Interview by Jason Williams
Based out of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, Syrebris is a progressive/technical death metal quartet that started out in 2006 and through compelling music and impressive live shows over the years they’ve garnered a solid local following. Most recently they put out a 7-song EP called ‘Aetheric Dynamics’ and participated in the OC Death Fest at the Music Hall in Anaheim CA on September 13th. Before their set, our man Jason Williams sat down with guitarist/vocalist Victoria Villarreal and her husband Manuel for an interview. Check out the conversation below and catch Syrebris at their next OC show on October 24th at the OC Music Hall, where they’ll be opening for Deicide, Septicflesh, Inquisition, Abysmal Dawn and Carach Angren.
Syrebris is the only band returning to this year’s OC Death Fest from last year. It must mean something positive to Syrebris to be chosen again. Talk about last year’s experience and what it means for the band?
Manuel Villarreal: Last year’s experience was really great. Jesse (promoter from Arrogant Behavior Promotions) hit us up about coming back, and we’ve been working with him closely. We’re actually going under Arrogant Behavior Promotions management, so that’s pretty big for us and we’re really excited about that. And yeah, everything’s still yet to be written up, and Jesse is trying to get us going (laughs).
Victoria Villarreal: We’re really excited to be back! I felt we got a great response the last year and maybe that’s why we were invited back. And it throws in some variety I think, in the lineup.
The band recently went out of the state to play a couple of death metal festivals in Texas and other states as well, earlier in the year. For not yet having a full length album released, it’s pretty remarkable that the band can tour extensively and still be a part of these festivals that even other more established bands aren’t able to do yet. How are you able to obtain those opportunities outside the state and play these shows?
Victoria: I think we’ve been very lucky (laughs). We don’t usually book our own shows, I mean, we usually get offers and that was one opportunity, and we were like, “We’ll take it!” And it’s all self-funded pretty much, we do it all independently and we love what we do, and that’s why we do it.
How are you able to self-fund these certain tours you’re able to do?
Both: Work hard! (laughs)
Manuel: Work, save money, merch sales.
Victoria: Merch sales definitely helps. I mean, it circulates. We sell merch and it goes back to the band, you know?
It’s really hard for touring these days. Even some of the bigger extreme bands are having a difficult time with consistent touring. Shadows Fall even recently disbanded for one of those reasons, and at one time in the metal scene, they were a very popular band. Because there can only be so many LA and OC shows constantly, how do you differ from the pack and able to tour extensively?
Manuel: As far as getting out and playing, I mean, you just got to want to. There’s always opportunity if you’re looking for it and are available. Even with work, if I don’t have vacation or whatever. You know, those are priorities. But I want to go out on the road and play. I just don’t want to pass up on those opportunities.
You just had your EP ‘Aetheric Dynamics’ released not too long ago. Are there plans for a full-length record?
Victoria: Oh yeah! It’s been a very slow process. We like to take our time writing. We’re very picky with the songwriting process, but we definitely want to put out an album soon, and really looking forward to it.
Manuel: Yeah, we’re holding off booking any more shows until the end of the year.
Victoria: We’re spreading them out, for sure.
And this is something a little rare on the metal community these days. The two of you are married, for readers that aren’t aware. And without getting into anything too personal, of course, with the amount of time you spend together constantly, writing music, touring and everything else at home, how do you find the balance to keep everything consistent?
Victoria: I believe it’s the chemistry that we have. We get along, but there’s times when we bump heads (laughs). It’s normal though. And in the writing process it can be like that too, but we make it happen.
Manuel: It’s one thing to be playing in a band that you love doing, and another thing to be playing in a band with someone that you also love.
Victoria: Aww! (laughs)
Manuel: But yeah, it’s a fusion of everything and a motivation to keep doing it, to keep it balanced.
After the release of your full-length record, are there any big plans to go on either headlining tours or any supporting tours to really get the name out further, having a full length record?
Manuel: There are plans, I mean, it’s one of the reasons why we’re working with Arrogant Behavior right now. We’re trying to work stuff out as where we can hop on tours, we would love to do that. We’ve had small tours like one week tours, or whatever.
Victoria: More weekend tours.
Manuel: And it’s something that we like and if we could a full-length tour, we’ll definitely jump on that. And that’s one of the reasons we’re with ABP.
Victoria: Hopefully someday we can experience that.
Will ABP be your ‘record label?’ Or are you already under one at the moment?
Manuel: No label. Just talking management with Jesse right now. And he’s been very gracious to have us here, and at a bunch of other shows. It’s why we continue to work with him.
As I mentioned a little bit in before, touring hasn’t been constant in the extreme metal community. It’s hard for bands to get off the spring and be able to really branch out. What advice can you give to any other bands working their way up, to promote themselves properly? Because Facebook is not enough these days, it just doesn’t seem to be, as there’s so many other bands going that route. What has Syrebris done that has helped the band out and any other advice you can give out to help them jumpstart their potential career?
Victoria: I think first of all, have great music (laughs). And promote, promote, promote! Get yourself out there, make connections with people, talk to people, you know? Be humble too. Don’t walk around with an attitude, no one’s going to want to help you. And help each other! Help other bands, as well. You give and take.
Manuel: The biggest thing I would say that has helped us is word of mouth. Be kind to people and they’ll remember you. Spread your word and your music, help each other out! Helping the community helps you.
Arrogant Behavior Promotions is one of the few promotions I’ve noticed that has actually used real flyers and posters, the old school way of word of mouth, instead of just complete social media. And it’s something that’s difficult to really do, since it’s so much easier to just put it on a computer. Aside from word of mouth, does Syrebris use stickers, posters, or even demos, to help spread the band name?
Manuel: Well, we do have merch. When we go out of state we also leave our merch with the local bands there so they can get our stuff out. At local shows here we always have our merch regularly available. And we’re in the works for getting new designs, just to help replace our older merch that’s been a little outdated (laughs). It’s a little old.
With the new album that’s being slowly worked on, do you have an expected time release of when you’ll be able to distribute it to the public?
Victoria: I don’t want to say anything yet. I mean, we’re just going with the flow, pretty much. When we’re ready, we’ll be ready to release and announce it.
Manuel: No hard dates, but we’re working as hard as we can to get it done (laughs).
Victoria: I’m hoping, sometime next year. We will see.
Related: Gig Review: OC Death Fest Burns Bright In Orange County
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