A Dirty Dozen with ETERNAL FREQUENCY – August 2020

According to a recent press release: “Harrisburg, PA based Heavy Rock band ETERNAL FREQUENCY has released the official music video for their new single, “Parasite.” Directed by Eric DiCarlo, the single was produced by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland of Atrium Audio. Eternal Frequency is a young, up and coming band hailing from Harrisburg Pennsylvania who use anthemic rock and roll as their muse to formulate a fresh, modern, hard rock sound of their own. In just under 2 years of being a band they have managed to release several singles including “Down”, “Fire”, “Feel This Way”, “Temptations” and their very popular Pink cover of “Sober” to the masses and have been reaping nothing but positive energy from those that hear them. They have accrued a very strong following in the Pennsylvania area and plan on covering as much ground on this planet as they can.” We get the band to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Justin: I’m gonna leave this one to Emelle.

Emelle: This song was written from such a personal standpoint on my end lyrically and melodically. It’s as honest as it gets haha. If you know me and what drama and b.s. I’ve been through in the past couple of years you’ll know exactly who and what this song is about. I don’t sugar coat anything. I’m sure the diehard supporters who have always had my back since day one can sympathize with my message.

Dane: “Parasite” is something I’m truly proud of. This is the first song that both Tyler and I are featured on for Eternal Frequency so this is like our debut track with the band. It was the first time I got to meet Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland and got to sit down with them to record a track. There are some hidden nuggets and that’s mainly in the lyrics, and I’m pretty sure Emelle can tell you all about those. “Parasite” is also the first time I was back in a studio for about 4 and a half years and it was so worth the wait!

Tyler: “Parasite” is the first song that Eternal has done that had some input from Dane and I, since we are the newer members in the band. I think it all around encompasses a different side of the band. The lyrics and vocals are grittier, there are some heavier elements layered under everything, and shows a different direction that all the members can envision. I don’t believe we really throw a lot of hidden things within our material. We do tend to have some quick notes, or what I call little “candies,” in songs that it takes a few listens to catch.

AJ: I believe that a fan or listener might not understand how we allow the “parasites” into our life. We have to rise up and recognize the warning signs to push them out.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

Emelle: I grew up doing musical theatre and singing solo in local talent shows since I was 5 years old. I’m no stranger to the stage. I feel so fortunate that my parents saw so much potential in me at such a young age that they spent their hard earned money to put me in acting classes, master classes, vocal lessons, dance classes, everything that you could imagine haha. I am forever grateful for that. I’ve always been inspired by watching the great Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury. I’ve seen every concert video out there of those two. I would study them for HOURS. They truly helped me hone in my craft and make me realize that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. To control a crowd like that… to bring that unity… it’s absolutely incredible to me. I want to be able to do that. I plan on it.

Justin: What made me want to play guitar was a CD-ROM that came with my computer called Encarta 95 (yeah I know. Old).  It was an encyclopedia and I just came across a random search of different guitars and with these different guitars came little 15 second sound samples.  The sounds were literally just random people noodling on a guitar, but when I heard the sound sample of a Gibson Les Paul, I just thought it was so cool that a piece of wood could produce a sound like that.   Now what made me want to actually do this as a career was the first time I saw Queen perform live on TV (It was a rerun. I’m not that old).   I had never seen anything like that and I would just dream of playing guitar by Freddie’s side and looking out into that crowd.  That was when I realized THAT is what I want.

Dane: What got me into music had to be drums (obviously haha.) I can remember being a young kid just listening to music with my dad and hearing the drums and trying to play along with whatever I had. Whether it would be my stuffed Batman, or the coffee table, I was always trying to find and hone my rhythm haha.

Tyler: I went to my first concert when I was 13, and haven’t looked back. The feeling of being at such an event and seeing/listening to bands you adore is second to none. Being able to forget about your hardships and frustrations for a few hours is a relaxing feeling. That’s what really got me into wanting to be a performer. If watching live shows were cathartic for me, I have always hoped to do the same for someone else.

