In this multiverse of Metal, where sub-genres & fusion genres keep spawning & spreading quite rapidly, pretty sure ‘Sexy’ would be the last term that you’d expect to hear in this ‘masculine’ mainstream repulsive sub-culture. Yet in the glam studded streets of Mumbai, there dwells a quintet who call themselves ‘FESTACORN’ and the brand of metal that they offer is nothing short of…..umm sexy?! But hey, don’t let that fool you like the band claim to have been influenced by a wide array of genres & movements that have graced the metal sub-culture over the past half-century.
Recently, we had the pleasure of exchanging a few words with them about their journey as a band, their individual influences, how metal got sexy & most importantly, on their latest debut release called ‘It’s Only Natural’ which is out via AAA Entertainment. Below is an excerpt of the whole interview:
- It’s quite a quirky name for a band, what’s the backstory? Actually, while we are at how about the story of the band itself? Any previously unheard comical incidents for us to feast upon?
Akhil (Bass Player) and Vaibhav (Guitarist) have played with each other in another. They wanted to another project and approached Angad (Guitarist). Chinmay (Drummer) was poached from another project in the making (Shhh….). After experimenting with vocals within the group, we posted a requirement for a vocalist on Facebook page; which for once worked well and Vivek(Vocalist) joined us.
We all seemed to work quite well with each other almost immediately.
For almost a year, we didn’t have a name for the band. A few joke-y names came up, especially the-one-the-shall-remain-a-secret-forever.
Akhil came up with the name Pescatore which was the name of an Italian Mafia in a book he was reading, and we started breaking down and rebuilding the word.
Pescatore…. Pestacore…… Festacore….. Festacorn. Yes. It makes all kinds of sense.
As far as comical incidents go, there have been so many; Jokes fly miles a minute amongst us. But it’s all become a bit too meta for us to be able to explain to someone.
On the day of our photoshoot, which we decided on doing at Gaimukh, we drove out pretty close to the spot where Akhil and Angad had already reached. A truckload of truck traffic forced us into walking the last kilometer or so. At least we thought we were supposed to. We walked for about 20 minutes uphill when Vaibhav finally realized that we had been walking away from the location for the entire 20 minutes. Akhil and Angad were right across the road from where we had parked the car. All of this at 6 AM. To get some sunrise shots. Which we missed eventually.
- Time for a clichéd icebreaker that gets thrown around in almost every interview. Where does your music primarily draw its influence from?
Everywhere. Every single member has a completely different influence.
Vivek has his head wrapped around the 90s and 2000s sound. Angad loves the modern metal, djent sound. Vaibhav is a complete 80s metal and bollywood buff. Chinmay goes crazy on blast beats and extreme kvlt metal. Akhil likes death metal. So whatever our EP sounds like, it is basically a mixture of all our primary sound preferences coming together.
- In this generation’s music, the lines separating the various genres have slowly been dissolving into nothingness and even the artists themselves seem to be having a tough time these days in defining their music within the bounds of the industry’s existing nomenclatures, something even you guys seem to be guilty of. What are your thoughts on this?
Genre’s serve their purpose in a way. It’s up to both creators and listeners to not pay too much heed to them though.
We feel that no form of art should be confined within the walls of what we call “genre”. The term comes handy while discussing and maybe just classifying art for the sake of it, but creating something within that boundary just doesn’t feel right.
Our EP is thus a collection of songs that we felt are right for us – something that came naturally to us, hence, it’s only natural.
- When you have 5 different individuals with their own unique personalities and tastes in music working together on a single project, it can get a bit messy. Where and how do you guys draw a consensus to come to an artistic middle ground for a new song? Who takes charge or has a final say in such Mexican standoffs?
We haven’t had any standoffs (yet, haha) but that’s mostly because even though every person comes from a different musical background, they all are completely open-minded to what the other has to say. Having said that, yes there have been instances where some parts of a song were perceived differently by different members, but it all just clicks when a certain part feels right or perfect at that point in the song. The vibe in the jam room at that point is what tells us that we all agree on something!
- It has been almost three months since your debut album release. How well was it received as compared to your expectations? Did it cross your own personal benchmark so far?
We would say it has been received pretty well, we are getting all sorts of positive response from everywhere. Since every song has a different feel to it, every person has a different song that they love listening to.
- Any specific aspects of your release that you feel are somewhat lacking in polish? Something that you now feel you should’ve spent more time on, or should have executed in an entirely different manner?
We are happy with what we have written and put out there. The one thing we would have loved to do differently was to have live drums. We’re aiming to get that done for the next one!
- Talking from a technical POV, how difficult/time consuming was each of the tracks to execute? Any particular section of a song that took you ages to get right while recording?
Songs were written over varying lengths of time. As songs go some are just done in the first go; some take a few rewrites and tinkering to get right. What works best for us is to play songs out to an audience, because for us playing a song live; it feeling ‘just right’ on stage is the best metric for when a song is properly cooked.
Since we play everything live a few times before being done with a song, recording these was fairly straightforward while getting the instruments down.
We did play around a lot vocally. Different styles, different voices. For Laundry Day blues, though the eventual recording took about 2 hours, but leading up to it Vivek kept experimenting for hours with layers and characters, etc.
- Based on the criticism (positive and otherwise) that you’ve received in the aftermath of the release, what characteristics of your style will you be evolving/improving in order to take it to a whole new level?
We are happy with the response and critique we’ve received from people; especially from other indie musicians. We also have our own thoughts on what we feel worked best and what we should do going forward.
We’ve already started writing 2 new songs and this time we’re looking at styles like Disco and Jive for influences! We also have a new theme for the new set of songs (EP? LP?)
- What do you think of the current Metal scene out here?
It’s growing. Slowly, yes, but growing. The only downside/negative point/complaint (maybe?) Is that the only audience for a Metal show, are musicians from other Metal bands.
It’s great because the audience is extremely well versed in the style of music, but it’s also limiting because it’s always been a small community in the city. It’s important to be able to work with different kinds of audiences.
- How does it feel working with a label(AAA Entertainment) & how important is a label for a musician?
The kind of deal you have with the label is what decides how important it is.
With AAA Entertainment, they have helped us in promotion as well as distribution for the EP.
- Are you guys currently dedicating the entirety of your time in pursuit of your passion or do you guys have day jobs and work upon your art on the side? If it’s the latter, how difficult is it in general for you to find a balance in this tug-of-war like situation?
Most of us are in the final years of Graduation, or Post Graduation with only one person working.
Basically all of us are free during the weekends, so that is when we try to jam, practice and party.
(Take it from the working guy, it’s not easy but it’s rewarding because you love it. The ‘jobless’ guys don’t know it yet. :D)
- What’s the immediate action plan for you guys right now? When the dust settles down, Will you be focusing on gigs for a while or is a fresh new album already simmering in the pan?
Play as many gigs as possible, to promote our EP and also test out new material. Further down the line, gigs will always be on the radar, but yes as mentioned earlier, 2 new songs are already being prepared to be put into the oven.
- We at Headtilts thank you for being with us on this short interview and wish you good luck with your upcoming endeavors. Any parting message you would like to leave for the fans?
Thanks a lot! This was fun!
We would like to tell to all those reading this, do check out our EP and it’s okay to dance to metal!
The EP was mixed by Prateek Rajagopal (Gutslit/The Minerva Conduct) & mastered by Victor Bullok of Woodshed Studio, Germany.
Get your copy of the EP now: festacorn.bandcamp.com
Full EP Stream: https://tinyurl.com/ycw4ddv2
Band Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Festacorn/
Label page: https://www.facebook.com/AllAboutArtEntertainment/
