Chosen Undead
Chosen Undead Blending crushing heaviness with haunting atmosphere, Chosen Undead crafts immersive musical “chapters” steeped in darkness, emotion, and mythology. In this interview, the band explores storytelling, duality, and the meaning behind “Your Prediction.” 1. Chosen Undead is described as more than just a band, but an immersive experience built on storytelling and atmosphere. How do you approach writing songs so they feel like “chapters” rather than standalone tracks? Absolutely — it is far more than just a band to us. We deliberately separated ourselves from the people behind the music and embraced the identity of the undead, as our name already suggests. That perspective allows us to tell stories through a different lens and transform emotions into something darker, more atmospheric, and more immersive. At its core, every band writes about love, hatred, fear, loss, or existential struggle. But only a few are willing to step outside the usual narrative structures and truly become part of the world they create. That is what defines Chosen Undead. Our songs are not meant to feel isolated — they are fragments of a greater mythology, chapters within the same cursed universe. 2. Your sound balances crushing heaviness with haunting melodies and emotional depth. How do you find that equilibrium between aggression and reflection without one overpowering the other? The most important thing is honesty in emotion. Whether it’s a lyric, a melody, a breakdown, or a solo — if something truly comes from within, the balance forms naturally on its own. Music should feel like an extension of the inner self breaking outward. Chosen Undead is intentionally unpredictable in that regard. Some songs unleash pure rage from beginning to end, like “Mother of Slain,” while others are built around emotional conflict and layered perspectives where even the protagonist seems trapped between opposing states of mind. In the end, aggression and reflection are not opposites to us. They coexist. 3. There’s a strong theme of contrast in your music—light versus darkness, hope versus despair. Is this duality something that comes naturally in your songwriting, or is it a conscious concept you develop? I think during the writing process for our upcoming debut album, this duality emerged very naturally. We focused heavily on identity, morality, and the constant conflict between what humanity considers good or evil. Those themes simply grew out of the songs on their own. Over time, however, it became more conscious. The line between hope and despair, virtue and corruption, has become one of the core pillars of our universe. From the perspective of the undead, humanity endlessly longs for peace, purpose, and prosperity — yet people constantly cross moral boundaries in pursuit of those desires. They test how far they can go before losing themselves completely. As long as mankind continues to walk that line, we will continue to observe it from our graves. 4. Your latest track, “Your Prediction,” dives into themes like emotional decay and broken homes. What inspired this song, and how personal is its message to the band? For us, this topic became especially important during the transition from youth into adulthood. You cannot choose the circumstances you are born into, nor the environment that shapes you early in life. Constantly fighting against things you can never truly change often leaves you powerless in the moments where your decisions actually matter. That is where people lose themselves and risk collapsing under the weight of it all. “Your Prediction” reflects that realization. Sometimes acceptance is not weakness — sometimes it is the first step towards survival and eventually towards hope itself. The song lives in that cold, desolate moment right before the light appears. 5. The track carries a relentless, almost suffocating atmosphere without offering much sense of hope. Was that intentional, and what kind of emotional reaction do you want listeners to walk away with? Yes, that atmosphere was absolutely intentional. We wanted the song to feel oppressive, almost suffocating, because that reflects the emotional state we are speaking about. But beneath all the darkness, there is still a hidden purpose. We hope listeners — especially younger people — understand that life and the circumstances surrounding them can sometimes be cruel beyond their control. Not every battle can be won, and some are already lost before they even begin. Learning to endure, accept, and survive those moments is sometimes the only path forward. But that acceptance can also become the foundation for something stronger. It teaches you who you never want to become and gives you the strength to fight for a future where those wounds no longer define you. 6. Chosen Undead pulls from a wide spectrum of heavy music influences while still sounding cohesive. What bands or genres have shaped your identity the most, and how do you push beyond typical metalcore boundaries? Our influences are as diverse as the creatures gathered beneath the roof of Chosen Undead itself. That is why our songs rarely sound the same — and sometimes not even remotely alike. Each undead within this band carries a different past, different scars, and different musical visions into the writing process. The challenge has never been to erase those differences, but to unite them into one shared mythology. The influences themselves can certainly be heard between the lines — but which monster carries which influence? Only those willing to wander deep enough into the catacombs of the chosen ones may uncover the answer. METALCORE | Chosen Undead
Barbonus
