When I was a kid, growing up in a house with Cat Stevens, Neil Diamond, and Simon and Garfunkel, the first time I ever heard Kiss's "Detroit Rock City," it was a moment of musical epiphany. It was just so vicious, aggressive and mean. It changed the way I listened to music. I've had a few minor epiphany's since then, when you come across a band that just brings something new and revolutionary to your ears.
What have been your musical epiphany moments?
I think my biggest musical epiphany moments were discovering Nightwish when I was 15 and Avantasia when I was 17. Both of those bands opened up a whole new musical world for me by mixing up genres, combining epic film score-type symphonic elements with more traditional metal elements. As a longtime fan of both movie/game soundtracks and metal, I felt like I had finally found a musical identity, something that truly felt like ME. Discovering Wintersun at age 19 was another huge epiphany for me, as it inspired me to combine even more dramatic elements like harsh vocals and unique song structures with the musical style I already knew.
Talk to us about the song-writing process for you. What comes first, the idea? A riff? The lyrics? How does it all fall into place?
Usually, the title comes first! I always title my songs first so that I get a general idea of the theme and sound I want to build around. From there, I structure the riffs and musical direction, then add lyrics that support those elements. The title and the music are the world I build, and the lyrics are the map that guides the listener through that world. I build everything around a very specific atmosphere, starting small with the title and gradually expanding the world with different musical colors and flavors.
Who has influenced you the most?
Avantasia, Kamelot, Wintersun, and Nightwish are my biggest musical influences.
Where do you look for continuing inspiration? New ideas, new motivation?
I am constantly listening to music, whether I'm working, studying, reading, or just at home. I collect different ingredients from all the different types of music I listen to (not just metal and its various subgenres!) and combine them to create my own unique spins on certain styles. I often get ideas by trying to emulate things another artist does as a foundation for a song, then layering elements derived from different artists on top of that to build something that feels more like myself.
We're all a product of our environment. Tell us about the band's hometown and how that reflects in the music?
I'm a military kid, so I moved around a lot (and have still moved around frequently for college and law school) and I don't really feel like I have roots anywhere. I guess this is reflected in the fact that my music pulls from all kinds of metal and non-metal influences; my musical "home" is wherever I'm currently pulling inspiration from, haha.
Where'd the band name come from?
It comes from the concept of the first album. The protagonist is exiled from her city after she discovers and starts spreading its leaders' dark secret, and she becomes the leader of the city's rebel army and their only hope for victory.
You have one chance, what movie are you going to write the soundtrack for?
My entire life would be made if I could write the soundtrack for a movie based on The Witcher series or Skyrim. Those game soundtracks have massively influenced my own music.
You now write for a music publication (The Ripple Effect?). You're going to write a 1,000 word essay on one song. Which would it be and why?
It would have to be "Sons of Winter and Stars" by Wintersun. That album is very special to me, but that song in particular is something I wish I wrote. It has all kinds of experimental elements, blends genres, and feels like a whole cinematic experience. That is exactly the feeling I wish to evoke with my music, so I could definitely spend 1,000 words dissecting it.
Come on, share with us a couple of your great, Spinal Tap, rock and roll moments?
In high school, I used to annoy the crap out of the local music store employees with my guitar shredding before my lessons, haha. I was always playing Ozzy Osbourne tunes just to show off.
Tell us about playing live and the live experience for you and for your fans?
I don't currently play Exiled Hope material live because it would be pretty awkward to just go onstage and sing karaoke to my own instrumentals, but acoustic live shows aren't out of the question.
What makes a great song?
A great song needs to tell a story and get its listeners invested in that story.
Tell us about the first song you ever wrote?
The first song I ever wrote when I was emo and 13 was an acoustic ballad on my classical guitar. I think it was inspired by Bob Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door." It was very simple, but it had an awesome guitar solo at the end that I would like to revisit one day.
What piece of your music are particularly proud of?
I'm particularly proud of a song off of my first album, called "State of Grace." That's the only song on the first album that I would not change a single thing about if I were to go back and rerecord that album. It perfectly captures the feelings I was trying to convey at the time, and I still think the orchestration and lead guitar parts hold up beautifully even though I've progressed and changed significantly since then.
Who today, writes great songs? Who just kicks your ass? Why?
You can always count on Tobias Sammet from Avantasia and Edguy to deliver an awesome song, no matter the style. He's not afraid to try new things within and beyond the metal genre, and nails everything from 12-minute progressive epics and 3-minute soft rock tunes. And yet, even with all the progression and experimentation, you can always tell it's his song. He has a signature sound, but is very flexible in how he applies that sound. I don't have to be in a particular mood to listen to Avantasia or Edguy because Tobias captures such a broad range of feelings and ideas in his music, while still sounding like himself. If I can achieve that perfect balance of versatility and sincerity, then I consider my musical mission accomplished.
Vinyl, CD, or digital? What's your format of choice?
Digital for ease of access, but I have a soft spot for all the notes that come with CDs and vinyls!
Whiskey or beer? And defend your choice
Coffee with maple syrup! I don't drink ;)
We, at the Ripple Effect, are constantly looking for new music. What's your home town, and when we get there, what's the best record store to lose ourselves in?
Not sure I really have a hometown, but I'm sure there's no shortage of record stores in DC (where I'm currently attending law school).
What's next for the band?
Plenty of singles from my upcoming album Apocrypha are on the way! It's tentatively due for release in mid-2024.
Any final comments or thoughts you'd like to share with our readers, the waveriders?
Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy my latest single "The Summoning"!
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