INTERVIEW: Stephanie Stevens talks with Tetrarch Guitarist Diamond Rowe as they discuss the new album Unstable and MORE! - READ IT HERE

TETRARCH INTERVIEW WITH GUITARIST DIAMOND ROWE

BY STEPHANIE STEVENS

The Los Angeles band TETRARCH is on the verge of releasing the soundtrack of 2020. The album is entitled UNSTABLE the bands first single is called I’M NOT ALRIGHT and just these words can supply moments and emotions we all have had throughout 2020 so far.

The band-Josh Fore, Ryan Lerner, Ruben Limas and Diamond Rowe honed in on this 2020 release to bring a heavier and sonic explosion to the already pretty intense sound they had. The band formed a few years back with this unified lineup and in 2017 released FREAK which helped the band build a successful following and respect in the music community. A band that believes in embracing flaws and showcasing delicate prominent issues in the lyrical content. This band is guaranteed to wreak havoc once UNSTABLE explodes onto the scene this year.

I had  the pleasure to get to know Diamond Rowe lead guitarist and backing vocals of the band to find out about the writing of the album, the bands well known live shows and what her band members have taught her.
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I’M NOT RIGHT, your new single was the first song you wrote for your sophomore album UNSTABLE and it showcases the heaviness you bring to the stage to your album sound. Was this a huge focal point you wanted to hone in on this time for the newest record?

Diamond: Absolutely. Josh and I started Tetrarch in middle school to some capacity so we have had a long time to really perfect our live show. I have absolute faith that on stage, we can convert almost anyone into a Tetrarch fan so essentially we always want to make sure that we captivate that same energy and charisma on the actual record. Our goal is to make the audience and listeners FEEL something. When we went into this record and started talking with producer Dave Otero, we emphasized from the beginning how big we wanted this album to sound. We didn't want to cut any corners and we wanted it to be huge. I think we nailed it for sure. 
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TETRARCH is from Greek origins; are you guys big history buffs and what does the band name mean to you 4?

Diamond: Josh and I actually decided on the name in like 9th grade during history class haha. Our teacher said it and we were like hmm lets try that. It has stuck ever since. Its a kingdom/government ruled by 4 people and there are 4 of us in the band so it was fitting. We are DEFINITELY not history buffs though haha! 
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Lyrically on the new single you have explored a topic a lot of people can relate to. What inspired the lyrics to I’M NOT ALRIGHT?

Diamond: You know, we have always been a band that believes in manifesting things that you want to happen. So with this song we really wanted to take on that feeling of rock bottom that most people feel at some point and how you can hate that feeling so much that it drives you to become the best version of yourself. Thats where the line "Looking in the mirror and I hate myself" comes from. That moment you realize that you just don't like who you have become. 
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You’re a band who embraces flaws and tries to show the positivity from them, as a band with a platform what do you hope your music and words do for fans or just people in general struggling?

Diamond: We just want everyone to realize that they are human. Own all of your flaws and embrace them. What makes everyone so special is that were all different. Being the same is boring and were a band that embraces differences in all walks of life. 
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With that being said I’M NOT RIGHT showcases a topic a lot can relate to. Why was it so important for you guys to bring this to the video?

Diamond: Well, we have definitely been known to be the band that always talks about persevering through hard times or adversity but with this song and record in general we really wanted to show the other side of that. We wanted to show that we are human and things WILL get tough sometimes. They do for everyone, but its how you work through those issues and take control of your life that really matters in the end. As human beings, sometimes we look in the mirror and just don't like the person that we see staring back at us and are ready to make a change. Thats what that song is about.
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On a scale from 0 to 2020, how good is your new album compared to your last?

Diamond: Thats a tough question. They are just different. FREAK was a great album and did a lot for this band. It really put us on the map and I think we really solidified our place in the metal world with that album. We honestly just look at UNSTABLE as a continuation of that. We took some of the best parts of the last album and matured even more and I think we really have something special. With UNSTABLE we really had a goal in mind and knew exactly what we were going for before we even stepped foot in the studio. I think you can really hear that. 
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If you could take a lesson to strengthen your musical style or playing ability who would you want to teach you and why?

