Beyond the Music: Getting to know MADiSON ViOLETT

Welcome to Hawk-It Interviews, where we sit down with artists, musicians, and creatives to go beyond the surface and discover the stories behind their work.

Today, we’re joined by MADiSON ViOLETT, an emerging voice in the alternative rock and metal scene whose music blends vulnerability, intensity, and deeply personal storytelling. Drawing inspiration from artists across metalcore, post-hardcore, and alternative music, MADiSON ViOLETT is carving out a sound and identity entirely her own.

From discovering music at an early age and finding her voice as a vocalist to songwriting, live performance, creative struggles, and her ambitions for the future, we dive into the experiences that have shaped her journey so far.

Welcome to Hawk-It Interviews with MADiSON ViOLETT.

Lets's Begin!!!

Amit Ahuja: To begin at the very foundation of your story, I'd love to step back into your early years. What was the environment you grew up in like—your hometown, the culture that surrounded you, the people who shaped your life, and the overall atmosphere of your childhood and teenage years? Looking back now, how do you feel those formative experiences, relationships, challenges, and moments of inspiration influenced not only the person you've become, but also your emotional outlook, artistic perspective, and the way you approach creativity, songwriting, and self-expression today?

MADiSON ViOLETT: I grew up in a small suburban area about 45 minutes east of LA, so I’d say that growing up near the big city had a positive impact on my beginnings as a musician. Hollywood was down the road, I would go out there a lot for my own performances and events when I was young, and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to be so near such a huge cultural and artistic hub. I feel like I wouldn’t have the same opportunities that I have today if it hadn’t been for my location.

Regarding people I grew up around, my parents are very supportive of me and I wouldn’t be where I am without their impact and influence. When I was young they’d put me in music lessons, recitals, theatre productions, and anything that helped me express myself through music and art. I’m incredibly grateful because they still continue to support my music today without question.

I’d always been a very introspective and emotionally aware person, and I’ve struggled with anxiety and OCD my whole life. Having these thoughts and emotions made aspects of my social childhood, such as fitting in, harder than it was for the other kids. Art, however, had always been my outlet and a way I could express these feelings beyond words. I’ve been using this tool my whole life and my ability to do so has only grown as the years go by. I’m honestly still on a journey to discover my full identity not only as an artist but also as a person, and writing has really helped me settle into that and explore it freely without judgement.

Amit Ahuja: Music has a way of finding people at different stages of life. Can you take us back to when it first became a meaningful part of yours? What are some of your earliest memories of singing or listening to music, and were there particular artists, albums, or moments that sparked your passion and inspired you to begin creating music of your own? Looking back, how do you think those early influences continue to shape your sound and artistic identity today?

MADiSON ViOLETT: I started doing music when I was around three or four; my parents put me in lots of recitals and musical theatre productions. As I stated before, music had become an outlet for me to express the emotions I didn’t really know how to articulate through words, and that really came through when I began writing.

I picked up acoustic guitar at age 8 because having an instrument would make it easier to write. Through learning guitar, I fully immersed myself into alternative genres and discovered it was something I wanted to pursue. The ‘rebellion’ and the ‘free self-expression’ aspects of alternative as a whole drew me in, and I discovered some artists who really made me feel represented and seen.

In alternative scenes, especially metal, women make up a very small portion as these genres are heavily male dominated. It was really cool seeing Amy Lee of Evanescence because she was direct evidence that I could make my dreams come true and be up on stage/sing just like her when it was really hard seeing myself in a position like that. Same goes with Hayley Williams of Paramore. Way later on, when I discovered that heavier music is for me (metalcore, post-hardcore), I discovered Spiritbox, a female-fronted metalcore band led by Courtney LaPlante. It’s so awesome seeing someone break the norms of what femininity in metal can look like with her groundbreaking vocals and performances.

Amit Ahuja: Loving music and choosing to pursue it as a career are often two very different things. Was there a defining moment when you realized creating music was more than just a passion—that it was something you genuinely wanted to dedicate yourself to? What gave you the confidence to take that leap, especially knowing the uncertainty and vulnerability that come with sharing your work with the world?

MADiSON ViOLETT: Music is so fundamental to me that I want to carry it with me my entire life. My dream is, frankly, to be a rockstar and to share my art with the world by touring, releasing records, and performing alongside those who made me who I am and who inspired me. I want to let people know that they’re not alone in their battles through lyricism and songwriting, leaning into that vulnerability that comes along with emotional songwriting; move people with powerful instrumentation and sonic spaces. As a musician, there’s no better rush than to be up there on stage and performing for a crowd. My objective is to make those crowds larger and larger with each show.

One important thing that I keep with me is that I always say that nothing is truly impossible. If you have a dream, go for it, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t have it. However, dreams are only made through hard work, discipline, and resilience—those are non-negotiables when it comes to accomplishments. If you truly want something you have to be willing to put in the work and keep your head up because there’s no way the road there is going to be easy, but keep the goal in your sights at all times.

Amit Ahuja: Every artist eventually finds the genre that feels like home. What initially drew you to rock and metal? Beyond the music itself, what was it about the culture—the emotion, intensity, atmosphere, aesthetics, or sense of belonging—that resonated with you on such a deep level? As you've grown as an artist, has your relationship with the genre evolved, or do those same qualities continue to inspire you today?

