Interview: Mike Evans of Profiler
Profiler is a UK Nu-Metalcore band on the rise, who recently released their debut album, A Digital Nowhere, via SharpTone Records. Frontman Mike Evans took the time to answer some questions via email about the band and new album. Check it out below:
First off, congrats on the upcoming release of A Digital Nowhere on SharpTone Records!Yourself-titled EP, Profiler, was a great introduction to the band, and A Digital Nowhere feels like it ties in nicely while expanding much further on the sound you introduced on the EP. What was your first step in moving towards a full-length?
Thank you very much for your kind words. Essentially Covid happened which sort of pushed me into writing music for Profiler again. During the lockdowns I had more time than I was used to and put this into writing the record. Two years later we have a finished product which is a massive relief after such an uncertain time.
I notice you guys use the term “Nu-Metalcore” to describe your style. What drew you to these particular genres – Nu-Metal and Metalcore – that you wanted to infuse them in your own music?
I have always been a fan of nu-metal growing up, listening to Limp Bizkit, Deftones, Incubus etc. But with the new wave of metal core with bands such as Northlane I also wanted to bring in a modern influence. We think that both genres tie in nicely which is why we describe ourselves this way. But hopefully in time we can be defined by our own sound.
Talk about each of your musical backgrounds, how you got into songwriting and music in general?
I was always interested in music but it wasn’t until I started learning classical guitar that I developed the idea for it to be a career. I transitioned to electric and begun self learning metal and downtuning. From here I started writing riffs of my own which has now developed into songwriting for the band.
Specifically about your vocals, Mike, you have wide range of talents for melodic singing, heavy screaming, and rapping. Did you have any formal vocal training, or otherwise, how did you discover this range?
Thank you very much. I have had a bit of training, and more recently (after the recording process) I have had some professional training for tour endurance. But essentially I have just practised over years by myself pushing my voice around to see what I can do. For example screaming in the car on the way back from work and learning styles from YouTube.
Mike, you started Profiler as a solo project – did you always have a vision to broaden it into a full band to play live, or was this more of just an outlet for your creativity in the beginning?
I always wanted to be in a band so I think this was an eventuality. It just took a bit of work finding the right people to coincide with what I envisioned.
Technology is a running theme throughout Profiler’s music – from tracks like “Glitch Theory” on the EP to the whole concept of a title like A Digital Nowhere. What inspired that theme?
The ideas have stemmed from spirituality and philosophy. Terence McKenna for example has incredible concepts and projections about where our species and technology is heading. He discuss the idea of a technological singularity, discussing if we keep rapidly developing technology there will be a point of no return. This theme is explored in the album.
“All In Forever” is an epic opening track and first single to have, because it’s full of so many surprises. The killer bass work in the beginning makes you wonder if you’re about to hear a technical Prog-y track, then the scream enters and you realize the heavy song you’re in for, until you reach a chorus that’s pure melody, and then get hit with a rap twist. Can you explain some of the process of making this song in terms of both writing and recording?
Sure thing. Actually it is a guitar line in the beginning but everyone thinks it’s bass haha. It was basically pulled apart and put back together multiple times and went through a huge amount of change which is why it is such a dynamic song. It’s the only one on the album that took significant time to get right. We are really happy with how it turned out.
The technology theme continues into tracks like “Operator”, but it got a bit of a Punk treatment as the shortest track on the album – can you talk about the making of this track and music video?
This track was actually written very quickly. It’s one of those ones that was done in a day which is crazy, it just clicked. It is more of a conceptual song about Neo & Trinity in the film franchise The Matrix. The video was just organic. We found a really cool space and had a great time filming. We just spent a load of time in post getting the effects right and it turned out great.
“Consumed” is such an interesting track, it feels atmospheric and soothing, yet melancholy at the same time. Any particular story behind this one?
This track is actually about 4 years old. It’s a song I wrote before I started Profiler but wasn’t actually explored as it didn’t sit right in the E.P. It’s a really good fit for this album and I’m super stoked to have it professionally recorded and released.
You worked with Producer Chris Coulter – what made you choose him, and how much material did you already have before starting to work with a producer?
We loved working with Chris and chose him because we heard great things and felt his style of production would fit really well on the album which it did. We had all the songs ready to go before we approached him. We’ve been sitting on the songs for a while, so we were raring to go.
What was the most challenging song to bring from original idea to actual recording?
“All In Forever” for sure. This track was a struggle to get correct. But so glad with the result.
Can you share what to expect from Profiler coming up?
We are super excited to be going on tour with Vended and Gloom in the corner in May. The dates can be found on our instagram page @profilerband This will be our first proper tour and will be a great opportunity to see us live.
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions! Really digging A Digital Nowhere. Wishing you the best of luck and looking forward to hearing more music from you guys in the future!
Thanks for having me.
Find A Digital Nowhere here and learn more about Profiler via Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.