ARTIFAS – INTERVIEW AND ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Artifas is a five piece juggernaut formed in Jackson, TN. in 2011. The band currently consist of original members Cody Criswell (Lead Guitar) and Scottie Somerville (Lead Vocalist). Mikey Miller (Guitar), Anthony Mattox (Bass) and Jared Wainscott (Drums) round out the quintet. Artifas didn’t have the easiest of beginnings. Early in their recording history, they had an ugly encounter that resulted in the theft of all the band’s funds and receiving no album in return. Not a fun way to start off your musical career. Yet they persevered.

In 2015, Artifas dropped their first studio album, Inhuman. Off the success of a series of strong tracks such as “Inhuman” and “Blood 4 Blood” the band was constantly on tour. Artifas supported a plethora of top tier acts including Theory of a Deadman, Pop Evil and Shaman’s Harvest. The following years found the group on stage with the likes of Papa Roach, Hoobastank and P.O.D. Definitely a band on the move.

Recently, Artifas dropped their new LP, Reflections via Imagen Records. The disc contains eleven memorable tracks that showcases the band’s masterful songwriting skills. Some of the songs deliver monstrous guitar licks, pounding drums and slamming bass. While others take on a more emotional ambiance. Somerville’s vocals are melodically edgy and powerfully refined. Reflections is full of rich harmonies and aggressive intensity. Songs like “Safe” and “The Dark” provide brazen compositions impressed with cinematic voracity.. Meanwhile, “Angel (Lead The Way)” and “Hollow” express a more sensitive and emotional side of Artifas. On a whole, Reflections is a monster of a release which should push Artifas to the brink of stardom.

Artifas had to cancel a portion of their current tour with Nonpoint due to Covid concerns. AMP was able to secure this interview with Scottie Sommerville from his home.

AMP: The band had a rough beginning. Did that toughen you up in regards to the music industry?

SCOTTIE: For sure. This business can be cut throat at times. You really have to learn to look out for yourselves as well as learn who you can and cannot trust.

AMP: Artifas has a killer sound. How would you describe the music?

SCOTTIE: We’re a band whose sound is a mix of many ingredients. Everything from the heaviest of metals, to pop, 80’s, 90’s, and little bit of everything in between. We pull from many influences, but at the end of the day we seemed to have formed something unique and interesting.

AMP: Your new album, Reflections, is extremely dynamic. Do you feel it’s an evolution in style from your previous releases?

SCOTTIE: Absolutely. We dug deep on this record, and poured our entire beings into this release. We’ve all grown as musicians and writers, and we really dove deep into ourselves to make something vulnerable and relatable.

AMP: How have the fans reacted to the new album?

SCOTTIE: The response from our fans, old and new, has been amazing. They seemed to connect with the songs right from the get go. We are thrilled that the fans are loving this record as much as we do, as well as finding ways to connect their stories to ours.

AMP: What is the best song on Reflections to play live?

SCOTTIE: We are still in the process of figuring that out as we haven’t played all the songs off Reflections live yet. But so far the ones we are playing are a blast to do live. They’re also some of the most challenging songs we’ve ever played.

AMP: If you could tour with any band past or present, who would it be?

SCOTTIE: For me, and I’m sure the other guys wouldn’t be bummed would be Karnivool. There’s something in the water there in Australia.

AMP: If you had a DeLorean and could go back in time, what advice would you give your 16 year old selves?

SCOTTIE:I would have encouraged myself to go for the dream even sooner and to be cautious who to work with. Other than that, I don’t really have regrets. All the things we’ve experienced, good and bad, has made us who we are.

AMP: What’s next for the band?

SCOTTIE: More touring and starting to write for the next phase. We don’t want to keep our fans waiting for too long before we give them new music again.

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To learn more about Artifas, check out their Website

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Stream music:  Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud

Purchase:  Amazon 

 

 

 

 

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