Barbonus German electronic artist Barbonus discusses HABIT, a restrained and atmospheric electro-pop album transforming decades-old writings into reflections on routine, emotional distance, adaptation, and the quiet patterns shaping modern life. 1. HABIT transforms text fragments and poems written over 30 years ago into a modern electro-pop album. What was it like revisiting those early writings, and how did you decide what to keep, reshape, or leave behind?Revisiting those texts was strange because I originally wrote them long before I ever seriously thought about making music. I was around fifteen at the time, writing poems and short text fragments in German — mostly intense, socially observant pieces that probably sounded far too serious for that age. Some of them were published in small literary magazines, and after that they more or less disappeared from my life. I never expected anyone, including myself, to return to them decades later.While searching through old archives for ideas, I suddenly came across those texts again — some published, some handwritten, some only unfinished sketches. What surprised me was not the writing itself, but how familiar many of the themes still felt: pressure, emotional distance, routines, adaptation, silence.At the same time, I didn’t want to preserve the texts as historical artifacts or teenage statements. Many of them were more dramatic, abstract or confrontational than what eventually became HABIT. The process was really about reduction: keeping certain images, moods or observations while translating them into a quieter and more restrained contemporary language. In a strange way, the album became less about the past than about realizing how little some emotional and social patterns have changed. 2. The album carries a strong sense of emotional restraint, where soft melodies hold heavy themes. How do you approach balancing accessibility with such introspective and weighty subject matter?I never wanted the album to feel oppressive, even when the themes are heavy. A big part of the idea behind HABIT was that difficult thoughts don’t always arrive through dramatic music. Sometimes they’re carried by repetition, calmness or even beauty. I’m interested in that contrast — melodies that feel almost comforting while the lyrics slowly reveal something more uneasy underneath. If everything becomes dark and intense all the time, listeners stop hearing the details. Restraint creates space. It allows the emotional weight to arrive more quietly. 3. HABIT feels deliberately colder and more minimal compared to your other projects like BC25 and World’s Away. What drew you toward this reduced, rhythmically constant sonic direction?BC25 and World’s Away are actually very different things. BC25 is a separate music project built around collaboration and a much more open emotional dynamic, especially through the presence of Vela Sorell. World’s Away, on the other hand, is another Barbonus album currently taking shape in parallel to HABIT, but with a very different atmosphere — more cinematic, more reflective, more concerned with distance, memory and movement.What became interesting during the process was realizing how clearly certain songs belonged to one world and not the other. Some texts that initially seemed possible for HABIT eventually moved toward World’s Away because they carried too much openness, narrative movement or emotional warmth. HABIT kept pulling in the opposite direction: repetition, restraint, routine, emotional compression.That’s really what shaped the sonic direction. The album seemed to work best when it stayed inside a very narrow emotional and musical space — steady rhythms, restrained vocals, recurring synth textures, very few dramatic shifts. Instead of building toward release, many of the tracks simply continue moving forward. That felt more honest for this particular group of songs. 4. Themes like routine, pressure, silence, and quiet resistance run throughout the album. Do you see HABIT as more of a personal reflection, a social commentary, or something in between? Probably somewhere in between. The songs are personal in the sense that they come from observation, emotional intuition and the way people absorb the environments around them. But I didn’t want the album to become confessional. At the same time, it’s impossible to separate private emotions from the environments people live in.A lot of the album deals with the small compromises people make every day — socially, emotionally, professionally — until those compromises start feeling normal. One thing that gradually became clear during the process was how naturally many of the original texts written decades ago still fit into the present moment. Themes like pressure, emotional exhaustion, silence and adaptation didn’t really need to be modernized. In some ways, that continuity became part of the album itself.So even when the songs are quiet, there’s still a social dimension underneath them. 5. The production focuses on atmosphere, repetition, and unity rather than complexity or variation. How important was it for you to maintain this cohesive emotional space across the entire record?Very important. I wanted HABIT to feel less like a collection of separate tracks and more like moving through different corners of the same emotional space. Even songs that worked individually were left off the album if they disrupted that atmosphere too much.The consistency wasn’t accidental — it became part of the meaning of the record. Repetition, restraint and continuity are all connected to the themes themselves. The album gradually found its identity by staying inside a consistent emotional space instead of constantly shifting direction. 6. You’ve said, “HABIT isn’t about dramatic collapse, but the quiet ways people adapt.” Do you think listeners will find comfort in that perspective, or does it challenge them to reflect on their own habits and environments?Maybe both. I don’t think the album offers solutions or clear answers, so I wouldn’t call it comforting in a traditional sense. But there can still be something strangely familiar in recognizing certain patterns in yourself.At the same time, I hope the record encourages reflection — not through accusation, but through recognition. Many of the songs deal with situations people quietly accept because they’ve become normal over time. HABIT is interested in that space where adaptation becomes almost invisible. Barbonus Official: TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads | Linktree
The Quiet North
