Another Conversation with Peter DeRaven

Well hello again man. Welcome back to the mad laboratory!
Glad to be back. It's an honor as always.

So, very soon, you are releasing the Lust of Lilly saga in it's entirety with 4 new songs. What challenges was there in making all 3 EPs cohesive over a span of a couple of years?  

We knew that this was the initial plan from the get go but were not really expecting it to take as long as it did. We ended up releasing one chapter a year which for us is sort of a long time. We have been known to do full albums a year and even albums and EPs at the same time so this was something different. Also we had a member leave so that kind of put a halt on things briefly. Over all the challenge was taken on by our good buddy in England Bill Gandon who worked so hard to make it all come together mixing and mastering from all the different sessions.

Let us break down the 3 chapters. Chapter one was Dracunculus Vulgaris. What can you tell us of this chapter and how it lends to the whole story? 

Angry, I think right out of the gate you can tell its really shows off Jesse's influence on the songs which has a bit more of a metal tinge to it. 

How about Chapter two: Tiger?

We had a lot of the songs for Tiger demoed out even before Dracunculus Vulgaris but felt we wanted the first chapter to be heavier. This part is a bit more old school VAGORA more punk I think sort of saying okay this is still the same band we were even with this new line up. 

And the final chapter Snow Princess Star Gazer?

Star Gazer is a step forward but also a goodbye of sorts. Meaning we introduced, for the first time, 4 different lead vocalists on these tracks. Robby, Jesse, and Jonny and myself all have lead vocal tracks on there. also our drummer Marc made his song writing debut with the track "The Overlooked" he wrote both music and lyrics for that. So while our sound is always evolving the glimpse of the future would be all of us writing and more than one vocalist. 

How are the four new songs going to fit in with the established chapters? Will they be at the end or mixed in?

The bonus tracks actually were recorded during each EP and are added in where they would fit in through out the record. This record was a puzzle really but there was always a final vision even with the bonus tracks. 

Now that we looked at the chapters, are the reformation of the band, what were the challenges that you faced with this vision? Was it hard reintroducing this to your fans?

So yes everything has been remixed remastered and Robby has added guitar tracks to chapter one and two as he was not in the band while those were recorded. So it really is a new experience for the listener. Im a firm believer in not screwing over people who buy our music so the original EPs do have a different sound and charm to them and will be special for those who had the chance to purchase them. Those versions will most likely not be pressed again so I think its a cool thing to have. Also we made sure the package for this full version was top notch with a 12 page booklet with lyrics and all that 24 tracks and we mad the price $10 American so I mean for nearly 80 mins of music its definitely a deal. Even if you got the other EPs already. 

What was your inspiration for this saga? 

Betrayal, I mean people will speculate who or what that is about but I never make things obvious. Its about a lot of people and a lot of things. I unfortunately am inspired when things go to shit so I try to take advantage of that. But another huge inspiration honestly was Jesse Nameless and Robby Bloodshed. We have been told many times on tour and locally that this is the line up. Those guys really kept the blood pumping in the band. So just showing off their talents on top of myself and the other guys was a huge inspiration.

How has everyone answered the call to make these albums? 

We were all pretty much on the same page as to how we wanted this project to work out I think.

During these releases, you have completed tours across America now. How have these given you the opportunity to showcase your talents outside your previous tour area? 

It's been great I mean meeting new people new bands sleeping in strange places its what I've always wanted. Its always exciting for us to play in front of people we have never met and just as awesome to play for our friends who have supported us for years. We are heading out on a coast to coast tour in May in a camper we basically restored top to bottom on our own so should be fun i was getting to old for the vans lol 

Now that this book is closed on Vagora, what is next for the band?Anything you can tell us about future releases? 
We are releasing a new EP Called Death And Dreams, 4 brand new tracks to coincide with our May tour. The sound is VAGORA but so much different at the same time. They were definitely not left overs from Lust of Lily these songs really comprise a mini album that stands alone. When we get home from tour we will begin focusing on full length releases again and will most likely being recording the next album before the years end.   

Thank you for taking the time to do this, our first returnee for an interview! Any parting words for our readers?

Thanks again for having me. I'm glad you finally got to meet one of us recently You've been supporting VAGORA for years now and I'm glad to be a part of this. for the readers thanks for taking the time to hear what I think. Support local music and touring bands. It's you guys that keep scenes going