Minorarc Interview on Nagamag

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Nagamag:
Which are the genres that describe your music style better?

Minorarc:
Minorarc is by no means strictly "Progressive Metal". The project had its origins (under a different name "Mystral Tide") as darkwave with strong classical piano influences. These orchestral and cinematic flavours co-exist with a mixture of Prog, Djent and experimental electronica.

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Minorarc:
Since the early 2000s I have been an active multi-instrumentalist and community-founder for underground and experimental music. A classically trained violinist, my modern musical journey began in Tokyo. The first project “Mystral Tide” performed at numerous industrial and darkwave events, including as a guest artist for Japan’s “Seij minus aC” at Leipzig’s Wave-Gotik-Treffen in 2002. Returning to Australia in 2003, I helped establish a decade-long series of concerts (Enzyme), including events for the Melbourne Fringe Festival, all to showcase and expose dozens of independent Australian experimental musicians.

Over two decades, I've periodically recorded and performed as “Minorarc”. The music shifted from synth-heavy dark electronica, into a new world of progressive metal and post-rock. An expression of despair and regret, crafted through piano-driven melodies, non-traditional song structures, and a wide variety of stringed instruments.

Now in 2022, Minorarc has released its second full-length album, “Untold”. A largely instrumental work summoning elements of modern metal and djent to portray emotive unease, offset through the reverberant and powerful effects of classical piano, the warmth of cinematic synth pads, and delicate touches of acoustic mandolin and guitar. “Untold” is accompanied by the release of “Blind Remixes”, featuring a variety of fellow Australian independent artists, and “Overburden”, a sonic side-dish and reflective continuation of “Untold’s” themes.

Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Minorarc:
My first connection to a love of music came from my first purchases (and rentals) of music albums on CD and Cassette, in my early teens. There was a whole world of music to explore, and without preconceptions I was able to simply find albums that struck a chord with me personally. Artists that made my love of music grow, including Fields of the Nephilim, Pink Floyd, Ministry, Alice In Chains, Nocturnus, Solitude Aeternus, Bathory and more.

Nagamag:
What was the concept behind your release, "Untold"?

Minorarc:
Originally I'd wanted the album to be completely instrumental, and tell a story and convey emotions purely through the "feel" of the sounds. Along the way though, during the two years of recording that took place, a very limited selection of the tracks began to just sit better, with some vocals. "Victim of That Before" features vocals by a Melbourne artist and friend, Trayce of Neverembers. Her poetry sets the scene for the album, with a seaside vision and references to drowning and loss.
The album was designed to feel quite claustrophobic, yet also shed occasional moments of light and positivity. Ultimately though, my hope was to convey a story about an innocent soul's final moments, as they drown (either literally, or metaphorically), and suffer strange visions and recollections as the dark waters slowly close. Hope, in hopelessness.

Nagamag:
There is rumor of a companion release for "Untold", can you tell us more about that?

Minorarc:
During the months immediately after "Untold" was completed, we kept recording works in the same vein, and of a similar theme. They now form a release titled "Overburden" which will come out in March/April 2022. Stylistically, they have greater contrast between ambient sections and metal components. Heavier, yet also lighter. We like to think of it as a "side dish" to accompany "Untold".

Nagamag:
Many artists listen to genres that they are not producing music for. Which track is your favorite that is NOT similar to yours?

Minorarc:
Bliss "Quiet Letter"

Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which is the track from a similar artist you admire?

Minorarc:
Sithu Aye "A Future With No Colour"