Having just released the second single, ‘Ocean Bed’, from their upcoming record, Super Human (out 24th May on Long Branch Records), I had the chance to chat to lead singer, Mirza Radonjica-Bang from incredible band, Siamese.
Hey Mirza, how’s it going?
Going well, man. Just about to release some new music. If that doesn’t affect your mood in a good way… you should probably stop eh?
Good to hear…so you are gearing up to release your new record, ‘Super Human’ in May; how do you feel prior to a new release? Is it nerve-wracking or exciting?
It’s defo both. Exciting cause we get to tour again and see our friends around the world. Nerve-racking if the same ol’ fans don’t like the new shit. I think they will though. BUT also we hope to get some more people on board man. Would be nice to evolve the family over here for sure. So if you do not know Siamese and you like your heavy with some funky pop, I’d appreciate it.
I love the title, where did the idea come from and what’s the meaning behind it?
Our last record, Shameless, was all about positivity and looking forward and just outright living and partying a bit too much. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve always been quite dark, but on Super Human it’s all about realising that life might still just be suffering after all. And that coping with that mechanism is something you really need to do. I lost my faith in revelations man. You know that shit where people say they are at peace with who they are? Well OK. Fine enough, but that is not entirely true, I’ve come to find. It’s not human nature to be honest. And its super human to admit that. Hating your girl, doing bad stuff, doing drugs, not doing drugs, being jealous, not paying attention to the ones you loved. It’s all in this record. You will make mistakes. You are not perfect. And you need to tell yourself that once in a while. That’s the theme of the album.
Wow, deep! So what’s the track you’re most excited for people to hear on the record and why?
My personal favourite is ‘Ocean Bed’, but the track that stands out is ‘Super Human’. Lyrics and the feature from Olivio Antonio makes it something completely different. Oh and for the first time ever, I’ve opened up about my background as a refugee on ‘Unified’. I’m kinda excited to see if that song only resonates with me or it can tell people something about something more universal.
That’s amazing! I can’t wait to hear them all. I was wondering, what’s your usual process for writing/recording?
Me (Mirza, Singer) and Andreas lock our selves up in a tiny room with a computer, a piano for about a month and go on to produce the structures and melodies of the songs. We pretty much get it done front to back in month right now actually. We work as pop producers (because that’s our background) and then the rock and heavy elements come on later in the process. Not a lot of heavy bands that I know of, do it this way. Some also frown upon it, but yeah buddy. Release 5 albums and let’s talk about it again yeah? I mean. There is so many effing problems you demolish by working as we do. And we can keep doing it for many years on without going broke or something like that.
Where do you take inspirations from when writing/recording your music?
I listen way too much to bands like PVRIS, Dance Gavin Dance, Slaves, The Weeknd, Zara Larsson and so on. But mostly our inspiration would start by a sample, we hear 4 simple chords which I would sing to, and suddenly Andreas would go STOP!! That one! haha. Lyrically this time I have taken a lot of my friends’ stories and put them down as lyrics. I wanted to portray being super human in many aspects and not just my own. Dunno if that makes sense but it did to me at least.
Yeah, I get it. It sounds like a great way to write – listening and interpreting other people’s stories. I like your eclectic music taste too! If you could collaborate with anyone else, who would it be and why?
I’d like to collaborate with Tillian Pearson from Dance Gavin Dance. He is a huge inspiration to me, and I really think he could teach me a thing or 500.
Haha! That’d be cool. What music have you been listening to most recently?
The new Bring Me The Horizon album has been spun quite a lot, After The Burial and I still find my self spinning PVRIS and Slaves once in a while. Shame what happened with Jonny Craig. Slaves will not be the same I’m afraid.
Yes it’s a real shame. If you had to cover a recent chart song, which song would it be and why?
‘God is a Woman’ by Ariana Grande. And lord, I actually it will happen in the near future.
Seriously?! I love that song and oh my God, I can’t wait to hear your version!!! Do you have any pre or post-gig rituals?
Drink 4 beers. Not 5 and not 3. 4 beers. Post gig rituals, I have none. Just be nice to people and get your adrenaline down.
Haha! Yeah that after-show buzz is mental eh? Have any of you got any weird habits?
Christian on violin vapes man. I fucking hate that nicotine dildo in his mouth. But to be honest none of us have weird habits that I know of.
That you know of…haha! Do you guys have any other passions outside of music?
I’m big on TV shows. There is not much I haven’t seen. And anything good I have seen. Also I am very passionate about Arsenal and FC Barcelona. You can talk football for hours with me.
Unfortunately I don’t know loads about football…sorry. What really grinds your gears (winds you up)?
Postmodernism. Dude do not start that fire. Identity politics. And influencers. I guess we live in a time where there are a lot of insignificant things you can hate eh?
Too true man! What’s the best film you’ve seen lately?
I enjoyed A Star Is Born. Did I cry a bit. Yes I might have. OK. Leave it.
If, say in 10 years time, a film was made about your life, who would you want to play each of you?
In the name of political correctness, I’d like an all female cast to play us.
Haha! Love it! Lastly then, what’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
The world is never black and white. There is no ultimate answer.
Good point. Thanks very much for taking the time to talk to me today. Good luck with the album release and your recent single, ‘Ocean Bed’, too.
Cheers.
Siamese‘s releases are all available:
- To purchase on iTunes – https://itunes.apple.com/gb/artist/siamese/1236907075
- To listen to on Spotify –
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