Walmart, Metal, And Creative Evolution: An Interview with ERRA's JT and JESSE

Interview by Angela CroudaceIt's not every day you get to chat with a band while they're deep in the chaos of tour preparations, but that's exactly what happened during my interview with ERRA's JT and Jesse Cash. The scene? Jesse roaming the aisles of a Walmart sorting out some last-minute tour merch. As Jesse explained, “Our merch guy is burning the midnight oil, and I had to run and get some things before it was too late.” Nothing says rock star quite like managing tour logistics while dodging shopping carts.Despite the unconventional setting, the conversation quickly shifted to their latest album, CURE. ERRA’s sixth studio album marks a significant creative evolution, and both JT and Jesse discussed how the band's approach has changed over time. While their past albums often focused on technical precision and complex structures, CURE introduced a more groove-based, accessible sound. JT shared, “Every time we sat down to write, we just kept getting these groovier ideas, and we just kind of stuck with it.” It wasn't a deliberate shift, but rather a reflection of where the band’s creativity took them during the writing process.Jesse, who had been diving into a mix of nihilistic media at the time, was inspired by the 1997 film Cure by Kyoshi Kurosawa. The bleakness of the film mirrored the darker, introspective themes in the album’s lyrics, like “Crawl Backwards Out of Heaven.” However, Jesse admitted that his bandmate Joseph was less than enthused by the deep, art-house inspiration. “Joseph doesn’t always have time for my 'art house bullshit,'" he laughed, citing his bandmate’s love for Fast & Furious as a source of inspiration for more straightforward ideas.Despite the shifts in their sound, the band stays true to its roots of pushing creative boundaries. When asked how they avoid formulaic songwriting, Jesse humorously responded, “I just tell JT we can't write a song that sounds like Veil of Maya,” acknowledging how self-awareness helps them remain true to their evolving style.ERRA's tour is also a family affair, with Silent Planet and Resolve joining them on the road. Jesse eagerly anticipated the tour antics, particularly the "fortress of piss bottles" famously built by Silent Planet’s Garrett Russell. While the rest of us might cringe at the thought, for ERRA, it’s just another weird tour memory to laugh about (Yeah Jesse, we hope Garrett never watches this interview either!).In the end, whether it’s touring with friends or evolving creatively, ERRA continues to prove that they’re not afraid to push the limits of metal music. As they wrap up their interview, Jesse’s final words offer a fitting end: “We go way back with them,” speaking not just of Silent Planet, but of the enduring relationships and creative passion that continue to drive ERRA forward.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.