The Quiet North Emerging from overload into stillness, The Quiet North crafts a cinematic, introspective world where space, memory and emotion breathe—inviting listeners to slow down, reflect, and rediscover calm within the noise. 1. The Quiet North was born from a personal journey through noise, overstimulation and recovery. Can you tell us more about the moment you realized music had become your path back to clarity and calm?I don’t think there was one single dramatic moment. It was more like a slow realization.After many years of building digital products and companies, my head had been full of noise for a long time — decisions, pressure, screens, responsibility, constant movement. Music became the opposite of that. It was a place where I didn’t have to optimize anything. I could just listen, feel and create.At first, The Quiet North was not meant to become a big project. It was just a quiet creative outlet. But very quickly, I noticed that the songs were helping me return to something clearer and calmer in myself. They gave shape to feelings that were hard to explain in ordinary language.So in many ways, The Quiet North started as a way of finding space again — moving from inner noise toward stillness. 2. Your debut album Stillness Is A Sound carries a very cinematic and emotional atmosphere. What was the creative vision behind the album, and how did you want listeners to feel while experiencing it?The vision was to create an album that felt spacious, emotional and cinematic, but still intimate. I wanted it to feel like walking through a northern landscape at dusk — quiet, open, a little melancholic, but also full of light.The title Stillness Is A Sound says a lot about the idea behind the record. I’m interested in the emotional weight of silence and space. Sometimes the most powerful moments in music are not the loudest ones, but the ones where something is allowed to breathe.I wanted listeners to feel like they could step into the album and slow down. Not escape the world completely, but find a quieter place inside it. A place for memory, longing, recovery and calm. 3. Songs like Southbound, Northbound and Frozen For A While seem deeply connected to themes of movement, memory and reflection. How much of the album is inspired by your own personal experiences and emotions?A lot of it comes from personal experience, but I try to leave enough space for the listener to find their own story in the songs.Southbound and Northbound both carry a sense of movement — physically, emotionally and creatively. They are connected to travel, light, family, change and the feeling of looking for something warmer or clearer. Frozen For A While is more about being emotionally stuck, or paused, and slowly finding your way back into motion.I think many of the songs are about transitions. Moving from pressure to presence. From uncertainty to acceptance. From noise to something more still.So yes, the album is personal, but not in a diary-like way. It is more like emotional weather. The songs come from real feelings, but hopefully they become open enough for other people to live inside them too. The Quiet North · The Quiet North – Southbound 4. The project features collaborations with musicians from across Europe, the US, South Africa and Australia. How did these international collaborations shape the sound and identity of Stillness Is A Sound? The collaborations have been essential. The Quiet North began with a very personal vision, but it became much richer through the people who contributed to it.Vitaliy Kozubenko in Ukraine has been a central part of the sound, bringing beautiful arrangements, guitars, bass and textures that gave the songs more depth and movement. Thom Hell brought a strong Norwegian musical presence, while VÂN SCOTT, Ollie Wade and Fitz Brothers each added different emotional colors and vocal identities.What I love is that even though the project is rooted in the North, the sound has been shaped by people from many different places. That gave the album a wider emotional landscape. It still feels Nordic to me, but not closed in. It feels like northern light meeting voices and textures from the rest of the world. 5. Your music blends indie folk, ambient textures and Nordic melancholy, while drawing inspiration from artists like a-ha, Coldplay, Sigur Rós and Arcade Fire. How do you balance these influences while still creating something uniquely The Quiet North?For me, influences are more about emotional direction than sound alone.From a-ha, I’m drawn to the melodic melancholy. From Coldplay and Keane, there is that emotional openness and sense of lift. Sigur Rós has this glacial, almost spiritual atmosphere, while Arcade Fire and Band of Horses bring a sense of scale, movement and emotional directness. And then there is the Scandinavian melancholy of artists like Kent, which has been part of my musical DNA for a long time.The Quiet North exists somewhere between those references, but the identity comes from filtering them through my own landscape — Nordic light, quiet spaces, memory, restraint and atmosphere.I think the unique part is the combination of intimacy and distance. The songs are emotional, but they are not trying to shout. They are trying to stay with you quietly. 6. Stillness Is A Sound feels like both a musical statement and a personal document of healing and rediscovery. Now that the album is out, what do you hope this first chapter of The Quiet North will say to listeners around the world?I hope it says that stillness is not emptiness. It can be full of life, memory, emotion and movement.For me, this first chapter is about finding calm again, but not in a perfect or polished way. It is about accepting uncertainty, letting things breathe, and realizing that quiet moments can carry a lot of meaning.If listeners around the world hear the album and feel a little more space around themselves, that would mean a lot. Maybe it can be something they return to on a
Finlay Birch
