The Theos Variant
Fresh from their 2025 OGIMA Band of the Year victory, The Theos Variant discusses the inspiration behind “Into Ours,” the journey toward Tales from Ataraxia, and the band’s evolving future.
1. Congratulations on being named the 2025 OGIMA Band of the Year. How has this recognition impacted The Theos Variant, and did it influence your approach while creating “Into Ours”?
After learning we had been named the 2025 OGIMA Band of the Year, we took a step back and re-evaluated what we wanted Tales from Ataraxia to be. At the time, there were two songs on the album that we ultimately removed and replaced with “Into Ours” and another track called “Dark Anomaly.” Interestingly, both songs were written within a couple of months of each other, and adding them was a relatively last-minute decision. Looking back, it was absolutely the right choice. We’re incredibly proud of how the album came together, and we believe it’s a collection of songs that listeners will genuinely connect with and enjoy.
2. “Into Ours” explores themes of connection, identity, and the tension between isolation and belonging. What inspired these themes, and how do they reflect your personal or artistic experiences?
At its core, “Into Ours” is a love song—not just about strengthening a relationship with another person, but also about personal growth and self-discovery. Whether you’re 21 or 81, if you’ve experienced love and continue to nurture it, you understand that connection, identity, belonging, and even moments of isolation are all part of an evolving relationship. Those themes naturally found their way into the song because they’re universal experiences that many people can relate to.
3. The song is described as atmospheric and cinematic while maintaining a strong rock foundation. How do you balance emotional storytelling with creating a powerful musical experience?
Sometimes the pieces of the puzzle simply fall into place. “Into Ours” wasn’t a song we had been sitting on for years—it came together quickly and very naturally. When the music and the message both come from a genuine place, balancing emotional storytelling with a powerful musical experience becomes much easier. In many ways, the song wrote itself because everything aligned so naturally.
4. As a preview of Tales from Ataraxia, what role does “Into Ours” play within the album’s larger narrative, and what can listeners expect from the journey the record takes them on?
As a whole, Tales from Ataraxia is a journey through life. The album explores themes of love, self-worth, healing, loss, and ultimately what it means to grow through different stages of life. We believe most listeners will find something within these songs that resonates with their own experiences. More than anything, we hope the album becomes a companion—something people can return to as they continue their own personal journeys and evolution.
5. Your previous single “Starfall” achieved international success, reaching #1 on This Is Only Rock Radio in Spain. Did that global response shape your expectations or creative direction for your new material?
Seeing “Starfall” reach #1 on This Is Only Rock Radio in Spain was an incredible and unexpected moment for us. That said, Tales from Ataraxia had already been completed by the time “Starfall” achieved that success, so it didn’t directly influence the creative direction of this album. Looking ahead, though, we’ll certainly pay attention to what resonates with listeners. As we begin writing future material, we’ll evaluate what elements connected most strongly and consider how those lessons can help shape the next chapter of our music.
6. The Theos Variant has earned recognition from organizations such as the Intercontinental Music Awards and Radio Wigwam Awards. Looking ahead, what are your goals for the release of Tales from Ataraxia and the next chapter of the band’s evolution?
One unique aspect of The Theos Variant is that our ability to perform live is somewhat limited. Dan has ongoing commitments in the world of opera, so we’re always exploring new ways to reach audiences beyond traditional touring. Recognition from organizations like the Intercontinental Music Awards, Radio Wigwam Awards, and OGIMA helps expand our reach and introduce our music to new listeners around the world. Our primary goal with Tales from Ataraxia is simple: to connect with as many people as possible. If those connections lead to new opportunities—whether that’s live performances, collaborations, or reaching entirely new audiences—then we’ll consider that a success.