AJ: What got me into music was Guns N’ Roses. The first song I can remember hearing was “Paradise City.” I realized that I wanted to be a musician when I was fourteen years old and played to a small crowd. The joy that I saw in everyone having a good time and rocking out gave me a feeling that I never felt before. This feeling is something I get to relive every time I go on stage.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Emelle: Michael Jackson’s Thriller and Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours completely encapsulate every fiber of my being. I’m definitely a proud old soul.

Justin: Well as far as live show goes it was definitely Queen-Live At Wembley.  My mom was that cool mom who listened to Rush, Led Zeppelin, and Ozzy, so she definitely swayed me that direction at a very early age.

Dane: The moment I realized I wanted to play music was the first time I ever saw Slipknot’s live DVD of the when they played the O2 arena in The UK. The raw energy, passion, and madness that was their live show made me instantly fall in love not only as a listener, but a want to be musician. I remember watching that and thinking “THAT, is what I need to do.”

Tyler: Alice in Chains’ album Dirt was the soundtrack to my teenage years, and I think that really shaped me into who I wanted to be musically and how I wanted to sound. I still play a lot of songs off that album whenever I practice/warm up.

AJ: “Paradise City” was probably the song that guided my musical taste. It was heavy and gritty. Every aspect of that song was just mesmerizing to me.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Emelle: Freddie Mercury (Queen), Michael Jackson, Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac), Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), and Paul McCartney (The Beatles and Wings).

Justin: Sevendust, Dream Theater, Killswitch Engage (I squeal a lot), Protest the Hero, and Zakk Wylde.

Dane: This question is a really big thing for me. My main musical influence was always my father. My music taste, my drive and passion do play music, my teacher, everything was all because of him. He’s the main reason I am where I am today and I wish that he could still be here to see this.

Tyler: My bass/band Heroes in no particular order are Mike Starr/Mike Inez (Alice in Chains), Steve Harris (Iron Maiden), Rachel Bolan (Skid Row), Pat Seal (Flyleaf), and Johnny Christ (Avenged Sevenfold).

AJ: My five musical influences are The Beatles, Slash, Angus Young, Eddie Van Halen and Green Day. I had to add Green Day because I started learning guitar through learning Green Day songs.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Emelle: Lzzy Hale would be a dream come true to duet with. She is Queen B and I truly believe that our powerhouse voices would mesh well together and we could make something epic!

Justin: I feel like I could write some tasty, dissonant stuff with Synester Gates.

Dane: Oohh that’s a good question. I honestly would love to collaborate with Corey Taylor because not only is Slipknot my favorite band, but I feel that Corey and Emelle could kill it on a track! Either him or Amy from Evanescence, that would be sick!

Tyler: Perhaps a little out of left field, but I’d love to collab with Eric Bass (Shinedown). He is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and has a lot of knowledge when it comes to constructing a song.

AJ: I probably wouldn’t be able to keep up, but Jason Richardson. His solo album blew me away.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Justin: I honestly just like going with modern, female fronted, hard rock with some metal elements. The one comparison that doesn’t make me cringe, but I just don’t see it is Evanescence. They are a great band, but musically and vocally I don’t think we sound anything like them.

Emelle: I would absolutely agree with Justin on this one with everything. Definitely a modern, raw and real female fronted hard rock band. We have the grit and balls but we also have a soft side. We are a band of many colors and sounds. I don’t agree with the Evanescence comparison. As much as I like them, I don’t see it at all haha. I think we have our own original bad ass side to us. You be the judge.

Dane: I’d describe us as a hard hitting Rock band from PA that can make you thrash, and maybe even bring a tear to your eye. We can be in your face one moment, and make you feel like you’re sitting at a theater watching an orchestra the next. Whatever you want, we can deliver.

Tyler: Personally, I just like to consider us rock/hard rock. I try not to get too caught up in comparisons, because I want to hear what an individual thinks of when they hear the music. I like hearing their personal opinion and why our music makes them think of a certain artist. So, with that, I don’t believe I have cringed at a comparison since it all comes down to personal interpretation.

