Javier Reyes [Interview]
For lovers of fresh new sounds, restlessly creative musicians like Javier Reyes are a godsend. In addition to rewriting the metal guitar rulebook alongside Tosin Abasi in Animals As Leaders, Javier has also spent the last few years writing and releasing music through his side project, Mestis.
Mestis’ latest long-player, Polysemy (reviewed on TMMP here), was recently listed as one of my favourite albums of 2015 in this feature – and here, Javier Reyes discusses Mestis, creativity, generous fans, and the future of his pet project…
Your new album Polysemy has been out for about a month now. How’re you feeling about it?
I am pretty happy with it. I wasn’t sure what people were going to think, considering some of the parts are so mellow in comparison to material they are used to from [Animals As Leaders]. Thankfully the overall feedback has been pretty positive.
What initially inspired and motivated you to create Mestis? What’s the project’s origin story?
Mestis is a bit of my bedroom project. It started [with] me making some songs in my bedroom that I knew were stylistically different [to] Animals As Leaders, and I felt the material was strong enough to be released.
After the first EP, I didn’t really expect to write more music for Mestis, but throughout touring with Animals As Leaders people kept asking me if I was going to release more music for Mestis; so thanks to all those people who asked me, I was motivated to write more.
What was your creative process while writing and recording Polysemy? How did those tracks go from idea to reality?
Almost all my songs start out as a guitar idea; most of them can almost be played as a solo guitar performance really. Once I track a guitar riff or two, I would then start programming drums to go along with it. From there each song kind of takes its own path.
How did you evolve, as a musician and as a person, over the course of creating Polysemy?
I would say I am way more aware of my sound or voice [as] a guitarist than I was before Polysemy. Writing a body of work entirely by yourself can make you feel a bit exposed. Thankfully people like it, [which] only helps me to feel more confident in writing more material in the future.
How would you describe each of the tracks on the album?
I think each track has its own vibe. Some are way more rock/metal based, others have an inherent latin influence, and all have a bit of a storytelling vibe. At least thats how I feel when I’m writing and/or naming the songs.
With Animals As Leaders, you’ve made a big name for yourselves as an insane live band. What’s the most bizarre thing that’s ever happened at one of your shows?
On our first headliner in 2011, I had sold my first eight-string guitar to buy a laptop, which I lost on tour maybe two weeks after buying it.
So we’re in Orlando, Florida, and I mention to a fan that I lost my laptop along with a bunch of other stuff just days before. So, out of nowhere, he says “I’m going to buy you a laptop”. The next day on our way to Tennessee, we stopped at an Apple [Store] which he told us to go to, and like he said, he bought me a laptop. As well as one for Tosin and Navene!
So far, [I’ve] used the laptop to work on material for T.R.A.M., Weightless, Joy Of Motion, Basal Ganglia, and Polysemy. I still have the laptop, and recently refurbished it. Plan on milking a few more albums out of it before I get a new one. Thanks Mike!
If money and good taste weren’t issues, what would your stage show look like?
Definitely a combination of excellent stage lighting, tons of LED walls, as well as extreme visual content. I like the idea of using innovative art/media to give a visual context to our live shows.
With Animals as Leaders, we started using screens after going to see an Amon Tobin show and being inspired by his stage production – that is a work of art in and of itself.
With some great achievements behind you and Mestis in full flight, what does the future hold?
Would like to take Mestis out on tour eventually, since I have joined with Dave Timnick and Joe Lester of Intronaut to make the live version of Mestis. Hopefully write music with them for future Mestis as well.
What items remain on your bucket list?
Perform in Latin America, more of Asia, tour with Dream Theater, invent a zero calorie donut, and invent silent velcro.
If you enjoyed this interview, head over to Mestis’ official Facebook page and Javier’s Twitter page, and follow TMMP via Twitter and my brand new Facebook page for more from the world of world-class music!
My review of Polysemy can also be found here. Check it out; it’s one of my albums of the year for a reason!
And, as always, if you’re a regular reader, thanks for the support! Don’t stop, and keep going!