The Proxima Design is a progressive metal project pushing musical boundaries with emotional depth and technical prowess. In this interview, we explore the vision behind their powerful new track, “Void Convergence.”
1. “Void
Convergence” is a powerful song that blends complexity with emotional
depth. Can you tell us about the story or concept behind this track?
This song
was inspired by a dream I had about dying. I was on my death bed with family
one moment, and the next, I was floating “through the ether”, if you will, and
a lot of the songs lyrics and emotions are based off those feelings; sometimes
horrified and sad, others hopeful and peaceful.
2. The
Proxima Design began as a broad exploration of progressive music. What inspired
you to hone the project more specifically toward progressive metal?
Metal has
always been where my heart feels most connected. I love many different styles
of music, particularly Jazz Fusion, classic rock and progressive rock/metal, my
roots lie within the purely metal realm. I grew up listening to groups like
Metallica, Megadeth, and Pantera.
3. You’ve
drawn from a wide range of influences—progressive metal, technical death metal,
psychedelic rock, jazz fusion, classical music… How do you balance these genres
when writing a track?
Typically,
when I begin the writing process for a song, I find inspiration from somewhere,
whether it be a concept or a riff idea in my head. Once that initial idea is
developed, everything else just falls into place and I have a pretty good idea
in my head where the song will go. During the writing process, however, I keep
myself open to different possibilities and different directions for the song to
go. The song knows what it wants to be, so it’ll happen regardless.
4. You
handle guitar, orchestration, and mixing yourself. How does this full-spectrum
approach affect your creative control and the final sound?
I like
doing as much as I possibly can myself. I see myself as a solo artist and I
write music based on what I hear in my head, so being able to be in control of
multiple instruments and production aspects is quite beneficial.
5. “Void
Convergence” features guest drums and vocals. How did these collaborations come
together, and what did they bring to the track?
Guest
vocals and drums were done by session drummers, which came about from me
searching and reaching out to the people I thought would fit the spot best. For
drums particularly, I know there are a lot of GREAT vst instruments out there,
and they sound super realistic. I use them in my writing process, namely
superior drummer 3, however, having a talented drummer behind the kit, gives
the song that natural feel that machines can’t give. Those tiny
imperfections make a song all more unique.
6. Your
music is instrumental at its core, but still emotionally charged. What emotions
or thoughts are you hoping to evoke in your listeners?
That really
depends on the song, but I typically try to invoke deep emotions. As for
instrumental songs, I like to leave it to the individual listener.
7. Are
there any particular artists or albums—progressive or otherwise—that had a
major impact on the creation of this project?
I draw from
all my influences pretty easily, while trying to maintain as original as I
possibly can. Some of my main influences that are bound to shine through my own
music are Dream Theater, Steve Vai, Guthrie Govan, Fallujah, The Zenith
Passage, and Pink Floyd.
8. How
does being a Midwestern musician shape your identity or sound, especially in
such an expansive and experimental genre?
My location
really doesn’t play a part on my music. Haha
9. What
can listeners expect from future releases under The Proxima Design? Will there
be a full-length album, EP, or more one-off collaborations?
Listeners
can expect a full length album in the future. It will be progressive
metal/Technical death metal. I’m in the writing process for it now and it’s
going great! Expect some great death metal vocals and drums, and I am trying to
push my own boundaries as much as I can as a guitarist. I’m also getting heavy
into synth type sounds and atmospheres to blend in. (Clearly a Pink
Floyd influence)
10. Finally,
what does “progressive” mean to you as both a musician and a listener? Where
do you hope to push the boundaries next?
To me progressive means pushing the boundaries in every aspect, whether that’s technicality or even simplicity; trying to make something technically brilliant and rudimentary simplicity have the same emotional effect in the listener, just like it has on me- the player.
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