Interviews: Black Orchid Empire

In this new occassion we have had the opportunity to interview  the  Rock band Black Orchid Empire from UK. 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?   

No one can quite remember – we all think Billy suggested it at some point early on. Ot something similar that got corrupted along the way :-) We may very well have been drunk. But either way – it stuck!   

2.Why did you want to play this genre?   

Although we write and produce in lots of styles for other artists, we live and breathe heavy music – from Kyuss to Meshuggah. Our whole aim with BOE was to jam the kind of stuff we loved to listen to, It was never any more pre-mediated than that. I think the genre chooses the band really – it comes naturally form combining all your influences as individuals.   

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

Yeah we've known each other for years. I met Billy when he produced a band I was in and we started Cape Fear together – Dave joined that band around 2010. We all decided to break up as Cape Fear when the guitar player Miki Yasaka left (amicably) and started working on a new project that became Black Orchid Empire. We also work together as producers at The Recording Studio London, the studios and production company that we co-own.   

4. Each band member favourite band?   

If we're only allowed one then I would choose Queens of The Stone Age because they're so diverse. Billy would probably go for Deftones and Dave might say Tool – although we all love so many bands!   

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?   

Wow – everything! From literature and film to life experiences to stories about other people – I get lyrical ideas from so many different things.   

6. Where was your last gig?   

Download Festival, for the first time! It was absolutely amazing – we captured a live video too so we can hold onto the memory for ever.   

7. Where would you like to act?   

We LOVE playing in mainland Europe – more please!   

8. Whom would you like to feature with?   

We'd love to play with Black Peaks, they're a sick UK band that we love. Oh and definitely Deftones and Alice In Chains. That would be dream-come-true stuff.   

9. Whom not?   

I think we can learn from everyone who is passionate about what they do. We're up for every single show out there.  

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

Stage fright is very natural early on – if you are totally comfortable right from the start baring your soul in front of strangers under spotlights you must be weird. It fades with experience though – once you start to realise how fucking playing live is!   

11. What bands have inspired you the most?   

Loads have, I've mentioned some huge ones – also bands like Radiohead who aren't afraid to take risks and make the art they want to make above all else.   

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

I still find the fact that people know our music strange and humbling. It's amazing. Being asked to play someone's favourite song at a show blows my mind.   

13. What do you think of your fans?   

They are perfect. The life-blood of the rock scene is the people who engage with and support bands they believe in. Without that it's just rehearsing in front of a mirror and managing insecurity.   

14. What do you think of our site?   

It's great to see what used to be very niche markets being catered for – we can tell you guys know your shit and are passionate about it!   

15. Something add?   

Thanks very much for taking the time to check us out – come see a show!