Chart-topping alternative rockers Flyleaf may be on hiatus at the moment, but that hasn’t stopped primary songwriter and guitarist Sameer Bhattacharya from keeping the creative juices flowing.

In fact, he linked back up with longtime collaborator/bassist Pat Seals, while also reaching out to heavy-handed drummer Noah “Wuv” Bernardo from multi-platinum nu metal monsters P.O.D. to launch the super group of sorts Belle And The Dragon.

The guys’ debut album, “Birthrights,” is steadily becoming a favorite for fans of both bands, while its groove-oriented foundation is full of each act’s philosophical trademarks, which Bhattacharya explains alongside everyone’s intertwined connections to Chicago Concert Reviews.

To what extent did Flyleaf and P.O.D. cross paths in the past? 

Sameer Bhattacharya: Flyleaf first met P.O.D. when we were touring together on the “Fall Brawl” Tour in 2005. In 2013, Flyleaf wrote a song called “Something Better” featuring [singer] Sonny [Sandoval] and did a co-headlining tour with P.O.D. From 2016 to 2018, I jumped on tour with P.O.D. playing keyboards and doing some support vocals, which was pretty rad. 

What were the pieces that put Belle And The Dragon into place? 

Bhattacharya: Belle And The Dragon was an idea I’ve had in the back of my head since the last Flyleaf tour in 2015. I was filling up hard drives with song ideas that seemed too niche to give to other artists. I wasn’t on tour with P.O.D. anymore, and Flyleaf had gone into hibernation, so it was the perfect time for Belle And The Dragon to come to life.
 
Can you describe the synthesis of sounds throughout “Birthrights”?  

Bhattacharya: [Producer] Dave Hidek and I both love the sound of new wave and that influence hovered in our subconscious throughout the tracking process. When things would get a little too melodramatic while tracking Flyleaf’s “Between The Stars,” producer Don Gilmore kept reminding us to “keep the ladies on the dance floor.” He always emphasized the importance of groove. We tried to maintain that spirit with “Birthrights.”
 
How much does or doesn’t the album sound like your other bands?

Bhattacharya: Since [bassist] Pat [Seals] and I are both heavy writers in Flyleaf, hints of that emerge by default. But apart from song structures and lyrical themes, I think “Birthrights” is a departure from the sounds of Flyleaf or P.O.D.

Both Flyleaf and P.O.D. always had something of significance to say with its lyrics. What’s on Belle And The Dragon’s mind?

Bhattacharya: Flyleaf and P.O.D. both have embraced the spiritual influences of our upbringings and used those experiences to impact the lyrics and missions. With Belle And The Dragon’s “Birthrights,” I wanted to address the ideas, culture, and worldviews we inherit from our communities by default. What are our own novel ideas and what have we been conditioned to accept? Are we our own persons or are we products of inheritance?

When you wind up being able to tour, will you only be performing the current music or going back in time too? 

Bhattacharya: There will be time travel involved in this project.

 Are there any previous concerts in the Chicago area that really stand out in your mind? 

Bhattacharya: The last [Flyleaf] show we played in Chicago with [original singer] Lacey [Sturm] was at Bottom Lounge when we were supporting our “Memento Mori” album. I remember the energy that night…And the stairs at House of Blues are endless.
 
Describe what it was like when you were living out your busiest period.

Bhattacharya: Being busy on the road is a lot of fun. The band and crew become your family. At the same time, there is a lot you miss at home with your actual family. There is a lot of compromise and [it’s] not for the faint of heart.
 
Will Belle And The Dragon be a permanent project or more of an occasional creative outlet? 

Bhattacharya: Only time will tell whether Belle And The Dragon will be permanent. I’m hoping it is, but life seems to have its own agendas. Hopefully I will continue creating and Belle And The Dragon will grow and evolve.
 
How do you hope to engage with listeners during this downtime? 

Bhattacharya: I hope to keep in touch with listeners online via Instagram, Facebook, YouTube [through] music videos and more. Find us online and ask us anything: @belleandthedragon.

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For additional information on Belle And The Dragon, visit BelleAndTheDragon.com.