Finlay Birch Scottish songwriter Finlay Birch reflects on emotional distance, evolving soundscapes, and creative growth, offering insight into “Inside Your Mind” and the deeply personal journey behind his forthcoming debut album. 1. Inside Your Mind explores the tension between emotional closeness and distance—what first sparked the idea behind this song, and how did it evolve over time? Inside Your Mind came from that feeling of wanting to truly understand someone beyond what they choose to show you. I wrote it during a period where I felt very close to someone emotionally, but at the same time there was still this distance I couldn’t quite bridge. The song started very simply on guitar, almost like a stream of thought, and over time it became more layered emotionally. As we worked on it in the studio, it shifted from being quite intimate and inward-looking into something bigger and more cinematic, but the core feeling stayed the same. 2. You mentioned wanting the track to feel like it’s “constantly moving.” How did you approach the arrangement and production to achieve that sense of momentum and emotional build? From the start, I didn’t want the track to ever feel static. Even in quieter moments, I wanted there to be this sense that it was always pushing forward emotionally. A lot of that came through layering — adding textures gradually, building harmonies, bringing instruments in and out in ways that subtly changed the atmosphere. Dylan was brilliant at helping shape that. We focused a lot on dynamics and pacing so the song keeps unfolding rather than arriving too early. I wanted it to feel a bit like a tide constantly moving underneath everything. 3. The song was written three years ago but released now—how has your relationship with it changed between writing it in Greenock and recording it on the Isle of Mull? I think I understood the song differently by the time we recorded it. When I wrote it in Greenock three years ago, it felt very immediate and personal — almost like I was trying to work something out in real time. Recording it on Mull gave me a bit more distance from it emotionally, and I think that allowed me to approach it with more perspective. Mull has also become such an important creative place for me, so naturally the atmosphere of the island seeped into the recording. It became less about a single moment and more about a wider feeling of connection, memory and trying to understand people. 4. Working with Dylan Cooper, whose background spans major pop and alternative artists, how did his production style influence or expand your sound on this track? Dylan brought such a strong instinct for atmosphere and emotion to the track. What I really value about him is that even though he’s worked across major pop projects and alternative music, he never approaches a song in an overly commercial way — it’s always about serving the emotion first. He encouraged me to think more expansively about sound and texture, and helped take something that began quite stripped back into something much more immersive. A lot of the small details in the production came from long conversations about how we wanted the song to feel rather than just how we wanted it to sound. 5. Your upcoming album Weight Will Unwind brings together songs written over nearly a decade. How do you balance older material with newer perspectives while keeping the album cohesive? That was probably one of the biggest challenges with the album. Some of the songs were written almost ten years ago, while others are much more recent, so naturally I’ve changed a lot as a person and songwriter during that time. I think what kept it cohesive was that there are certain themes that have always stayed with me — place, memory, relationships, longing, change. Even though the writing styles evolved, those emotional threads connect everything together. Recording the album within a relatively focused period also helped unify it sonically, because all the songs were filtered through the same creative environment and collaborations. 6. Having transitioned from DIY bedroom-pop to a more expansive, collaborative sound, how have Scotland’s landscapes and creative communities shaped your artistic identity? Scotland has shaped my music massively, both in terms of landscape and community. Living and working on Mull especially has changed the way I think about creativity. There’s a certain openness and stillness here that naturally finds its way into the music. I think the landscapes encourage reflection, and there’s also a really strong sense of community and collaboration in the arts scene that’s influenced me a lot. Earlier on, I made music very independently in a bedroom-pop way because that was all I really had access to, but over time I became much more interested in collaboration and creating something that felt bigger and more human. Working with other musicians and artists in Scotland has definitely pushed me to trust that side of myself more. Finlay Birch – Scottish Alternative Folk
Harry Kappen
Harry Kappen In this interview, Harry Kappen explores empathy, migration, and personal transformation, revealing how “Distant Shore” channels real-world struggles, cinematic influences, and his own journey into a deeply reflective musical statement. 1.“Distant Shore” reflects on the refugee experience with deep empathy—what was the emotional process like translating such complex, real-world struggles into music?That is due to a number of factors; everyone is confronted with the refugee issue through the media, documentaries, the daily news, etc. Moreover, I likely possess an above-average capacity for empathy due to my work as a therapist. Additionally, I am a visual thinker and have no trouble translating information into images and, in this case, music.‘Distant Shore’ came about after realizing that my own voluntary move from the Netherlands to Mexico is actually a luxury situation and stands in stark contrast to the terrible circumstances in which refugees find themselves. In my view, these are courageous people who leave their homes and everything behind to secure a better future for themselves and their families. 