Metal/Rock bands in the charts at the moment.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
My latest release is a single called ‘Unbound’ which is the first song from my new album “Archonic” which is coming out this year. I’m releasing one song per month. Almost like an episode from a series.
‘Unbound’ (Official Video)
Who have been your greatest influences?
I take influences from many places. As a songwriter I’m inspired by artists like Nine Inch Nails, Alter Bridge and Chris Cornell. I love anything that is interesting and thought provoking but also melodic and catchy.
What first got you into music?
I first got into music as a drummer when I was very young. I loved rock music from a young age also, I didn’t know much about it. I just know how it made me feel when it came on the radio. It just made me feel cool! Haha
Then when I was about 11 years old, I started playing guitar and was immediately drawn to song writing. My dad bought me a small USB audio interface so I could record songs into the computer and that is pretty much where everything started for me. I get a lot of praise for my guitar abilities, but I have always identified myself more as a songwriter. That’s where my passion is.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?
I would love to collaborate with Trent Reznor.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I have played some incredible festivals over my career so far. All with my previous band ‘Wild Lies’. So, if I was to play any of those festivals again. It would be Download Festival. I have played there 3 times and it’s going to be a dream come true to play there for a 4th time.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I couldn’t say that any gift I have received has been weird as it’s always so humbling to be given something from a fan. However, I was given a bracelet from a fan that told me it was the bracelet he was wearing when his daughter was born. It wasn’t weird though. I thought it was kind of beautiful!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thank you so much for supporting my journey and feeding my passion to create music for people to enjoy.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Chris Cornell ☹
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I love always having a mission. Like, there is never a moment where you have to feel bored because there is always something to do. Whether it’s writing a new song, tweaking a mix, making a music video, doing some social media marketing, making a t-shirt design. Being a musician nowadays is so exhilarating and it really develops you as a creative and an artist.
I suppose the thing that can be hard about being a musician is being honest with yourself when you are writing lyrics. Sometimes you can uncover feelings that you didn’t know were even there and suddenly they are staring you right in the eye.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
To be honest, I know it seems like most musicians hate the music industry today, but I’m honestly so grateful for it. The way the industry is today means that the band in their garage has just as much chance as the big players. Labels used to be the gate keepers of success and that’s just not so much the case now.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
The self-titled Audioslave album is a work of pure genius!
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
I grew up in the era of CD’s and I still love them. I loved the booklets, it’s a whole experience.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
I’m not sure I can pin point one gig but the festival tour I did opening for Iron Maiden was pretty insane.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I would probably be an actor. I’m still interested in doing that as well as being a musician though.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Slash, Steven Tyler, Joe Rogan, Bill Burr and Lady Gaga!
What’s next for the band?
Releasing the new album and getting back on stage!
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
www.thebloodrepublic.com/
www.facebook.com/thebloodrepublic
www.instagram.com/thebloodrepublic/
www.open.spotify.com/artist/2CeLNpnZMuiGKpVPX34BzH
www.youtube.com/channel/UCFnQnL9yWzgG6GKGOoVRcVA
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
A cake!! I don’t like them that much though! Haha.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for the interview! To anyone reading, go check out the new single on Spotify! A new music video is now also available on YouTube!
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