The Ten Pounder Series: Interview with James Armstrong of Tempest Rising
By Mick Michaels
Originally appeared on The Grinder
Ten Pounder: Hello, James and welcome to The Ten Pounder! Thanks for taking some
time to chat with us!
James Armstrong: Anytime love these talks.
James Armstrong: Anytime love these talks.
TP: Describe your definition of Alternative Metal and how does that definition uniquely describe Tempest Rising?
JA: I guess we use it as a “Non-Mainstream” Term, we have a few genres we kind of delve in when writing new material. We hate giving us our Sub-genre, We tend to tell people we are metal, and let the listener make that choice. When I think of alternative I think like weird and out there almost like the “alternative scene” example piercings jewelry strange colors and haircuts that kind of thing, So I guess in genre form you could say because we dip our feet in a few genres that makes us alternative.
TP: Today, everyone talks about artist and audience connection. Is such a level of connection actually achievable for an artist and if so, how?
JA: For sure! Just in different levels, sometimes you are just their right place right time and bam...you're playing shows to hundreds/thousands and touring the globe other times your grinding it out playing to no one in a dive bar. Come naturally, well for us it does…Haha! On a studio sense, you just go to know your market and make sure hone your craft for said market, once the fan base is there changing sounds and experimenting becomes easier.
TP: Is fan interaction an important part of Tempest Rising's inner culture?
JA: 100% For a band relatively known around Australia, fan interaction is a big part in getting people to shows and listening to your music, it's harder and harder these days for people to go out with high price of drinks and transport mixed with threats of violence, people rather stay home and Netflix and chill , giving the fans a reason to come out and see you if a big point.
TP: Can a band truly interact with its fans and still maintain a level of personal privacy without crossing the line in your opinion?
JA: I suppose it depends on the individual…Haha! Sometimes you need to lay down the law...when the time comes, I'm generally a nice person so doesn’t have to much drama and willing to talk to anyone.
TP: Tempest Rising was fortunate enough to tour Japan. How would you compare the Metal audiences in Japan to those in Australia?
JA: A bit different for sure, I guess it’s a different vibe. Being and Aussie band playing in Australia you are treated like a local, you get the odd fan boy/girl here and there and you get the pat on the back at the bar after the saying great set, with Japan we were on a proper international tour so the vibe there is different, the fans see you as a touring musician they don’t about the 9-5 job you work 6 days a week to fund this band they think you are rock star…Haha, Japanese have be always respectful and polite, I think they feel intimidated by “Westerners.”
TP: Is Metal viewed differently around the world in your opinion? If so, what do you see as the biggest difference in such multiple views among various cultures?
JA: Its only viewed different around the world to non-metal fans, I think it's something that brings metal fans across the globe together, music does in genre it’s a universal language just like the sky above us. Sure, you get those metal elitists n all that but the general population doesn’t divide.
TP: Does Tempest Rising have any plans to come to the United States sometime in the near future?
JA: Yes for sure it's on top of the list, the initial cost outlay is the hurdle we need to get over plus making it worthwhile, we did 6 weeks in Europe “backpacker style” almost a holiday while playing kind of thing, which was great you could cover some many countries and different audiences because it's all compact. The main goal would to jump on a already established tour as a opener/support and start building the fan base from there, that’s the plan, just need to keep our eyes and ears open, Anyone reading this that may be able to help let us know.
TP: Do you feel that with Tempest Rising having an international status as a band (Australian), American audiences would be more enticed or intrigued to see the band more so over indigenous acts because of the foreign appeal?
JA: To an extent yes, us doing our on-headline shows playing small club circuit I don’t think it would have to much affect, but as a supporting act I think so, Plenty of Australian bands to well around the world so there is always that “international status” But same goes for bands come to OZ.
TP: Has Heavy Metal been over-splintered into too many sub-genres in an effort to appease fan tastes in your opinion? And has such fan appeasements, in actuality, weakened the genre by dividing audiences?
JA: Yes has done some irreparable damage for sure, not a major thing but I think with the expansion of music and it being ready at your fingertips and the modern day age of keyboard warriors and my opinion is worth more than yours it was always going to happen. We probably bitch about it the least compared to other music genres though…Haha.
TP: What can fans except to see from Tempest Rising in 2020?
JA: More writing and more shows. Get out of Australia again and go tour Europe again work some magic and get to the states would be a bucket list thing for me.
P: Thanks again for taking some time and talking. It is greatly appreciated.
JA: Pleasure anytime :).
Check out Tempest Rising at:
Official: https://www.tempestrising.com.au/
My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.
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