Andorran Progressive Death metallers Persefone have come a long way over two decades in the underground, developing a musical identity halfway between Progressive and Melodic Death Metal. The first time I heard Persefone I was completely blown away and I'm glad the lads have made a splash after joining Napalm Records since 2022. Last year they welcomed Spanish vocalist Daniel Rodriguez Flys, one of the only line-up changes in the band's long history, for the latest EP "Lingua Ignota: Part I". Just a few months ago the band toured Europe for a month and even spent a few dates in Japan. In the last year they have travelled halfway around the world like Willy Fog. I finally had the chance to caught up with Daniel, after more summer concerts at big festivals like Wacken, to get to know him a bit better on a personal level and also to talk about the band's latest achievements.
INTERVIEW
OBNUBIL: To start and get to know you a little, please tell us how you got started in the world of music and who have been your greatest inspirations from the beginning.
DANIEL: I started music when I was 5 years old, when my parents signed me up to piano lessons. At 10, I got my first guitar, and after learning a few chords with my dad, I started my journey as a self taught guitarist. I joined my first band when I was 15, and eventually, I started doing vocals when the previous singer left.
My main inspiration to be a musician always was and still is my dad, who plays bass, guitar and produces music for his band Mamá (a band from 80’s Spanish movement “La movida madrileña”).
OBNUBIL: Last year you officially joined Persefone as a singer, releasing your first work with the band recently, the latest EP “Lingua Ignota: Part I” through Napalm Records. How did you join the band? What is your favorite song from this EP and why?
DANIEL: My entrance in Persefone was something totally unexpected. In 2022, they needed a vocalist to fill in for their tour in Europe supporting Obscura, and through a friend in common they reached out to me. I said yes without hesitation, and learned all the setlist in a couple of weeks to then travel to Andorra and have my first rehearsal with the band. I was a fan of the band for quite some time before that, so it was totally a highlight and an honor to step in in such huge shoes. After doing a few tours, their previous vocalist Marc Martins left the band and they asked me to join as a full time member. Shortly after, we wrote Lingua Ignota Pt. 1 and recorded it in Sweden with David Castillo. Even though we wrote the EP in a very short span of time, I’m very proud of all the songs in it. My personal highlights are “One Word” and “Abyssal Communication”. This last one is special to me because it’s the first studio release where I only do clean singing, and I’m really happy with how it came out. It was one of those songs that came along very organically in just a few hours, and I believe it’s a very different sound from what the band has done previously.
OBNUBIL: You worked with producer David Castillo for this album. He has a long history with notable bands such as Opeth, Whitechapel, Katatonia, Carcass, Dark Tranqullity, Leprous, Soen, Soilwork, Candlemass, Bloodbath, among others. How was it for you to work with him?
DANIEL: Working with David was such an honor. Not only is he a top tier producer and sound engineer, but he is a wonderful human being and a very pleasant person to be around. The band already worked with him on their previous work "metanoia" so they already had a good relationship. When I came to meet him at the studio, he made me feel at home and super comfortable right from the start.
He is very attentive to detail while recording. I think I have never done so many vocal takes until I worked with him. I remember he would make me record every phrase a numerous amount of times until it was just right. I think he really pushed us to get the best performances we could on the album and I do think it shines at the end.
OBNUBIL: This summer you've been touring for over a month across the US with Fallujah, Vulvodynia and Dawn Of Ouroboros ("The Flesh Prevails 10th Anniversary Tour"). Do you notice any differences between the American audience compared to the European one? How has your overall experience been in relation to this tour?
DANIEL: This was my first time touring North America and it was honestly an incredible experience. It was a very special one for me, also because part of my family lives in the US and I even got to see them in a couple of shows.
Indeed, everything is very different compared to Europe: traveling with a van between states is horrendous, the food is more expensive and venues in the US will not give you the same accommodations as the ones in Europe. However, there seems to be more of a “scene” there in terms of concert attendance and merch sales, so I’d say it all balances out! Overall, we feel it was a very successful tour for us and we’ve made very good friends for a lifetime. The band hasn’t toured much in the US but we are planning on coming back as soon as possible in the future.
OBNUBIL: Just a few months ago you toured Europe for another month and even spent a few dates in Japan. In the last year you have travelled halfway around the world like Willy Fog. Unfortunately, the life of a musician on tour is mostly about spending many hours on a means of transport, loading, setting up and being present at the merchandising stand... even so, have you been able to enjoy any city, getting to know places, atmospheres and customs?