MADiSON ViOLETT: There’s something very special about metal music—it can be anything and everything all at once. Vulnerable, aggressive, tragic… the list goes on. I feel like metal can capacitate another level of emotion because it's allowed to explore expansive areas sonically and vocally. Same with the culture. Metal and alternative in general are all about being unapologetically you and to stand against the systems that force you to conform to something you’re not. As someone who’s struggled with fitting in her entire life, I’ve resonated with that heavily and continue to embody it with my art. That level of freedom is empowering, especially as a woman, who’s culturally expected to sit still and stay quiet. Breaking the mold through metal and alternativeness is basically my middle finger to anyone who criticizes people for being themselves.

Amit Ahuja: As the voice behind Madison Violet, what does being a vocalist mean to you on a personal level? Beyond simply singing the notes, how do you approach conveying emotion, telling a story, and connecting with listeners through your voice? Has your relationship with singing changed as you've grown both personally and as an artist?

MADiSON ViOLETT: Being a vocalist is extra cool because you are the instrument. Exploring how you can manipulate and convey emotions with simply a voice is such an incredible feeling.

As the years went on, I definitely (and still am) continuing to find my specific identity as a vocalist but I tend to have a very dynamic tone (from falsetto, belting, distressed vox) heavily inspired by alternative vocalists Hayley Williams, Courtney LaPlante, Amy Lee, and Kellin Quinn. I also draw inspiration not only from alternative but also from jazz, soul, indie, and even sometimes musical theatre. My vocal style doesn't necessarily have a label per-se, it’s just… me. It’s cool to see a distinctive style form throughout my experience and have all of my inspirations come together into one beautiful thing.

Amit Ahuja: Your music has always felt incredibly honest and emotionally rich. When you're writing a new song, where does the creative process usually begin? Does it start with a lyric, a melody, a memory, or simply an emotion you can't ignore? How has your songwriting process evolved throughout your career?

MADiSON ViOLETT: Basically, whenever I’m dealing with something unignorable or heavy, I draw out all of my emotions through writing. There’s no ‘wrong’ or’right’ way that I do it, I just let it come to me naturally. Maybe it starts with a riff, maybe it starts with a stressful day or experience, maybe it’s something that I’d been struggling with for a long time and I want to try to articulate it through lyrics.

It’s always been this way, but I feel like I’ve been able to grow into vulnerability and storytelling. As I’ve matured it’s been easier for me to properly translate feelings into words.

Amit Ahuja: Your songs often connect with listeners because they feel deeply personal while remaining universally relatable. How much of your own life naturally finds its way into your lyrics? Do you ever write songs that are simply too personal to release, and how do you decide which stories belong only to you and which you're willing to share with the world?

MADiSON ViOLETT: Everything I write is quite personal to me, as my art is born from emotion and experience. To be honest, there’s nothing really that I’ve written that has struck me as ‘too personal to release’, as I want a lot of my difficult experiences and vulnerability to resonate with others. The vulnerability itself is what makes it worthy of release.

Amit Ahuja: Some of your most memorable songs—"Bleed For Me," "Nightmares," "Restless Mind," "Counting Daggers," and "Bury Me Alive"—have resonated deeply with listeners because of their emotional weight and powerful storytelling. Can you take us inside the lyrical meanings behind each of those songs? What inspired them, what emotions or experiences were you exploring, and what do you hope listeners take away from them today?

MADiSON ViOLETT: ”Circling” is about realizing that it’s okay to acknowledge that people have hurt you, and that’s the first step to recognizing that you are above the ones who have wronged you. You are so much more than the people who have put you down- and after all, their words are just words. The fact that people are trying to bring you down confirms that they’re intimidated by your resilience and strength. What I want to convey to all my listeners is to stay strong. Keep your head up and don’t let anyone dim your flame. Don’t stop chasing what you’re after.”

https://youtu.be/Xc7DlrJEEf4?si=Et2m_6d1uWgtN_gs

“BLEED FOR ME is a tragic love song in a sense. It encapsulates that painful feeling as you watch your friends and loved ones around you all find their ‘special someones’; find connection and romance. That leads to the questions: “Why not me? Am I doing something wrong? Is there something wrong with me?” The lyrics are a plea: ‘Will you bleed for me, like I bleed for you? Is that something you can do?’

However, Kellin’s verse is the lyrical beacon of hope in the track. Things will be okay- and it will become right when they need to be. There’s no need to rush. ‘Take my heart by the hand, don’t ever let me go, don’t ever be afraid, I’ll be your afterglow.’ I’m so excited to share BLEED FOR ME with the world and I hope it will resonate with others who are feeling the same way. A reminder that there will always be light within darkness- you just have to find it.”

NIGHTMARES is about confronting obsessive/intrusive thoughts and how they interact with your thinking and life. I have anxiety and OCD and I wanted to explore the feeling of an obsession or theme feeling like a ‘nightmare’, something that haunts your brain constantly and you can’t seem to escape it no matter what you do. On top of that, I want this song to exist as a reminder for other people feeling the same thing and to let them know they’re not alone in their battle.

Amit Ahuja: Every artist experiences moments of doubt, creative frustration, and personal obstacles, often leading to some of their biggest creative breakthroughs. Looking back on your journey so far, what has been one of the greatest challenges you've had to overcome, and how did it shape you as both an artist and a person? Were there songs or projects that pushed you outside your comfort zone, changed dramatically from their original vision, or nearly didn't make the final release?

MADiSON ViOLETT: I’d definitely say the social media barrier. A big challenge a lot of artists struggle with today is finding their audience since a common way artists are discovered nowadays is through being prominent on social media, which is awesome because of social media’s accessibility, but because of that accessibility it makes it a lot harder to get seen. As a modern artist, you have to constantly push on social media for even a chance to get your name out there, and it's extremely crucial to do so if you want a shot at making it big.

