UK rockers Orestea are gearing up to release new album Elements on September 22! We asked the band to take us further into their world by taking on our A-Z challenge!
A song that made you want to make music?
Nothing by A
Best rider you’ve ever had?
We once got bought a huge buffet by a fuel company that had overrun at the venue we were due to play at by way of apology for making soundcheck start late!
Craziest thing you’ve experienced in the band?
Turning up at a venue 3 hours away to be told that the headliners had pulled out so the night had been cancelled…. We were the headliners!
Deepest lyric one of your songs features?
Picking a lyric is too hard, but the whole song Getaway is probably the deepest and most personal thing I’ve written.
Easiest song you wrote?
From the new album, I would probably say Alive or Just Existing. The whole some kind of happened quite naturally.
Favourite song in your set?
At the moment, Elements. It changes regularly though!
Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?
Ooh, that’s tough. Jason Butler would be cool, or someone in the pop arena like Halsey.
Hardest thing about being in a band?
Money and Time (in equal measure)
Interesting fact about one of your members?
Mike is a third dan black belt.
Jokes you have in the band?
There’s a running joke about Mike being Jamaican. We all dressed up like Bob Marley for his birthday party once.
Key to writing a song?
Don’t get too stuck on writing the song you think you’re writing, let the song guide you rather than trying to force it to be something it’s not.
Longest distance you’ve travelled to play a show?
Probably the shows we did in Europe. It was fun though. We watched Madagascar on the ferry.
Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?
Claudio Sanchez from Coheed and Cambria always leaves me awestruck. I saw them at Koko a few years back and they started by doing a full band acoustic set, it was magnificent. His voice is out of this world.
New band you’d recommend?
Seasons or Chapter and Verse. I’ve seen both bands recently and they absolutely blew me away!
Opening for this band would be ideal?
Coheed and Cambria
Place you’d most like to tour?
America
Quote you’d like to pass on to our readers?
Sell yourself short and that’s the most you’ll ever be worth.
Reason for the title of your recent/forthcoming release?
The album shows a lot of different sides to us, so we wanted a title that really captured the vibe of the record.
See us live at?
Keep an eye on our website for upcoming shows.
The old days of music were better than the current, do you agree?
No chance. The UK scene is super strong at the moment. The best is yet to come.
Unusual merchandise?
We have had a lot of requests for socks…. We haven’t done it yet but you never know.
Variations you’d like to do of any of your songs?
I would love to do a stripped down piano version of a lot of the songs on the album.
What do your fans mean to you?
We are our fans. This band wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for their ongoing support!
X-rays or any treatments needed for band related injuries?
Wow…. You were really scraping the barrel for X right? I had to be admitted during a tour once and I’m pretty sure they scanned me at the hospital there. I’d recently had surgery and had foolishly gone on tour a few weeks later against the surgeon’s advice. The tour was pretty great aside from that though!
You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?
We have a bit of a reputation for punctuality. The only times we’ve ever been late are because of motorway standstills!
Zoo animal that best describes the personality of your band?
Meerkats because we stick together and are excellent at comparing prices.