Interviews: Past Glories

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Metal band Past Glories from Sweden. Check out this band and follow them on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Seb: I think the name came from Jens, who liked the title of the homonymous song, that we were already playing before the solo project evolved into the band 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Seb: Well, I have always listened to heavy metal, and mainly bands that have a more complex music in terms of the form, harmony and time signature changes. Being also a classical musician I find more excitement in playing and listening to more sophisticated music, since we have already too much banality around us in society overall.

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

Seb: I have been working with Jens as a guitar teacher colleague for like 6 years, so I knew him well when we started. Leo and I met in some parties because we have friends in common. Elijah and I became acquainted when I was searching for a drummer for the solo project Sebastian Caldas MeWe.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Seb: I have many, but the one I listened to the most as a teenager was Megadeth, Faith No More, Yngwie Malmsteen, Metallica, Iron Maiden and I still listen to them today. Nowadays I listen a lot to Haken, Caligula´s Horse, Artificial Language, Opeth, Devin Townsend project etc. I listen to a lot of other genres as well, from Piazzolla to Badalamenti.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Seb: It is difficult to say since a lot happens without being self-aware about it, but romantic classical music, film music composers, afro Uruguayan rhythms,m ovies, and books.

6. Where was your last gig?

Seb: It was in Babel, Malmö.

7. Where would you like to act?

Seb: Sweden Rock, Lollapalooza South America, but mainly everywhere.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Seb: I think Haken, The Mars Volta, Caligula’s Horse, Tool.

9. Whom not?

Seb: Well, many that are in it just for the money, or who have an ideology that is complete opposite of mine and do not stand behind human rights.

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

Seb: Having studied classical guitar at university and playing recitals of quite complex works is really demanding, both physical and psychological. That experience has maybe not made me immune, but well prepared for those kinds of situations. Playing and singing in a band is not as exposed as playing solo. There are two tips I would give to anyone suffering from stage fright. One is to know how to practice and study your material. For me, visualization is the key both as a memorizing technique, but also preparing psychologically for the performance. You should know your material not only from muscular memory but note for note, the harmony, the form. I still can solfege pieces I haven’t performed for 20 years just because when I studied them in university, I learned the so that I could visualize them without the instrument, saying the notes, from beginning to end.

Two: Regarding the psychological preparation, being able to see you performing well in your mind’s eye and doing this after breathing exercises during many weeks before the show will do a lot if you struggle with anxiety.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Seb: King Crimson, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Dream Theater, Dio, Haken, Opeth and many more.

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

Seb: Why do you have long nails in your right hand?

13. What do you think of your fans?

Seb: I think we are grateful in general for having people who are interested in discovering new music, and ours in particular. Although the rock and heavy metal are not mainstream as they used to be, I think it is still a genre that creates a deeper connection between the interpreter and his audience. It is also my ambition to connect with the fans in terms of the story behind our upcoming album Damiano´s Fall. Since the subjects we are writing about are quite relevant for the timer we are living.

14. What do you think of our site?

I think it is a great place for discovering new upcoming artists. I like the variety in styles and geographically. It is very important for artists to have a platform for sharing their message, and ideas.

15. Something to add?

Thanks a lot for the interview and special greetings to those readers living in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary. See you on tour. For all other not living there, save the date 4th April for the release of our concept album Damiano´s Fall