EMQ’s with ATARKA

EMQ’s with ATARKA

Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Birmingham, UK based Metal band Atarka. Huge thanks to guitarist Daniel McCarthy for taking part.

What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?

Thankyou for having us. My name is Daniel McCarthy, and I play guitars, as well as occasionally shrieking into the mic. The band began a few years back when myself, and Adam (bass) started writing for the recently released record.

How did you come up with your band name?

Me and Adam used to play a card game called Magic: The Gathering – there’s a creature in it called ‘Dragonlord Atarka’ – we thought it sounded good, so that’s what we became.

What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?

We are from Birmingham, U.K. – and the scene is alive and well, it’s just having a break at the moment due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)

Our latest release is our debut album – titled “Sleeping Giant”. This came out on March 27th. We also released a few music videos in support of this.

Who have been your greatest influences?

In Flames, Behemoth, Anaal Nathrakh, Mgla, Michael Jackson, Baroness, Mastodon, and Kvelertak.

What first got you into music?

My Dad. We used to go on some pretty long road trips around Europe, and that Led Zeppelin IV cassette just stuck with me for years.

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?

Run the Jewels. I want to play a guitar driven, groove metal track with RTJ taking care of vocal duties.

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

Probably either Bloodstock or Sweden Rock. I moved back to the UK from Sweden in 2014, so the thought of playing the top metal festival in either country would be great.

What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?

I don’t think I’ve ever received anything weird, as such. Lots of pints though.

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

Stay at home, this will all be over soon, and thank you for listening to our music.

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

Michael Jackson. I’d want to see him live.

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

I love the feeling of accomplishment that comes from releasing a record, but at the same time, I hate recording.

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

I’d implore people to go to local shows and un-established festivals, and be proud of supporting home-grown talent, as some of these bands are the magazine cover stars of tomorrow.

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

“Roots Of This Earth Within My Blood” by a band called From The Bogs Of Aughiska.

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?

Vinyl, Cassettes, and CD’s. I’m hugely into collecting physical music.

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

We played KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton last year, as part of the Metal 2 the Masses final, there was a large crowd, and it was our first “big” show. KK Downing from Priest was watching us, which was a little surreal. We’ve only played 7 shows to date.

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

Sadly, as is the case for many, music isn’t my day job. I’m a Software Test Analyst by day. So, I’d be breaking systems and testing bugfixes.

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

My wife and a few close friends!

What’s next for the band?

As soon as everything blows over in regard to the pandemic, we’ll be playing live shows in support of the new album, and we’re already throwing ideas around for our next release.

What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?

We can be found at:
www.open.spotify.com/artist/5T7RF3BkQyjSkxC0qHIi1L
www.facebook.com/atarkaofficial
www.atarka.co.uk
www.twitter.com/atarkaofficial

Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?

A cake. Biscuits are hard.

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Thankyou kindly for taking the time to chat, it’s been a lot of fun. I do hope you are keeping well in these strange times.

Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.

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