2. Having personally moved from the Netherlands to Mexico, how did your own “crossing” shape the perspective and message behind this song and the album After the Crossing?As I outlined earlier; yes, certainly in the case of ‘Distant Shore’. But the other songs also relate to that move or to change. For example, ‘No Delays’ is about the moment I resolved to take matters into my own hands and take the leap, wherever it may lead. ‘While Life Is Rushing By’ is about the longing to be with my loved one, who was in Mexico at the time while I was still in the Netherlands. ‘Take a Step’ is about the fact that when you want change in your life, you have to take the first step yourself; if you set yourself in motion, the world around you changes too. 3. The track draws inspiration from Space Oddity—what elements of that influence did you reinterpret to create your own atmospheric and cinematic sound?In my opinion, the atmosphere is mainly caused by the Mellotron I use. It creates a melancholic feeling that I enjoy. Furthermore, I wonder about Distant Shore: “…or will I fade into the nightand vanish from the sight…” which is, of course, directly linked to Major Tom, who has lost contact with earth and is floating in the infinite. In my case, crossing the Atlantic Ocean into a new phase in my life is somewhat comparable to that. 4. You’ve had a long career as a music therapist—how does that background influence the way you compose, especially when dealing with themes like displacement and resilience? Musically, it has no influence whatsoever; I have been making music since my early years and have always composed my own songs. Lyrically, perhaps it does; having been able to guide my clients through their process for years, I have also gained more insights about myself and can talk about it more easily. I am trained to observe well and empathize with others, and I can also better adopt a position where I see connections more quickly. That helps when writing about the things happening around me. Even when it comes to displacement and resilience. These are never isolated phenomena; they are accompanied by a history and experiences. Naturally, my own life experience plays a part in this. I know by now that displacement is not a finite situation. Taking action myself and living more consciously in the ‘now’ helps with this. 5. Across your recent albums, you’ve been incredibly prolific. What has this post-Covid creative period unlocked for you artistically and personally?The Covid period has made me particularly aware of how fragile life actually is. And how, as a human being, you are thrown back upon yourself. I had, and still have, a lot of unfinished music lying on the shelf, and during the pandemic I immediately resolved to finally work it out properly and finish it. To enjoy the ‘now’ more again, and not just wait around. As a result, I am already working on a new album that will be released next spring. I am proud of the current album, but that is no reason for me to sit back complacently. Not yet, at least. Incidentally, people can follow the new developments via my website www.harrykappen.com.Additionally, I am in the process of forming a band with good Mexican musicians and hope to tour Europe next year to give a number of concerts, in cooperation with my management of MTS-records. 6. With “Distant Shore” carrying such a strong social message, what kind of conversations or impact do you hope the song will spark among listeners worldwide?I am an observer of the things I see happening around me, and I provide musical commentary on them or express my opinion in an artistic manner. My goal is not to convey a message or to have an impact on people. What I do hope, however, is that the silent majority of people will start doing that more as well: making themselves heard, whether through an artistic means or not.Nowadays, you hear more often in the media about extreme opinions; the left and the right shout the loudest and receive a lot of attention as a result. But ‘the middle’ is the place where compromises are reached through democratic means, and I believe that place deserves to be heard a bit louder. I created ‘Balance’ about this subject, the opening track of “After the crossing”. Harry Kappen
Rich Allen
Rich Allen In this introspective interview, Rich Allen delves into the emotional and philosophical depths of The Ghost We Keep, exploring vulnerability, grief, identity, and the ongoing journey toward acceptance and inner peace. 1. The Ghost We Keep feels deeply introspective and philosophical, what personal experiences or emotions ultimately pushed you to create this album at this point in your life?The Ghost We Keep emerged from a profound need to confront the intangible shadows that linger within me, those unspoken fears, regrets, and unresolved questions that shape my understanding of self and existence. At this point in my life, I found myself at a crossroads of introspection, compelled to delve into the core of what it means to truly confront one’s inner darkness and fragility. This album is a lyrical and emotional excavation, a philosophical exploration of the parts of me I’ve long tried to suppress or ignore. It’s a reflection of the quiet, often uncomfortable truths that we all carry, and a testament to the vulnerability required to confront and accept them. Creating it was an act of honesty, an attempt to reconcile with my inner ghosts and, in doing so, find a deeper sense of peace and understanding. 2. The title track captures such a universal sense of grief and remembrance. How did you approach translating something so intangible into lyrics and melody?When approaching the title track, I wanted to encapsulate the profound and often ineffable nature of grief and remembrance. These feelings are deeply personal, yet universally shared, so I aimed to create something that could resonate on a collective level. I focused on the subtle nuances of memory, the fleeting moments, the quiet ache, and the weight of loss that lingers in silence. In translating this into lyrics, I relied on imagery and emotion over explicit storytelling, trying to evoke the sense of something intangible through poetic language. Musically, I sought a melody that felt both tender and haunting, allowing space for reflection and vulnerability. It was about capturing the delicate balance between holding on and letting go, creating a soundscape that invites listeners into that quiet, shared experience of grief and remembrance. 3. Many songs on the album explore themes like impermanence, identity, and memory. Did your travels in places like Paris and Montmartre directly shape specific tracks or moments on the record?Absolutely, my travels to Paris, London Montmartre definitely left their mark, though sometimes I think they left more of a mess than a blueprint. Walking through those timeless streets, surrounded by art, history, and enough wine to make anyone question everything, I couldn’t help but reflect on the fleeting nature of beauty and the way memories linger long after the moment has passed. Some tracks are like my personal Parisian postcards, full of nostalgia, a hint of mystery, and the occasional existential crisis over whether I’m really the same person I was yesterday or just a well-traveled version of myself. So yes, those places shaped specific moments on the record, but mostly they just gave me more material to obsess over, because if life is impermanent, might as well make it sound poetic and slightly melodramatic. 