Interviews: Misty Route

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Alternative Metal band Misty Route from Greece. 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 came out justcome out like that?

We actually had quite a few possible band names during many brainstorming sessions. Our goal was to find a name that would capture the aesthetic of how we imagined our music would sound. During early discussions, words like imposing, mysterious, and unknown came to mind. Misty Route served as a parallel to the path of life, where the future is like a road full of mist, where you can't see what you may come across. You get only glimpses of what might be ahead. Do you trust the path you chose, blindly, and hope it will get you to your destination? Or do you not care at all about the destination and choose to live for the present moment and enjoy the trip?

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

All of us have been listening to metal since we were young, so it feels natural for us to express ourselves through metal. Metal gives you the opportunity to express many different feelings. Feelings like anger, sadness, joy, and love. You can relieve yourself in endless ways, through headbanging, dancing, singing or just by enjoying the complexity and technicality of each instrument, vocals included.

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

We did not know each other prior to. Lefteris Saatsakis and George Konomi met through a common friend, Nikos, and started the band with him in 2018. After some lineup changes, the first trio of Lefteris on guitar/vocals, George on bass and Kostas Bakopoulos on drums formed the band. Together recorded the debut album "Without A Trace". Afterwards, Kostas was replaced by Konstantinos Kaloudis on drums and with the new lineup, we recorded our second album "Ethos".

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Lefteris Saatsakis: Metallica, Opeth, Deftones, Godsmack

George Konomi: Maximum the Hormone, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, System of a Down, Mudvayne

Konstantinos Kaloudis: Katatonia, Gojira, Lamb of God, Porcupine Tree

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

There are many ways songs get created. First and foremost, it is the need for each of us to express ourselves through our own instruments. That could be just solo jamming when we are alone, driven by whatever feeling is present at that moment. Inspiration also comes when we are in the studio jamming all together. It is a constant process where one band member brings the initial spark through a melody, a beat, lyrics or a song theme, and afterwards we work all together or separately towards completing the songs. The lyrics in our songs are inspired by personal struggles we all live, ambitions that we have or even fictitious scenarios describing an event or story. Apart from these, "Ethos'" lyrics are also inspired by the social injustice that the world faces, and our ambition was to question the circumstances we live in today's world.

6. Where was your last gig?

Our last gig was in an Club in Athens, Greece. It is a historical venue in Athens, where many important live shows have taken place. We celebrated the end of our first album's era, "Without A Trace", at that gig, so it was a heartwarming show.

7. Where would you like to act?

Well, of course, in Wacken. It is the mecca for all metal bands.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

It would be fair to choose Opeth. It is the band that all three of us agree to like a lot. Also, it is the band that we've been told our music reminds, the most. They have been a major inspiration for us, and we admire their studio work as well as their live performances.

9. Whom not?

We wouldn't like to play with bands with whom our moral values don't align.

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

Of course, we've had stage fright before. What you can do is make little steps towards performing in front of a crowd. You first choose one person whom you trust most and feel comfortable around. It can be a parent, a sibling, a friend or a spouse. Next, you have to sing, play or perform in front of them. Don't be afraid to look silly on this step. It can also be a person who is a musician as well, who can initiate by performing first. Later, you enlarge the group you perform around little by little. Finally, you get up on stage and suck it up! No amount of training is going to totally eliminate your fear. You have to get up there and do it. Apart from the mental challenges, the best thing you can do as a musician is to be prepared for every occurrence that might happen on stage. Know your gear and master your setup, so that you don't waste time on stage during your preparation on little details that should be second nature for you to work.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

That would be Opeth, Metallica, Tool and Katatonia.

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

An autograph on his belly.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We think our fans are supportive, inspiring, and the reason we get to keep doing what we love.

14. What do you think of our site?

BreathingTheCore.com seems passionate about underground music from around the world. It highlights emerging artists and supports the rock/metal community. It gives the feeling of a genuine, community-driven platform that truly cares about discovering and supporting new talent, and we deeply appreciate this.

15. Something to add?

We would like to thank everyone who supports and keeps the underground music scene alive. Their passion truly means everything.