LOSA Interview

Bursting out of Texas with their Metal Blade debut in tow, comes LOSA, a metal band working hard to demolish the preconceived notions of what metal should be. Mike SOS speaks to bassist Joshua Urista, touching upon this unique unit's jarring style and tantalizing new release, as well as how being from Texas shapes their music and what's in store for this upstart metal outfit.

The Gauntlet: Where are you guys from and how did you get your name?

Joshua Urista: We are from Dallas, TX. Our name, LOSA, was the nickname of a friend of our vocalist Mike back in the day.

The Gauntlet: How was the recording of THE PERFECT MOMENT? Who recorded it, and where, and were there any funny stories you'd like to share that happened while recording?

Joshua Urista: We recorded THE PERFECT MOMENT in Dallas at Last Beat Studios with Mr. Matthew Ellard (Converge, Between the Buried and Me) handling the mixing duties and Alan Douches mastering. The opportunity to work with both of these individuals added so much to our recording. We don't really have any funny stories, per-se, but we did have quite a bit of trouble with computers crashing and lack of disk space. If I remember correctly, we lost almost an entire day due to these problems and needless to say Mr. Ellard wasn't too happy about that.

The Gauntlet: What song was the easiest to record? The hardest? The one you feel came out the best?

Joshua Urista: In my opinion the entire album was rather difficult to record as a result of each track directly relating to the previous one, as well as the next. I imagine it might have been easier if the album wasn't one continuous piece, but seeing as how it is timing had to be perfect from beginning to end, it's hard to say which track came out the best because in my eyes, I see our album as just one long song.

The Gauntlet: This album has a unique flow to it...was the record written with that intention, or was it pieced together in the studio? Is A PERFECT MOMENT a conceptual album?

Joshua Urista: THE PERFECT MOMENT was written from day one with the intention of it being one continuous piece. We thought it would be refreshing to make a CD that was nothing but music, front to back. We also incorporate this mentality to our live show as well. And yes, THE PERFECT MOMENT is a concept album with the underlying theme being the innocence of new beginnings and the loss thereafter.

The Gauntlet: What sets Losa apart from other bands?

Joshua Urista: We write music for ourselves, first and foremost. If we happen to gain respect and appreciation from others along the way, then that's great. It is always flattering when someone acknowledges your work. However, we will not give into the masses. We are free-thinkers and try our best to reflect that in our art.

The Gauntlet: Who are some of your musical influences? Any we wouldn't pick up from listening to you?

Joshua Urista: Opeth, Meshuggah, Pink Floyd, and Tool. Some you may not expect include Nickel Creek (bluegrass), Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, and classical music.

The Gauntlet: What personal experiences have provided you either lyrical or musical inspiration?

Joshua Urista: To be honest, our biggest influence musically is life in general. The life we lead affects the music in our hearts and we play each day from the heart.

The Gauntlet: Describe Losa to someone that has never heard you before�

Joshua Urista: Take two parts metal, one part hardcore, one part rock, and some southern flare and throw them all against a wall. The result is LOSA.

The Gauntlet: What's the best and worst thing about being a band from Texas?

Joshua Urista: The best is simply being from TX! Like the saying goes, "everything is bigger and better in TX", and we are no exception! The worst would be the distance between cities. Unlike the Northeast or West Coast where you can drive an hour and play again, here you have to put in long, long drives (border to border it's about 13 hours)!

The Gauntlet: When I'm not in Losa, I'm...?

Joshua Urista: Sittin' pool-side, sippin' Coronas!

The Gauntlet: What are your touring plans for the rest of 2005?

Joshua Urista: With all the festivals going on right now, things are rather slow around here. However, we have a few things in the works and hope to finish out the year strong.

The Gauntlet: How do you feel about the state of metal music today?

Joshua Urista: Metal right now is huge. People of all ages and all walks of life are getting into the scene, which is wonderful. However, I think this has led to an overall saturation of bands that are doing the same thing over and over and over and�well, you get the point. We are trying our best to breathe new life.

The Gauntlet: What are you currently listening to?

Joshua Urista: The Black Dahlia Murder's MIASMA, Strapping Young Lad's ALIEN, Meshuggah's CATCH 33, NIN's WITH TEETH and Team Sleep's self-titled debut.

The Gauntlet: Where would you like Losa to be in three years?

Joshua Urista: In three years I hope to be touring regularly and in the midst of \writing our third studio album (a double-disc). It would be nice to be able to pay a bill or two and maybe even have our own studio. Honestly, as long as we are still playing music together, I really couldn't ask for much more.

The Gauntlet: Any final words for the readers?

Joshua Urista: If you are sick of spending your hard earned money on the same old, chug-chug music, then I encourage you to give us a listen. Don't give into the masses. You have a voice and you can make a difference.