Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band
Jonatan Piñeyro - Vocals/Guitars
Johan Rivera - Guitars/Backup Vocals
Joshua Del Valle - Drums
Pablo Ancalle - Bass
Jose Alberto Piñeyro - Unclean Vocals
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to House of Leaves? How long has the band been around?
Alberto and Jonatan made a band called Skin Like Knives back in 2008. Jonatan was also a singer and guitarist for a band called Becoming A Poet which released an EP in 2012. Joshua and Johan were a part of Love Device: Offline, Pablo played in a band called Vankio and Alberto played bass in a metal band As He Pleaded. House of Leaves has been together as a full band since 2013
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
The origin of the name is the book House of Leaves which was recommended to Jonatan by a friend. Though he never actually finished reading it, he liked what he read. The name felt right and catchy so that's how it was chosen
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
All music was written by Jonatan and Johan with Joshua and Laureano (our previous bassist) writing their parts during the band rehearsals. The lyrics are written by Jonatan and Alberto. Most of our songs are 'failed loved' narratives but we have experimented with different types of stories in some songs and wish to explore it further. Made In China is written around capitalism and Sequence Of Events is a tragedy in song form about a man losing his son.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
We are currently very into the Blue Swan type bands such as Hail the Sun, Sianvar, A Lot Like Birds, Stolas and Oranges. Other artists that don't particularly share our sound but inspire the lyrics are Kurt Travis, La Dispute, Keyes, The Speed of Sound in Seawater, Drake, Hoodie Allen, Watsky, and Ed Sheeran.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
This varies for all of us but we can agree on acts like Alexisonfire, Dance Gavin Dance, Panic! At the Disco, Fall Out Boy, Blink 182, Protest the Hero, and The Fall of Troy that we've been listening to for the past 10 years.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
We always arrive early to shows. Way too early sometimes. Jonatan practices scales, warm up exercises for the fingers, and sometimes stretches his back. Joshua always does single strokes, doubles and paraddidles, Johan likes to drink one beer. Pablo stretches his arms before going up on stage. Alberto drinks some tea before heading out.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Recording our EP The Inhabitants of the Land last year and going back and forth with the producer. It was a new and ardous experience for all of us. Also worth mentioning is that once, earlier this year, we were shared in a Dance Gavin Dance meme page on Facebook and made over 100 new fans.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Stolas, Dance Gavin Dance, Alexisonfire, Alesana, Memphis May Fire and The Fall of Troy because they are bands with excellent music paired with the singing/screaming dynamic we are pushing for. Other bands to add would be CHON and Strawberry Girls because they are awesome and energetic on stage even if we don't fall into the same 'style' as them.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We have been busy writing new material for the band but there is always down time and so we have ventured into other musical projects.
Jonatan is recording a solo album to be released Fall 2016. Johan released an album this year (mettaur.bandcamp.com) and writes amazing music in a band called Space Corolla. Joshua is starting a metalcore oriented type of band called A Forest Of Memories. Alberto also released an EP where he plays acoustic bass guitar (anoddshadeofgreen.bandcamp.com).
Our previous bassist is now a successful tattoo artist. Here's a link to his work instagram.com/laureano_dejesustattoos