DANIEL: You know what they say, the grass is always greener on the other side. Touring is equally as fun as it is tough on the body and mind. The show is always the highlight of the day; the other moments are just traveling, loading in, sound checking, and waiting for things to happen that are out of your control. Unfortunately, since we’re always on such a rough schedule, it is very hard for us to properly visit and enjoy our stay where we play. However, we sometimes do have some days off where we like to go and see new places. A personal highlight for going to Japan for the very first time. I fell in love instantly walking the streets of Nagoya and Tokyo!
And to end this on more of a positive note, one of the best things of touring for me is simply meeting and talking to people at the shows. It fascinates me that we can connect with people all around the globe with such a different background and culture.
OBNUBIL: Is there a place that you remember fondly? Is it because of the dedication of the audience, the perfect sound in a certain venue, the city itself or simply because of some anecdote?
DANIEL: So many to name here! This year we had some of the best shows we’ve ever had as a band. Some nights things just “click”: the vibe is there, everyone’s in a good place and the show is wild. I believe we will always remember our shows in Lille (France) and Seattle (USA), among other amazing shows!
Also, one of my personal highlights this year was playing some summer shows with Cynic, where Paul Masvidal asked me to sing “How Could I” with them because they needed a growler. It was such an honor to perform with such a legendary and influential band for us. I will never forget it. It ended up going full circle, as we asked Paul to perform the song “Living Waves” with us too.
OBNUBIL: As if all that you've done lately wasn't enough, you've also performed at major festivals, including Brutal Assault and Wacken. Have you ever imagined such an opportunity in your life?
DANIEL: Yes, this year we played some big festivals! Personally, it was my first time playing festivals of this size, so I felt like I was in a dream. Playing at Wacken Open Air this year was something truly magical for me. I’ve always dreamt of playing there, and when it finally happened, a part of me couldn’t believe we'd done it. It was a personal career highlight, for sure. Brutal Assault was also a superb experience. I remember so many crowd surfers in our show! We also got to hang out with our friends in Textures, Cynic and The Omnific, among others. It’s always great to reconnect with old friends.
OBNUBIL: Where and with which band (active or not) would you like to play if you could choose? If you had the opportunity to choose a band or a musician (active or not) with whom to collaborate on a song, which or who would it be?
DANIEL: Honestly, touring with Gojira would be a dream come true for me. Joe Duplantier is probably my main inspiration when it comes to metal vocals. I would definitely do a collab with him!
OBNUBIL: I've read that Persefone is planning a concert with an orchestra - what an impressive combination! Is this something you really have planned? What can you tell us about it?
DANIEL: Why yes, and we’ve actually already done it! Last May, we were joined by ONCA, the National Orchestra of Andorra to do a full show in the National Auditorium. It was a very big and special event for the band, as they had their friends and families come to the show, which can’t happen very often because there are no real venues to play in in Andorra.
The experience was great and a lot of work and preparation was put into the show months beforehand, especially by my bandmates and Albert from ONCA. We also brought David Castillo and his assistant Iñaki from Sweden to do the sound for the night. Everyone did such a fantastic job. We are working on producing a live DVD of the event so that everyone can see it, so stay tuned!
OBNUBIL: Persefone has grown a lot in a short time, the band has not stopped touring the world playing and composing at the same time. This is being a really intense and demanding part of your life, you are probably sacrificing things along the way. How are you doing? Are you taking it as a one-off season or do you imagine keeping this pace for life?
DANIEL: That is a great question. And the reality is, I wish it were different, but it is not easy to make a living out of metal music. I’ve personally always wanted to do this since I’m a little kid, and having the opportunity to do so is something that I do not take for granted. However, at some point, your perspective does shift a little bit and you have to look at it from a different lens. Indeed, I have made sacrifices in my own life to be able to sustain what the band is achieving. I’ve rejected decent jobs to choose to be self-employed and I have sacrificed a lot of stability in personal life and relationships. Inevitably, you also start to ask yourself questions about the future. Will I be able to do this when I’m 45, 50? Will I still have the desire or the economic means to keep touring? I have not started a family yet, but what if I do? What if my band is no longer relevant in the next few years? I think part of being a musician is accepting that there is so much uncertainty and so much out of your control that you are just forced to enjoy the ride while it lasts and live in the moment, as cliché as this sounds. I definitely don’t know where I will be in the future, but I think I have to slowly come to be at peace with that!
OBNUBIL: Who would have thought, but you are a psychologist by profession, working in the social and health sectors with experience in processes of anxiety, stress, depression, grief, self-esteem, sleep problems, intrusive thoughts, fear of uncertainty and life crises. Do you work remotely during tours with some patients? In moments of stress during concert and concert, what relaxation techniques do you apply to yourself? Do you sometimes have to act as a psychologist for the others in the band?
