Interviews: Candor Zealot

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Progressive Metal band Candor Zealot from Canada. Check out the interview and follow this band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Did you plan it or did it just happen like that?

Nate: Dino (drummer) and I were brainstorming, and one night, he texted me the name and the meaning behind it. I scoured the internet to make sure the band name wasn't taken, like 99.9% of good band names, and we were good to go! 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Nate: My heart has always been in creating high-energy rock music and metal, with a pop sensibility, so it comes very naturally to me, and I have been writing this kind of music for over 20 years...!

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

Nate: Yes - Dino and I have been playing music since high school and in various groups; Alberto (bassist), Dino, and I used to play in my previous creative project, The Slyde; and I have known Chris (guitarist) in the local scene for years before approaching him to join forces.

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Nate: Man, that's such a hard question to answer, but I think Gojira has currently had my musical heart for a few years now. Alberto is the biggest Rush fan I know. Dino has been really into Allan Rayman lately. And Chris has had the Megadeth discography on repeat as of late.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

Nate: Music is a voice and a vehicle to express yourself. I think that would be the main reason why I try to be creative: to get my thoughts out into the airwaves in a medium (music) that is easier to digest than some random blogger or a Facebook rant [laughs].

6. Where was your last gig?

Nate: Last night! [laughs] - though, with Candor Zealot, we are a new act, so we are prioritizing building an online presence before giving us a reason/opportunity to perform live. We are all seasoned musicians with decades of gigging and touring experience, so we are trying to do something new with this project.

7. Where would you like to act?

Nate: If by "act" you mean "perform," I think the European markets and Japan would be my choices.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Nate: If by "feature" you mean perform with or be a supporting act to, I think it could be highly beneficial to try to jump on an opening slot with a well-known Canadian act.

9. Whom not?

Nate: I love everyone [laughs]. Well, almost everyone.

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

Nate: Performance anxiety has only ever crept up for me when I was studying performance in school, when you have critical eyes in the audience and behind a desk who are grading you. I recently did a fingerstyle acoustic guitar recital for my Master's degree, where my teacher - a well-known fingerstyle living legend by the name of Don Ross - was in attendance. That was fun, haha.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Nate: In my formative years, bands like Metallica, Megadeth, Rush, Dream Theater, In Flames, and Soilwork were very influential in my younger days, as well as 90s alternative rock bands like Green Day and Foo Fighters. Now I'm stylistically all over the place, and draw musical inspirations from seemingly anything.

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

Nate: Unfortunately, I haven't signed very many body parts in my career.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Nate: I think it goes without saying that the people who listen to and support what we do mean everything to us.

14. What do you think of our site?

Nate: Best part: the metal horns mouse cursor when clicking links!!

15. Something to add?

Nate: Follow us on all our socials - @candorzealot - and join our mailing list at www.candorzealot.com . Thank you for taking the time to e-chat with us!