First of, just want to thank you for participating in this edition of Infidel Interviews. Could you start off by giving a little information about yourself to the audience? Whatever you feel comfortable with, but name, age, what instruments you can play, and where you live would be pretty standard?
Ventsislav Stoychev – Hey metalheads!!! It’s very nice to meet you all and we would like to thank very much to Infidel Network for the interest, shown in our band. My name is Ventsi (Vince), I will be turning 30 this December and I am the lead singer of the alternative – crossover metal band from Sofia (Bulgaria) - Adrenaline Overload. We were formed three years ago in the beginning of 2014.
How do you enjoy where you live? Is there a vibrant music community for you to indulge? Would you say you find that your local scene influences your attitude and/or creativity?
I dare to say that our country is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, that has an amazing nature (something that I’m very fond of) and little, but very supportive audience for this kind of music (there is no coincidence, that “The Big Four“ DVD was recorded here in 2010). Unfortunately I can’t say, that the local scene was very influential for the last two years, but this year (2016) was very strong for us, after the releasing of our video “Derived” and the fact, that we were one of the bands on the finals of W.O.A Metal Battle Bulgaria 2016, which (for me personally and for the rest of the band) was a huge success and appreciation for our hard work, during the past two years, because almost no one even knew who we were and yet we ended up, sharing the stage with amazing musicians like LieVeiL (winner for 2016) , Кhanъ, Eufobia, 8M/S, Yuvigi.
How do you and the rest of the band all meet? And was it easy to find and agree upon a sound that you could all work with? What does the name of the band represent to you?
After my departure from J.N.D., naturally, started looking for a new band, in the meantime Danny (guitar), Steli (Bass) and Ceco (Drums) were already playing from a previous project and were searching for a front man. After I’ve joined – Iliyan (The Silver Fox – guitar) picked up the guitar and started playing with us full time.
If you want to talk about sound – Danny is the guy for you. He has the conception, and is constantly looking for a sound, that is raw and primal, the one, that is most defined in “Derived” and the rest of the songs from our debut E.P. “ Four pieces of the puzzle “, where each song has its own unique sound and feeling.
The band’s name (for me personally) is a representation of the most powerful, raw and uncontrolled emotions of the human existence. The things that push you, that make you feel alive, because that’s how I feel, when I am on stage, when I’m writing music or recording. For me music is an emotional overdrive, take that away from a musician – he is as good as dead.
What would you say are your favourite themes and topics to write about? What draws you to those themes? I've also noticed you write all your songs in English. Did you decide on that as a band, or is a personal choice of the singer? Also do you plan to release any music in your native language in the future?
My favourite themes are the ones that are burning, deep inside, each one of us, the ones, that constantly make us feel, like we are in a battle with our own self and existence, and the existence of our true nature in this corrupt, false and artificial world, that we live in (with few exceptions of course) .
As for the language - my thoughts and lyrics are flowing more freely in English and since we want to share our music with the rest of the world, we thought this would be the way to go. We have few songs in our native language and one that is mixed in English and Bulgarian, but they are not completed yet.
Are there any bands that you would say are your "core" or "prime" inspirations when making music? Are there any new bands that you are currently really vibing?
Each one of us is listening all kinds of music – everything starting from ZZ TOP, Pink Floyd and Marillion to Alice in chains, Godsmack, Drowning Pool, Slipknot, Pantera, Dream theater, In flames and so on. We are very different as musicians and personalities, but each one of us gives the best of his taste and skills to contribute to the band and to our alternative-crossover style.
“New” is a very relative word, but for instance 5FDP, KSE, Any given day, BMTH, BFMVT, Evergrey and many other.
What sort of processes do you go through when making music? Do you have a formula(s) that you follow, or do you feel it out as you go along? Or is it more of a mixture of the two?
There is no right or wrong way, when you are making music – when someone has an idea, he represents it in front of everybody and we are making it up as we play along, so each one of us can put his heart and soul in the music.
What would you say would be you short term, and long term, goals for your band? What do you see in the future for your creative output?
Short term – we have a gig with a great Serbian band Alogia (Their guitarist Srdjan Brankovic is playing the second solo in our song “Become”), something that we are looking forward to. In long term – we are getting ready to record few more songs and to choose which one (or few) of them we will make in a video, so we can share them with everybody and eventually to create an album.
Playing live shows, recording new tracks, attempting to go live the life that gives you the experiences that inspires it all... it can be difficult to balance the time. Do you have any particular methods that you use to keep yourself focused or balanced in your direction? What are some of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome in your musical career?
For each one of us – there are different issues - almost everybody has family, children and we all are on a full time job, but at the end of the day – we all find a way to do one of the things we love the most – music.
If you could tour anywhere in the world, with any other bands, where would it be and who with? What defines this choice?
We would love to tour in some of the big cities in USA, UK, Germany, Serbia, Italy and all other places, where there are people that love metal & rock music, with any of the bands
(existent or not), that made us who we are today.
Would you say that your choice to pursue music has changed your life since you started? Would you say that creativity has evolved you spiritually, emotionally, or logically? What are some of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome in your musical career?
Yes and yes. As a musician or a human being - when you create something with other people and share it with the rest of the world, the impact and influence are inevitable, the communication is inevitable and in order to continue your journey – you have to evolve, there is no alternative. That’s why we are here for – to leave something behind us and to contribute to each other.
The biggest challenge in a band is to accept everyone’s opinion, to stay focused and sharp, and to overcome the human facture and the ego. Lucky for us – we found a way to do that, with no major issues.
Are you musically self-taught? Or have you had mentors along the way to help you develop?
Both.
What sort of influences outside of your primary artistic expression help move or guide your artistic expression? I've often heard from musicians that their mundane jobs or family lives often provide a unexpected platform for inspiration.
Every person like every musician is being influenced differently by his own way, but most likely – the things that we experience in our everyday life are the main source of inspiration.
In an industry that is driven by sales, and consumerism, what are your thoughts on digital downloads (legal and illegal)? Do you feel that streaming and digital download stores aid the accessibility of music? How about music piracy? It obviously hurts sales in some regards, but it also boosts the access and distribution of the release which could lead to potential fans who do come to shows, buy physical copies of music, and get merchandise? Do you feel there would be enough turn around in that sort of system or are you firmly against file sharing?
For us - it’s important to create music, give it all we got, have fun and share it with people. We know how vast the music industry is. We will keep doing what we love and if there are benefits from it – they will come on their own terms. That’s why the tracks are free to download on our Facebook page and store, also on YouTube - and anyone can contribute to the band and the music.
Thank you so much for participating in this episode of Infidel Interview. Any parting words for your fans, or my audience?
Keep listening and supporting the real music!!! Stay strong and stay metal!!!
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