4. Tracks like Facing the Ghost and Proper Goodbye seem to deal with acceptance and healing. Do you see this album as a form of personal closure, or more as an open-ended reflection?I see this album as both a form of personal closure and an open-ended reflection. Tracks like Facing the Ghost and Proper Goodbye were born out of a need to confront the pain, to acknowledge the ghosts that haunt me, and to find some semblance of peace in letting go. Yet, at the same time, I recognize that healing is not a final destination but an ongoing process, an open-ended journey where acceptance is fragile and fleeting. This record is my attempt to make sense of those moments, to give voice to the ache and the hope that persists even in the darkest times. It’s a reflection of the understanding that closure, if it exists at all, is often just a gentle pause before another chapter begins, and that sometimes, the most honest thing we can do is sit with the unresolved and learn to live with it. 5. Your work often balances vulnerability with philosophical depth. How do you maintain that honesty in your songwriting without feeling exposed or overwhelmed?Maintaining that balance between vulnerability and philosophical depth is a delicate dance. For me, honesty in songwriting comes from a place of necessity—it’s about exploring truths I can’t ignore and giving voice to feelings that might otherwise remain hidden. I try to approach it with a sense of compassion for myself, allowing space for both the raw emotion and the broader questions I grapple with. It’s never about feeling exposed or overwhelmed, but about embracing those parts of myself with patience and understanding. Sometimes, it’s about reminding myself that vulnerability isn’t a weakness; it’s the bridge to authenticity. By grounding my work in genuine emotion and curiosity, I find a way to be honest without losing myself in the process. 6. You’ve been recognized for your openness about mental health, what role do you hope The Ghost We Keep plays for listeners who may be going through their own struggles with loss or inner conflict?I hope The Ghost We Keep can serve as a quiet companion for those navigating their own shadows. Mental health is a journey filled with moments of darkness, confusion, and pain, and I want my music to remind others that they are not alone in those feelings. If my honesty can help someone feel seen and understood, then I believe I’ve fulfilled a greater purpose. This album is an open invitation to embrace vulnerability, to acknowledge the ghosts we carry, and to understand that healing isn’t linear—it’s messy, complex, and deeply personal. My greatest hope is that listeners find comfort in knowing that their struggles are valid, that even in the silence and sorrow, there is space for growth, acceptance,
Brian Fate
Brian Fate Blending heartfelt storytelling with Americana roots, this interview with Brian Fate explores his creative process, emotional depth, and evolving sound shaped by timeless influences and personal narratives. 1. Your music carries a strong sense of storytelling and emotional honesty. When you sit down to write, do you begin with a personal experience, a melody, or a specific narrative you want to explore? The songs start with a title or a guitar riff, but then there is a story that needs to be told. In this case it’s a story we have all been through. There are so many stories to be told. some are common and some are very unique. I think they are all important. We grow from knowing them. 2. You’re known for reinterpreting classic songs in a very personal way. What draws you to a particular song to cover, and how do you approach transforming it into something uniquely yours? It’s something that just happens. With each song I think something inside me just hears the song differently. I always thought Purple Haze was more of a Prince song. I wrote it that way. It is also to show that the best songs are timeless. We can modernize them and they are amazing in this time as well as the time they were written. That’s the real point. 3. You’ve performed in two distinct band configurations, from straight-ahead rock to more orchestral arrangements. How does shifting between those setups influence the way you write and perform your songs? At this point I am all in with the Americana group. The sound has really matured and is transcendental. I think that’s what we are all searching for these days. I am just looking for a good melody and good chords and lyric. Every song comes through in a unique way. it’s always an adventure. 4. Sharing the stage with artists like Reverend Horton Heat, Charlie Sexton, and Chris Murphy is no small feat. What have you taken away from those experiences, both musically and personally? Well, they are all beasts on stage. I am in awe of all of them. I hope to move closer to what they have in my show all the time. I think it’s the emotion in every song that touches the audiences heart. When I get there it is amazing! I can’t wait to do it again. 5. Your music has been featured on major platforms like NFL broadcasts and national TV shows. How did it feel to hear your work reach such a wide audience, and did it change your perspective as an artist? It did change my perspective. Mostly because without the world reacting it’s easy to think this way or that about my music. When the world likes it, it tells me we have something good. It also says we have something that connects with others on a larger scale which is what I am after. We all come from the same place, we just have different journeys. 6. Your sound draws comparisons to classic heartland rock influences while still feeling very much your own. How do you balance honoring those inspirations with continuing to push your own artistic identity forward? Thank you for understanding the music from within. I like to think we connect with early Bruce Springsteen. Life is much deeper than they let on. Music takes us to the deepest and sweetest part of our souls. The story is how we share those parts and how we become more connected and develop those deeper parts of us together. Together we rise above! https://www.instagram.com/bfatemusic/
