Chris Garza, guitarist of Suicide Silence and host of the Garza Podcastrecently discussed the impact of his podcast and his music career in a chat with Nik Nocturnal. In this interview, Garza revealed that many people identify him more as a podcast host than as a member of Suicide Silence, a finding that raises thoughts about the evolution of his career and his audience.
The success of the podcast exceeds that of the group for some fans
For several years, the Garza Podcast has become a mainstay in the Metal community, offering in-depth interviews and discussions with influential artists. This success brought a new dynamic for Garza: “If I go to a concert and I'm recognized, 90 to 95 percent of the time, people mention the podcast, not the band. They say they watch my podcast, then leave without even talking about Suicide Silence [rires].”
For Garza, this situation has its pros and cons. He appreciates the podcast's ability to reach a different audience and connect with a new generation of listeners, even if it can sometimes create a disconnect between his two major projects.
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The challenge of reconciling several lives
In the interview, Garza also discussed the challenges of managing his multiple roles, between the podcast, the band, and his personal life: “It’s like having three lives. Building a podcast, keeping the group in a good dynamic, and trying to be a good partner in my relationship… It's a constant balancing act, to be done every day. But I also learned that some lessons from the podcast can be applied to the group, and vice versa.”
He admits that this management can be stressful, but that it is rewarding: “There are days when I say to myself: 'What am I doing? It's too much.' But once it’s done, I’m happy to have pushed myself, and it gives me a new mental and emotional capacity to tackle my next project.”
Continuous learning between podcast and music
The experience gained through Garza Podcast allowed Garza to develop new skills, particularly in communication and project management, which also benefit Suicide Silence. He explains: “I learned a lot from the podcast. Some of these lessons transfer to the group, and vice versa. This helps me better understand dynamics and expectations, whether in the music or in discussions with guests.”
Suicide Silence's latest album, Remember…. You Must Diewas released in 2023 via Century Media, and was well received by critics and fans, happy to see the Americans continuing to develop their Deathcore identity away from the Nu Metal experiments of their 2017 self-titled album.
