​Interloper has been making waves for several years. Founded by guitarist Miles Dimitri Baker, the band pairs technical proficiency with soaring vocals for their own blend of progressive metal. Interloper is currently on tour in support of Obscura and Vale of Pnath. I was able to catch up with Miles and discuss the band and where it is heading for the future with its approach to the music.

GA: 2020 and 2021 were kind of a crap shoot for touring due to Covid 19 mandates stopping tours; how did the band stay busy and productive during this down time? 

MB: Around the time of everything shutting down February 2020, Interloper signed with Nuclear Blast Records. We were working on Search Party for most of the year, I think we finished recording in September/October of the year then spent the rest of the time mixing and mastering. It kind of worked out for us as it gave us the year to write and record, then have it mixed and mastered, which allowed us to have it ready for submission by December/January. Also, the band released an EP to coincide with the Nuclear Blast Records signing. So that’s how we stayed busy. 

GA: Speaking of the album, Search Party was released in 2021 and was well received. The album marks the 3^rd release by the band, and it shows an evolution of the band (from being tech forward to more focus on the songwriting). Where in your opinion is the vision for the band at and where do you see itmoving forward? 

MB: The biggest thing we want to keep in mind is the songs. Writing quality songs that are solid throughout. We don’t want to put out anything that is done without intention. We want to put out songs we enjoy and that fit with the theme of the band. Things have changed from earlier on when we were a lot more technical, and guitar based. Now we have vocals and singing, vocals change how you write for a band. We also have been taking the time to focus on how we want to write, due to all the changes we have went through. We had Cody (Lumpkin) as our singer, then we had Mike (Semesky) as our singer, and now we have Andrew (Virrueta). So, it is narrowing down the group of people who are writing and what we want to do. 

GA: One thing I liked about Search Party is the band keeps it lighthearted on the album by performing a cover of Duran Duran’s Rio. What was the thought process behind doing the cover?

MB: When Andrew and I used to tear it up for a night we would always end up listening to Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, and Tears for Fears. These songs would be our late-night, early morning anthems. We would always put on Rio which would be the kickoff point for our festivities. I think at some point we even joked about doing the song on an album if we ever got the chance. 

GA: Hitting on changes within the band, I see Andrew is doing double duty now with doing vocals and playing guitar. What led to that decision for the band to have him fill both roles? 

MB: Andrew has been doing vocals for a very long time and does vocals in another of his bands Vampire Squid. When writing material for Search Party, he started tracking vocal ideas, the band liked what we were hearing, and it made a lot of sense. We liked that grouping and it helped with writing together, it worked out nice that way. It’s really convenient and makes things a little easier. I like what his doing which is the big thing. When I heard those demo tracks, I think we were on to something, that this is it. 

GA: I also see you are working on doing vocals and playing at the same time. Are there plans for you to do dual vocals in the future? 

MB: I’ve already have been doing vocals on this tour. A lot of it has been backing stuff like layers, but I do have some solo parts. There are going to be songs in the future that will be a lot heavier on my end with the vocal duties. 

GA: Asking about future music, I know the band stays busy writing even on down time. Does the band have any new music in the waiting or are working on new material?

MB: The band is currently working on new songs. So far, they are all different from one and other, but all sound like the same band. We have quite a variety so far. I think with myself doing vocals now, I think the music is going to sound more natural for Interloper as the listeners will be accustomed to hearing my voice. We have a new song that we are performing on this tour, that will be released some time soon. We also have a handful of tunes that are already pre pro’d out, that we need to tinker with a little bit more. We have quite a bit done already. 

GA: For myself personally, I can’t even speak while playing guitar. You are doing vocals and playing at the same time. Are there any challenges for you, even during the learning process to playing and doing vocals? 

MB: Yes. Being able to speak… I started out learning how to speak first while playing. Just speaking the words over something. I’ve been developing my vocal technique for quite some time now. I think it has been a year and a half now, I know that’s not very long, but I was taught by someone how to do it properly. I was taught by someone who has been doing it for a very long time, so I feel I may of by passed a lot of obstacles someone would encounter if just learning how to do it on my own. I got to learn it the proper way, so I was able to accelerate through. I would try different vocal rhythms 16^th note patterns on guitar, just mindless stuff that I don’t have to be locked in on to play. Just doing it slow and gradually increasing from there. You need to have the guitar down, and you need to have the vocals down, if you there is anything you are unsure of, well you’re fucked. You have to be comfortable with both. 

GA: Looking at your live gear I noticed you are playing on a 7 string again. Is the 7 you are using on this tour a prototype, and can you tell me more about it? Also are there any plans to release it as a signature 7 model?

MB: The signature 7 I am using on this tour is not a prototype. I do have a prototype with me on this tour but the guitar I primarily use is a production model, we are waiting on the rest of them to come in and they will be released on the market later this year. It will be a full-on production model. It’s not necessarily that I am back on a 7-string, I still have the 6-string guitar as well. I did the 6 string first as more people play on 6-string guitars. I tend to play a 7 string more often than not even though I feel more comfortable on a 6, and I like playing on a 6 more because it is an easier instrument for me. As far as what I write and play it is more of a majority on a 7. I almost should of did this the opposite order with the 7 being released first then following up with a 6 model. I am very happy that the 7 will be available soon. 

GA: How was the band approached to be apart of the Obscura tour?

MB: We received an email from Obscura’s booking, asking if we would like to play. It was really cool to get this offer as I worship that band. It was Obscura and Children of Bodom what were two huge bands that have a huge influence on me. Its surreal, I get to be on tour with them and they think we are sick, and we all became friends. Who would have thought? If you would have told me ten years ago, that Obscura would be sending me a tour offer I wouldn’t have believed you. 

GA: What’s in line for the band after this tour wraps?

MB: We are going to be writing, currently we do not have any tours booked. Ideally, we would like to be touring year-round. We already have several songs written, so finishing them up and writing a few more. If we are home for 2 to 3 more months, we could have a record somewhat put together.

GA: Anything else you would like to add?

MB: I want to thank the fans and our sponsors, Schecter Guitars, Seymour Duncan Pickups, Elixir Strings, Hosatech, and Jim Dunlop. 

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George Archibald

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