This time, we get to know Miomanis, an Icelandic rock band founded in 2019 with influences such as Guns N' Roses, Alice In Chains, Black Sabbath, Metallica, Depeche Mode, and The Cure.
Davíð: Vocals/Guitars Daníel: Rhythm guitars Tumi: Bass Bjarmi: Drums
The track "Rotting Roses Turn to Grey" is featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists.
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1. Tell us a little about where you are from and what you are currently doing.
Hey, my name is Davíð! I sing and play guitar in my band Miomantis. We come from Akureyri, located in Iceland and we've played local gigs and etc. So far we've got 3 EPs and a few singles. Right now we're working on new material for an album (hopefully an LP) scheduled later in the year or early 2024, as well as a single for summer and a live album.
2. What inspired you to start playing and making music?
That's a good question...Something I have a hard time answering. To tell you the truth, I think originally it was thanks to my dad who is also part of the NAS community, Jóhannes Bjarki. I remember around the age of 14 getting into the band Nirvana and him telling me how most of the guitar riffs are simple so it inspired me to pick up a guitar and start writing music. I've had a love for rock music since childhood, so I started my own project, mostly with inactive people to begin with. Until Miomantis was started by me (the name came from my other friend, shout out to him!) and Tumi, the bass player at a school for music. The project was an EP so I got him to help me out and voila, now it's a 4 member band!
𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?
Probably the other band members. They influence me to get better and keep at it. Aside from them, my few favorite bands are Guns N' Roses, Alice In Chains, Black Sabbath, Metallica, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Korn, The Beatles, and many more...Even Miles Davis is a big favorite, in jazz, who would've guessed?
4. What are your goals in the music industry?
I don't have big goals. But in the lyrics or music I write, I try to leave important messages. For example, I've dealt with drug abuse and depression since my teenage years but have since sobered up. But I want to put out that message for it to hopefully be of help to others. Of course, success would be nice, and being able to live off of the passion. Music has always helped me, and I want to help others with my music. Our next song is all about how horrible wars are, so I hope that'll wake some people to their senses.
5. Tell us about your creative process when you make new music.
I don't know what my creative process is, it just comes to me. Usually, I'll just be jamming my guitar and find some good riff all of a sudden and record it on my phone and come back to it later to make a demo of it. Or my band and I jam and we pick out the best of it. Sometimes I'll have a melody in my head and try to translate it over to my guitar. It's all very random!
6. What is your all-time favorite song?
Estranged by Guns N' Roses. As to why, I would say that it has a beautiful and hopeful message, as well as realism. The guitar work is amazing and the chapter changes are also incredible. Great songwriting.
7. What is the best advice you have either given or received in terms of music?
I haven't given advice, but if it's about receiving advice, I think the best I've had is to keep going. I think that that advice I heard from Slash, but I'm not entirely sure!
8. Proudest accomplishment?
I can only answer it with what my proudest accomplishment SO FAR is. I don't think I'll have a completely PROUDEST moment. If I were to pick one it'd be when my band played a gig last year in the Akureyri cultural center, called HOF, where we had an opening band and played a full hour or so. That's what we're releasing as a Live album this year very soon ;). Good gig, aside from me being a little bit sick, but it all sounds great.
9. Just for fun! What's been your most embarrassing moment so far?
All the times on stage when I've stepped on my instrument cable and it disconnects from my guitar. Really awkward and annoying...Plus wastes everybody's time.
𝟭0. Tell us about your lowest and highest points in music so far.
The lowest to me was our second EP called BLEAK. It was really bad. The mixing was horrible, most of the songs were shit aside from like two of them. The proudest is The Mantis where Bjarmi joined the band and played the drums. The truly phenomenal sound we achieved when he joined the band and played with us ever since. And adding vocals to our songs with our songs Rats Encaged, and Rotting Roses Turned To Grey. I was shy at first but when many people had told me I should put lyrics I got annoyed and did, and because I don't want anyone else singing it, I do!
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Huge Congratz!!
Great getting to know you! Lol stepping on the cable on stage and accidentally unplugging is a nightmare! Feel ya!