Wizardom
Wizardom Exploring transformation, creativity, and a collective vision, this interview with Wizardom dives into “New Renaissance,” where past and future collide, revealing an artist evolving beyond self into a broader movement. 1. “New Renaissance” carries a strong sense of rebirth and transformation—what inspired you to revisit “Renaissance Man” and reshape it into something more expansive? It wasn’t intentional. When I started working on the new group of lyrics/songs after my 2023 debut album, I looked at “Renaissance Man’ and the message didn’t feel right, 10 years or so later. I personally and my creative path has shifted and the song had felt like an “I” (all about me) instead of the collective “We” that the new songs messages were developing into. “New Renaissance” now feels more a new, uplifting concept for everyone not just me. 2. The track blends futuristic electronic elements with subtle Renaissance influences. How did you approach merging these two very different worlds sonically? Many artists use samples these days. My second album is morphing into more electronic, dancier, uplifting tracks than the more personal and darker first album. It reflects the challenges I was going through when writing the first group of songs which some were written years before release. I like all kinds of music and felt it needed just a small amount of old Renaissance music. Initially it was throughout the song but that didn’t feel right ,so I only left it in the small first instrumental and the bridge. Just paying homage to the past Renaissance. 3. Your music often feels cinematic and immersive. When creating “New Renaissance,” were you visualizing specific imagery or storytelling moments? Not as I was writing it. I naturally am a storyteller and love using metaphors and analogies. It is most likely the old actor in me. The imagery channelled through as I was writing old version and then when I updated it. With my new music video I have been able to flesh out the imagery to make the lyrics come alive. 4. Compared to your previous releases like “Unique Soul” and “So Divine,” how does this single represent your artistic evolution? It is a natural progression from the first two singles. The message of the songs flow into each other. The main difference with this track is the use of a sample to give it an old world, new world flavour. The artistic evolution continues as all the songs of the upcoming album are becoming chapters of a book I am writing called “The New Renaissance”. So with the music, book and other offshoots of this, I am building an ecosystem or creative world. 5. There’s a clear theme of creativity and a “new era of expression” in this track. What does this new renaissance mean to you personally and artistically? There are lots of changes in the world both exciting and challenging. Those are spiritual, culturally, astrologically, technologically and they are happening at a rapid rate. These changes are similar to what was happening in the big Renaissance between 14 to 17th century in Europe and other parts of the world. It was moving from the Middle/Dark ages to a new era of creativity, science, spirituality and innovation. This change is happening collectively and to me personally. I grew up rather quiet, shy and afraid to express myself. As I have become older , I am learning to take off the masks and share all of me authentically. The New Renaissance for me is an identity and creative upgrade to build confidence in who I am and share my message and gifts with a wider audience. 6. Wizardom seems to be more than just music, extending into visuals and live performance. How do you see this universe developing in the future? Yes Wizardom is part of a larger universe I am wanting/am building. Live performance was first before the music was made. I did take two years off from performing as I was going through some personal challenges but I returned to performing two weeks ago which was so much fun and want to tour “New Renaissance ” around the world. Yes I am looking to share my messages outside of music via books, podcast, documentary, movies , live show etc, that is any multi media both visual, aural or other forms. I have various interests and want to build a movement, a universe to gather other creatives and artists to help usher in a positive future, the “New Renaissance “. “Wizardom” | TikTok, Instagram, Facebook | Linktree
Anthony Rausku
Anthony Rausku In this interview, Anthony Rausku reflects on “Goodbye,” exploring quiet heartbreak, creative evolution, and the freedom of independence, offering insight into subtle storytelling, personal process, and future possibilities. 1. “Goodbye” captures the quiet heartbreak of two people growing apart rather than falling out—what drew you to explore this more subtle, emotional kind of separation?Well, not an easy question because i don´t actually know why. Not any personal drama here that would be current but of course i have had my history in relationships, some of them have ended exactly how the song tries to describe.And some don´t. We all have our history, haven´t we ? 2. The song opens with a sparse, piano-led arrangement, which you’ve described as something new for you. How did that creative choice shape the mood and storytelling of the track?I wrote this song with guitar just like every song i have written. And the vocal lines were simpler. So making arrangement for piano changed vocal lines because i had more room to try out what i can do with the melody. And it is very satisfying to find out that i succeeded in that. Maybe it’s something I’ll continue in the future. I’ve received more comments about this song, perhaps because of my more sensitive approach. That could be a direction worth exploring.However, I’m a guitarist at heart, so you’ll definitely hear them on my future albums. 