Leo Atreides (Plagues - vocals/ Fissure - guitar)
1. What are your top five albums that were released in 2013? (In order 1-5)
- Comadre - Comadre LP
- Seizures - The Sanity Universal
- Daft Punk - Random Access Memories
- Weekend Nachos - Still
- Deafheaven - Sunbather
2. What band did you discover in 2013 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
Earlier this year, someone had sent me a youtube link of the now disbanded Baader Brains from the East Bay's final EP, New Era Hope Colony. Although their style wasn't necessarily new, it was a spin on something from the roots of '80s style hardcore mixed with the psychedelic aura that is the San Francisco/East Bay culture that I've grown up in and loved since I was a kid. Not only that, but I found the name of the band itself enticing since it was an obscure, twisted and almost satirical shot at Bad Brains. This EP was definitely a breath of fresh air from all the dark hardcore and powerviolence being revived right now. It proved to me that Punk Rock and gnarly skater-thrashin rock and roll that was alive and kicking back in the day is still making a splash today and that people are doing it well.
3. How will you remember 2013? (In terms of music)
2013, to me, has been a year of bands coming into their own sound and releasing phenomenal EP's and LP's that demonstrate not only some incredible musical achievements that make me proud to be part of the music community, but also shows their potential to exponentially grow as musicians and accept different styles of music as an influence to their own.
4. What can we look forward to from you in 2014?
Plagues has just begun writing songs for a future release which we expect to be out sometime next year. More details will be announced when we are ready.
A lot of new songs and plenty of tours are in the works for Plagues as well as with Fissure. I had a blast this year creating and performing for everyone and I plan on continuing well into next year with the same ferocity.
5. What records are you looking forward to most in 2014?
I haven't really looked into too much of what everyone is doing. I did see Dangers post some kind of teaser up on their website several months ago that I can only assume will be released next year, in which I wait for their arrival with bated breath.
6. There is a lot of debate over streaming sites and royalties, namely with Spotify. What is your stance on the economic policies behind the current streaming services? Do you have a preferred one?
I've learned to accept that, as of right now, Punk Rock can't pay the bills. It isn't the time to capitalize on digital sales or try to accept royalties from some college radio station. If you've got Spotify then by all means abuse it. I'd rather you listen to my music online and then buy the record later than never listen to my record and simply forget about me.
I've taken a shining to Bandcamp.com. High quality streaming, a "name your own price" option an artist can apply for downloading albums and a very simple business plan of a "for the people, for the artist" way of thinking.
