Interview with INTERRA
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about INTERRA (Members, Starting Year etc).
In July of 2023, I (Moon - Vocals) made a post on a Tucson music Facebook group looking for people who wanted to start a doom band. Austin (Guitar) replied the same day and we recruited Mark (Drums) and began writing material as Interra. We had already began production on our debut album (In Wake of Sun's Eye) before recruiting Benji (Bass) who joined us after our first live show.
You have recently released your EP ''In Wake of Sun's Eye''. What was the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Feedback has been generally positive for the music itself as well as the overall vibe, the lyrics, and our live performances.
The cover artwork has a great atmosphere! Tell us a few things about it.
'In Wake of Sun's Eye' is a high concept album and the cover is a representation of a climactic scene in the story.
And what about the lyrics?
As stated previously, 'In Wake of Sun's Eye' tells the story of a girl named Interra with every song acting as a sort of 'chapter' in the story of her awakening.
Schizophrenia- Begins the album by Introducing Interra, a girl with a remarkable gift to see in between worlds. However the people and doctors around her convince her that her gifts are actually a sickness and is diagnosed with Schizophrenia. The song depicts her struggle and agony in having experiences no one else can and having the world around her lable it insanity.
Doctrina Solis- Years after her diagnosis she has an experience during a tremendous storm of a vision and revelation given to her by the Sun and Elder gods of her purpose and destiny. (This is the scene depicted on the cover)
Returning Psyche Patient- the day after Interra's awakening, she was admitted back into the psychiatric hospital. We see now from her point of view in the ward, she is still talking to the Sun, summons a storm from inside her room, and generally causes spiritual ruckus from inside while she is told by God, the universe, that she will know and remember who she is, forever.
Mildred- Many years after the events in the previous song, Interra becomes convinced that her gifts are too much and that her suffering is too great. She realized she had become the sick, insane woman that everyone told her that she was. Interra becomes one-track- minded of one thing only, the easiest way out. She is stopped by the spirit of an ancestor who's journey mirrors that of Interra's. She reminds her of her vision, her purpose, and saves her from destruction with the words 'It is not your time to die'.
Are you in searching for a record label? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
We talked to a label when 'In Wake...' was originally being released, but that did not work out so we released independently. We don't necessarily have any intenion on changing that.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
During rehearsals and on a personal level, we joke around and have our funny moments. Though we take the music and lyrics of Interra seriously, as the stories are genuine.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
All platforms have their place/use. We prefer anything you can listen to music through.
Your music style is Doom Metal with Black Metal elements. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
Our inspirations include Black Sabbath, faetooth, draconian, chrch, electric wizard, sleep, bell witch, UN among many others.
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
We sacrifice money, time, social life, and plenty of goats.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
We performed at a Church that had been turned into a house on the rural Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona. They called it 'The Metal Church' and the atmosphere, crowd, and overall energy is somethings that would be very difficult to re-create.
What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
Fuck AI, on all fronts.
What attributes do you think that a new Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Confidence, stage presence, be in it for the music not money, feel it. Feel it within your soul, then play. Don't see the crowd, see in front of you- what drives you to play your instrument the best.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Digital Platforms like Bandcamp have revolutionized what it means to be an independent artist, it changed a lot of things in the industry but probably for the better. As far as promotion, hashtags and tiktok is fine but nothing leaves an impression on potential fans better then good music and sick live show.
From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new Metal band to avoid or what to do?
Don't rush things, take your time to make the music you'd like to make, the sounds you'd like to hear when it is finished. Trust the process.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal scene in Tucson, Arizona (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Bands really come and go around here, mostly in waves it seems. There are limited places in Tucson that put on metal shows which make it challenging to have much of a local scene. A lot of national tours bypass us in favor of Phoenix, so when metal shows do happen they are usually only locals.
What does Metal means to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
An outlet for emotions, release of rage, connection, passion.
Top 10 albums from Interra members-
-Panzerfaust - Darkthrone
-Under the Sign of the Black Mark- Bathory
-Heaven and hell- Black Sabbath
-Headless cross- Black Sabbath
-Somatic deficient- Whitechapel
-This is exile- Whitechapel
-Remnants of the Vessel- Faetooth
-Under a godless veil- Draconian
-Ghosts Reveries- Opeth
-Blue Oyster Cult - Fire of Unknown Origin
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Septic Flesh and Rotting Christ, sick as fuck.
What are your future plans?
A new album, more live shows, potential music videos, and finding Benji a girlfriend (the hardest job one could imagine).
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
We appreciate the interview, thank you for summoning us. We look forward to playing a bunch of shows in the coming year, stay tuned. Our Instagram is @ Interra.doom and if you have any questions or want to speak with any of the interra members while you can, email us at interradoomband@gmail.com
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
