An interview with the CarpeDiem that will play in round one of Emergenza Festival Australia:

PLEASE TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR BAND: HOW AND WHEN WAS IT BORN?

Carpe Diem was a painful delivery. The midwife smacked the drummer's backside to make him cry.....

No seriously, Carpe Diem's genesis was a kindergarten at which 3 of the current band members had offspring enrolled and one of the band members was the enrolled kindergarten child. Mark, Chris and Neil were all young dads with 4 year olds in the same class. During a fundraising rock trivia night the 3 got talking and found they shared a common interest in making noise using musical instruments. Mark and Neil had played and written music for bands before and the first incarnation (named The Committee) was born.

Fast forward several years and while Neil was working in Queensland, Mark and Chris got together with some other musicians and started to play as Carpe Diem, doing some gigs and writing some more music. A few years later Neil retuned and started to play with the boys again and collaborate on the writing. Meantime, Gareth, Neil's son, had grown up and learned to play bass. When the existing bass player moved away, Gareth joined and completed the current line up.

WHEN DID YOUR INTEREST IN MUSIC BEGIN? AND HOW HAS YOUR MUSIC CHANGED FROM THE MOMENT YOU BEGAN TO PLAY TOGETHER?

Each of us has different musical stories. Mark, the drummer, started playing at school to give him something to do with his hands. Neil is a classical guitar trained musician, who learned from the age of 13 with several teachers in Cardiff, UK before moving on to rock when at University. Chris has also had musical training but stated performing much later in his 30s. Gareth was taught classically as well, first on piano, then cello, then bass whilst at school. 

All 4 of us, being different ages, bring different musical influences and styles to the table, from which we have developed our own prog rock style. The blending of the musical smorgasbord has resulted in something we believe works well stylistically and musically.

HOW DO YOU CREATE A SONG? (WHO WRITES LYRICS, WHO MUSIC, ETC...?)

All of us have written and contributed to the music, but the lyrics are primarily written by Mark with some songs by Neil. Mark is by conscious he can be replaced at any time by "Roland" so is keen to ensure his lyrical contribution is significant! Mark and Chris collaborated on some of the earlier songs, but Neil and Mark have co-written much of the more recent material, notably our concept album, The Elder, a couple of songs from which we will be playing at the Espy.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC TO PEOPLE WHO DOESN'T KNOW YOU?

An acquired taste....? Full bodied with lots of tannins, rich chocolate undertones with a peppery twist? (Leaning towards prog rock).

WHICH BANDS INSPIRED AND INSPIRE YOU?

How long have you got?
Mark: anything from Beethoven to Black Sabbath
Neil: anything from Mozart to Marillion. Keen on Rush, Genesis, and other prog rock influences from the 70s and 80s.
Chris: Tool, Def Leppard, Green Day
Gareth: Lost Prophets, Muse, Tonight Alive, The Blackout

TALK US ABOUT THE PECULIARITIES OF YOUR MUSIC!

Not many rock groups out there with a father son combo on the axes. Lyrics are a strength and we are not afraid to experiment. Neil plays a double necked Gibson which includes a midi interface allowing him to play guitar and background effects or keys at the same time. Mark uses a Roland Octopad to enhance to drums. We are heavily guitar driven with a solid rhythm section.

HOW DID YOU KNOW ABOUT EMERGENZA FESTIVAL AND WHY YOU DECIDED TO TAKE PART IN IT?

We have played once before...I think a few years back we saw an advert on the intranet, followed it up and the rest is history. This is our second go and we enjoyed the experience before.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM EMERGENZA AND HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR FIRST EMERGENZA CONCERT?

Another great experience and chance to play at some cool venues and showcase how we have grown over the last few years.

Wanna enrol your band in  Emergenza Festival Australia? Click here!