After a decade-long hiatus, progressive rock project Lamentia has triumphantly returned with their new EP, Earth Libretto.
Formed in 2004, Lamentia‘s journey has been marked by creative evolution, personal challenges, and an unwavering commitment to their craft. Their latest release reflects a renewed creative spirit sparked by the loss of a former member, a poignant reminder of the music that had yet to be given its due.
Earth Libretto offers a rich social commentary, channeling the band’s signature sound influenced by prog legends such as Pain of Salvation, Opeth, Porcupine Tree, and Ayreon.
In this insightful interview following Lamentia‘s inclusion on Progotronics 49, Josh Zimmer delves into the creative process behind Earth Libretto, the themes that shape their music, and more.
Lamentia recently released an EP titled Earth Libretto. How does this new release reflect the band’s evolution since its formation in 2004?
We’re actually coming back after about a 10 year hiatus. The band functionally was at a place where we couldn’t operate like we were used to. We were too spread out in distance and at different places in our personal lives. Our drummer Chris had passed away recently and it sparked a conversation between us that we had music that had never gotten its proper due. There wasn’t any hesitation at that point that we needed to get to work.
The band has always been known for its intricate musicianship and evocative lyrics. How do you balance complex compositions with accessible storytelling, and how does Earth Libretto reflect that balance?
I think for me storytelling starts from my own experiences and things that I see. It seems like I often try to take an idea and strip it to its core. I’m really trying to not overthink the lyrical ideas themselves. I might fight over what word to choose here and there but a lot of the lyrical ideas I’m pulling from my gut. I’m hoping in doing so that those sentiments will feel more universal and resonate with the listener.
What can listeners expect from Earth Libretto in terms of its themes and overall concept? How does this EP connect to the larger body of work Lamentia has created?
Earth Libretto at its core to me is a social commentary. It is rooted with not just our music but the band name itself we came up with trying to describe with how we viewed our world in 2004.
Lyrically, Lamentia delves into themes like introspection, societal change, and the mysteries of the human experience. Can you elaborate on the specific themes explored in Earth Libretto?
I don’t want to get too much into what the lyrics mean. I think the magic of lyrics is the listener finding their truth within them even if the composer didn’t seek out that intention. Some of the themes to me deal with fears particularly regret.
Your music blends a wide range of influences, from progressive rock pioneers to modern creative edges. How did these diverse inspirations shape the sound of this EP?
When we wrote this stuff back in the late 2000s it was a love letter to the prog bands we were influenced by at the time. Bands like Pain of Salvation, Opeth, Porcupine Tree, Ayreon were in heavy rotation when we wrote this stuff back then. I could talk all day about the prog music we enjoy. It’s certainly easier than talking about our stuff. [laughs] I think anything you listen to for a while will seep in regardless so there’s going to be spots where you think oh that reminds me of Rush or maybe that reminds me of Yes. In my younger years I would have been really bothered by not wanting to sound derivative but the older I’ve become those kinds of comparisons are welcomed.
Lamentia is known for its cinematic compositions and electrifying live performances. Do you see Earth Libretto as a piece that could eventually be expanded into a full live experience with visuals, or does it stand on its own?
Unfortunately I don’t see this one coming to the stage. Never say never but we’re all in very different stages in our lives and in different parts of the world now that make that very challenging. We’re all very proud of this record and the work we did to make it come to life and we’re very happy that people can experience it from the comfort of their homes.
What’s the songwriting process like for Lamentia? How do you collaborate with the other band members to craft the intricate arrangements that define your sound?
It usually starts with myself or Corey our keyboardist bringing an idea to the table and we jam on it. That spontaneity usually sparks some creativity that we may not have come with something written out. With that said there are certainly times where we’ve come to the table with alot of parts already fleshed out and each member tweaks their parts making them better in the process. I think when you have a vision its important to get the elements of what that vision is at its core out while respecting other performers to let them express themselves creatively. Thats when i think you’re able to create something bigger than ones self.
The EP features dynamic time signatures and complex rhythms. Was there a particular musical challenge in putting these elements together for Earth Libretto?
I tend to think bigger picture and I don’t know if the challenge lies in the details of odd time signatures and such. I’m usually looking at it from a standpoint of does this flow, does it make sense, and is it easy to understand what the focal point is. The odd time signatures and rhythms usually just comes out naturally in any given section.
Given Lamentia’s long history of pushing boundaries, how do you see the progressive rock genre evolving, and what role does Lamentia play in that evolution?
Gosh, I look at the genre from when I started listening in the late 90s and see where it is today and i see so many different styles and colors that paint the prog picture. It’s really inspiring. I think Lamentia has always tried to focus on the soundscapes, textures and emotive qualities of our music.
Your live performances are integral to Lamentia’s identity. How do you ensure that the energy of your studio recordings translates to the stage?
Its very natural because these were live songs first. Our first goal is to make sure these songs sound good live and not just a studio recording. How many times have we seen bands in our lifetime where we enjoy records and it just doesnt sound the same or work the same live? We always follow the rule that if it sounds great live than we know it’ll work on recording.
What are the standout moments for you on Earth Libretto? Is there a particular track or section that you feel especially proud of?
There are too many moments for me personally but the last couple of minutes of “Missing Branch” will send chills down my spine.
Looking ahead, what’s next for Lamentia? Is there more music on the horizon, and how do you envision continuing to evolve as a band in the coming years?
To be honest I’m not sure if there is anything on the horizon for Lamentia. Al our drummer on this record and myself are working on new music as we speak that we’ll get released in the future. It’ll be an extension of Lamentia for sure but with some freedoms to explore and take this into different prog directions that you are accustomed to hear from us. Stay tuned.
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