What truly is progressive music? Each month BraveWords will aim to dissect that answer with a thorough overview of the current musical climate that is the prog world. Old and new, borrowed and blue. A musical community without borders. So watch for a steady and spaced-out array of features, current news and a buyer's guide checklist to enhance the forward-thinking musical mind. So, welcome to BraveWords' monthly column appropriately titled, Between A Rock In A Prog Place. 

In this month's column, Tristan Auman, the founding member and guitarist Tristan Auman of Sometime In February, discusses a variety of topics, including why the band is an all-instrumental one, the trickiest song to perform, and the band's influences. 

What made the band go all the “all instrumental” route?

I always wanted to have a project that was a vehicle for my own songwriting, and I was never a singer, nor did I have a knack for writing lyrics, so I felt that for it to be truest to myself then I should let my hands do the talking.

Which modern day all instrumental bands do you fancy?

Plini is someone that always keeps me inspired, of course Intervals and Animals As Leaders have influenced us plenty. There’s also our friends and labelmates Asymmetric Universe who we think are doing something pretty cool with the genre.

What do you recall about writing/recording the track 'Outside In'? In your estimation, is it the best track on the upcoming album by the band?

It’s funny, "Outside In" was the first track written after we got in touch with our label InsideOut. You can probably guess why that ended up being the song title! I wanted this one to be complex and have many rises and falls, which I think we accomplished. 

As for if it’s the favorite song on the album or not, it’s like asking a father who his favorite child is! The answer is no, by the way.

What can fans expect from the upcoming album, due in the spring?

Our most mature and well-rounded selection to date! No song sounds the same. Overall, there is more of a lighter, uplifting feeling I would say. Not at the cost of heaviness though, make no mistake. Lots of singable melodies, complex hooks, earworms, and possibly other parasites!

What is the trickiest song to perform and why?

Our new single "Outside In" is certainly up there. It goes so many different places in a short amount of time, keeping up mentally is the biggest challenge for me. Our single "Hiding Place" has some quite challenging leads for me as well. There is a new track from our upcoming album, 'Bury You,' which I must say has some very tricky riffs that I’m frustrated that I wrote, because now I have to play it live at some point.

Who are some of the band’s influences?

Each member of the band has gone through our own Dream Theater phase (some of which may still be in it), and some others we have in common include Opeth, Rush, and Metallica, and we each have our own unique flavors. For instance, Scott takes from The Beatles, Morgan from Seal, and myself a lot from midwest emo and indie rock, like The Hotelier and American Football.

What are your thoughts on prog today?

I think prog is as strong as ever. More and more non-prog bands have been taking influence and sprinkling a bit into their own music. Prog can look like so many different things and it still be prog, there’s no limit. It’s beautiful to see more artists letting themselves get a bit weird with it. 

Touring plans?

I have to budget my time carefully around the other band I tour with (Between The Buried And Me), but we absolutely have plans to tour in support of the new album in the states, and we may even be jumping across the pond for a fun show, to tease a little bit.

Between A Rock And A Prog Place News Blast

Poland’s leading progressive rock band, Riverside, will be releasing a live album (recorded earlier in 2024 at the COS Torwar in Warsaw), Live ID, on January 24, 2025. Prog guitarist Rod Rodrigues recently issued a playthrough video for the track "Inukshuk" (described as '7 string fusion'), which can be enjoyed below.

InsideOutMusic recently signed Italian progressive metal band Benthos, and to celebrate, the band/label has issued a new single/video,'Fossil'. Symphonic metallists Marble issued a new LP last month, T.I.M.E., plus a music video for the track 'The Sleepless King'.

Finnish folk metallists Korpiklaani have unveiled a new music video for the track “Sauna,” which is located below for your viewing pleasure. Prog legend Steve Hackett will be issuing a new live LP on January 17, 2025, Live Magic At Trading Boundaries, which is already available for pre-order.

One of modern prog's top bands, Big Big Train, will be reissuing their 2002 album, Bard, on March 21, 2025, for which a trailer/teaser has been assembled. And lastly, Vancouver's Utility Provider recently issued a new album, Challenger, as well as a lyric video for the track 'Scabs'. Happy holidays, proggers everywhere!

December 2024 New Albums

Dec. 6:
Jethro Tull- The Jethro Tull Christmas Album: Fresh Snow at Christmas
Michael Wilton- Whip Volume 1
Various Artists- Best of Jethro Tull Redux; Aqualung Redux

Dec. 13:
Alan Parsons Project- Pyramid (45 RPM audiophile edition)
Helloween- Live at Budokan
Octopie- Green Divine

Classic Clip

Queensrÿche is looked upon as one of the trailblazers of prog metal. Which leads to the important question: which one of their tunes is the proggiest? Certainly at the top of the list would have to be the 10 minute-plus whopper off Operation: Mindcrime, entitled “Suite Sister Mary.”

(Top photo: Ally Rose Creative)