Mar 31, 2022
Listen/purchase: Ex Oblivion by Tombs
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Listen/purchase: Ex Oblivion by Tombs
Interview 001-Consonance [Long Island]
(from left to right:Mike DiGiulio, Nick Shann, Dylan Barone, Rich Castillo, Justin Barone)
An up and coming Progressive Metal band by the name of Consonance is about to release their debut EP “Autonomia” due December 21st. Readers will get an exclusive look into the minds of the people behind the band.
With this insight you’ll learn about the struggles of a local band that tries to represent professionalism and modesty. You’ll delve deeper into the personalities that mesh into one on stage, whilst also retaining their own individuality and diverse personalities. Consonance is driven, electric, and motivated. Find out why and more, below!
How did Consonance become what it is today?
Nick:When I walked into this wild rodeo. Our puzzle isn’t missing any more pieces. *tips hat*
Mike: It started after the band Rich and I were in (Engineering An Empire) disbanded. We had a lot of ideas that we jammed on with Justin and our old bassist (Jacob Nycz, who also was in EAE), and eventually got down the framework for the songs on our upcoming EP. We mutually parted ways with Jacob in the fall of 2014. We spent a while as a three piece, struggling to find a vocalist, until our friend Dylan(part 2 of the brother duo) joined in late 2014, on both vocals and keys. His strong ear for melody and pop-esque vocal approach to our music really reshaped our sound and drastically revamped our pre-existing music. After a couple gigs with this lineup (in which we used a MIDI backing track on bass) our friend Nick (who recorded our single and is currently producing our EP) became interested in working with us and joined on bass, finally completing the lineup we have today.
What are the biggest inspirations for Consonance?
Mike:Musically, Coheed and Cambria, System of a Down, Misery Signals, Incubus, Murder By Death, and Between the Buried and Me are key influences for me in Consonance. Memorable songwriting and crossover appeal has always been what I’ve strived to achieve. I always look up to bands who are able to utilize it in unconventional ways.
Nick:BTBAM, The Contortionist, The Dear Hunter, Karnivool, Sick Gear, learning how to be telepathic, complicated music that feels normal.
Rich:Finding truth in music, finding order in the struggle of life, progressing as people and inspiring those around you. Every Time I Die, Last Chance to Reason, King Crimson, Johannes Brahms, Frank Zappa, and Chick Corea.
Dylan:I probably draw influence from a way broader number of bands and genres than the rest of my band. My synth\keyboard inspiration comes mostly from The Contortionist and Last Chance To Reason, but as far as my singing style is concerned, I try to emulate as many people as possible, including Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance for how raw his vocal style is, Rob Richards of Painted in Exile for his epic clean and harsh vocal delivery, and Brendon Urie for his delivery of vocal dynamic and melodies.
If you could tour with one local band, and one famous band; who would you choose?
Nick:Easily Cryptodira and BTBAM
Mike:For the local i’d choose Cryptodira, for the famous band I’d choose System of a Down. A man can dream.
Rich:Local- Moontooth Famous- King Crimson(yea right)
Dylan:Cryptodira (of course, my boys) and The Contortionist
What has been the best show you guys have played thus far?
Mike:Our first show back with Cryptodira, Moon Tooth and Oath in March was very special. It was our first time playing with Dylan, and at that point the songs had been fully evolved and we felt much more confident presenting them to people. It was amazing to see Amity Music Hall packed out to support such incredible, hard working local bands.
Nick: We played a show at my house for my birthday party after strongly suggesting we shouldn’t do it, but I had friends come from Maryland and the City and even they were telling us it had to be done. My good friend Noel helped me set up a room in the basement, and my other good friend Brian V. brought some seriously crazy lights. No one was playing their normal gear, and despite the odds we had a pretty seriously awesome show.
Dylan: Our first show was so stacked, and since it had been my first time back on stage in a couple years, that show will forever hold a special place in my heart. Prog lives on.
Do you guys have good relations with your former bass player(s)?
Mike: We’re still very close friends with Jay, and have plenty of hangs with him when he is home from school.
Nick: He is an inspiration to me, and it’s an honor to be filling his shoes.
Rich: Jacob will always be one of our best friends and biggest inspirations. We parted ways so that he could focus on his career/schooling in French Horn at SUNY Purchase, where he’s become principal horn player. It was a huge blow to all of us. He is one of the most dedicated, knowledgeable, and passionate musicians in the world and will go great places in his career. Our in between bassist is no where to be found.
What do you think is the most important thing for the music scene?
Nick: Passion. If you want something in this world, now is the best time to go get it.
Rich: Nick is right. Passion and hard work. The way music business currently works allows artists to go out and make something of themselves all on their own. Its a lot of work, but if this is what you truly want to do you can make it happen. If everyone works hard at promoting and getting themselves out there, the scene thrives.
