Interview TASI

Founded during the 2020 lockdown, TASI emerged from a creative exchange of metal riffs. Named 'To Avoid Serious Injuries,' their journey blends family ties with a passion for heavy, intoxicating music.

1. Can you share the story behind the formation of TASI and how the band name, "To Avoid Serious Injuries," came about?

The story begins during the first lockdown in 2020 when Max, the band's guitarist, exchanges about thirty metal riffs with Mathieu (TASI's very first guitarist).

After this great remote composition session, the idea of forming a team naturally follows. Max then asks his cousin Doodz to be the drummer and Guénaël to be the bassist. With the "bass/drums" found, the compositions take on a more professional scope. David then joins as the singer in 2022.

A few rehearsals later, Mathieu decides to leave the project. With one guitarist down, David suggests his old friend Adams, who brilliantly takes over as the guitarist in the band.

With the team complete and the compositions almost finished, all that was left was to find a name. Max proposes "To Avoid Serious Injuries," TASI for short. The other four approve, marking a new phase in the band's creation.

2. How would you describe the evolution of your sound from your earlier projects like MOSK and EUDAÏMON to the current heavy, intoxicating style of TASI?

First and foremost, it was our desire to make metal music that brought us together.

Then, we found common ground through shared influences such as Bleed from Within, Architects, Parkway Drive, and While She Sleeps. These influences precisely laid a solid foundation for TASI.

Finally, thanks to the recording work done with Rémy Brugère, the band's sound has become more defined.

At present, this evolution in our sound is very constructive, thoughtful, and positive. The future will only be more beautiful.

3. Which elements of bands like Bleed From Within, Architects, Parkway Drive, and While She Sleeps have had the most impact on your music?

We share a common approach to the structure of our songs as well as their diversity. Heavy and progressive guitar riffs or the heavy "screamed" vocals are also part of our vision and inspiration. Our influences allow us to anchor ourselves in the rapidly developing movement represented by modern metalcore.

4. Your lyrics focus on themes like the fate of our planet and civilization. Can you elaborate on your songwriting process and what inspires your lyrics?

For the lyrics of the first EP, Dave felt the need to get some fresh air to be able to put his feelings down on paper. The drafts of the lyrics were written on the Landes coast, between the forest and the ocean, a place dear to him, but unfortunately, one that is suffering the effects of climate change with severe coastal erosion and increasingly intense wildfires.

5. Empathy and humility are central to your band's philosophy. How do these values influence your music and interactions with your audience?

The general impression is that to make metal, you need to be angry with a good dose of ego to make music that is nastier and more technical than the "competition." We prefer to focus on the intoxicating aspect of the music, which allows us to relax and enjoy being on stage. In our lyrics, we are far from the toxic violence often spewed out; the rage is certainly present but directed towards common good issues that are close to our hearts.

6. With long-standing ties of friendship and family among the band members, how does this dynamic affect your music and overall band chemistry?

The group's dynamics, from a human relations perspective, are simplified due to long-standing bonds. Our interactions are healthy, genuine, and sincere, which makes us completely relaxed and confident in how we create our music, experience it together, and share it.

7. Could you walk us through your creative process, from initial ideas to the final recording of a song?

It’s first with a guitar riff that everything starts. Adams and Max are very productive for this first step. With the riff in hands, the development of the track can begin. As soon as a verse/chorus/bridge is in place, Max begins writing the tablatures and gives the ball to Guenael for writing the bass and, often, a drum sample. Following this, Doodz creates his own drum patterns. Once V1 of the song is finished, we can play it in rehearsal. Following this rehearsal, David takes inspiration from the mood of the track to finish it with vocals.

8. What can fans expect from a TASI live performance, given your goal to share your music on as many stages as possible?

We will certainly make sure to deploy our music as much as possible and not miss any opportunity, but above all we will remain vigilant about the quality of sound and the live aesthetic, so as to avoid a too big gap between audio support and overall rendering on stage.

9. What have been some of the most significant challenges and triumphs TASI has encountered since its inception?

We are only at the beginning of the projecyt and we know that the challenge is immense. Almost everything is self-producted with overflowing passion, far from hubris or self-pity. The support and shared experience received from Rémy Brugère allowed us to finish our EP, a music video and a playthrough. Now it's time to bring it all on stage !

10. Your music carries a message of openness to humanity and nature. What impact do you hope your music will have on listeners and the broader community?

An awareness and a questioning of the way we operate, our societies have forgotten a lot of knowledge and give complete confidence in technology.

Humans must reconnect with the world around them and must once again learn to respect Nature and the various forms of life that surround us.

11. With your EP completed and a music video shot, what are the next steps for TASI? Are there plans for a full-length album or upcoming tours?

We continue to work on our future, new compositions are coming soon. Regarding the dates, we are in negotiations for an opportunity at the end of 2024 but we cannot really say more at the moment because nothing has been confirmed. We are looking for dates to book our 2025 year so don't hesitate to contact us ;-).

12. What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who aim to create meaningful and impactful music like TASI?

First of all : create, even if you find it lame, and above all, without expecting feedback.

Then, find a good entourage to enhance the first steps.

Finally, don't give up and continue even if you fail.

Work, surroundings and perseverance are the keys to success

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To_Avoid_Serious_Injuries (@tasi_toavoidseriousinjuries) • Photos et vidéos Instagram

Before We're Done (youtube.com)