Being consistent on social media is such a difficult task and very exhausting/deterring some days but frankly it’s taught me a lot of good things: which are that things do happen with hard work and consistency. It’s a reminder to just keep pushing no matter how distant and impossible the end result may seem. I’m still on my way and nowhere near my goal, but from the little time I’ve committed I’ve already made leaps and bounds progress-wise.

Amit Ahuja: Many listeners describe your music as both intimate and cinematic. Beyond music itself, where do you find inspiration? Are there books, films, travel, conversations, or everyday experiences that continually spark new ideas and influence your songwriting?

MADiSON ViOLETT: Cinematic is a great word. I want people to envision/feel like they’re experiencing a film or a montage whenever they listen to music. I’m a very imaginative, creative, and vivid daydreamer, and music is one of my main triggers. Sometimes I get so caught up listening to a song that I completely space out and imagine a scene in my head. I want people to step into new sonic worlds when they hear my music, and that’s why I love to incorporate cinematic production, dreamy synths, and moving, ambient guitar riffs in my music. I’m very inspired by artists that evoke the same thing for me, such as Erra, Spiritbox, Architects, Bring Me The Horizon, etc.

Amit Ahuja: Live performances create a connection that's very different from a studio recording. When someone experiences your music for the first time in concert, what do you hope they leave feeling? Beyond the songs themselves, how important are storytelling, atmosphere, and emotional connection in creating a memorable live experience?

MADiSON ViOLETT: Live is one of my favorite ways to consume music because it forces you to live in the moment. I always make sure to create an engaging and entertaining environment that immerses the audience into the sounds and community experience of being at a show together. I especially love when there’s moshing and dancing happening, because that’s evidence that the music has moved them enough to dance and have fun, and that’s my goal.

Amit Ahuja: Throughout your career so far, who have been some of the most influential people you've looked up to? Whether they're musicians, songwriters, mentors, family members, or people outside the music world, what lessons have they taught you that continue to shape both your artistry and your outlook on life?

MADiSON ViOLETT: As mentioned before, seeing women in alternative scenes on stage and doing the things I dream of were absolutely crucial to my artistry because it felt so impossible as a woman to even be an icon in the alternative scene. Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox, Amy Lee of Evanescence, Emma Boster of Dying Wish, and Hayley Williams of Paramore were all major influences on me.

Beyond those influences, I have some incredibly inspiring/achieving friends who have been a part of my musical journey and continue to inspire and push me every day. Edwin Woodside, an absolute shredder who has worked alongside me for some instrumental guitar work. Shaina Keiths, an incredibly talented drummer who I’ve had the honor of sharing the stage with several times, Megan Spencer, another fantastic drummer who was a part of my Counting Daggers music video, and Christopher Shaibi, my videographer who has helped craft my image and visuals as an artist with his incredible talent for visual storytelling. In addition, my producer/engineer Jonathan Mireles who has been with me every step of the way and has been crucial in my growth as an artist. None of my music would exist without his talent and support and I’m so extremely grateful for him in my journey.

Amit Ahuja: Outside of music, what helps you recharge creatively and emotionally? Are there hobbies, routines, books, films, or interests that people might be surprised to learn play an important role in keeping you inspired?

MADiSON ViOLETT: 100% I’m an artist and total nerd all around. I love creative writing (I’m for sure going to publish a novel someday), illustrating comic art, acting, and theatre. I was an inducted International Thespian at my high school for musical theatre, and I used to do a little bit of acting in commercials (I want to start getting into the TV/film industry someday again lol) If I had the opportunity to be in a movie or series I would jump on it without question.

Another hobby I’ve been totally into lately has been weightlifting. I’d been lifting on and off since I was 15, but now I’ve fully committed to achieving my goals (shoutout Leanbeefpatty) and have been hitting the gym 6 times a week. It’s my therapy and helps me get any bad emotions off my mind, it’s a fantastic outlet for rage lol.

Amit Ahuja: Fans often feel like they know an artist through their music, but there's always another side that remains unseen. What's something about you that listeners would probably never guess? Do you have any hidden talents, unusual interests, or personal goals you've rarely had the chance to talk about?

MADiSON ViOLETT: Same answers as above :)

Amit Ahuja: Although your journey as Madison Violet is still in its early chapters, you've already connected with listeners through deeply personal music. Looking ahead, what excites you most about this next stage of your career? As you continue to grow both personally and creatively, what kind of artist do you hope to become, and what do you hope listeners will come to know you for?

MADiSON ViOLETT: I’m excited to see where this project goes if I keep committing to resilience and hard work. I can’t wait to see what opportunities come my way in the near future especially with some releases coming up soon that I’m looking forward to! I hope to become someone that other young girls can look up to and become inspired as I have with my idols and musical heroes. I want to be a physical reminder that you’re not alone in your struggles and your journeys, and that there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel no matter how hard the present may seem. That’s why sharing my art has always been so important to me—the community aspect, and the way you can transcend emotional connection beyond words.

Amit Ahuja: Looking back across your body of work so far, is there one song that you feel best represents who you are as an artist today? What makes that song so significant to you, and do you feel it reflects the creative direction you're continuing to move toward?

MADiSON ViOLETT: 100% BLEED FOR ME. I had the incredible opportunity to work with one of my biggest inspirations from the start, Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens. He’s one of the most powerful voices of the 2000s and the emo scene as a whole and honestly helped me find my voice as a vocalist. I greatly appreciate his love for the independent arts and his goal to uplift rising artists, he’s such an insanely kind human. It was an absolute dream to hear his voice alongside mine in the final recording, and an honor to make music alongside him.

