Sidestage Magazine Speaks With Elias Soriano of Nonpoint

Elias Soriano of Nonpoint spoke with us just before kicking off of their The Emerald Cities tour, and their new music. We spoke of inspiration for this album and tour, Shiprocked and their independent label.

SIDESTAGE MAGAZINE: Can you tell me about your latest single and the upcoming tour?

Elias: Sure, which one do you want to know about first?

Well, both. I can see some similar elements in them-the Wizard of Oz theme. How did you draw from that?

Yeah that was the goal really from the beginning with the introduction of the concept during the Ruthless EP. There we introduce you to a reimagined Tinman. Our new song Heartless goes deeper into the reasoning behind the sudden change of heart so to speak. Today’s glitz and glamorous lifestyles tend to be more and more out of reach for the rest of us out here dodging apples and flying monkeys. But what we’re also learning is once you get past the walls and gates of the Emerald City, there’s another gate and door to conquer.

Wow! That seems like what’s going on in current events. How did you get inspiration from the Wizard of Oz?

I’ve been sitting on the idea for years now. They guys are behind the idea so they’re letting me run with it. If you listen back to our very first release ever, “What A Day” you can hear me touch on the concept with the lyric, “tap your heels home..” that I sing in the choruses.

OK, so I saw you guys had a great run on Shiprocked and had the biggest beer pong game. Can you tell me about that?

Oh it was amazing! If you ever get the chance to go, you should! It’s a place where, well let’s just say that the people who go to a music festival like that aren’t typically the type to go on cruises. But this cruise is full of hundreds of people who just love rock music.

We were asked to host a beer pong game that lasted over 2 hours. Since I had the mic and nothing better to talk about, I went ahead and gave everyone the history of beer pong and all of its traditions. It was completely made up and probably offensive at times but a good time overall I think for everyone.

Who were your favorite artists to see on that tour?

Definitely our friends in Dropout Kings, they have such an amazing atmosphere and overall fun time vibe it was a show I couldn’t miss. Same with the Nova Twins. The bands coming through the scene right now are really getting me excited about the future of the genre.

What about this new generation is doing something different?

I’d say it’s the technology. Numetal started that road of new textures and more rhythm based grooves. Now you can have mixes and textures brought right from the recording into the live forum and have a smaller band sounding like 10 people on guitar. Like the Nova Twins. It’s just 3 of them and they sounded massive. More and more acts even at the level of Billie Ellish are stripping down and relying on their recordings and tracks to bring that big sound into arenas.

So I remember you guys announcing about 2 years ago you were going independent without a label. How has that been going?

Oh it’s been good. More responsibility, more attention to the infrastructure and inner workings of the economics but it was expected. It’s more about moving at speeds and taking more risk with big ideas that tend to struggle against major label traditions.

So is 361 Degrees just Nonpoint or will you sign on other bands?

Well, for right now, it’s just for Nonpoint. We’ve gotten to where we’re at by having a great team that works with us so well and so hard. If we were to ever sign another band under our label, they would have to come with their own team that they all work together towards the bands success like our team does. It’s not easy to find. But it’s important for us to have a team that care about the bigger picture and not just the song everyone likes this week.

What bands would you love to work with in the future?

I’m a fan of unique voices. Anthony Green would be awesome. Same with Chino from the Deftones. My friend Chad from Mudvayne is always one I ask about. He has such a unique voice and vocal style. I think we mesh well.
Yeah, that would be an incredible collab! And Billie Eilish?

Yes, she’s for sure top of my list. Would love to see what she would do with a metal song lyrically. Her brother even more so.. He is such an amazing songwriter, and they play in some of the most beautiful chord progressions. Very Andrew Lloyd Webber. Growing up a theatre kid I immediately gravitated towards the music they write.

What advice do you have for young musicians?

A couple things.. First, try to not let the business get too far away from you. Without a full understanding of everything that you are committing to. The business can be unforgiving sometimes. Second, set the bar for your music high. You know when you can make it better. So challenge yourself, because the song will always matter the most.

Elias was so humble and so great to speak with. We’ve loved Nonpoint’s music for the last 20 years, and we’re looking forward to more! Check back on our site and socials for upcoming coverage of The Emerald Cities Tour, with supporting bands, Black Top Mojo and Cyco Sumo.

2023 The Emerald Cities Tour Dates:

March 2nd – Virginia Beach, VA @ Elevation 27
March 3rd – Fredericksburg, VA @ Hard Times Four Mile Park
March 4th – Jacksonville, NC @ Hooligans
March 5th – Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819
March 7th – Johnson City, TN @ Capones
March 8th – Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
March 10th – Tampa, FL @ The Ritz Ybor
March 11th – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room
March 12th – Jacksonville, FL @ Underbelly
March 14th – Chattanooga, TN @ Barrelhouse Ballroom
March 15th – Nashville, TN @ Basement East
March 17th – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Hell)
March 18th – Biloxi, MS @ Point Cadet Plaza
March 19th – Little Rock, AR @ Rev Room
March 21st – Lawrence, KS @ Bottleneck
March 22nd – Tulsa, OK @ Vanguard
March 24th – Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
March 25th – Dallas, TX @ Trees
March 26th – San Antonio, TX @ Rock Box