Introduce yourself and your band and tell us why we should listen to you.A. Hi, I’m Mike Marin -founder, guitar player, songwriter for ParriaH. Why should you listen? The answer to that is quite simple: Because we care! We care enough to put time, blood, sweat, tears, and soul into our songs and performance and respect the craft of writing songs that move people. Were not just about the quick hook and dollar. Emotion is what we thrive on and we think our songs carry enough weight and substance that people connect to it easily.
2.What do you classify your sound as, Who do you tell people you sound like?
A. HEAVY PSYCHEDELIC SOULFUL BLISS. We’re told that we sound like a crossbreed of Soundgarden, Sabbath, Alice in Chains & Pink Floyd. I like to think we sound like ParriaH but I can see where they pull that out in certain songs. We do tend to wear our influences on our sleeve but that's ok. Were proud of it.
3.With digital music in today's world would you vote to keep or eliminate physical media? A.KEEP!!
are you fuckin kidding me?! I’m an avid vinyl hound and collector. I’ve been collecting and toting my collection around since I left home at 19 and thankfully I have a home just big enough now to store my collection properly. It’s all about RECORD STORE DAY and supporting the independent stores that make it possible for our vinyl and merch geeks to keep collecting and growing our collections. Priceless!
4.What is the reason you decided to be a musician and has that reason paid off? I started to play guitar at 14 for the simple reason of wanting to emulate my hero’s I so greatly looked up to and worshipped like gods and still do. I wanted to do what they did. I always looked up to bands like MAIDEN, RUSH, SABBATH, FLOYD because not only we’re they great at what they did, they each did in their own unique way on their terms, and with integrity. Again, actually giving a shit about writing great songs with substance and meaning, Something I believe some hard rock bands and artists don’t really get credit or acknowledged for.
5.How do you feel about females in metal getting special attention? Do you feel it is fair?
A. I wasn’t aware they were getting special attention but look, they have just as much right to fly the flag for metal as the guyz do. and ifthey are getting special attention good for them. This business is hard enough as it is without not being taken seriously.
6.In the world climate with hatred being at an all time high and metal being an “ angry” music ,Do you think your music contributes to anger and hatred?
A. Not in the least. I just don’t have enough hate in my heart to write hateful or hate driven songs. Music is supposed to be an escape from your problems. But it is certainly necessary to have that aggression when playing hard rock or metal and we certainly don’t mind when someone does as long as it’s directed or channeled in a healthy positive way without spreading anger or hate.
7.Are you opposed to religious beliefs or politics being used in music?
A. Not necessarily although I do think there is a time and place to write about it without going overboard. Those are two topics that could easily sway an audience and not in a good way. If politics and religion is something you want to tackle in your songwriting there’s a fine line to walk I think without pissing someone off. That’s why I was never too comfortable with those topics in my music period. Again, music should be an escape from the crooked and manipulative ways of both.
8.We have dive into some pretty deep issues here do you think your music sends a message and if so what is it?
A. Um, well...there’s a few songs of ours that could possibly be placed in that light or fashion. Age of Reason is most likely a candidate for conveying a message of hope in the sense that amidst all the bullshit especially in today’s “pandemic”, eventually everything has a way of working itself out and it’s gonna be ok. Other than that, we tend to lean towards experience or perspective.
9.The market has changed and many bands believe that record labels are a thing of the past, with many labels now charging bands to “sign” how do you think a band can make it in todays scene?
A. AHHH the “360 deal” I believe that is. Well, I believe it’s case by case really. When you have a label with deep pockets, even though they have their hand in your pocket, it’s a lot easier to maneuver and navigate because people are doing the tedious but necessary stuff for you, as opposed to a DIY band like us. You couldn’t get more DIY than us but the other side of the coin to that scenario is the DIY band steers the ship and navigates so it may take a lot longer because the reach ins’t as strong. But I feel the proof is in the pudding and all cream rises to the tp eventually. Sure you can fool people with mediocrity for so long but eventually people figure out that their just that “mediocre” and don’t last for very much longer. It’s so much tougher though with streaming now. You have to make it on ticket sales and merch.
10.Why with the thousands of options including netflix , sporting events everything on demand Why do you think people should take the time to listen to what you have to say in your music?
A.Again it comes down to song quality, and craft. People soon figure out whats good and what’s not. It’s just like anything else in the world. If you build a house with a weak foundation, and cheap material but paint it with dazzling colors, the house may look amazing on the outside, but wasn’t built for longevity. If you take the time write a quality song, we feel it deserves aa listen at the very least.
11.How do you feel about pay to play? Do you think it is fair for a band to have to pay money to play?
A.I believe thats called payin’your dues literally. It does seem a little silly now but one thing you can say about social media today is you can now build an audience or fan base more easily and faster with instagram & FB than having to slug it out at the clubs on slow weeknights playin to 3 people and the bartender.
12.It is fact that you are the talent and the entertainment explain what you think is the most important key to success?
A. I think it depends on who you ask. But even the best of musicians aren’t always the best entertainers. They have to learn that along the way. Because let’s be honest, music is entertainment . People want to be entertained while they’re rockin out. But I measure success as , if you can make an honest living doing what you love and are passionate about then you’ve achieved success.
13.In country music and even in some cases rock music is written and performed by different people would your band perform a song written by someone else?
A. If it was a good song that was well written and we felt it, I don’t see why not? it would also have to fit our vibe but hell yeah why not?
14.If you are pro female in music are you pro using sex to sell your music?
A. If thats your thing or your brand I say whatever makes you successful. If you believe in what you’re doing and sell it, absolutely ! As long as it’s done tastefully and doesn’t offend anyone but even so, music is an art form and if sex is your muse I say more power to ya!
15.What is your view on the lawsuits against people saying lewd or unprofessional things to women or men and how does that affect an art described as sex drugs and rock n roll ?
A. man I think we as a society , especially in the states, have gotten way too sensitive and for the wrong reasons . Most the time somebody is monetarily motivated and is the reason why everyone is too quick to make things uglier than it has to be. It’s a shame that the art form has to be reduced to that.
16. Ok lets lighten up a bit. What is your favorite band of all time and why?
A.I have 2 ! MAIDEN and MARILLION! AGAIN, I admire their integrity and attention to melody and detail when it comes to songwriting and their approach. They aren’t afraid to write a 15-minute epic which is often the case for both bands and they both do it on their terms and aren’t swayed by the labels to be a certain way that's the flavor of the week or what's trendy or fashionable. INTEGRITY INTEGRITY INTEGRITY!!
17.What would you be doing if you were not in a band?
A. what I do now which is graphic art, and design. some sort of art form or expression probably.
18. Do you have a favorite sports team?
A. WESTHAM UNITED Premier league english football. You could only guess who’s responsible for that!!
19.If you could get on stage with anyone dead or alive who would it be?
A.Tough one .It would be an ensemble but HENDRIX, PRINCE, CLIVE BURR, AND LIAM GALLAGHER
20.This is your shot to let loose, Throw down your biggest complaint about the music biz
. A. the shallow popularity contest and fakeness of some artist that take a team of 9 writers to write pop songs or them, then the so-called “artist” lip-syncs the song in front of thousands of adoring fans who don’t give a shit that they are singing to a track! wtf?!