The song itself is a nice combination between 2000s post-hardcore and modern metalcore, which is where my sound as an artist sits. The rawness and power of the 2000s mixed with innovative modern production creates a really unique sound I’ve been having fun playing with. I definitely feel like my music is going in that direction and I can’t wait to share all of the new amazing things I’ve been writing in that vein.

Amit Ahuja: If you could spend an evening around a dinner table with any three musicians or songwriters—living or gone—who would you invite, and what's the first question you'd ask each of them? What do you think those conversations would teach or inspire you as an artist?

MADiSON ViOLETT: Amy Lee of Evanescence: You’re one of the biggest voices in the history of metal and have been absolutely instrumental to my craft. What was it like becoming such an icon in the scene as a woman, and how did your identity influence your art?

Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance - Your band has been insanely successful and iconic for almost three decades now. What does resilience mean to you and how did you keep working hard to achieve your dreams no matter how far away they seemed?

Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox - Your vocals are groundbreaking and you’ve become one of the faces of modern metalcore. I see myself in you, what did it take to start touring globally, perform and be nominated for several Grammys, and develop such a distinct identity to yourself and your music?

Amit Ahuja: And finally, as we wrap up our conversation, I'd love to leave the last word with you. What message would you like to share with your fans and our readers? For anyone currently chasing a dream, navigating self-doubt, struggling creatively, or still searching for their own voice and identity, what words of encouragement or wisdom would you most like them to carry with them after reading this interview?

MADiSON ViOLETT: The most important advice I can give sounds terribly cliche, but absolutely true. Never give up and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Anything is possible if you keep working hard for it, even if you fail several times, just get back up on your feet and keep pushing. With hard work comes results, even if those results at first glance may seem out of reach. They’re there waiting for you; you just have to take that journey to grab them.

Amit Ahuja: And with that, we wrap up our conversation with MADiSON ViOLETT.

From turning deeply personal emotions into music to finding strength through vulnerability, MADiSON’s journey is one built on creativity, resilience, and an unwavering determination to keep moving forward. With new music on the horizon and even bigger dreams ahead, this is only the beginning of her story.

A huge thank you to MADiSON ViOLETT for taking the time to speak with Hawk-It Interviews and for giving us an honest look into the person, passion, and experiences behind the music.

Be sure to keep an eye on MADiSON ViOLETT and what comes next.

Until next time, thank you for reading Hawk-It Interviews — where we go beyond the music and get to know the artists behind it.

Please support independent artists like MADiSON ViOLETT by checking out her music and socials through the Linktree below:

https://linktr.ee/madison.violett?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAaf8byygc2dXGQhpY38Zikm1r7_WEsTqBeN-CZXBj1PMY5wfgJzbEGRV47atVg_aem_g8NXjZRoioqJymB2yzTsLg

***All images and videos used by Hawk-IT Media are credited to and provided courtesy of MADiSON ViOLETT.***

Behind the Beats: An Exclusive Interview with Jordan, Drummer of Atlas At Hold

Photo Credit: Paul Monahas

Welcome to Hawk-IT Interviews

I recently had the opportunity to interview Jordan, drummer of Atlas At Hold, whose passion for music began at an early age through his exposure to rock and metal. From attending live shows as a kid to eventually finding his own place behind the drum kit, Jordan has developed a style built around energy, creativity, and bringing a strong presence to every performance.

During our conversation, Jordan opened up about his childhood, the concerts and musicians that first inspired him, and the experiences that ultimately led him to pursue drumming. We also explored some of his biggest influences behind the kit, how he developed his own identity as a drummer, and the journey that led him to become a member of Atlas At Hold.

Beyond his personal journey, we discussed Jordan’s creative role within the band, including how he approaches writing drum parts, balances technical ability with serving the song, and adapts his playing between the studio and the stage. Jordan also spoke about his drum setup, the physical demands of performing, creating drum playthroughs, and how drumming has become an important creative and emotional outlet in his life.

Jordan also reflected on some of the milestones he has achieved with Atlas At Hold, including sharing stages with artists who have influenced and inspired the band. Looking toward the future, he remains focused on continuing to grow as a drummer, pushing himself creatively, and reaching new milestones alongside his bandmates.

Join us as we go behind the kit with Jordan of Atlas At Hold and learn more about the musician, his influences, his creative process, and the passion that continues to drive his journey forward.

Let's Begin!!

Amit Ahuja: Let’s start at the beginning. What was your childhood and hometown like, and what kind of environment did you grow up in?

Jordan: I grew up in a small town right on the edge of Maryland in part of northern Pennsylvania For most of my life, I spent living there. The environment I grew up in I feel like was a very laid-back outside kind of environment and then my mom started taking me to hard rock and metal concerts as a kid and that just became a thing that we started to do pretty frequently, Aside from that of these, it really spiked my interest into wanting to pick up playing On a drum set with the interest already in mind, I acquired my first kit, and upon sitting on the throne for the first time, it felt very natural and effortless!

Amit Ahuja: Looking back, how did those early experiences and the people around you shape the person and musician you are today?

Jordan: The early experiences was getting to meet some of the artists. I was going to see because back in that time. It was a very regular thing that bands would go to the merch table after they played their set and so that really changed my outlook on things and being able to converse eight back-and-forth with some great people in that early on industry really gave me the confidence to just be myself and if there that I like to do or something that I like to wear to just stick with it no matter what anyone says, and that really helped shape me not only into the musician. I am today but a person as a .

