Con·cor·di·a

 [kon-kawr-dee-uh]    noun: 

1. the ancient Roman goddess of harmony or peace. 

 

I told you a bit about Concordia when I went to see them open up for 12 Stones at the Phoenix in Petaluma earlier this year. You can read more about that show here.  Well since then, I have been immensely enjoying my CD that I picked up at that show, aptly titled “Clarity of Perception”.  Their sound blends many of my favorite music styles together to create an intense fusion of music that gives you catchy melodies, energy driven riffs, fantastic vocals that keep you engaged and energized.  You can head over to Concordia’s website to get your own copy of “Clarity of Perception” or download from Itunes.

Concordia is Eric Emery on Vocals, Cory Juba on Guitar, Nick Smith on Bass and Kyle Tresch on drums.  We recently were able to catch up with Eric Emery who formed Concordia back in 2011.

Music Junkie Press:  First, Eric, tell us about how you came up with such a catchy band name? 

Eric Emery: During my time writing the album with Sahaj we kept trying to come up with band names but nothing seemed to sit well.  One day Sahaj (Sahaj Ticotin, lead singer of RA) noticed the tattoo on my chest that says “Concordia Discors” (latin for “harmony in discord”). He suggested Concordia be the band name and I instantly took a liking to it.

Music Junkie Press:  We had the great pleasure of catching Concordia on the 12 Stones tour here in Northern California and I must say you have gained a lot of new fans up here. You guys put on a great full energy powerful show. We understand you just finished up your tour with 12 Stones, how was that tour for you?

Eric Emery:  It was great! We had a blast playing with those guys.  The coolest part was being able to hang out with a band that I’ve been listening to since I was 11.  

Music Junkie Press: What are in the works for Concordia right now?

Eric Emery:  Currently we are working on writing some new material.  Sometime in the next few weeks we will be debuting a brand new song for the fans.  It’s really coming along and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.  

Music Junkie Press:  I have to tell you I cherish my copy of Clarity of Perception. It has become a bit of an addiction for me! Your lyrics speak volumes and then you throw in these catchy melodies and awesome guitar riffs and it all comes together perfectly. Do you have a personal favorite on this album?

Eric Emery: Wow, thanks!! That is quite a review.  My personal favorite on the record is probably “Sorry For Now”.  To me, that is just a well written song all around.  

Music Junkie Press:  Your songs can provide anything from comfort, acceptance, inspiring, energizing and so much more. We always talk about how Music Saves and Heals people, whether it be a particular song or band that can chance someone’s mood or even take their life in a different direction. Can you share with us any personal recount of how music helped you through a certain time?

Eric Emery:   For me music has always served as an escape.  Whether it’s just from a long car ride or a stressful day, once I crank up some of my favorite tunes all seems to be forgotten….or at least a bit more tolerable.  

Music Junkie Press:  How old were you when you got the music bug and who were some of your influences?

Eric Emery:  I was around 8 or 9 when I asked my mom if I could take guitar lessons, and I have really been passionate about recording and writing music ever since.  Some of my influences when I was a young guitar player were Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, and a lot of shredders.  Once I got a bit older and started appreciating songwriting a bit more I began to really love bands/singers like Incubus, Tool, Alanis Morissette, and RA.    

Music Junkie Press: Everyone always looks back at how they could have used a certain piece of advice at a certain time. We have a lot of young teens as our audience and we would like to know what would be your advice to your “14 year old self?”

Eric Emery:  I think my best advice (although it seems like a cliché) would just be to work hard and be diligent with whatever you do.  You really have to be self-motivated and make your own opportunities.  Don’t ever feel like you are entitled or should be given anything without working for it.  I know a lot of people like that…..and I don’t think they’re going very far.     

Music Junkie Press: If you could create your personal lineup for your concert, what other three bands or artists whether living or dead would you have on your bill?

Eric Emery:  My dream concert would probably be Karnivool, Incubus, and Tool.  

Music Junkie Press: What was your first concert you went to?

Eric Emery: My very first concert was Styx and Kansas.  Unfortunately, I was very young at the time and most of my memories of the show are a bit foggy.  The first show that I went to by myself was Mushroomhead.

Music Junkie Press:  When you are not on the road touring or performing, what do you do in your spare time?

Eric Emery: I record a lot of other bands in my studio, Emery Recording Studios in Cleveland.  When I’m not doing that I am usually just watching tv or writing and listening to music.  Music really encapsulates my entire life.

Music Junkie Press:  If you could remake any song from any genre, what would it be? (I personally am still waiting for a remake of Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York, in a heavy Rock sound!)

Eric Emery:  I think my voice might be a little too high to do Frank Sinatra justice.  I would probably just get laughed at.  I personally am a fan of remaking pop songs and adding a rock edge.  However, lately I have been contemplating covering an Alanis Morissette song.  We’ll see what happens.    

Music Junkie Press: Last one is our Quick Five This or That: (here we pick 5 random this or thats from our bucket and these are the ones chosen)

Metallica or Megadeth

Eric Emery: Metallica by a mile! I have never been a Megadeth fan.  

Zombies or Vampires

Eric Emery: I am a fan of both “Trueblood” and “Walking Dead”….so this is a tough choice for me.  I guess I would have to go with Vampires.

Call of Duty or Battlefield

Eric Emery:  Call of Duty but I don’t really play either one.

Camping or Tropical Island

 Eric Emery: Tropical Island.

Hamburgers or Pizza

Eric Emery:  Pizza is one of my favorite foods!

Thanks Eric for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us here at Music Junkie Press. We would like to share some of your videos so everyone get’s to enjoy your music. First let’s start off with my favorite;  the video for ” Surrender” that features the great lyrics and is an energy driven fist pumping song with smooth melodic pauses.  Then we follow up with the beautiful and touching acoustic version of “Ghost of You” that also features Sahaj Ticotin of RA on guitar and then we have “Spoon Fed Sheep where you really get to appreciate and enjoy Eric’s vocals.

 

 

So make sure to take some time out and listen to Concordia and be to sure to visit their Website and keep up to date on their future tour dates. If they are coming to you a venue near you, you don’t want to miss the incredible live show they put on.

~ Enjoy and crank it up loud, Marisol

Concordia Links:

• Concordia Website:         www.concordiaband.com
• Concordia Facebook:     www.facebook.com/ConcordiaRock
• Concordia Youtube:    www.youtube.com/ConcordiaRock
• Concordia Twitter:   www.twitter.com/ConcordiaRock
• Concordia on Itunes:    http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/clarity-of-perception/id499281848
• Concordia Reverbnation:  www.Reverbnation.com/Concordiaband