AJ: I would say that our music is a combination of Halestorm and New Years Day.

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Emelle: Getting to find escapism in music. Pure and simple as that. Finding peace in writing your own music but also providing peace for the listener. Something that they can relate to, something that will help them get through those tough times. That’s what music means to me. I feel like the richest person alive because I get to do what I love with my best friends and also help the dreamers dream and inspire the voiceless to have a voice.

Justin: The best thing about being a musician is you always have sanctuary from every day life.   You can get lost in music and writing and completely block out all of the negativity, poison, and toxicity that society consistently produces.

Dane: The absolute best thing about being a musician is getting up on that stage, giving it your all, and having the time of your life while doing so. That pure adrenaline rush and feeling you get is only something I could compare to riding that scary roller coaster at your favorite amusement park for the first time. You don’t want to because you’re so nervous, but once you do, you’re hooked. That will be the only ride you’ll ever want to be on.

Tyler: Getting to play/meet people has got to be the best, hands down. Nothing compares to the feeling of playing a live show and the energy it brings. I’ve always sort of been a people person. I enjoy the chance to talk to people about whatever they want, even if it isn’t related to music or the band.

AJ: The best thing about being a musician is getting to write music with your closest friends and watch the joy that it brings to people. One of my favorite things to see is people singing our lyrics and smiling while we are performing.

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Justin: Emelle is most definitely the entertainer onstage and offstage.   She is an incredible cook, so we like to take advantage of her culinary skills as much as possible.  AJ is definitely the first to crack the beer open.  He is a man who loves his IPA’s (that butthole made me chug a hot dog flavored IPA for my birthday).   Lastly I think Emelle is probably the one who would pick up the guitar and start a sing along (Yes. She plays guitar as well).

Dane: Emelle usually gets the food and the drinks, and me and the guys all be idiots in the process hahaha. Love you guys <3

Tyler: At the moment, it’s normally Emelle and Justin who have some sort of food prepared. But we will sometimes bring whatever we want to share, as we enjoy the hanging/bonding time. Normally we all play random songs through out the down time with each other. But I’d say AJ or Justin would be the first to reach for a guitar.

AJ: Oh this is easy. Emelle and Justin. Emelle is like the band mom. She is always ready with food and drinks when we get together for meetings and writing. Justin is always there with a guitar in his hands before we get there!

Emelle: Yeah, I like to cook and my band mates hate me for it because I make everybody fat haha! First to break out a guitar is 100% Justin! It’s basically just an extension of himself.

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

Emelle: I have 3 all really cool scenarios that I will never forget haha. One time I was front row for Avenged Sevenfold right in front of Synyster Gates and he got in my face to flip me off during “A Little Piece of Heaven.” Another time I was seeing Paul McCartney in Hershey, PA and right after the show ended as I was walking back from the bathroom I bumped into Mike Portnoy. That was SURREAL! And lastly I was super star struck when I saw Queen and Adam Lambert front row in Philly and Brian May was 10 feet away from me playing his iconic solo from Bohemian Rhapsody. I cried haha.

Justin: It was at the Carnival of Madness tour and I was walking around backstage and Clint Lowery from Sevendust walked by me and I nearly shit myself.

Dane: The last time I was star struck was August 24th 2019. It was the first time I got to see my favorite band of all time (SLIPKNOT) live and oh my god. It was just like that DVD I watched growing up and I was losing my mind. I was literally standing about 4 rows back from the front on the floor level with one of my best friends, looking up at the band and just thinking to myself “I can’t believe that they are in front of me right now. I never thought this would happen.”

Tyler: The last time I was so star struck that I was at a loss for words was when I met Emma from Sick Puppies. I believe it was my second time seeing them, and I didn’t expect to get the chance to actually talk to them. She seems so sweet and shy, and I could only muster one question before I walked away. I probably made it awkward, but I absolutely went stupid at that moment.

