Interviews: VODNIK


In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview the  Groove Metal/Progressive Metal/Death Metal  band VODNIK from Canada. Check out the interview and this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

Vodnik is the name of a mythological creature from Czech Republic. Guitarist Jeremy Jackson is of Czech heritage and he chose the name Vodnik because the creature is a gruesome character that inhabits a body of water, dresses in all green, is covered in moss, and drowns those who swim close to his territory. Jeremy believed that the character of Vodnik embodied the metal genre in many ways so he decided that Vodnik would be great name for a metal band.

2.Why did you want to play this genre? 

I always wanted to play in a progressive metal band because of the difficulty. I was lucky enough to have a dad that exposed me to progressive giants such as: Genesis, Yes, Rush, and Pink Floyd at a very young age. So, when I listened to other forms of music, I always related what I heard back to that progressive sound. Progressive music has always been my bedrock so to speak. Most other forms of music, excluding Jazz and Classical, didn’t seem to have the same level of technicality. Lastly, I loved how the approach to song structures in the progressive genre was radically different. Progressive song formulas seem to be free from conventional song writing methods and incorporate a sort of anarchistic attitude in which anything goes.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

Jeremy and Reinier (Vocals) have known each other the longest. When Jeremy created Vodnik, he put out an ad for a vocalist on the Internet to which Reinier had responded. However, during Vodnik’s formative years, the band experienced many member changes until Brandon (Bass) and myself joined. I believe Jeremy met Brandon on the Internet when Brandon was looking for a band to join when he moved from London (Ontario) to Toronto. As for myself, I was the last to join the band. However, I had known Jeremy and Reinier for years prior to joining. I was playing in another band in the Toronto metal scene at the time, where I had met both Jeremy and Reinier. They were both cool people, so we occasionally got together to hang out and discuss music, etc.

4. Each band member favourite band? 

Vince (Drums): Gojira
Jeremy (Guitars): Meshuggah
Reinier (Vocals): Black Sabbath
Brandon (Bass): Carnifex

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

Jeremy is Vodnik’s primary songwriter, while Reinier writes all the lyrics. Jeremy is inspired to write songs in hopes that he can leave behind a legacy of his creative and artistic expression for his future family. Jeremy is also inspired to write music because he is a firm believer that if you work hard and express your unique individuality through your instrument that it will pay off in the end. Many artists get discovered this way and Jeremy believes that he too can accomplish this goal. On the other hand, Reinier is inspired to write songs about his daily life, which includes his hardships, joys, and relationships. For Reinier, song writing is an outlet to channel the negative aspects of his life in order to create something positive.

6. Where was your last gig? 

Our last gig was February 9th for the first round of the Toronto Wacken Metal Band.

7. Where would you like to act? 

Vodnik would love to perform at The UK Tech Fest!

8. Whom would you like to feature with? 

Vodnik would love to have a feature from Charles Caswell of Berried Alive.

9. Whom not?

Nikki Minaj haha!

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that? 

Some of the first few times I had played live, I was nervous but didn’t exactly experience stage fright. The same goes for the other members of Vodnik. Of course, it’s embarrassing to make a mistake on stage but that never deterred me from playing live. The number one tip I can give to anyone who experiences stage fright is to make sure you are prepared as possible before you play. This includes practicing your parts extensively and learning to find a certain headspace that will allow you to focus on your playing and not the audience. You have to have resolve and know that the audience will be analysing and judging everything you’re doing. This is something you cannot escape.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Meshuggah, Volumes, Black Sabbath, Pantera, Sikth, Mudvayne, Cloudkicker, The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, ERRA, Gojira, Berried Alive, Nemertines, Emmure, and Carnifex.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

This one time we had played a gig in Windsor and at our merch table we sell CD’s from our old bands alongside the Vodnik merch. After our set, this one drunken guy comes up to our table and buys one of each CD and turns to Brandon to ask him to sign some of the CD’s. However, Brandon was confused because he had nothing to do with the CD’s he was being asked to sign. The guy didn’t really seem to care so Brandon signed them all anyways!



13. What do you think of your fans?

I think our fans are great. They’ve been very supportive of Vodnik’s brand new musical direction and overhaul of the band’s aesthetics. Everyone really seems to be enjoying our new music video we just put out for the new single, “Our Dread, Our Joy.”

14. What do you think of our site?

I think Breathing the Core is an innovative site with some really cool features. I really appreciate how the website divided bands into ‘core and not core.’ It makes finding what you’re looking for that much easier. I also appreciate the ‘search by country’ feature. There’s just something about Russian metal bands that have such a unique sound.

15. Something add?

Thank you very much for taking an interest in Vodnik and for the interview. We are very grateful to be a part of Breathing the Core. Also, thank you to anyone who reads our interview. Lastly, be on the lookout for our debut release coming early 2019 and check out our new music video, ‘Our Dread, Our Joy’ on YouTube and for download on all major online retailers.

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