3. As an artist who writes, records, produces, and engineers everything yourself, how does that complete independence influence the emotional honesty of your music?I got to admit that i don´t really understand what is emotional honesty. I have played in bands and been in studios and what i do now is that same. There´s not much difference. Difference is that i can do things just like i want to do them. Am i honest to my self ? Can anybody answer to that ? There is no record company whose ideas influence what I do. So I am responsible to myself and then it pays to be honest. 4. You’ve said this song is about leaving without wanting to hurt anyone. Was there a particular moment or feeling that sparked the writing process for “Goodbye”? Q1 5. The track is accompanied by a music video—how important was it for you to visually represent the story, and what did you want viewers to feel when watching it?I have published now 17 music videos for my solo career songs. So it is just a thing that i want to do, and it´s fun. Although it takes time to arrenge space, lights, backgrounds and so on. And of course i have to have an idea for the video, which is the the hardest thing in planning. Video must go hand in hand with the dynamics of music and that affects the viewer’s emotions, i hope so. 6. You don’t currently perform live—do you see that changing in the future, or do you prefer focusing entirely on the studio as your creative space?No plans for live gigs at the moment. But you never know if my music goes viral then it´s possible. I’ve put together a few bands from scratch so I know it’s not easy. Anthony Rausku Music
Ekelle
Ekelle Blending confidence with vulnerability, Ekelle dives into heartbreak, growth, and self-worth on “(Turn Me) Loose,” exploring new sonic territory while delivering an empowering anthem about knowing your value and moving forward. 1. Your new single “(Turn Me) Loose” feels both empowering and emotionally honest. What inspired you to write this breakup anthem, and was there a specific moment or experience behind it? Breakup songs are so interesting because they work on multiple levels, and I think that’s how I got to writing the single. As I was writing about a breakup, I realized that songs like this can also go beyond relationships and apply to an unbalanced friendship or your job. In each scenario, someone doesn’t appreciate who you are, underestimates you, and tries to put you in a box. I tried to channel the overlapping feelings to create something everyone can relate to. 2. The track expands beyond your usual Hood Pop sound into more electronic and dance-driven territory. What pushed you to experiment with this style for this release? That’s a great question! Every time I begin to write new music, I’ll listen to my favourite songs across genres. I do this to really break down what I like about them. I love UK-House tracks, especially garage. Something kept pulling me in that direction, so I decided to follow it. It still allowed me to be me as an artist; I could still sing and rap, just with a little difference in production. I think it’s important to keep working on your sound and growing. 3. Lyrics like “you blew up a goldmine, I’m once in a lifetime” really stand out with confidence and self-worth. How important is it for you to create music that empowers listeners, especially after difficult relationships? I think there’s a time to cry and a time to celebrate with breakups. Of course, you’re going to be upset, but it won’t last forever. That being said, the healing process does take time and can’t be rushed through. There are a lot of songs to help you release tough emotions, so I wanted this one to be part of the glow-up that comes after that period of reflection. Having a simple mantra like ‘I’m The Prize’ can really help you think of the ways you shine, whether you’re on the dancefloor or washing dishes. Having those positive reminders helps us move forward. 4. You seamlessly switch between rapping and singing on “(Turn Me) Loose.” How do you decide which emotions are better expressed through rap versus melody? It just depends on the song. Sometimes I start out from the beginning, knowing I want it to be a rap song, but even with that, you need a balance between fast and slow. Then sometimes I’ll do a song with just singing, then I might add a rap if I feel like I’m not able to convey all my ideas within those verses and hook. That’s what happened with (Turn Me) Loose. Just needed a little something extra! Production plays a heavy part as well. Sometimes, I hear a beat and just know that there needs to be some rap. Rap is really great for emphasizing the message of your song in a unique way. 5. Working with producer Audio Gibbs helped shape the sleek, energetic vibe of the song. What was the creative process like in the studio, and how did the collaboration influence the final result? I met Audio Gibbs during a studio session with a group of artists. We formed a bit of a bond there first, and we both got to see what the other one could do. I did some digging into his catalogue and was really impressed with the variety in what he had been creating. I had been working on the idea for (Turn Me) Loose for a while and thought he’d be a great collaborator. I described what I was going for and he sent me some demos. I knew which one I wanted instantly! When we actually got into the studio it was great because he could help coach me to project a certain energy or ask important questions that help formulate the final product. I booked lots of time so we could really get the most out of the session. 6. As an artist defining your sound as “Hood Pop,” how do you see your music evolving in the future, and what can fans expect from Ekelle after “(Turn Me) Loose”? Another great question! I’m in the process of creating an album so I definitely want to show growth in ability and progression in the overall sound. I’ve been doing things to expand my range like taking vocal lessons. This will help me improve as a singer and allow me to add to my skills as a rapper. I’ll always continue to rap and sing. I’m actively writing and recording so I’ll definitely be dropping something for the summer. Ekelle officialekelle Official: TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook | Linktree