Interviews: Endera
1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Did you plan it, or did it just come out of nowhere?
Jack Baker (Guitarist): Joe Fender (Guitarist) and I, Jack Baker (Guitarist), originally met through an instrument swap on Facebook Marketplace in 2022. We started jamming together, and around that time I came up with the name ENDERA. The idea behind it was that we were no longer kids in high school starting bands—we were adults with families, careers, and completely different responsibilities. To me, it felt like the “end of an era” in our lives, and ENDERA came from that idea.
As the rest of the lineup came together and the project started taking shape, the name just stuck. It became more than just a name; it represented where we were in our lives and the transition into this new chapter. We’ve kept it ever since, and ENDERA has become the identity of the band.
2. Why did you want to play this genre?
Interestingly enough, ENDERA actually started as a skate punk project. Obviously, that’s not where we ended up, but over the last two years, the sound has evolved naturally as each member brought their own background, influences, and style into the band. What we play today is really a combination of all those different influences, and I don’t think any of us necessarily planned on ending up here stylistically.
That evolution has been one of the most rewarding parts of the project. We’ve been able to take elements from different genres and backgrounds and turn them into something that feels unique to us. At the end of the day, we really like what we’ve created, and we’re excited to keep pushing it forward.
3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?
Not at all. Joe and I originally started looking for members by posting ads in various Facebook musician groups, which is how we connected with Jeremy (Vocals) and Tristan (Drummer and Jeremy’s son). Derek (Bass) actually came across a “Musicians Wanted” ad we posted on Craigslist and reached out to us. So, the lineup really came together through a combination of social media, online musician communities, and just putting ourselves out there. It was definitely a nontraditional way to build a band, but it ended up bringing together the right people.
4. Each band member's favourite band?
Jeremy: Death, In Flames, Pantera
Jack: In Flames, Terror, Alkaline Trio
Joe: Killswitch Engage, Born of Osiris, After the Burial
Derek: NOFX, Wilhelm Scream, Propagandhi
Tristan: Periphery, Dillinger Escape Plan, Mastodon
5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?
We genuinely love writing music, and for all of us, it’s one of the most natural ways we’re able to express ourselves. We’re not really interested in writing music just to fit a specific mold or check the boxes of what a “metal” song is supposed to sound like. We write the music we want to hear, and we let the songs develop naturally.
Every song we write has a story or meaning behind it, and Jeremy does an incredible job bringing those stories to life through his lyrics and vocals. For us, songwriting is about being honest, creating something we connect with, and hopefully giving the listener something they can connect with as well.
6. Where was your last gig?
Georgia Hellfest 3, Savannah, GA
7. Where would you like to act?
There are a lot of places we’d love to play, but some of the big ones would definitely be The NorVa, The Masquerade’s main room, and, of course, festivals like Wacken Open Air and Fire in the Mountains. Beyond that, we’d love to take ENDERA overseas and tour through Europe, Australia, and Japan.
For us, it’s not just about playing the biggest venues—it’s about being able to reach new audiences and take the music to places we’ve never been before. Those would be some major milestones for the band.
8. Whom would you like to feature with?
There are a lot of artists we’d be honored to work with. Trent Reznor and Mikael Åkerfeldt would be incredible collaborators. Jeremy has mentioned that Loreena McKennitt and ENDERA being featured on a Lady Gaga track would be pretty Gnarly.
Honestly, though, we’d be grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with almost anyone. One of the things that excites us about music is seeing how different artists bring their own perspective and creativity into a project. Whether it’s someone we’ve looked up to for years or an artist we’ve never worked with before, we’d be honored to contribute to their music and create something together.
9. Whom not?
We’re pretty open when it comes to collaboration. For us, the biggest thing is being able to connect with the artist creatively and personally and make sure we’re on the same page. The only real line for us would be working with artists or bands that promote hate, discrimination, or anything that goes against the kind of community we want to be part of. Beyond that, we’re open to exploring different styles and working with people who bring something unique to the table.
10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?
When I first started playing in bands, I definitely got nervous before shows. Over time, I learned that a lot of that anxiety came from putting too much pressure on myself to be perfect. I eventually started telling myself, “For those 20 or 30 minutes on stage, I don’t have to worry about anything else going on in my life—I can just focus on playing and enjoying the moment.”
These days, it’s much more excitement than nerves. I love my boys, and we just have fun when we get the opportunity to do what we love. My biggest advice to anyone just starting out is simple: just have fun. Don’t worry about being perfect or making mistakes. The more you enjoy yourself, the more comfortable you’ll become on stage, and that energy will come through to the audience.
11. What bands have inspired you the most?
In Flames, Death, Pantera, Children of Bodom, After the Burial, Killswitch Engage, Born of Osiris, NOFX, Lagwagon, Bad Religion, and the list goes on.
12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?
I don’t know if I’d call it the weirdest request, but definitely one of the most memorable happened while we were filming the music video for “The Philomath.” We had two kids come up and ask if they could jump off something in the video. Somehow, that turned into them jumping off the roof of the building, and we ended up using it in the video.
So, maybe it wasn’t necessarily weird, but it was definitely unexpected—and pretty rad. It’s one of those moments that just happened naturally and ended up making the video even more memorable.
13. What do you think of your fans?
I know a lot of bands probably say this, but we genuinely feel like we have some of the best fans out there. We’ve built a really solid community of amazing people here in Savannah and throughout the Southeast, and we’re incredibly grateful for the support they’ve given us.
One thing we really try to encourage is for people to come say hello after shows and introduce themselves. We’re not interested in creating a barrier between the band and the people who support us. We want to know our fans, hear their stories, and make them feel like they’re part of what we’re building with ENDERA. For us, that community is just as important as the music itself.
14. What do you think of our site?
Anything that helps promote and support the underground music scene is an incredible thing. There are so many talented bands out there that may never get the opportunity to be heard simply because of how difficult it has become for independent musicians to reach a larger audience.
That’s why we really appreciate what you guys are doing. Creating a platform where bands at every level have an opportunity to be heard, discovered, and supported is incredibly valuable to the music community. We think that’s awesome, and we’re grateful to be a part of it.
15. Something to add?
WWW.ENDERAMUSIC.COM. All our links are on our website. Give us a follow and check out our recently released EP “A Blooming Doom.”
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