Preparing For MONOLITH FESTIVAL With MISHA MANSOOR & SPENCER SOTELO From PERIPHERY

Misha Mansoor and Spencer Sotelo of Periphery spoke to HEAVY
recently about their creative journey, the evolution of their
music, and the unexpected fate that led to their latest release, 2
Song Acoustic Single.
The discussion kicked off with an intriguing insight into the
band's new acoustic single. Spencer shared how the project was born
from a casual jam session during a U.S. tour with guitarist Mike
Dawes. "It kind of came about as an accident really," he explained.
"We were practising in a warehouse in Las Vegas and just started
running over these acoustic versions of our songs. They turned out
awesome!"
Misha highlighted his role in the project, "I contributed some
layers and backing vocals, but it was really Spencer and Mike's
baby. It was cool to take a back seat for a change."
The collaboration proved fruitful, as they received positive crowd
responses during live performances. "After the tour, we decided to
actually sit down and put together acoustic versions," Spencer
said, emphasizing the organic nature of their creative
process.
Reflecting on the band's beginnings, Misha discussed the challenges
of forming a cohesive group. "Spencer is our fourth singer, but
he's the only one who survived," he joked before adding, "Bands are
tough. It's like being married to five people, and you have to get
along."
Spencer acknowledged the tough early days, noting, "I wasn't the
best singer in the world back then. We got a bit of hate online,
but we never worried about it. If we were happy, that's what
mattered." Misha admired Spencer's growth, stating, "He was very
green at the time, but I saw immense potential. He always had the
fire to improve."
The songwriting process in Periphery has evolved significantly over
the years. "Every album has gotten more collaborative," Spencer
noted, particularly referencing their latest work, PV: Djent is Not
a Genre. "It was a huge group effort in music, vocals, and lyrics.
We cut entire songs if someone wasn't happy with them."
Misha added, "It's about problem-solving and creating something
we're all stoked about. The process is very sacred to us, and we've
learned to follow the creative thread wherever it leads."
While Periphery's sound is rooted in metal, the band members draw
inspiration from various genres. Misha admitted, "Metal music is
the last thing I choose to listen to. I find inspiration in
classical and jazz music, which allows me to focus without invading
my analytical brain." Spencer echoed this sentiment, emphasizing
the importance of creative freedom. "Our music feels very honest.
We write for ourselves, and it's amazing that it resonates with
others."
As the conversation drew to a close, excitement bubbled over their
upcoming tour, particularly the long-awaited return to Australia
for Monolith Festival. "It's been seven years since we've been
there, and I genuinely love it," Spencer said, looking forward to
the beach and the summer vibes.
Misha humorously added, "I would enjoy Australia if it was real,
but we all know it's not - just crisis actors!" This light-hearted
banter showcased their camaraderie and passion for
performing.
Periphery remains committed to their authentic vision in a world of
ever-changing sounds and styles, continually evolving while
honouring its roots. Their journey, marked by collaboration,
experimentation, and a shared love for music, promises fans an
exciting future filled with sonic exploration.


Become a supporter of this podcast:
https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.