Guitarist. Pianist. Swiftie. Demon!? This edition of Fistful of Questions goes out to Valira from Vesseles.
What is your full name?
Valira Pietrangelo.
Do you have any aliases?
I do not.
If you had an alias what might it be?
I’d honestly prefer to have none. I want what I create to be true to myself as I am.
What bands are you actively involved with?
Vesseles and Mortal Filth.
What was the first instrument that you played?
I actually started on piano and played it for a couple of years. I wasn’t able to play the material I wanted so I switched to guitar and stuck with that ever since.
Tell me about one of your first musical memories?
Seeing Cradle of Filth in SF in 2011. I had gone with someone who was like a brother to me so it was honestly a very wholesome experience.
What was the name of the first band you were in?
I was in a lot of small projects that probably had “working” names but the first one that comes to mind is Defiants.
Tell me about the genesis of Vesseles.
The project started out of a need for an outlet for my identity and that is exactly what it has become.
What inspired the name Vesseles?
I liked the idea of “Vessel” but I don’t like using a name that’s already widely used. “Vesseles” is a combination of vessel and vessels with a little Latin inspiration. Vessel felt appropriate because I feel like the body I have is just a vessel and nothing else. Vessels felt appropriate because I feel like I have multiple selves or vessels.
How long did it take you to write and record I Am A Demon?
Writing probably took a few months and recording was a bit spread out over four months or so.
If you could insert yourself into any one band what band would it be and why?
Evanescence for a few reasons. First off, I adore their music as is. Second, I could more than likely quit my day job and just play music. Lastly, I’ve always wanted to hear Amy Lee’s vocals over something more metal so what better way than to become more involved in the band’s writing.
Have you ever heard a song and immediately wished you had written it? If so… What was the song and artist?
I actually haven’t. I don’t know what it is but even though I connect with some songs heavily, I’ve never wished I had written them.
Do you have any non-metal musical inspirations?
Yes, Evanescence is sort of leaning on non-metal but it’s not just them. A lot of my inspiration in general comes from classical music, especially from the romantic era. Composers like Chopin and Rachmaninoff I often go to but I am not partial to them.
What’s a non-metal song that you’d like to do a cover of?
I’ve taken non-metal songs and turned them into metal songs as covers in the past but I haven’t done that in a while. However, if I were to get back into doing that again, I’d love to take “Half” by PVRIS And turn it into some black metal.
What band have you played with that has really impressed you with their live show?
Abigail Williams impressed me purely by their live sound. I’ve never heard anything like it and it really resonated with me in a way that metal doesn’t often do.
Do you have a favorite venue to play at?
Neck of the Woods is the latest place to pop up for metal shows both local and touring. After finally playing there, I’d have to certainly say it’s my favorite.
Do you have a pre-show ritual?
I’ve just recently got back into playing shows and would like to put together a more established pre-show ritual. Right now, I just run through parts of songs I’m most worried about, play some warm up runs and also mess around to loosen up. I try not to put in more time than I need so as to not over stress and wear myself out.
The year is 2010. Where are you at and what are you listening to?
Oh goodness, I was still in high school but I was getting into more black metal so probably some Dark Funeral on my Zune while in study hall.
What advice would you give young musicians that are just starting out in the music business?
What your goals are in music is what will ultimately help most with what your focus should be. It also depends on what you’re willing to do and what will make you satisfied. Finding the best balance of these things as well as looking at the current music climate will help you decide how to approach your path. Define what success means to you and always check in to make sure you’re still on the path you want. It’s always okay to change.
What is an absolute band killer?
Playing shows without a drummer or *insert instrument that needs to be live here*. Some instruments just cannot be backtracked without greatly losing the impact that it brings.
Have you ever recorded a song that you really didn’t like, but somebody else in the band really did?
Sort of? I have generally written most material that I’ve been a part of so I haven’t really run into this issue but there’s certainly been songs that have lost their charm by the time it was released but I’m not sure if the band still liked it either.
If you were to start your own music festival what would be the name of that festival and who would be the three headlining bands?
The name of the festival is the hard part so I’ll start with the bands. The headliners would be Evanescence, PVRIS and the Algorithm. The name would be a Blackened Source of Sorrow.
What’s the longest time you’ve gone without bathing?
Hah, that’s a very odd question. I’d imagine 3 or 4 days from being sick. When I’m really sick, I certainly don’t have the energy nor care to bathe.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I’m both asexual and aromantic, something that most people don’t even know about. It’s honestly something I wish more people were aware of.
Is the Fistful of DOOM show in the top 10 of your favorite music podcasts?
I honestly don’t listen to podcasts so that’s a no.
Do unicorns sleep standing up?
My first thought is yes but that’s because they’re horse-like. Since they’re mythical creatures, they could very well open a port to a nice unicorn bed secluded away from everything, sleep there, then portal back.
Give me three albums that I should listen to immediately, if not sooner.
The Open Door (Evanescence), Odyssey to the West (Slice the Cake), and Brute Force (The Algorithm).
You’re driving cross-country and you can only listen to one album the whole time. What album will it be?
The Open Door by Evanescence.
You are writing a book about your life thus far. What is the title of that book?
Appropriately enough, along the same lines as this EP release. “I Am a Demon: Identity and the Limits We Must Live With”.
What is your favorite song by Taylor Swift?
I don’t think you realize how appropriate this question is. I adore Taylor Swift so choosing this isn’t an easy one but I’d have to say “Dancing With Our Hands Tied”.
Slipknot or Rammstein (if you had to choose)?
Slipknot.
Doobies or Boobies (if you had to pick one)?
I don’t smoke but doobies.
Waffles or Pancakes (if you had to pick one)?
Waffles.
Star Wars or Star Trek (if you had to choose)?
Star Wars.
Favorite band t-shirt you own?
The Halloween shirt that Cattle Decapitation put out with indie merch store last year. It’s got a pumpkin vomiting on the back and it glows in the dark!
Favorite meal?
A damn good tonkatsu ramen.
Favorite book?
Phantoms in the Brain: Probing the Mysteries of the Human Mind by V.S. Ramachandran,
Favorite movie?
Arrival, the 2016 sci-fi.
Favorite album?
The Open Door by Evanescence.
Favorite video game?
Detroit: Become Human.
Favorite Professional Wrestler?
I know nothing of professional wrestlers so whichever one looks the most metal.
Many, many thanks to Valira for taking the time to answer my questions. I appreciate you doing so. As for the rest of you, you should click on the link so generously provided below (immediately, if not sooner) and immerse yourselves in the chaotic rhythms of I Am Demon by Vesseles. You’ll probably be glad you did.
~El Pedo Caliente
https://vesseles.com/album/i-am-a-demon
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