Interviews: Whispers In The Maze

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal band, Whispers In The Maze from Canada. Check out the interview and follow the 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?

Emine: We thought about it; there was a process. Some personal likes were definitely involved, but it was a mutual decision in the end. We picked a name we all liked and created a meaning behind it. Whispers In The Maze represents the confusion in our minds or the contradictions in our lives.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Emine: Our style does not really fit into a single specific genre. We play this music because we enjoy playing it. That’s what we write because that’s what we feel. We are putting our emotions into the songs. We are not trying to fit into a specific genre or toss out an idea because it is not metal enough. And this style is what we ended up with!

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

Emine: Not really. Ben and I were moving to Ottawa from different provinces when we found each other in Kijiji. That’s how we met and continued to find other musicians through the same site. Later on, where there were some line-up changes, we relied on public postings on Facebook or word of mouth because we knew enough people on the scene.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Emine: Mors Principium Est

Ben: Dark Tranquility

Mike: Lamb of God

Vitto: Megadeth

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Emine: The energy that the metal genre makes us feel when we play it.

Mike: My answer is similar to Emine’s, though, as a drummer, the way I ‘write’ is different. I like to contribute rhythmic and arrangement ideas and will throw my ‘two cents’ in as far as lyrics go. I like looking at the ‘big picture’ of a song and then seeing what else I can add to it.

6. Where was your last gig?

Emine: The last show we played was at The Brass Monkey in Ottawa for our EP release show on July 30th. We look forward to playing more as we just released a new EP!

7. Where would you like to act?

Emine: Japan? I heard that the crowd is crazy even at 10 am in the morning when there is a festival!

Mike: One of the big metal festivals in Europe - this would be on my ‘wish list’ for sure.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Mike: There are so many bands I can think of, but one off the top of my head would be Arch Enemy or Dark Tranquillity.

9. Whom not?

Emine: My initial answer was: “A single enemy is one too many. No need to point out anyone that we would not play with!” But then I checked out some of the interviews you did for inspiration. I definitely wouldn’t want to play with musicians who are using their music to promote hate.

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

Emine: We are all very seasoned musicians, very used to being on stage. Being on stage still comes with a certain level of anxiety, but we all learned to focus on the fun of it. A tip for beginners would be just to think of the audience as people who want to have fun. They are not there to judge you (though some will, who cares). Do be respectful to your audience and take the stage as prepared. But if there are any mistakes, any technical problems you haven’t thought of, they can happen to anyone. Do not focus on that, and continue to have fun!

Mike: To echo what’s already been said, enjoy the moment and try to have fun, first and foremost. Most people could probably care less about what you mess up, and you are your harshest critic. Secondly, prepare as much as you can in order to be relaxed on stage, and try not to speed up (says the drummer).

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Emine: We all have different influences, so we are all inspired differently, I am sure. For me, I am even inspired differently by different bands. Bands like Arch Enemy, for example, inspire me with their energy and cool guitar licks. Insomnium is also another band I am inspired by, but by their dark energy instead. Bands with two guitars (not rhythm and solo per se, but two melodic guitars) inspire me to have interweaving riffs in our songs.

Ben: We play a different Gojira cover at most of our shows, so that bled into our music as well to some extent.

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

Emine: I wouldn’t say weird, but something nice that I still remember. Years ago, a couple approached me after our set and asked to buy me a beer. I told them I don’t drink when I drive, then they asked for a hug instead!

13. What do you think of your fans?

Emine: We appreciate them. A lot! Other people enjoying the music we create is priceless. Especially when we play a show with a very small crowd (which happens to every band, I am sure), we don’t feel bad about it. Those small number of people are the most important people for us at that hour, because they came to see us live.

14. What do you think of our site?

Emine: I really like the format and the content of your site. The idea of talking about albums track by track, and having a separate section for the album artwork is genius. I had a graphic designer as a bandmate in the past, and I have always been impressed by the level of thought and meaning put into an artwork. And for years, I continued to buy physical CDs despite the fact that I would directly convert them into mp3 right away, just because of their artwork. It’s great that you are offering a chance to highlight the artwork in particular

15. Something to add?

Emine: Thank you very much for promoting our band and our music on your site! The metal community is what we rely on in spreading our music, and we very much appreciate the webzines like you.

Mike: Thanks for reaching out and helping to promote ourselves!