Interviews: There's Only One Elvis

Welcome to this interview with There's Only One Elvis, a Metalcore/Deathcore/Extreme Metal/Djent project hailing from the United States. This one-man project is known for its blend of heavy riffs, technical guitar work, and intense vocals. If you want to keep up with There's Only One Elvis, be sure to follow the project on their Facebook page.

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

The band name came from a joke with a friend of mine while having a few drinks. It basically is a play on the fact that while Elvis is known as the king of rock and roll, he’s really the king of stealing other people’s music and making money on it.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

This genre is the culmination of all the different influences I have or has had at some point. Since I was a kid and my brother gave me a Nirvana and a Cypress Hill CD, I’ve been hooked on the heavier side of music.

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

I know this question is for full bands but as a solo artist who does everything in house, I have gotten to know myself a little better in a working aspect.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

This could be the longest list ever, but I’ll just rattle off a few of the top of the list. Meshuggah, Periphery, Deftones, Gojira, The Black Dahlia Murder, Devin Townsend, Car Bomb, and Animals as Leaders

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

The music is mostly from just being in the studio on a regular basis and then finding things I like to listen to from there. The lyrics are from personal things that have happened or things that I feel I need to address for myself.

6. Where was your last gig?

I still have not managed to muster up enough courage to do a live show for this project. I know a lot of artists who did, especially during the pandemic, but I don’t feel it’s a good move for me as a solo artist.

7. Where would you like to act?

I suppose if I did take this project live, the most fun for me would be at the Soul Kitchen in Mobile, AL, or maybe the Masquerade in Atlanta.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

The most interesting answer is an artist I found through social media named Cody Parks who mixes country and metal. Not quite sure how we could make it work for each other's style but I would definitely be interested in trying. On a bigger scale, I would of course love to do something with Mark Holcomb of Periphery or Devin Townsend in some way or another.

9. Whom not?

Not much for throwing hate to anyone for anything they do, but I’ve never been a fan of Disturbed so I would probably put them on that list.

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

Well since I still struggle to perform live on camera for a live stream or anything, I still don’t have a great answer. I do play in a live band, called Modown, so it definitely helps to have other people to rely on in a live setting. The only real way to beat it is to do it until it becomes second nature.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Periphery is probably the most inspiring band coming from a studio project to where they are now. There are tons of musicians I enjoy reading about though, and can usually find some form of inspiration in everyone’s story.

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

Nothing too weird as of yet. Not sure if that is a good thing or not, but I do have a fan who now owns the 7 string Ibanez I used to record the first album Pyrite with. 

13. What do you think of your fans?

While they are small in numbers, they genuinely do mean a lot to me. I can’t express how much their support gets me through the days when I don’t want to move forward.

14. What do you think of our site?

I think this is my first interview with you guys but it might be my second time with you guys helping me get the word out about my music, and that is huge for a solo musician. You guys are doing great things by giving all types of bands a platform to be discovered.

15. Something to add?

I hope anyone who listens to my music either finds something they can relate to or at the very least finds a cool riff here or there. Thank you for the interview and for the chance to say more than I can in a song.