An Interview With The Las Vegas Based-Band AMARIONETTE On Their Latest EP ‘Evolution’ and More!

Get to know Amarionette! Their newest EP ‘Evolution‘ was released last month. The lead single “No Control” (Spotify/YouTube) is an intricate and nostalgia drenched sound. The entire collection is a unique blend of synth-pop, with alternative rock influences shining through and even nods to post-hardcore. 2019 has seen the band conquer new ground, topping 1 million streams on Spotify and seeing press support from Kerrang, Substream and Alternative Press. The band joined forces with Kurt Travis for newer single “Compromise” (Spotify/YouTube).

Learn more about Amarionette in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! Now that we are into the 10th month of the year, how would you say that 2019 has treated this band? What have been some goals this group has had this year? How close are you to reaching them?  What are you already excited about for 2020?

2019 has been great! We’ve embarked on several tours and put out an EP, along with numerous singles. I think we accomplished most of our goals for the year, with consistently touring and releasing music. The same goes for 2020 and hopefully we get some awesome support tour offers/submissions! Also, very stoked for the new album we’ve been working on. We start tracking drums November 1 with Beau Burchell (Saosin) and Joseph Arrington (Royal Coda/ A Lot Like Birds) will be drumming on the record. 

Can you recall the moment when you thought you could be in this group together? Was it hard to think of a name that you could all agree on? 

Yes actually! At the time, I loved our original singers voice and thought it could be really cool to be in a band with him. The band name Amarionette was already in place as Quin came up with the name before Ron, Justin, or myself joined. 

How do you think your hometown has influenced the sound and how you all carry yourselves in this group? How has the music scene there changed over the years? 

I don’t think our hometown has anything to do with our sound to be completely honest. We’ve always had tons of influences from all over the place. I would say the Vegas music scene used to be a lot better when we first started. At this point it seems very obsolete as far the “scene” goes. 

Let’s talk about your new EP “Evolution.” What was it like putting this collection together? What was the inspiration for the lead single “No Control”?

The EP was tons of fun! We wrote most of the songs together and had help from lots of friends, including Tai Wright, Allen Casillas, Brandon Jones, and Carlo Marquez. The music for “No Control” was mostly inspired by The Midnight while the lyrics were inspired by an argument in a hotel room. 

Generally, how does this group go about writing your music? Do you write together or separately? What is the first step in your music-making process? 

The writing process usually starts with me (Nick) writing a riff and recording it with Brandon Jones and writing some basic drums over top of it. We then proceed to show Issy and the rest of the guys to throw their flavor on top of it. 

I always like to ask bands if you all hang out socially apart from the music? In other words, when you aren’t working on music, do you guys enjoy hanging out for fun?

Yes, we tend to hang out frequently actually. Ron and I have been close friends for years, and AJ hangs out with us a lot as well. Issy and I have been hanging out more so lately, but he spends a lot of time with his daughter and girl friend. 

How do you feel that this band has grown through the years? What has remained the same? What do all of your various musical experiences bring to this group?

I think we have all grown tremendously as individuals as we were basically teenagers when the band started. I would say that we have certainly changed our sound several times over the years and love to continue to expand our music catalog in as many directions as possible. We all have so many different musical influences that it’s hard to do the same thing over and over again. 

Where do you think you are all happiest- in the studio recording new music, on stage performing or elsewhere?

I can’t speak for the other guys, but I’m definitely happiest in the studio getting all of my ideas out in the open. Shows have been a lot more fun to me lately since we have purchased our new in ear monitor rig. It makes me feel like I’m in the studio all over again!

What do you think makes for an ideal show for this band? What have been some of your favorite shows and venues over the years?

I would love to be big enough one day to fill a 1-3K cap room! I love venues like House of Blues or Hard Rock. Those have been some of my favorite venues to play. I don’t know what makes for an ideal show really. I just try to sound as best and as close to the record as possible and adding some show flare so to speak. 😂 

How has social media impacted this band? How often are you all on your different sites interacting with fans? How have you been able to utilize it through the years?

We are on social media every single day interacting with fans! Without social media we wouldn’t be doing anything in my opinion. It’s been absolutely vital to this bands growth and opportunities. 

We are currently living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious to know how you all think being musicians and in this band still gives you the most joy in life today? Do you find that your music is an escape to all the current events?

Very much so yes. Music is our escape from our real world reality i would say. But, music is also a harsh reality sometimes too. Especially when the shows aren’t great, or bad traveling conditions, etc. You really have to love it and the lifestyle that comes along with touring. 

What musicians have really been inspiring you all since you first started making music?

My favorite musicians/bands that have always inspired me are Eddie Van Halen, Saosin, Circa Survive, Paramore, and DGD. Lately I’ve been listening to a ton of The Midnight, FM-84, Ed Machina and John Carpenter scores. Anything that’s sort of Halloween based. 😂 😂 

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people continue to take away from your songs?

I just hope our music makes a positive impact on the people that listen to it. We have tons of fun creating it and hope everyone enjoys it as much as we do.