By: Edwund F. - February 12, 2020
From Los Angeles, California, punk-rock grunge metal band Quarantined recently released their latest single “Nemesis (Friend Of Mine)”. “Nemesis (Friend Of Mine)” is a powerful song with a special meaning behind the detailed lyricism. This song tells the story of a unique individual who goes through dark hardships. It’s a chilling song with a creative way to describe the haunting lyrics that’s also poetic and beautiful. The instrumentation in “Nemesis (Friend Of Mine)” is finely-calibrated and groundbreaking. There is a number of electrifying elements found within the stratospheric guitar chords and headbanging drum rhythm. The vocal dynamics in “Nemesis (Friend Of Mine)” is piercing and passionate with strong emotional conviction.
Quarantined was able to convey the story in “Nemesis (Friend Of Mine)” through a storybook atmosphere, taking you along the journey, and intertwining the listener with their music. Quarantined has a fresh sound that’s redefining what rock music is. The thunderous sound is composed of authentic instrumentation, cleverly-written lyrics, and a rugged but solid vocal tone. Despite the band's many challenges, they strive for their goals and deliver a smashing musical presentation.
Listen to “Nemesis (Friend Of Mine)” by Quarantined here.
Hey Sean! You’re about to release your long-awaited new single, "Nemesis (Friend of Mine)". What has been your reaction to all the positive feedback you've gotten from your supporters? It's awesome. I’m thankful that people like our music - online support is weird in that it never feels like it’s enough, yet the emails and messages I get thanking me for putting experience into words that help them process their own stuff? it’s everything.
Can you tell us the backstory of the new single? Is it from a real experience?
I used art to help mitigate what I knew was PTSD messing with my brain. Even in my own suffering while writing the song, I knew I had to find the path forward out of my darkness, at least to sleep. I was thinking: how could I tell my story so that the most sheltered mind could understand the value of resisting the lure of anger and hatred, how it saved lives while recognizing the universal aspects of how these intangible fears have a micro and macro effect on our world. The song isn’t about a particular instance but is a conglomeration of the worst examples from my experiences. I use no specifics on purpose- we are discussing ideas, character profiles, circumstances and situations that lead to other circumstances and situations, not specific people. It’s like Eleanor said.
What does this song mean to you?
The meaning of our songs is always something that we highlight, but what you hear in it is also just as valid as what it means to me. This one is, generally speaking, a story about being stuck under the boot of life together, how our feelings can be deceptive, the self-reflection on the dark side of our nature, and rising above vengeance to discover about inner peace. Learning to let go of the pain others have caused you to rise above the circumstances and facilitate peace instead of war. It’s about relaying the feelings associated with the experiences, putting them into a singular thread to show the profiles of a narcissist and an empath starting with good intentions to lift each other up, and how judgment, assumptions, and manipulations can spur good people to slide into fear and loathing, and celebrating the choice to stop the cycle of hatred before it consumes everything we are, embodied in the line: “I know he wished the same for me/so I’ll never try to rewind/ to that place and time my memory/ of that nemesis friend of mine.” That lesson is gleaned from experience, from learning the hard way, so maybe others can see the forest from the trees and not get crushed, like so many do. It’s also got a few Easter eggs to describe the effect in our recent history. An application to characters, recent and ancient alike, who just so happen to embody every terrible quality I describe in this song- it isn’t about a person like I said, but why does one most recent fit the profile so well? That was just a coincidence, I wrote the song way before 45- he just happens to be a raging narcissist bully/con-man, so it fits. the song isn’t about him, but about the ideas and circumstances that build that kind of character. I know how to spot em, I’ve seen it before. It’s describing a Side of violent dominant struggle, and a side of primal emotional catharsis. That dichotomy is not exclusive to any group, but it hits when you’re in the moment of conflict, which facilitates a cycle of violence we must learn to abate. This process of conflict is in a lot of things, and once you see it as a process, you won’t ever be the same. The song is about the cycle of bullying (Racism, classism, homophobia, schadenfreude) and apathy that has engulfed the world generation after generation, and about facing the choice of easy destruction or difficult building, when it’s your turn to choose. It’s really about the toughest part of love- loving yourself enough to choose not to seek revenge on those who hurt you but to not give up on yourself and invest in your growth, first. There is more to the song than just displaying anger.
