Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
JV - Guitars/Vocals
Shaun Cowell - Bass
Matt Burton - Drums
Andrew Welsman - Guitar
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Shadow of Everest? How long has the band been around?
Before Shadow of Everest JV and I were in a band called Little King Hunter. I believe Matt was in Last Kick and Andrew's last band was The Onslaught. Shadow of Everest has been together about 3 years and counting.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
Hmmm...? JV has said that he thought of it as a metaphor for challenges. It's always fun coming up with names lol. I feel when we first came up with it, it sounded funny but I think the music fits the name. Strangely enough! The longer we're a band the more natural it sounds and feels.
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?
We all contribute to the arrangement and writing of the songs. On occasion, myself or one of the other guys will have a rough layout of a song and the rest of the band will put on the finishing touches. Like the icing on a cake! As for the lyrics that are all JV. He comes up with that and I don't know if there's a particular theme. Whatever mood he's in at the time? lol!
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
That's a tough one! We all have a lot of influences. Anything from Tool, Mastodon, Gojira, Sabbath, Floyd...we like to mix it up. Right now I've been listening to the new Trivium but it doesn't necessarily inspire me to write Trivium-like riffs but it does inspire.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Haha we just talked about that the other day! JV said Tool, Andrew said Black Label Society, Matt said Incubus and I said Metallica. These are our first loves! Haha!
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
We all tune up and stretch out the fingers for about 15 or 20 minutes before the show. Before that we just chill and have a couple drinks, but not too many! (except JV)
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
It's hard to pick one highlight ! There's been a few for me. Playing Riverfest 2017 was pretty awesome. We played a benefit show called Broken Earth to a packed house and I had an absolute blast. When we finally had the EP out that was definitely a highlight. Things are only getting better.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
This would have to be a 3 day festival or something because there's a shit ton of bands that i would LOVE to tour with. Lol!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
You can check us out on Spotify, YouTube and Google Play or connect with us on Facebook, our website (shadowofeverest.ca) or Instagram. We hope you do check us out and you like it! Cheers!