Dylan: Hate to sound repetitive, but passion and a love for your art is crucial to our local scene. there isn’t much reward (monetarily at least) so the drive to continue has to come from your heart.
How often do you guys practice? What do these practices consist of?
Mike: Usually we practice 1-2 times a week. At practice we rehearse our set once or twice, flesh out some new song ideas, go over band related business/planning, and annoy Rich with Smash Bros breaks.
Goals for the band, short and long term?
Nick: Right now I wanna get this EP out. A future goal that I really want is to have a sick show with programmed lights and visual oddities. I wanna make our set an experience both aurally, and visually.
Mike: I'm just extremely excited to get this EP out there. In the long term, I'd like to try to develop a bigger following and meet as different many people as possible, as well as sharing the stage with various influences.
Rich: Besides the EP, we really put a lot of work into our live show. Visually and aurally we want to push the boundaries of what you usually get at a show. We also really want to get our music out to as many people as possible and start playing shows out of state to new people.
Dylan: I just wanna play my music man. without it I’d be dead, no exaggeration. In the long term I’d like to spread our music to people outside of the tri-state area. I want people from all over to be looking forward to our next release.
What’s the toughest part about being in a serious band?
Nick: Being serious is the toughest part. We are not just a band, we are a family.
Rich: Getting yourself out to everyone who even might remotely want to hear your music. If you can get your music out to enough people, someone will notice and want to help you reach even more potential fans.
Dylan: I’d like to think that being in this band is all fun and games, but the most difficult part of being in this band is finding the right balance of work and play. Can’t be too serious and definitely cannot slack too much.
Do any of you honestly think you can beat me in Smash Bros for the WIIU?
Nick: Bro those words will be served upon your plate stuffed in a grilled cheese and slam sandwich as I crush you without even picking up a controller.
Mike: 1 V 1 Final Destination no item only.
Rich:What does a WIIU look like?
Dylan: Dude step to my Greninja game and get wrecked son
How old was each member the first time they played in front of an audience?
Nick: 9th grade talent show. What a show it was. Almost the whole school came to see us. Being the nerd I am we played a rock version of the lost woods theme from zelda and jammed on it hard. The best part of that show had to be when I was soloing and I did a power slide. I couldn't even hear my amp I was right next to because the crowd was so loud.
Mike: In 11th grade, playing sloppy metalcore covers at a backyard barbeque for a high school club I was in. It was terrible.
Rich: The first time I played on stage was in 7th grade, I had to be like 12 years old. I had an awful pop punk cover band with friends from my school hahahaha. We actually played at Village Pub South for our very first show, which is now Amityville Music Hall!
Dylan: I stepped on stage to be an extra in the musical “Footloose” when I was in 9th grade. in the coming years I continued to do the musicals, getting leads and solos. That’s how I dove into being a vocalist.
Any questions,comments or concerns for your fans reading this blog/interview just to get to know you guys better?!
Rich: We want to interact with you! Say hi to us at shows, come talk to us at our merch table or wherever we may be. Add on us on twitter and instagram, tell us what kind of merch you want to see out of us, voice any comment or concern you have, lets be friends!
Dylan: Play me in Smash for the 3DS 1v1 so I can whoop your asses
CONGRATULATIONS!!! If you have gotten this far, you now know Consonance way more than you did before. Hyped for their EP? I sure am. Don’t be an idiot and miss them open up for Moon Tooth, Cryptodira and Painted In Exile on January 14th! Thank you so much for reading my first interview, don’t forget to listen to “Autonomia” and always remember to support local music!
Exorcist | Nightmare Theatre (1985) FULL ALBUM
1.Black Mass 2.The Invocation 3.Burnt Offerings 4.The Hex 5.Possessed 6.Call for the Exorcist 7.Death by Bewitchment 8.The Trial 9.Execution of the Witches 10.Consuming Flames of Redemption 11.Megawatt Mayhem 12.Riding to Hell 13.Queen of the Dead 14. Lucifer's Lament 15.The Banishment
Irate - Vendetta (8-bit version)
The other day I spotted the obscure 1983 album American Metal by the Brooklyn-based band Americade and for a couple dollars, I was powerless to resist its inane-looking charms. It's competent and professional-sounding enough I guess, but utterly cheesy and not likely to hang around with my other records for much longer. Still, the packaging is a delight so here's a detail of the inner sleeve collage, complete with drawn portraits of each band member. Their bio on allmusic.com is a fun short read.
I'll paint the walls with what was left of you bleeding out.
Come check out this band on July 14th at Heirloom Arts Theater in Danbury, CT! They always put on a brutal live show! Be there or be square!
Come check out Hollow Threat and more at Heirloom Arts Theater in Danbury, CT on July 14th! It will be worth your while!
