Bentvalve - Interview [D1 Music]

Interview with front man Jonathan of industrial band Bentvalve.

Valdyr: Tell us a little about yourself.
Jonathan: My name is Jonathan Ellis, I am the singer for Bentvalve and I am originally from Long Island, New York, and now live in Las Vegas. Music is my life and I would rather be a bum with a guitar then conform to society's 9-5-screw-your-beliefs-and-buy-a-Lexus ways.

Valdyr: What inspired you to get involved with music?
Jonathan: When I was younger the only thing that was there for me was music. I grew up on songs and learned from songs and turned to songs when there was no one else around. I found a way to let out all the emotion that I had kept inside and felt akward for having felt in the first place.

Valdyr:What are some of your influences?
Jonathan: Pink Floyd, Maynard, The Doors, Guns N Roses, Ozzy, and Group X.

Valdyr: If I opened up your CD player right now, what would I find?
Jonathan: Bentvalve's pre-production cd. Im listening to it trying to make sure every word's right for the moment.

Valdyr: When can we expect the album?
Jonathan: When it's done.

Valdyr: Which do you find more fulfilling, playing live or working in the studio?
Jonathan: I like both but I would have to say live because there is nothing like the energy you get back from an audience.

Valdyr: What's the most memorable moment you've had in your music career?
Jonathan: I have a memorable moment every time a fan tells me that our music helped them or touched them.

Valdyr: What's your favorite song to play?
Jonathan: "Sleeping with a Dead Girl"

Valdyr: What are some of your future goals?
Jonathan:
1) go on the road for a few months and play to lots of new people
2) sleep with the "new Christina Aguluira" who ever she is gonna be
3) eat at a sea food buffet because I'm really hungry right now
4) get a record contract
5) just be happy
6) sleep with the old Christina Aguluira
7) be a good person and stay true to what I believe

Valdyr: How do you feel about the status of the music industry today?
Jonathan: I think that there is good music out there. You just have to look for it, but it can find you, too.

Valdyr: What do you think about D1's impact on the industry?
Jonathan: I think that D1 brings together a great group of people and everyone that I have ever associated with on D1 has been open and welcoming. I think we keep good company.

Valdyr: If you could collaborate with anyone, who would you want to work with?
Jonathan: Trent Reznor and Maynard. I would just watch and occasionally cry.

Valdyr: What would be your idea of an ideal tour?
Jonathan: I think that I would just add us on to Ozzfest.

Valdyr: If you had to point to one song as being the most influential in your life, which one would you pick, and why?
Jonathan: I'd have to say "Bang Bang Bang" by Group X. Listen to it and you will understand the meaning of life.

Valdyr: What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?
Jonathan: I see myself on a boat alone at sea with an acoustic guitar and a lot of Jack Daniels working on my 3rd album.

Jonathan: Thank you so much for taking interest in our life and band; we just want to reach people and constantly work on freeing our minds so that we can enjoy life and help others do the same. Peace.