In this music interview, we speak to the Welsh quartet Virtue In Vain who tell us about their creative process and their love of writing and performing music.
Band Name: Virtue In Vain
Members: Hywel (Vocalist), Emyr (Guitarist), Mason (Bassist) & Dan (Drummer)
Genre: Metalcore
Founded: January 2012
Originated From: Cardiff, South Wales
Discography: For All You Know Is The Mask I Wore (EP), Dusk // Dawn (EP) & The Whispers Of Sleep (single)
How would you describe your music?
We are a metalcore band but we sway more to the progressive side of metalcore. We like to experiment with our sound and push it as far as we can to find new ways to approach writing a song.
What is your musical creative process like?
We start with a theme in mind. This is generally what the song or album will be about. We then start to write riffs and come up with ideas to form a structure of the song, then we just keep working and perfecting parts until we have the finished product.
We write concept pieces for our EP’s and songs so themes are key to how to write and how the flow of the song or songs work.
How did the band form?
Our vocalist Hywel started the band in its earliest forms. Soon after Emyr joined the band as the guitarist. As the band went on we played with other bands that contained both Dan and Mason. Over time changes happened and we all ended up in Virtue In Vain.
How did you come up with your band name?
We wanted the band name Virtue In Vain to represent something we relate to. In essence the idea of anti-idolism. The name portrays the idea that you shouldn’t have to look up or follow the same path as someone or something just because it has been portrayed as successful.
Just because you take the path less travelled by others, doesn’t make your view any less valid – we are all different and wealth and success has no bearing on character.
Who influenced you within the music industry?
Many bands have influenced us. We all have different music tastes, which really helps us when we are writing.
The bands who have influenced us are Make Them Suffer, The Devil Wears Prada, Architects, Napoleon, For the Fallen Dreams, Crystal Lake and Currents. Plus many other bands we have played with over many years.
Have you performed live much and what was your favourite gig to play at?
We have played a fair few gigs in our time, it has been an amazing experience. Our favourite gig is The Globe in Cardiff. It holds a special place in our hearts as it is when we played live for the first time with the current line up and all felt that we as a band were complete.
What is the best thing about being in a band?
Writing music and playing shows. Creating music is an amazing experience and to then play the music you create live is just a feeling like none other.
What’s the biggest problem you’ve had to overcome so far as a musician(s)?
The pandemic. It really did hit us hard. Going from rehearsing together once a week to nothing for months on end really did put it all into perspective.
It made us appreciate even more what we did and enjoy it even more when we were able to get together again.
What plans have you got coming up this year?
We have some unannounced tours that we can’t wait to release.
What is your ultimate dream as a band?
To keep releasing music and playing shows. Our dream is to play Europe and the US & Canada. That really would be a dream come true.
You can find out more about Virtue In Vain by visiting their website and following them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
If you’re in a band or a musician and would like to appear on this blog, please contact me and I’ll forward you an interview template.
Also, check out my other Music Interview roundups from 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022.