Amit Ahuja: When did music first become something meaningful to you rather than simply something you enjoyed listening to? Was there a particular artist, album, concert, or moment that made you realize you wanted to become a musician yourself?

Jordan: I think honestly it would have to be my first ever show that I attended. I was about seven or eight years old and the first show I attended was ghost, deftones, and avenged sevenfold, Being as young, as I was all of the older people me out with keeping me front and center on the barricade at the Baltimore I believe at that time Avenged Sevenfold was touring their hail to the king and it was a very surreal experience for me because I never got to experience things like that prior and get to experience things like crowd, surfing, and moshing things of that nature it really just clicked with me right away !

Amit Ahuja: Out of every instrument you could have chosen, what initially attracted you to the drums? Do you remember the first time you sat behind a kit and realized this was the instrument you wanted to seriously pursue?

Jordan: So originally one of the first things I tried was guitar specifically electric guitar because it was just very interesting and I thought of it as a challenge now looking back on things it definitely was a challenge trying to learn that, but I got pretty impatient with the learning process of it and wanted to try the drums and as I said in a previous question, the first time I sat behind a kit, it was just so natural like I already knew what I was doing, and it felt very normal for me.

Amit Ahuja: What originally drew you toward rock and metal? Was it primarily the music itself, or did you also connect with the emotion, intensity, culture, atmosphere, and community surrounding those genres?

Jordan: I think all of those things mentioned there are all the reasons that I chose rock and metal. I believe that there is a very strong community behind the genres as I believe that there’s multiple different genres of rock and metal but I feel like the community still remains the same. Everyone is there for each other. They are supportive. They even provide a healthy amount of constructive criticism where necessary Only in which I believe is for growth and to push forward whether it be a frequent concert goer or a musician.

Amit Ahuja: Who was the first drummer who really made you pay attention to what was happening behind the kit? Was there a particular song, album, or live performance that made you think, “That’s what I want to do”?

Jordan: So the first drummer that ultimately drew my attention to fully lock in with playing the drums, I can undoubtably say is Aaron Gillespie of Underoath, The reason I would say him out of everyone else was because I used to watch his lesson videos and live performances on YouTube and the first ever song. I to by his band discovering it was “it’s dangerous walking out your front door”, upon watching his live performances, I really took in the essence of raw energy and raw emotion, and the overall concept of pouring your heart into something you’re passionate about and I really just got that energy from every single Fill In beat that he played and it really just influenced me incredibly!

Amit Ahuja: Who are some of the male or female drummers who have had the biggest influence on your playing over the years? What is it about their groove, technique, creativity, dynamics, stage presence, or overall style that has influenced the drummer you’ve become?

Jordan: Ultimately, I would say, Rook, the drummer of Machine Gun Kelly and of really influenced my playing over the years with different techniques, such as Aaron hits the kit very hard, and I have adapted to that playing style, as well as taking influence of as well watching him do all kinds of crazy stick tricks and tossing the stick catching it and staying on beat was just incredible to watch and in the midst of all of that I really just started telling myself that I wanna be able to do that I wanna do that because that’s awesome .

Amit Ahuja: Outside of rock and metal, are there other genres or styles of music that have influenced the way you play drums? Have you picked up certain grooves, techniques, rhythms, or approaches from genres people might not expect, and do any of those influences find their way into your drumming with Atlasathold?

Jordan: I definitely would say that there is a genre that people might not quite expect and that is of gospel in ghost notes and keeping the beat very tight is something that has always stuck around with me on top of all the other things and it really helped shape the way that I perform as well with the very big posture and keeping the energy high has just always worked great for me and throwing in ghost notes and complex fills has always been a challenge for me, but I enjoyed that because it made me push harder for what I wanted and the way I wanted to sound and be original in that sense !

Amit Ahuja: When you’re starting out as a musician, it’s natural to imitate the people you admire. At what point did you begin developing your own identity behind the kit, and what would you consider the defining characteristics of your drumming style today?

Jordan: I think ultimately upon joining Atlas At Hold I started to finally form my own identity for my because ultimately that is considered my first actual band that I’ve played in and I’ve been with them all, but I think a month off of the beginning because when I started, they had an EP written, but as far as the defining characteristics to me, I think I bring my own presence to the stage as where when I’m doing a show, I don’t feel as if I’m just playing another show. I’m putting on a show back behind the kit all by myself every single night that we play and I want to bring my own energy to the crowd from back I engage the crowd frequently, and as I said prior, I do stick tricks I stick my tongue out at people I pose for I in the crowd, etc. all of these things I me as a and really just make what I and worth

Amit Ahuja: Before joining Atlasathold, what was your experience as a drummer like? Were you the drummer for any other bands or musical projects, and if so, what kind of music were you playing? How did those experiences develop your skills behind the kit and prepare you for where you are today?

Jordan: Before joining Atlas At Hold, my experience as a drummer was very different for me to start out because I thought I would start out playing for my own project, but I spent most of the years prior to joining Atlas At Hold doing fillings and tech gigs to just get the experience in the connections I felt would benefit me in the future so all in all I think I spent a lot of of that prior time, making connections and networking and doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work to try to be somewhat of a multi talented individual that can be capable of doing many things as far as the music industry goes .

Amit Ahuja: Do you remember the very first show you ever played as a drummer? What was going through your head before you got behind the kit, and when you look back at that performance with the experience you have now, what stands out to you the most?

