TOUR FEATURE: Backstage with Periphery

It is fitting if not entirely symbolic. Periphery are back where it all began…in Australia at least.

In a narrow and extended staircase backstage at Melbourne’s Billboard, vocalist Spencer Sotelo and guitarist Jake Bowen are personable and relaxed.

“I walked around today and got a Thai massage,” Sotelo says of his afternoon in Melbourne.

It’s immediately clear that the affable duo are humble and appreciative instead of giving off any egotistical and created rock star personas.

“We’re still in the mindset that we’re those kids. We’re still practicing in our bedrooms,” Bowen says reflecting on being a fan of music and grateful for the opportunities it has afforded him.

It’s another typically hot Sunday evening when KYS chats pre-show with the band that has given djent a very contemporary and equally popular face. We are greeted kindly, offered to try an interesting alcoholic concoction the band calls “Mexican Champagne”.

It’s almost four years since the group’s debut Australian shows. An opening slot supporting The Dillinger Escape Plan and Maylene and the Sons of Disaster saw Periphery play to modest albeit enthusiastic crowds. The improvement and rise in popularity is self-evident. While 100 people would’ve sparsely filled the dance floor area of Billboard the first time around, now it’s Periphery as the headliners – playing to a sold-out venue.

“In terms of Periphery playing major cities, Melbourne has always been the one that we’ve done the best at. It’s like New York, LA, [and] Melbourne are all in the same league,” Bowen notes.

“…We should probably just move here,” Sotelo laughs.

This time around, timeframes and commitments mean it’s an ‘in & out’ job. Three days. Three shows. Simple yet structured. “Three days and out man, Bangkok tomorrow,” Sotelo says.

The Australian shows are coinciding with the recent release of ‘Clear’, an interesting concept offering, which saw each musician tackle a respective track.

“It was up to the person what sound they were going for and what worked best for them in terms of their writing process. For me, I always work really well with Misha [Mansoor, guitars]. It came out great, we’re really happy with it [Clear],” Bowen says.

In exciting news for fans, the band observes they will take the next part of 2014 to prepare a follow-up to 2012’s well-received, 'Periphery II: This Time It’s Personal’.

“We’re taking six months off to write and record a new record. This year will be mostly writing and recording for us,” Sotelo states.

Bowen affirms his intent, “We want to record a new record and show everyone we have a lot to say,” he notes.

Among notable achievements Periphery have enjoyed of recent times was a well-earned support slot on a Deftones US tour in 2013. The significance is not lost on the musicians.

“That was like a vacation tour for me. We had days off every few days. We played awesome clubs that sounded amazing. Their [Deftones] fans are very open-minded and they were way into the music,” Sotelo declares.

Bowen adopts a more nostalgic approach.

“We still stay in touch with them [Deftones]. They’re really supportive of our music. They raised us. We listened to their records and got stoked on their music. It’s so cool how it went full-circle like that,” he says.

Sotelo and Bowen’s friendship extends purely beyond just band roles. However, music is always at the forefront.

“Spencer and I, our rooms are right next to each other. So I’ll wake up at nine in the morning and start wailing [on my guitar] and I am probably driving Spencer nuts,” Bowen laughs.

“I sleep right through it – I’m a heavy sleeper,” Sotelo reassures.

It’s a core philosophy. While a healthy mix of music and maintaining a personal life is crucial, the occupation of a professional musician requires an unconditional commitment.

“We’re always playing music and between that trying to fit in regular life stuff. It always revolves around the music [though],” Bowen asserts.

Moreover, Periphery’s music opens itself up to a lot of interpretation and with the advent of social networking, namely YouTube, has seen many fans upload notable covers.

“We can’t believe that people take the time to dissect our music and implement in another instrument and then perform it in one whole take on a video. It’s amazing and we really commend people for putting in the time to do it.” Bowen says in reference to a piano/drum cover from two Berklee students.

“I think it’s very important that people start posting more positivity [too],” Sotelo adds regarding online posting, in particular comments.

It’s a refreshing chat, with the prevailing feeling emerging that this is a band playing music for the right reasons. Periphery are, first and foremost, fans of music, which gives off a feeling of greater intimacy allowing the listener (and fan) to feel like they’re always going along for an armchair ride.

“We listen to [music] so much that it becomes apart of you – it’s ingrained in your brain. It’s more a feel thing than a thinking about it thing,” Sotelo concludes.


'Clear' is out now via Roadrunner Records.

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