A Dirty Dozen with BLOOD OF THE PHOENIX – April 2021

According to a recent press release: “Indie metal band Blood of the Phoenix rises to the top of the ranks with their shocking dynamic vocal style, powerful storytelling and robust instrumentation. Drawing inspiration from early 2000s Metalcore, the band has created their niche pocket in the hardcore genre. This five-piece ensemble consists of Jess Escobar as lead vocalist, Bradley Hart & Manny Marwaha on guitar, Jade Weekes on bass, and Nolan Moore on the drums. At its inception, Nolan and Bradley met in recovery on the downtown Vancouver eastside, struggling with personal addictions. During this process, they created a bond that would come full circle to the creation of Blood of the Phoenix. The name was directly inspired by each of the bandmate’s life experiences where they rose from the ashes and reinvented themselves. Their upcoming debut EP From What We Used To Know explores the darkness and healing within judgment, rejection, loss and addiction. Throughout the pandemic, the band produced, recorded and wrote everything off of their new EP independently. Blood of the Phoenix is not your average metal band, they are a new age genre with a massive future ahead of them.” We get the band to discuss new music, influences, and 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 you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

There wasn’t a lot that was hidden or anything. No subliminal messages that we’re aware of. The music is forthcoming and transparent. Our lyrics are intended to tell the story of our experiences and we think that it will be relatable for our listeners in different applications.

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

Passion and enjoyment for what we do helps each of us realize we want to purse this thing. Some of us sort of awkwardly fell into being a musician solely based on small interest that expanded through life, and others took some time before truly stepping into the role. For example, it was a huge learning curve for our newest member, Manny (lead guitar) who started out playing in school being super bored with recorders and saxophone. He was inspired and motivated by a great music teacher who would encourage the students to improvise and learned to come into his own as a musician. Eventually picking up the guitar and started diving into metal after hearing it in Guitar Hero, and now he’s our Guitar Hero.

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

Brad’s a Killswitch Engage nerd, drawing inspiration from Adam Dutkiewicz and Jesse Leach; Manny is stoked on Animals as Leaders and Buckethead these days; Jess has been checking out more Djent kinds of influences like Periphery, Jinjer, and Veil of Maya. Nolan is the in-house Thrashmaster, and Jade’s our local-scene hero.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Killswitch Engage, Jinjer, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, and Animals as Leaders.

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

Jess: Courtney LaPlante from Spiritbox hands down. She a beast.

Manny: A big wig producer like Pharrell or Timbaland or someone like that who’s super familiar with navigating the industry.

Brad: Charles Caswell from Berried Alive 100%. Because he’s a f**king genius.

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?

Early 2000s metalcore, meets skatepunk, had a baby with Periphery. None so far – we love the feedback from our audiences!

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

None of this happens. We’re super ready to get into the fun of jamming and getting new ideas fully hammered out. We’ll sometimes hang at Jade’s for some Mario Party and get rocked by CPU Luigi.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

Brad: The last time for me was when I did a podcast with Jesse Leach and Matt Stocks since I’m such a fan.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Jess: Loving what we do! The best part is knowing that there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. If I couldn’t be a musician, I’m sure I’d be a teacher of it or something. Y’know, if you can’t do, teach or some sh*t.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

How is the music intended to come across to the audience – what story do you want to tell? Our tunes revolve around the concept of loss, disappointment, judgement, anger, and then the journey back from the bottom. A question that we’re tired of answering: What is it like to be a female-fronted metal band? – eff this.

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?

Brad: Definitely. Back in 2007, in my last band, I wouldn’t have gotten so hard into partying and lost my way. I don’t necessarily regret it though cause I wouldn’t have found what I’ve found today with Blood of the Phoenix without it, but definitely a hard lesson learned.

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?

Jess: I’d go back and be there for records of pretty much anything pre-digital and pre-tuning, because it just seems like such a different process when you can’t que in for a mistake. I think it would be super cool to see the level of talent needed to get through a track front to back and live with the recorded hiccups.

Manny: I’d like to go back to the very first recording where they used clay because it’s such a fascinating process. That sh*t lasts forever. Who would’ve known back then that we’d still be listening to those same songs today.

BONUS QUESTION – Due to the current world situation with COVID-19 / quarantine / shelter in place, what have you discovered you miss the most from your life before the pandemic struck?

Playing shows live. We’re all accustomed to being in bands and playing the live circuits and finding other locals to team up with for tours and gigs. Seeing our families and friends, celebrating birthdays and holidays. Time feels pretty irrelevant right now but we’re getting through it.

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Category: Interviews