Can you spill any details on what your supporters can look forward to from you this year?Growth- our new Music is breaking barriers of ideology to reach our humanity, our shared existence. Our music speaks of the human condition, and that is universal, no matter who you are or where you’re from; wisdom from experience knows no boundary.I would say to pay close attention, we’re coming to wisen us all up by showing how diversity is power. What’s it feel like to be releasing your own original music?
I create for myself, I love and relish the process done well, and value the accomplishment of setting a goal and executing a plan that has musical results. Every song is an internal battle of will to not give up. What else is my inspiration worth if not to create that which describes my reality? It’s also painful to be ignored and taken for granted by society, the industry, your friends, or the desperate. It isn’t meant for people like me, and I’m actually kinda glad about it. I have an aversion to normalcy- The music is meant to be there at your lowest moment and give you the feelings and reality that helped me get through that same dark time you may come to know. I still have to convince myself that view numbers don’t actually mean shit, but are the currency of an industry with no compass that caters to wallets over hearts and minds. Will there be a music video for the new single?
I hope we can achieve that, but we will need help to make the ideas that we have. We want this video to be powerful so that it relates a full story arch in good fashion. Being an independent band with that goal is not easy, but we have lots of new avenues of approach.
Is there anyone you want to thank that’s helped you get to where you are today?
Yes, a lot of people have helped me. I definitely would utmost importantly the team we have now, the band (Jeremy, Alex, and Steven) Lizz Pugh our visual artist, Diminished Pitch Entertainment, Free2Luv, Dirtbag Clothing. My producer Matt Mancini, my parents, the veteran community, Mike Langley, The Vet Center, my brothers in the VOA, my artist friends in Hollywood, George G1 Archie, Charlie Waymire, and Ultimate Studios Inc., my parents.
What do you want your message to be towards your fans? What do you want your fans to take away from your music and shows?
“Be free in your mind”.And take away an album, a shirt, a pin, and some memories, and leave that bullshit that’s bugging you there in the pit. Are you planning any shows to promote your new music?
We are, but there’s a lot of obstacles. One being the band is in 3 states and two different countries. Collaboration without boundaries is amazing. It also complicates things like tours. What is it like performing in front of your fans?
My fans are expanding by the day; but if we got 'em all in one room, I wouldn’t recognize me. I’m continually surprised by who likes my music, and who actually gets what I’m saying through it. That’s social media at work, for better AND worse. What do you want your supporters to know that you think is important?
I’m not here to make you feel good about what you’re doing,l. chances are you don’t feel good about it and need to change but don’t know-how. I’m here to share about the things that almost killed me in the conflict you sent me to fight because I’m willing to bet the people who really struggle in life would understand why. It’s time to get tough, and that doesn’t happen from only hearing positivity. Understand the darkness and you won’t need reassurance for your steps through the void. What's something your fans don't know about you?
I’m actually a forklift in sheep’s clothing. I am a meat popsicle. Is there anyone in the music business you are dying to meet?
Yeah, Corey Taylor, Eddie Vedder, Mark McCready, Dave Grohl, Zach De la Rocha, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Eric Clapton (pretty please?), Jimmy Page, Brian May, Brian Johnson. Hell, everybody who isn’t a total douche. Seem to be running low on the non-douches in pop culture... is it wrong to want to dig through the ditches and burn through the witches? Toss your Witcher a coin. Why do you think social media is so important for artists like yourself?
I don’t know that it is actually important. I honestly don’t know why it’s important for an artist besides that, but I wish it was less important for musicians to HAVE to deal with it. If I could spend more time on stage, or in the studio, or collaborating, and less time on social media- I’m always down for that. The best way to get nothing done while being busy, to argue without saying anything, to whine and to never change, to show your outrage and do nothing to grow above it, to receive blind support, is all on social media.
What would you say is your biggest dream/goal right now?
My dream for this band is to have a successful tour. It could be anywhere, I just really want to be able to share our music, message, and time with people. Any last things you want to tell your supporters?
You can vote for our songs “Nemesis (Friend of mine)” and “Shadow” for the Independent Music Awards.
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