Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
Ilija: From an early age I liked how music made me feel. I never quite understood it; it was just kind of a wall of sound that made me feel some sort of way. I grew up in Macedonia and when I was in 6th grade, I joined the school classical orchestra as a mandolinist, because I was promised a grade increase in music class. Seeing different instruments work together made me realize how it’s all made, and I fell in love with music, especially the kick patterns of songs and how it changes the melody when done in different ways. When I moved to America at 16 years old, I picked up a guitar because I had started listening to bands like Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, Queens of the Stone age, Bajaga i Instruktori, and Cage the elephant, which all have profound impact on how I write music today.
Max: I was exposed to music constantly by my parents with bands and artists like Elvis Presley, Queen, Aerosmith, Green Day, and Falco. My early years of childhood only really consisted of me listening to music rather than playing it until about the age of ten or eleven. Around that time I kind of grew out of my habits of video games and I felt the urge to pick up something different. Around the same time I had fell in love with the band Twenty One Pilots and became absolutely obsessed with their drummer and from then on I would go to my local music store where I would spend hours upon hours playing until the workers would have to tell me to go home or quiet down(I never did either). From then on I never put the drums down.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Math 125”?
Ilija: As of right now, we are focused on finishing the master for our debut album “Panta Rei”, which we wrote and recorded all ourselves. As hard as that was, It was extremely fun as I enjoy putting stuff together and building it bottom up; Now as far as how we plan on growing is I’m hoping that we can go on tour soon as we are working through talking to a bunch of people we’ve met in the music industry to make that a reality. The people really need to see the energy and dedication we bring to the live shows, and as far as anyone who is about to discover us, all I have to say is “be ready”
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
Ilija: I’ve been listening to alot of Queens of The Stone Age recently, and Josh Homme has been one of my biggest inspirations because of his approach to making music and how close he holds it to himself. I’m a strong believer in his saying “Make your own theme music” which is something I take into consideration every time I make something. So I guess I just observe everything that’s happening to me or around me, and cement those thoughts in time through a song. Kind of like a personal library or journal or something like that.
Max: Lately, I’ve been really inspired by Tyler, The Creator—especially because of his creative spirit. The way he expresses himself not just through music, but also through his fashion and music videos, pushes me to challenge myself more in my own music and art.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Butterfly.”?
Ilija When I wrote Butterfly I suppose I was feeling some type of stale trapped emotions that weren’t really in my favor. And without giving any names or addresses I guess the song is about someone you would wait and wait and wait for, and after they’re yours, and you catch them in your hand like a butterfly, you don’t want to let go, but you also don’t know what to do with them or you don’t see any future with that person.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
Ilija: We’ve been told that we are “The Resurgence of Rock music” which I find to be fitting.
Max: Exactly what you want to be listening to right now, trust.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Butterfly”?
Ilija: Actually yes. The first version of the song sounds nothing like what you can hear now. Max and I were talking about this the other week, and he brought up the idea of releasing the original version as a B-side or something like that. I struggled a lot with how to bring it to life and this was the song that really stumped me. The original version was very melancholic and depressing, but I kind of made a decision to make it a fun dance song as a juxtaposition to the lyrics, because I felt that that’s what best captures the emotions I feel from it.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
Ilija: I would say the message of our music is more observational, and sometimes delves into some critiques of how we choose to go about things. But it’s overall not to offer any sort of advice, but more to sit next to you as a comforting friend and be like “I’ve been there too, it sucks and I feel you”.
Max: When it comes to goals we plan to just continue progressing with our music and performances. We have a stage presence that begs to be showcased to a larger crowd and we’re going to make it happen.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
Ilija: Man I would love to go in the studio with the guys from Fontaines DC. Their music has been super influential and eye-opening for me especially in these transitional years of my life.
Max: My dream collaboration would have to be with the band Half Alive. I love their lyricism and production. To be able to work with them in a studio would be insane.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
Ilija: Just do it. It sounds generic but I mean honestly who cares? Do whatever you like and if you’re happy with the final result and it makes you feel some sort of rush or adrenaline, go for it. Don’t really concern yourself with what people have to say about it.
Max: Be as creative as possible and make sure you enjoy it.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
Ilija: Lock in
Max: Play more drums.