Diamond: You know - I cant honestly think of one particular person because I feel like anyone can learn something from so many different places. There are so many different places 
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I have heard from numerous people your live show is jaw dropping and most people who have never see you once your set is done you have utterly blown them away. When you hear stuff like that how does that make you feel, and what brings out the emotion and intensity for you when you hit the stage?

Diamond: We take a lot of pride in our live show. It has always been the most important aspect to us of this band. I think we were fortunate enough to start this band at a time where bands really had to bust their ass in the local circuit playing shows and touring and learning how to be real bands without the internet. Josh and I met in 7th grade, so we essentially started playing music from that point on and had a lot of time to practice and get other musicians that felt the same and really take pride in our performance as a whole. It is very important for us to be the best ENTERTAINERS as we can be as well as musicians. People pay to come see us put on a show and a show is what we vow to give them. 
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UNSTABLE is coming out this fall, working on the follow up to FREAK did you guys have any pressure on yourselves to create? Did you utilize new approaches of creating this time around or did you stick with what worked on the first one?

Diamond: I think theres always some sort of pressure when creating a new record because naturally we want it to be very good but with this record we wanted to make sure that when we came out of the studio that we were 100% happy with everything. We didn't want to rush and cut corners which is why we spent almost 4 months tracking and mixing. We absolutely stuck with certain approaches that worked on the last record but adding some news ones that really pushed the boundaries of what this band can do. I think everyone is going to be really pleased with what we have created this time around. 
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What is one thing each of your band members have taught that has inspired you as a musician or on a personal level?

Diamond: Thats a really good question. We learn a lot from each other everyday and I think all of our personalities play a very important roll in the progression of this band in different ways. From Josh I learn to look on the bright side sometimes and enjoy certain moments. i am very forward thinking all the time and sometimes I get in the way of myself enjoying the accomplishments along the way because of that. Josh really teaches me to learn to enjoy the ride and that sometimes its ok to just stop and smell the roses. Ruben continues to remind me to have passion for my instrument. It is truly inspiring to see how much he practices and genuinally loves his instrument. He plays drums for hours and hours everyday, no matter how much were touring. I have that same passion for guitar but sometimes I get caught in the weeds with the business side of things and Ruben always shows me that the music aspect and being the best I can be at my instrument is just as important. Lastly, Ryan teaches me a good bit about self discipline and structure. I tend to sit somewhere in the middle when it comes to spontaneous and organized - Ryan is very structured and there has been several times where his organization and scheduling has helped us on tours. He's always very prompt and likes to be prepared, so he definitely teaches me the benefits of that.
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What is the most useless talent you have?

Diamond: This is honestly the perfect question for our singer/rhythm guitar player, josh! Hahah! He's the worthless talent guy of the band. He's that guy that knows how to Juggle and do magic tricks. I, however am one of those people that I absolutely hate wasting my time on things that I feel don't benefit me at all so I tend to shy away from those things hahaha! Maybe its just laziness! I guess I will have to at least learn one thing thats useless for the next time I am asked this question. 
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If you could live off of one food on tour what would it be?

Diamond: My favorite food in the entire world is Buffalo Wings. I absolutely love them. So they would have to be in first place. Close second would be Mexican food or Pizza. None of those are good for you at all which is just a shame. 
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Cat or dog person?

Diamond: I am 100% a dog person haha. I have a dog named Ozzy and I love him so so much! haha! I laugh all the time thinking that we rescued him from the Atlanta Humane Society for only $150. SOO cheap considering how much joy he has brought my life. He is spoiled ROTTEN but I guess thats my fault haha!
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What does the TETRARCH fans mean to you and what is one thing you want them to know?

Diamond: The fans mean everything to us. We have learned over the years of being a band that the most important thing that any band has is their fans. Without them we are nothing. We always want them to know that we remember that and that we always care about what they think and feel. Yes, we create music that we love and for ourselves but we also create music for them and hope they enjoy it. Their support is what keeps us going every single day. 

https://www.tetrarchmusic.com/ 
Facebook: @tetrarch
Instagram: @tetrarchmusic