Interview: TerraDown
The questions were answered by the bassist Joris Koenraadt. His vision and history is mentioned in the answers. The other band members have different backgrounds.
What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
Growing up with classic rock, I started my music career in my High School days. One of the subjects was music. That was also the first time I wanted to play an instrument. First, I wanted to learn the drums, but I never tried and in contrast picked up the guitar. So I picked up the guitar and after a few years of lessons, I grew tired of the high-pitched sounds and the lack of something more solid. I always loved the heavy tones of bass. Even before I listened to metal and rock I loved hardcore, which is basically a heavy bass and beat together. I learned the bassline of ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ from Metallica on the guitar. The first time I picked up a bass guitar, it felt like coming home. It felt good, it felt heavy, it felt like me.
If I had not been in a band I would most likely have gone further in motorsport. As a youth I became Dutch champion in the sport Trial. Even though I couldn't compete with the top among the adults; I think I would have stuck in the motorsport scene.
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
When I'm not working with the band I work full-time as a system engineer, I work-out, ride motorcycles, watch movies / series or I play anything but low tones like my tenor banjo. As an IT guy I mostly work in background. This is also the case for my role within TerraDown. You won’t notice me that often, but when I’m gone you’ll feel like something’s missing in the songs of TerraDown.
How long has your band been around?
The band has been around since 2016. I have been in the band since the start and I must say; What a journey it has already been and I am curious what time will bring!
Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?
I grew up with classic rock through my parents. Made the cover to pop punk, punk, hard rock and eventually metal. This makes my creativity very diverse, but I still have a preference for melodic punk bass lines. I try to incorporate this into the music of TerraDown as much as possible.
How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you.
We all contributed towards the name in al little way but mostly our vocalist Nick Brouwer and former rhythm guitarist Steven de Leeuw. They came up with 'Terra' which is Latin for earth and 'Down'. Both of them together means a world upside down, a world going down. That's also a little bit the concept of TerraDown.
Tell me about the best and worst shows you have played.
One of the best shows has to be at Baroeg Open Air. This is a festival in Rotterdam where we were allowed to play as the 3rd band. The atmosphere in the festival tent was perfect, the audience went crazy and this gave us such a thrill that the show got better and better as the show progressed.
One of the worst shows is related to technical failures. It is really frustrating when you want to put on a top show and unfortunately you cannot do it because of the technology. Despite the technical aspects of the show, we were still able to make the most of it and can look back on it with a broad grin. We see this more as a lesson on how to prevent this in the future.
Tell me about your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?
We have not yet been in many venues, but one of the best was in the Kroepoekfabriek. This is a small venue in Vlaardingen. In terms of venues, I would live to play in a larger venue with a big crowd. To experience what it is like to see a large audience in front of you. Hopefully we will become big enough with TerraDown so that it can be realized.
If you could play any show with any lineup who would be on the ticket?
Personally, it would be a dream come true to be able to open for bands we look up to. And by that I mean bands like; Amon Amarth, Avatar and Lamb of God. If they read this; please contact us!
What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band?
Definitely sign up for band competitions and don't be afraid to fail or play in an almost empty venue. This will make you stronger and if those 5 people in the crowd like your music; the music of your band will eventually spread. And most importantly have fun in doing what you do!
If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?
Then I must go back to the show where we've had the technical issues. This had been preventable. However; as we say in Dutch "the best helmsmen are ashore". In other words; "afterwards you know everything better". I also learned to play the bass myself and I could have been a better bass player by starting younger and taking some lessons.
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
For me that has to be the song ‘Memories’. That song has brought us to the place where we are now. It was a beginning for so many things and it means a lot for me. That also goes for TerraDown, we are comrades, friends and even a family.
Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?
The most requested song is also my favorite song to listen to. This is the song 'Memories'. In terms of playing I really have a guilty pleasure for the song 'Reburied'. However, this song is an outsider on the album and is therefore less requested.
What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?
Most of the time the guitarists come with the blueprint for a song, after which we assess and fine-tune together with the band. In addition, every musician within the band makes their own personal riff/lyrics that matches the blueprint. This results in a lot of genres that come together and result in (if I may say so myself) great songs.
What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?
Every song of our album has a deeper meaning to it. besides the emotions that go with the music, the lyrics also add to that deeply. For example 'Devil's Lair', that song is about facing your inner demons. A traumatized event in your life, or maybe an addiction. Every lyric of every song has a story of it own but also carry much more poetical and philosophical wise. But mostly the album is a 'Judgement' on today's society and where slowly things go wrong or what could be better for us as a people. Every song has story and it's definitely worth a read!
Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?
We certainly have disagreements. Is also part of it I think. We usually talk about it. By talking we prevent the frustrations that you sometimes see in bands around us.
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
When the Covid-19 is over, we want to perform again and thus promote our new album that came online on May 8, 2020. We are also busy writing songs for a future album. If we play near you, come check us out! And maybe you can hear a new song as one of the first!