Sitting comfortably on a plush, brown couch backstage at the Tabernacle, Travis Stever and Zach Cooper of the band Coheed and Cambria, seem completely relaxed and at ease. The guys have been on tour for a while now promoting their new two-part album, The Afterman Ascension and The Afterman Descension. I took some time to sit down with Travis and Zach to ask them about their tour, their memorable moments and their music. Here’s what they had to say!
How has it been playing the new songs on tour?
Travis: “Actually, it’s been quite relieving because it’s a new vibe added to the set. It’s a breath of fresh air now that we have an array of new matieral. Adding these new songs is a whole new thing and it’s cool.”
What or who influences you and helps shape your style of music?
Travis: “It’s a real huge spectrum when it comes to this band, and I know a lot of bands would say that, but we are heavily influenced by multiple things. Jazz is a big influence for Zach, and for me, I’m just as passionate about folk as I am about metal. For Claudio, his love for folk or industrial is… it’s just a huge spectrum. I hate to give that bland of an answer, but that’s just what Coheed is. We don’t have boundaries.”
What is the funniest moment you have experienced as a band?
Zach: “When the tiger sprayed you at LSU!”
Travis: “Oh, yeah. They do like a spray thing. So now I’ve been shit on by a tiger.”
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
Travis: “Pace. I just pace.”
Zach: “Yeah, I usually sit around, stretch and try not to fall asleep. I just want to get started!”
If you could describe your music in one word, what would it be?
Travis: “Layers.”
Zach: “Diverse?”
How do you connect with the crowd?
Travis: “There is a real feeding frenzy when it comes to us and the crowd. If the crowd is really into it, you’re going to see us get really into it. If they are having a good time and you can see how animated they are, we’re animated.”
How did you come up with your band name?
Travis: “Claudio came up with the name as a side project from a band that we were in. When we started to become what Coheed and Cambria is as a band, we changed musically and we had no name. The name that we had then as a band didn’t fit. We all really liked the name Coheed and Cambria, so we adopted it and have had it ever since.”
What is the best way to write music?
Travis: “For me it’s just something that hits you. The most comes out when a certain spark just goes off, whether it be an emotional kind of thing or an ambition to play.”
Zach: “It’s really sit down, feel inspired and just let things happen.”
Coheed and Cambria are playing at The Tabernacle tonight! Tickets on sale at the door!
