I N T E R V I E W

Interview Kyle Gruninger (par email)

Hello Kyle, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. We are AuxPortesDuMetal a french webzine and this interview will be published in French and in English. First of all let's talk about you as I was totally blown by your style of singing. Tell us how you started your career as a singer?

I started singing when I was very young in church. after I saw "The Phantom of the Opera" when I was five, I knew I wanted to perform. I've sung in auditioned Chamber choirs and professional musical theatres. This coupled with a love for heavy metal and progressive rock has made me who I am.

It's not just your voice, but the way you seem to live what you sing, somehow very theatrical. This is also special and requires, I'm sure, hard work.

I am very passionate and honest in my lyrics and vocal delivery. I call it "Theatre of the mind". I really try and give the listener a visual representation of the feelings I'm trying to express, even though you can't see me while listening to the record.

Ok, of course Incura is not just your voice, it's a band, so tell us a bit about the history of the band.

The band originally started in a very small prairie town in Alberta. Incura is packed with extremely talented musicians from all different musical influences. All being so diverse with our influences has really helped in creating the sound that is now Incura.

And where does the name Incura come from? We read that it has something to do with Final Fantasy.

Video game music has always played a big role in Incura. We used to be called " Invein " when we first started. We wanted to change the name but keep the feel. So we combined the name of a Final Fantasy spell " CURA " with our old name. Creating the name INCURA.

I noticed that you released four EPs before that first album. Was it that difficult to get a record deal?

We release music because we love it. Because we love creating art and pushing the musical envolope. Getting a record deal was never a driving reason to create Incura. That being said, now that we have so many good friends and partners involved, the labels have really helped us get our music to new markets. Make music because you love it.... Not to try and get a record deal.

Did you use some of the songs from the EPs on this first album?

We took a song or two we felt really fit with this debut album and put them on. We thought the songs deserved to be pushed to new listeners and given the chance to be heard on a mass scale.

And then the album was released last year but only in Canada. Why was this?

We knew the band's main focus was going to be Europe. We put out the record out in Canada last year while trying to find partners in target markets that we thought we would maybe fit more appropriately in. Now that we have InsideOut/CenturyMedia the record can be released properly in Europe for everyone to hear.

Finally we have this album in Europe, was this because it was succesful in Canada?

It was more because we felt Europe was a better breeding ground for Incura. Progressive music and metal are more popular in Europe than in Canada. We think touring in Europe and focusing on the fans there will help Incura become an international touring band.

It's hard to classify your style, and in my review I used the term: Progressive & Theatrical Metal, is this ok with you?

Thanks, perfect!

What would you quote as influences to the sound of Incura?

Queen, Rush, Iron Maiden, System Of A Down, My Chemical Romance , Coheed And Cambria, Slipknot.

I have seen reviews in the US where folks compared you to Freddy Mercury, what do you think about that?

It's flattering but I'll never be anywhere close to the musician Freddy was. It's great to hear I remind people of him on stage and in my voicing .... But come on... Freddy was closer to a god than a man.

I have also referenced singer like Fish, Peter Gabriel, Serj Tankian or Claudio Sanchez from Coheed And Cambria. Would you hate me for saying this?

I wouldn't hate you! Hahaha those are all singers I've been compared to and it's a list I'm honoured to be a part of.

Speaking about Coheed & Cambria, the atmosphere of your album reminded me one of their album called "No World For Tomorrow". Do you happen to know these guys? I'm pretty sure, you'd share a good amount of fans.

In all honesty I haven't listened to tons of their music, but I have seen them live three times. They are beyond talented, so any comparison is welcome.

Anyway I really liked this album almost from the first riff of "Get The Gun". I was wondering if there was a global theme to it.

Do what you love, not what you're told.

How does it work in the band, as far as writing music is concerned?

Writing changes from song to song. I can start with a melody, a chord structure, a drum beat, we put no limits on where a song or idea can come from. We spend countless hours jamming and perfecting parts to really make sure it's what we want.

Piano seems to be a essential piece to it? Do you also also play or it's all played by Jim?

Jim Jim Jim ! He is the piano man! Piano is classic and will never go out of style. I've always loved the piano and just voice songs... You can really hear the emotion in the voice when complemented by a beautiful piano part...

And who takes care of the lyrics?

I write 100 percent of the lyrics... All from very personal experiences.

On "I Breathe This", you demonstrate a very impressive tone range, several octaves I'm sure?

Yes! It's true my range is one of the strong points in my collection of vocal weapons. It gives me the ability to change character and give my lyrics the audio representation I feel they need.

It's on "I'm Here Waiting" that I found that your singing reminded me of Serj Tankian from System Of A Down. Do you like this band which, like Incura, is very original and creative?

System Of A Down is something I grew up listening to everyday. I love the band. Singing along to them for so many years definitely had an impact of me, musically. 

Your very theatrical singing on "Who Are You" is incredible. Do you have Scottish origins?

:-) Thank you! And I don't really know if I have Scottish origins!? Hahaha!

Have you already toured to support this album? Is it difficult to obtain live, the sound that you have on the album, especially with the vocals?

We toured for the record in Canada. We toured with a group from Europe called " Apocalyptica" we play every note from the record live. We don't play to tracks and everyone has to give 110 percent while playing live. I take very good care of my voice and promise I sound even better live than on the record. Incura is a live music project.

I have never attended a concert with you guys, but do you use the stage to extend this theatrical style that you have in your singing? Do you use makeup or costumes?

We have a very high energy intense stage show. Yes, we usually cover our whole bodies with black paint before hitting the stage :). Visuals and being an extremely tight and entertaining live act is extremely important to us.

Any opportunities to see you in Europe any time soon? In the festival season maybe? In France too?

Hell yes! We would love to come to Europe. We are focusing 100 percent of our efforts towards touring all over Europe and yes, we can't wait to play in France!

What's next for you guys?

Tour tour tour... We will be touring, shooting videos, blogging, writing, and promoting this record non stop.

Thanks a lot, and a last message for our readers in France?

DO WHAT YOU LOVE, NOT WHAT YOU'RE TOLD !

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