Amenra | the underdog in Belgian music scene

Amenra, the underdog in Belgian music scene, inspired by the band Neurosis. Ready to play on Pukkelpop and Dranouter, but first, our interview 🙂

Do you still remember the very first record (vinyl, cassette, cd, … ) you ever bought? 

not really. probably something dumb kids buy.

You recently worked together with Natalia Pieczuro, a dancer / choreographer from Brussels, Sofie Verdoodt, a poet, etc… Now people don’t always put the link between post metal and elegant dancing, poetry, just artistic projects in general. How did you?

It appeared to be obvious for us. See, what we do isn’t necessarily linked to one music style, or art form. A lot of artists around us have been working with the ungraspable for many years. So whenever we meet someone along our journey, where we connect with on a higher level. It automatically evolves in a cooperation. Just because we all felt we had to, joined forces makestronger. WE force each other into new insights, we feed and grow spiritually from each other.

We aim to move the heart and soul of people; We aim to find our own answers first, whatever you want to call it. It will always be of an abstract nature.

You guys are often referred to, as the underdog in the Belgian music scene. Is Belgium tougher to make it as a musician than anywhere else in the world? 

I can’t answer that, I have never been a musician in another country before. There is a suspicion that certain nationalities, automatically give you a certain amount of ‘streetcred’ that others don’t get without fighting hard for it.

Name a band that has been influential in Amenra’s style and career. 

Tool

We interviewed Neurosis in the past. What’s your connection to them. How did you meet?

As well as Tool, Neurosis has formed us in a way. They opened doors for a lot of bands to follow. and we were one of them. I think they also succeed is summoning something bigger than themselves. At certain moments something else is on stage with them. You cannot ‘construct’ that with songwriting, it just mingles itself with your creation, you know. We started playing with certain bands from their label, like red sparrows, made out of babies etc. We got to play a lot of shows with them. And I think at a certain point they told N that there was something interesting going on in Europe. I got in touch with Scott through his radio show he did back then on KMBT. And soon we were playing together on shows and festivals, and we got to know each other better. I think it just clicked. A couple of years later we were on Neurot records and touring with them.

What’s your darkest fear?

losing my family. 

How would you like people to remember you by, after a performance? 

I don’t really care about that.

There are of course worldwide a lot of music venues, festivals, exclusive locations, like great churches for you guys. What would be the ultimate dream? 

No dreams. Just being able to do what we do for many years to come.

If you could go back in time, which period would you go to and why? 

this is good for me. 

What’s the favorite part of your daily routine? 

going to bed.

You performed in the AB, here in Belgium. How was it, the stage, the performance, the audience? 

We played it three times now. always a pleasure. Nicest people out there. always stressful.

Name something you’re bad at, but just love to do. 

everything

You’ll be playing at Pukkelpop and Dranouter. What do you expect from those performances?

the higher the expectation the longer the fall.

What else can we expect in 2015?

movement.

What’s the top 3 of your bucket list (10 things to do before I die) ? 

be a grandfather
find happiness
and take the time to enjoy it.

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