We recently had the honor to catch up with Chicago natives – Veil Of Maya. The guitar mastermind behind Veil of Maya, Marc Okubo, took time to answer some questions for us about Chicago, Sumerian Records and their brand new upcoming album.
Interview by McKenzie Hughes
1. Being from Chicago must have been very beneficial for your career as it is a city that is constantly buzzing with music being created and produced. Has this helped you further with exceling in the Industry?
No, not really. When we first started playing shows, we were only able to be booked in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We used to be known as a Milwaukee band before we started touring. Chicago was a hard scene to break into. When we first started we would play more in the suburbs of Chicago than the actual city. Now we love it though!
2. Being apart of Sumerian Records, which has an amazing roster (After The Burial, Asking Alexandria, Make Me Famous- no name a few), has their success and creativity helped push you further to try different forms and processes to developing music?
Yes definitely. A lot of the original Sumerian bands were good friends of ours before we were all signed and we would always inspire each other. We all try and hangout as much as we can when were not on tour and we still to this day bounce ideas off each other. Everyone is very supportive of each other and all our bands have our own identities. It’s really awesome that a lot of my favorite bands are also my label mates and friends.
3. Your newest album, Eclipse, is being released at the end of February. Are there certain concepts, ideas, meanings, and ideas not only behind the music but the album title as well?
I wrote the music with the album title in mind. I met a girl in Europe who was blind half her life and gained her eyesight from staring into an eclipse. The whole concept of getting used to life a certain way and then one day gaining a new sense really intrigued me and inspired me (see album artwork below).
4. In your new song, “Punisher”, there is a sound clip in the song toward the end. What is it from and why did you choose it?
My friend showed me a link to a video of a kid trying to convince everyone how Periphery sucks. I thought it was pretty funny. There was a part where he was trying to mimic a Periphery style riff and I thought it would be sweet to make an actual riff out of it.
5. This Spring, you will be heading to Europe for your first headline tour. Are there certain characteristics behind this tour that will be different for the band? This will be our 3rd time to Europe. We have previously toured with all the bands on it except for Vildhjarta so we’re pretty stoked we get to be with good friends. We’re going to try and step it up live on this one with a longer set and some more production.
6. Are there certain anticipations you have to be touring with Structures, and Betraying The Martyrs?
Our last tour before this was with both bands and we had a blast. It’s awesome to tour with all our friends again!
7. Once your album is complete and your out of Country tour is complete, what should fans look forward to this coming June?
We’re going to be touring the world. We’re going to a lot of new countries for the first time this year. Thats all I can say for now but hopefully everyone gets to party with us!
8. What has been the “highlight” of your career so far?
There’s so many new highlights everyday. The fact that I’m touring with In Flames right now still trips me out. That is one of the first metal bands I really got into and it’s an honor to be on tour with them. Having some of the best musicians alive and some of my best friends is also a very rewarding feeling.