AJ: Last time I was star struck was probably when I saw Guns N’ Roses on the first leg of the “Not In This Life Time” tour. That was an incredible experience that I will never forget.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Emelle: If I weren’t a musician I think I would be doing something in the History field, either teaching it or working at one of my favorite museums. Civil War and World War II history have always been favorite subjects of mine and I know a lot of info on both. If not that then probably painting and drawing.

Justin: I love doing photography and videography on the side, so I would definitely put more eggs into that basket.

Dane: I was always thinking I’d like to be an IT Tech or a mechanic. I really like technology and I like cars but don’t really know much about them. Monster Garage is why I wanted to be a mechanic hahahaha. That show rocked!

Tyler: Being a teacher would probably be the dream job. History and math have always been two of my favorite subjects, and I have always enjoyed helping people learn and grow. I’ve always wanted to make an impact in one way or another.

AJ: If I wasn’t a musician, I would probably have gone to be a State Trooper. I actually turned down going to the academy because I had so much faith in this project.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “Do over” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Emelle: You’re definitely not human if you don’t have any missteps. We’ve all had them and we learn from them. I’ve learned and have become a better person through them and I wouldn’t have it any other way. No regrets, only better yourself. No “do overs” necessary! I’m exactly where I’m meant to be!

Justin: There were plenty of how you say misstep’s along the way, but would I change any of it or ask for a do over?  Absolutely not!  I learned so much in my failures when it came to music and life in general.   I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am in this exact moment if I hadn’t taken every step in life exactly the way I did.  I know it sounds like something out of the Butterfly Effect, but I believe this strongly.  Wisdom comes from experience regardless how hard these experiences can be sometimes.   All these steps and hardships brought me here with this band talking to you today.

Dane: Absolutely not. Everything I had ever done musically lead me to where I am today and I couldn’t be more thankful for any of yet. Yes there was the bad times but I try to not think about those things and just keep on going. If it wasn’t for the other bands I was in I would have never met AJ or would have gotten to play with him in the past like I did in Within The Outbreak.

Tyler: Personally, I try to live with no regrets. Every choice I made was a moment that I worked hard to get to. Every failed project, audition I didn’t win, or show that didn’t go as smoothly as I hoped was just another lesson and stepping stone to build up to where I am now.

AJ: Not at all. Every step I have taken, every band I have been apart of, I appreciate every moment of whether or not I still speak with them or am proud of the music that was put out. Everything I did in the past was all a learning block to get to where I am now.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Emelle: I’d say the album Abbey Road by the Beatles. It’s my favorite record of theirs and it has definitely shaped me into the person I am today. Some of the songs are simple as can be but they are written with so much heart and intent. That’s something that you don’t come across too often anymore with modern music. Can you imagine getting to pick the brain of those guys? It would be amazing. I love it so much that I even have the very last line of the very last song on the album tattooed on my inner right arm. “And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make” I LOVE that. It’s stuck with me ever since I was a kid.

Justin: Honestly, I would have liked to be in the studio when Trent Reznor was recording the Nine Inch Nails record The Downward Spiral. I feel like the odds of getting inspired, beat up, pregnant, possessed, or mutilated would be pretty great if you were in the studio while he was tracking that record. That being said, it’s one of my all time favorite albums.  It opened me up to a different world of music and I haven’t turned back yet.

Dane: I would have loved to haven been there for Master of Puppets by Metallica! I think it would be sweet to see what their mindset was going into the studio and how they came up with those killer tracks.

Tyler: I would honestly love to have been around to watch Three Days Grace’s One X come together. That’s a band and album that I think has a special place with a lot of people in my generation. Knowing what we do now about the struggles that Adam had, and being able to channel those emotions into the words he did, sounds like a roller coaster of a process. And I’d enjoy seeing/hearing how the band felt about the songs on that album before a lot of them got as big as they did.

AJ: Oh this is tough. I might have to say Creatures by Motionless in White. They are presently my favorite band. That album gave me a burning desire to make heavier music.

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Category: Interviews