Jordan: The first ever show that I played as a drummer was with a punk rock band out of Frederick, Maryland, and there were a lot of things going through my head before getting behind I was very nervous. I had some fear of messing up and how I was gonna get out of it and I’d say that things are pretty regular for the first time hitting the stage, but I believe it was 10 times worse for me because my nerves and fear killed me the most so looking back on that performance from where I’m at now would just say that I needed more confidence back then, but it was the first time so I hadn’t really had that built up yet .

Amit Ahuja: How did the opportunity to join Atlasathold come about? What do you remember about meeting or playing with the band for the first time, and was there a particular moment when you realized there was genuine musical chemistry between you?

Jordan: The opportunity to join Atlas At Hold was a very different experience for me. I was really good friends with a studio and in the midst of just trying to practice and better my craft and and Fill In that producer had reached out to me one day and told me that he was working with a group of guys and he that he believes there’s lots of potential and that the music is good. He then after that tells me that they’re looking because the one they had prior that was supposed to start that up with them bailed out on them so him telling me that he then asked would you be willing to at least meet up with them hang out chat a little bit and maybe have a little jam session and sure, With that in mind, he then gave me the contact of one of the guys as they were already starting to check out my stuff on socials, etc. The first thing I remember about meeting, the guys was just an overall laid-back environment. The second I walked into the room.

Everyone was so welcoming. They were excited they were passion driven, and they seemed like they had the vision to go far so that was ultimately the first green flag for me and then upon actually getting to jam with the guys and hang out and chat the chemistry was there right off the bat. I really do believe that this opportunity came across me for a reason because I was looking for a project to take to the next level and be a project that I could claim as my own band the only word I could still use this day to explain the chemistry in the room. The first time we all got together it was just electric everyone was locked in. They were in The present and everyone just seemed to know their role super well.

Amit Ahuja: Once you officially joined Atlasathold, what was it like finding your own place within the band? Did you have to adjust certain aspects of your playing to fit the band’s sound, and how has being part of Atlasathold challenged or changed you as a drummer?

Jordan: I wouldn’t say much has changed other then the fact of me not having to consistently play other people‘s drum parts I actually was able to have a say and find things that were comfortable with my playing and that adapt to my playing style within the writing process overall.

Amit Ahuja: Someone who doesn’t play drums might think the job is simply hitting the drums and keeping time, but there’s obviously much more happening musically. When you’re developing your part for an Atlasathold song, what are you actually listening for and thinking about—from groove and dynamics to how you complement the guitars, bass, vocals, and overall emotion of the song?

Jordan: I believe there are lots of factors that come in to play when developing a drum part for an Atlas At Hold song Honestly, it could be from the tempo I’m playing playing many fills I put in the song and what style of a fill I decide to go with, other things might include accenting notes on specific pieces of the kit, adding pauses into the groove there’s many things that come in to play when writing for sure.

Photo Credit: Paul Monahas

Amit Ahuja: When Atlasathold begins writing a new song, how do you typically build your drum parts? Has there ever been a song that changed significantly once you added the drums—maybe because of a groove, fill, transition, or rhythmic idea you introduced that took the song in a different direction?

Jordan: I would say when writing a new song building the parts is ultimately off of the flow that the singers decide to go with, and the main riff itself from the guitarists really helps me hone in on the idea that I direction that I take my drumming to put some thought into it. There was definitely one song that we made where adding pauses into a breakdown and really changed different parts of the song in whole. And made the song better I believe, and that song would be a immortalized.

Amit Ahuja: Is there one Atlasathold song that you feel best represents who you are as a drummer? What about the groove, fills, dynamics, technical elements, or overall feel of that drum part makes it a good representation of your individual style?

Jordan: There is one Atlas At Hold song that very much best represents me as a drummer and that would be our song deadweight part two it’s very technical, but it also has an overall groove that just keeps a very up pace song and I feel like when we play that song it just drives itself. The technical elements would primarily be in the fills and the breakdown section, but it really shows my style off a lot.

Amit Ahuja: As a drummer, how do you balance technical ability with serving the song? Have you learned over time that sometimes pulling back and playing something relatively simple can have a greater impact than trying to make every section as technically impressive as possible?

Jordan: Absolutely I think playing something relatively simple, and that still keeps the temple of the song moving forward, but also adding in small of technical elements has always been my sweet spot with my drumming because I’m not doing too much of one thing I’m giving it a very good even and that has always been beneficial to live performance with stamina and with the overall sounds just being full bodied.

Amit Ahuja: Of all the Atlasathold songs you currently perform, which one is the most challenging for you behind the kit and why? Is it the speed, endurance, timing, coordination, technical complexity, or something else that makes that particular song difficult to play?

Jordan: We do have one song that is relatively difficult for me to play and that song is “my last breath”, Off of our debut album “when oceans rise”, And also released as a single this song changes, tempo multiple times and challenges, my abilities with hand to hand, coordination and speed within all Which for me takes practice just keeping time on one limb, by itself and then adding them all together.

Amit Ahuja: How different is your mindset when recording drums in the studio compared with performing live? Once a song reaches the stage, do you stay faithful to the recorded version, or do you give yourself freedom to change fills, improvise, and react to the energy of the audience and the rest of the band?

Jordan: I feel as if studio, drumming, and live performance differs for and it does go along the lines of what you’re saying on playing different things live in the I go by the method of what I like to call playing it safe in as far as keeping the relatively but also complex enough to embody the sound of the band as a Whole but still keeps the track within a good range to play on the radio every time now where that changes coming into a live performance setting, I do like to change up fills and what symbols I play on and how I perform the song as a whole live.