DANIEL: I do! I work as a clinical psychologist (or “counselor” in some countries) when I’m not touring. And the reality is, I love it. I do feel privileged that I can work in two fields that I am passionate about. Since the pandemic, I feel like online sessions are much more normalized, so I do work from time to time when I’m on tour! However, it is sometimes challenging to find a quiet and private spot to get on a call, let alone have the energy and the mindset to do so. So right now, I try to separate them as much as possible (I always joke I’m either in “musician mode” or in “therapist mode”). But hey, maybe in the future I will find a way to have the music and the psychology more integrated? You never know. At this moment, I feel like I have found a good balance. I’m a type of person who gets burnt out pretty quickly, so being able to jump back and forth between being a psychologist and a musician works very well for me.
As a lot of other people, I deal with my own share of anxiety, stress and self doubt. If only being a therapist would free you of such burdens (laughs). I personally also go to therapy, which helps me immensely. When I’m on tour and having a tough time, I try to focus on things that I know ground me and help me ease myself. For me, it’s eating as healthy as possible, exercising, doing yoga and finding quality time for myself. Sometimes you simply need to get away from the touring bubble and practice some self care in whatever way works for you.
OBNUBIL: In life there are sometimes coincidences, like the fact that we both shared the same yoga teacher. Do you take time during your tours to continue practicing daily? How long have you been doing yoga and what led you to practice it for the first time?
DANIEL: Yes, it is so cool we have that connection! Yoga is a very special thing for me. I’ve been doing it for about 5 years now and it has become such a crucial part of my lifestyle. I remember I was so hesitant when I first tried it out. I totally underestimated the physical requirements you need to hold the poses! Back then, I was just going to a normal gym, but once I tried a few classes, I switched to it and never looked back. I don’t think I do as much as I should on tour, but I do do it nevertheless!! I have my own traveling mat I always take with me and it’s so nice to squeeze in a couple of little sessions from time to time. Life has such a different color when you have the chance to move and stretch that day!
OBNUBIL: What superpower would you like to have and what would you do with it?
DANIEL: I would read minds. It would make my job so much easier (laughs).
OBNUBIL: What would you do if the power went out all over the planet and we spent a year in darkness?
DANIEL: I think I would try to focus on the little things. I would spend more time with the important people in my life. I would only play acoustic instruments (laughs) and read books. Get away from the digital age a little bit. That doesn’t actually sound that bad, doesn't it? This reminds me of this last US/European tour in which my phone broke down and I spent two weeks “phoneless”. It was a bit scary at first, but then it felt kind of liberating. It’s crazy how needy we all become with our smartphones and how much of the present day we stop appreciating.
OBNUBIL: Something or someone completely overrated and something or someone more than underrated.
DANIEL: Overrated: going to the beach. I don’t like sand (+10 points if you get the reference). Underrated: lazy Sundays. Probably my favorite moment of the week!
OBNUBIL: What is your material possession that has the most emotional value?
DANIEL: I’d say my first guitar my parents bought me! It’s an Epiphone Les Paul and it holds a lot of sentimental value and good memories.
OBNUBIL: What do you think about social media: is it a blessing or a curse? For both personal and professional life?
DANIEL: I think, as all things, they’re both good and bad. I try to use them for the more professional side of things. I don’t feel the need to constantly let the world know what I’m doing in my personal life. I’m a rather private person, and, especially as a therapist, I have to choose wisely what and not to show on my social media. On the other hand, having so many people I love in different countries, it’s a great way to stay in touch with them. So I am not against social media, at all! As long as people try to use it healthily.
OBNUBIL: What can we expect from Persefone and you between now and the end of the year or the beginning of next year? Will you take a short break or will you continue at full speed?
DANIEL: In regards to Persefone, we have done so many amazing tours these last three years. Now it’s time for us to take a little break from touring and to write new music and prepare for the band’s next cycle.
I have two other projects, one called Eternal Storm and another one that I have not announced yet. These projects will also have new music coming out soon and a couple of shows. I can’t say much more for now. But things are in the works!
OBNUBIL: It's been a pleasure talking to you and getting to know you a little better! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer the questions! Is there anything you'd like to say to your readers and fans?
DANIEL: Thank you for your time and the lovely questions! Just wanted to thank everyone who supports any of my projects. I feel very grateful I get to do this. I hope anyone reading this finds some inspiration to keep pursuing their passions. Much love!
Interview done August 2024. Cover photo taken by Èric Rossell Vela. Other photos by Libor Vočadlo, Citric.tv and Hughes Vanhoucke.
