Present yourself to the readers
We are Azrael Rodriguez from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We are duo that is made up by myself and Ryan Rosmann.
Who composes ?...How does it work with the duo ?
On the last record we did I would say that I composed the majority of the songs prior to going into the studio. However, once the songs reached the recording process they changed immensely. That’s where using the studio as an instrument and Ryan’s influence really started to make the album unique. In all honesty though, I don’t think there is a set formula. We just come up with an interesting melody or a cool motif and run with it. I think the way we record the next album will be a totally different experience than “Midnight Majesty”.
As Patrick said, most of the basic structure and melody he wrote and brought to the studio, but the songs usually started to take shape getting excited or inspired by something in the studio. We’d record a scratch track with a guitar or a bass, i’d write a drum beat, and we’d start experimenting. The Yamaha DX7 and Roland Juno provided a lot of inspiration during the recording process.
Your texts ?..What are they talking about ?..How does inspiration come ?
The lyrics are very important to me and to the concepts that are being portrayed. I try to keep the words open to Interpretation but there is definitely a sentiment or feeling that gets conveyed. I consider myself to be very esoteric in my writing, so if I were to say exactly what the lyrics meant to me it might lose something for someone else.
Are you day or night ?
Definitely a combination of both and that goes along with the overall concept of the band. The function of duality in everything is by far the most compelling aspect in life in my opinion. From my point of view, I think every living being has both night and day living within them. Which side gets shown at what time is what makes things fascinating. For the “Midnight Majesty” album it was 100% made to be more of a night time or “darker” record. That goes along though with what was influencing me at the time and what was going on in my life. Don’t be surprised to see something different on this next album that we are about to record. .
I think the duality is what makes the duo work. We’re two people with very different styles and influences, but we work together really well. Our music really reflects that.
What are your personal musical tastes and your influences ?
The cool thing about the band I think is that Ryan and I have a lot of similar musical tastes and also a lot of different ones as well. For instance I come from a more “Jam band” background listening to bands like Phish, Umphrey’s McGee and The Disco Biscuits. While Ryan comes from a much more Progessive/Metal background. That juxtaposition is something that should be embraced not avoided. .
I’ve always been a big fan of music. So much of my job running a studio, I see so many styles of music that influence me, in both my playing and arranging, but also engineering and mixing the record. I grew up with artists like Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder, but I primarily was in rock and metal bands growing up.
What's your best live memory ? And why ?
The Sex Pistols filthy lucre reunion tour in 1996. It was my first concert. I was in middle school at the time, and I was blow away by live music, the crowd, mosh pits.
What are your future dates ?
Our next date will be Saturday January 21st at The Up and Under in Milwaukee, WI