Amit Ahuja: Rock and metal drumming can be incredibly physical. How do you maintain your endurance and take care of yourself while continuing to improve technically? Are there particular warm-ups, exercises, practice routines, or techniques that have become essential to keeping yourself consistent behind the kit?

Jordan: I do a lot of the standard warm-up techniques to get ready for a such as parasites and other modern normal exercises and routines, these exercises and routines very much help the endurance for me during performance and also when building a set, we apply enough in between songs water and take a breath before jumping into the next one as well, which helps with endurance and stamina.

Amit Ahuja: Drummers can be incredibly particular about their equipment because every part of the kit can affect how they play and sound. What does your current drum setup look like, and which pieces of gear are essential to your sound? And if you could build your absolute dream kit with no budget or equipment limitations, what would that setup look like?

Jordan: My current set up is a 22 x 18 kick 14 x 16 floor 10 x 12 rack and a 14 x 6 ½ snare drum the cymbals that I currently run in my set up is 14 inch high hats, a 16 inch crash on the far left a 10 inch splash and 18 inch crash on the front left on the front right a 19 inch crash a 20 inch ride cymbal and a 16 inch of these things that listed are essential for my and I play every single piece of the kit during every set and every practice I have found comfort and peace with way that I have adapted my playing style to the way I set my kit up as well The shells are DW drum company and the cymbals are all Zildjian company, I would say that it wouldn’t be necessary to build my dream kit because what my dream kit entails is what I’ve already built over the course of about five or six years

Amit Ahuja: Outside of being a drummer and creating music, what are some of your favorite hobbies and interests? When you have time away from Atlasathold, rehearsals, shows, and drumming, what do you enjoy doing to relax and recharge? Are there any hobbies or interests you have that fans might be surprised to learn about?

Jordan: Some of the things that I like to do to relax and recharge is playing some video games, relaxing, and watching a movie with my and all in all I’m a very family oriented kind of guy so I very much enjoy spending time with my fiancé and my little it brings peace and light to my time I get to do it and it is very essential to me constantly having a good headspace for the

Amit Ahuja: You also create drumming-related content, particularly drum playthroughs. What inspired you to start making that type of content, and out of all the songs you’ve done a drum playthrough for, which one has been the hardest to perform and why? Was it the speed, timing, endurance, technical complexity, or something else that really pushed your abilities?

Jordan: I do create content, and I believe that Drum always been the best form of content for me because it’s a little bit of a break away from original for my fans and they get to see my abilities in adapting to other genres, and softer, and I really enjoy putting those types of content out for my viewers now as far a song that has been the hardest for me to play, I would undoubtably have to say it was false Meridian by invent animate.

Amit Ahuja: There’s often a very real connection between creativity and mental health, especially within emotionally intense genres like rock and metal. Throughout your journey with Atlasathold, how have you learned to navigate that balance and protect your well-being? Has drumming become an emotional outlet for you, and has your relationship with creativity and mental health changed over the years?

Jordan: I think my relationship with creativity and mental health has not quite changed but evolved into something really I would say drumming has always been an emotional outlet for me. Yes because when I am sitting behind kit, I feel very powerful. I feel like every hit is like a coming down and it’s just a very surreal feeling all around especially playing live shows in a personal sense playing live really helps me with my personal mental health as well keeping it at if you will challenging my brain while at the same time giving me a bit of an adrenaline rush, which really just empowers me and embodies me.

Amit Ahuja: When you look back on your journey so far, what are some of the goals or milestones you’re most proud to have achieved, both personally and with Atlasathold? Are there accomplishments that once felt out of reach but became especially meaningful when you finally achieved them? Looking ahead, what goals are you still determined to accomplish as a drummer, musician, and member of Atlasathold?

Jordan: Some of the milestones that I’m very grateful and appreciative to have achieved so far with the band is playing some of the best shows that we ever have with some of our inspirations and playing shows with some of our inspirations such as the word alive, saliva, earshot, Melrose Avenue, king 810, ded, dropout kings, Vrsty, eyes set to kill, It has been such a great journey, and we are looking forward to accomplishing many great goals and striving to achieve more great shows with an assortment of great bands that have influenced us, and as of recently pursuing some music with features on them as well.

Amit Ahuja: For someone who is just getting into drumming and might be picking up a pair of sticks for the first time, what advice would you give them? What should a beginner focus on when it comes to technique, practice, patience, and developing their own style, and what do you wish someone had told you when you were first learning to play?

Jordan: I would say for somebody just starting out I would highly recommend finding your style and being true to yourself. Make sure whatever you’re doing with. It is something that you enjoy something that can help you as an outlet can help your message reach many and I would also to be very patient when a style that sits good with you. It is not expected that it’s always going to come right away, but only with time and if patient enough, I believe that you can do anything that you set your mind as far as what I wish someone had told me when beginning to play is for me to be more patient with things as well and not try to rush things and make them move so fast .

Amit Ahuja: Finally, every artist’s journey is filled with lessons learned along the way. If you could sit down with the younger version of yourself who was just beginning to dream about becoming the artist you are today, what advice would you tell him about creativity, success, perseverance, and staying true to yourself? And for anyone reading this who’s chasing their own creative dreams, struggling to find their voice, or feeling misunderstood, what message would you like to leave them with?

