Tera Melos Interview (2008): DIY Touring, MySpace & Vinyl Revival | Ryan Minic, Ryan's Rock Show

In a 2008 interview with Ryan Minic of Ryan’s Rock Show, Nick Reinhart, Nathan Latona, and Vince Rogers of Tera Melos discussed their early DIY touring experiences, the challenges of booking shows before they had industry support, and their unique approach to songwriting and recording. The band recalled how their first tour was far from ideal, with many shows falling through, leading them to wander around cities like Santa Cruz looking for coffee shops that would let them play. They admitted that they didn’t know what they were doing at the time, but they simply made things work however they could. The tour was chaotic, with long drives between scattered shows, including a particularly absurd routing where they played a house show in Santa Barbara, drove all the way to Santa Rosa, and then back down to San Diego the next day. They often stayed at random people’s houses, sometimes even asking strangers in places like Kinko’s if they had a place to crash. In one instance, they ended up staying with two girls they met at a copy shop, who turned out to be huge music fans. They talked about how MySpace made booking tours easier, noting that even a few years earlier, it would have been significantly harder to organize shows. They emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency, explaining that early on, they had to handle everything themselves, from contacting venues to managing their own logistics. Over time, as they played more, their name started to spread, leading to bigger opportunities, like touring with The Fall of Troy and getting on the radar of booking agents. However, they made it clear that hard work, not luck, was what got them those opportunities. The conversation also covered their recording process, where they talked about their commitment to capturing an organic, live feel. Unlike many modern bands that rely heavily on editing and digital enhancements, Tera Melos preferred a more raw approach, tracking their instruments live while avoiding click tracks. They mentioned their vinyl release of “Drugs to the Dear Youth”, which sold out quickly, reinforcing their belief that vinyl was making a comeback in underground music. They liked the idea of music feeling special and collectible, rather than just another digital file to be downloaded instantly. Discussing vocals in their music, they explained that their songs were never written with a traditional vocalist in mind. Instead, vocals were treated as another instrument, layered in only when they felt necessary. While early on they were known as an instrumental band, they never intended to be one—it just happened because they couldn’t find the right person to sing. They also reflected on their time touring with Finch, a band with a vastly different fanbase. The experience was a bit surreal, as Finch’s audience wasn’t exactly expecting Tera Melos’ chaotic, noisy experimental sound. While there was little crossover in fanbases, they appreciated the opportunity and praised Finch for supporting a weird, noisy band that didn’t fit the mold of their typical tourmates. By the end of the interview, the band emphasized that their goal was to create music that would stand the test of time, rather than chasing trends or industry expectations. They believed that working hard and staying independent was the best way to ensure longevity in the music world, rather than relying on a record label to do everything for them.