Jordan: There is very many lessons to be learned going down a path in a career like this. It doesn’t matter what path you’re on, but whichever one it might be is always going to lead to something great if you make it great your story doesn’t tell itself without you being the driving force behind it. If I had to tell my younger self one thing from the position, I’m in now, it would just be be more patient and keep consistent confidence in yourself knowing that you will get there one day it doesn’t matter what day it is, but it will be one day.

As for anyone who is chasing a dream or interested in pursuing a musical career or even for someone that just uses music as an outlet I would sayIf you’re struggling to find your voice, take a step back reflect on where you are in your life in your other hobbies and then circle back around to this topic with yourself and let your voice find you if you allow yourself to be heard you will be, but just always remain confident push through the struggle along the way because the outcome that is to come for you on the other side is so much bigger than the hardships along the way.

Amit Ahuja: That concludes our interview with Jordan, drummer of Atlas At Hold. A huge thank you to Jordan for taking the time to speak with Hawk-IT Interviews and share his journey, influences, and passion for drumming.

Be sure to follow Jordan and Atlas At Hold for new music, upcoming shows, and more.

Thank you for reading and stay tuned to Hawk-IT Interviews for more conversations with the artists behind the music.

Photo Credit: Paul Monahas

Check out Atlas at Hold at the link below and follow Jordan on social media to keep up with his latest music, performances, and updates.

Jordan's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jordanb_official/

Jordan's TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@therealbaker0

Atlas At Hold Website:

https://www.atlasathold.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAafjb9M-axpK8nKQpD_kt-gQ0bvvQzk7XR-e1YSpMNQBacpA_lYCL4yJRoXwHA_aem_8HJ4TvFW6vTiM9S5VtEtYg

***Images used by Hawk-IT Media are courtesy of Paul Monahas of PMPX Media.***

Inside the World of Perrish 9: An Interview with Vocalist Sarah

Photo Credit: Linus Ingram

Welcome to Hawk-IT Interviews!

Today, we’re stepping into the world of Perrish 9, a melodic alt-metal/dark pop band that brings together heavy guitars, infectious melodies, emotional songwriting, and a dark, striking visual identity. With influences that stretch across rock, metal, pop, horror, fashion, and visual art, Perrish 9 are creating a sound and aesthetic that reflects their own unique vision.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down for an in-depth Q&A with the band’s lead vocalist, Sarah, to learn more about the person and story behind the music. Throughout our conversation, Sarah opens up about her upbringing, the experiences that shaped her, and the musical journey that ultimately led her to becoming the vocalist she is today.

We also dive deep into the story of Perrish 9, from the band’s early beginnings and the challenges they’ve faced along the way to their songwriting process, creative influences, visual identity, and the personal meanings behind their music. Sarah also shares her thoughts on being a woman in the rock and metal scene, staying authentic as an artist, connecting with listeners, and how Perrish 9 continue to evolve creatively.

We even get into the stories behind several of the band’s songs, including “2 AM,” “Dissect Me,” “The Cycle,” “Dream Within a Dream,” “Seven,” “Seconds to Nowhere,” and “Red Thread,” as well as what Sarah hopes the future holds for Perrish 9.

There’s a lot to unpack in this one, so let’s get into my conversation with Sarah of Perrish 9.

Amit Ahuja: To begin at the very foundation of your story, I’d love to step back into your early years. What was the environment you grew up in like—your hometown, the culture that surrounded you, the people who shaped your life, and the overall atmosphere of your childhood and teenage years? Looking back now, how do you feel those formative experiences, relationships, challenges, and moments of inspiration influenced not only the person you’ve become, but also your emotional depth, artistic perspective, and the way you approach creativity, songwriting, and self-expression today?

Sarah: The environment I grew up in, I tend to categorize into two sections. My early years were the quintessential 90’s and early 2000’s family dynamic. I grew up with two older brothers and a loving mom and dad. Our days were filled with laughter, dreaming, and road trips. My dad was in the coast guard so we moved quite a bit- I saw lots of new places from an early age. I learned to adapt to every new place and the people I met, mastering how to blend in to get by. In my teenage years I faced more changes as most do. At this point in the country, we had been hit by a recession and my family was feeling the after effects of that for years to come. We had settled down in Virginia and I watched my family grow apart. My mother was struggling with alcohol addiction and my brother was diving into the world of drugs. Although things became darker in some ways, we kept our dreaming spirits and laughter.

These experiences shaped me in many ways- something that sticks out to me though is the learned behavior to blend in. With every new state, new school or group of friends, I mastered the skill to be a camelon. Then when there were serious issues within my family, I tried to avoid making waves in an attempt to make life easier for those around me. Like most teenagers, I struggled with my identity, and was not aware of the creative control I could have over myself and my life.

I have spent all of my adult life trying to become the woman 14 year old me would be proud of. Everything I do is for her. I also do it for my dad, who passed away when I was 22. He was the dreamer and was the driving force to fearlessly go after my dreams.

Creatively, these factors have influenced me the most. I dive head first into the things I love and fight for who I am as a person and most importantly who I want to be. You have the power to be a different person than you were the day before.

Amit Ahuja: Walk us through your musical journey. When did music first enter your lives in a meaningful way? Was there a defining moment, memory, or experience that shifted you from simply listening to music into feeling compelled to create it yourselves? For the vocalist specifically, what made you begin singing in the first place, and were there certain artists or influences that inspired you to take it seriously rather than seeing it as just a hobby?

Sarah: Going back to my early years, I grew up in a household of rock, metal, and blues. My parents would regularly go to concerts, some of which were Metalica, Alice in chains, Seether, Breaking Benjamin, Evanescence, Linkin Park, BB King, and many more. When I was 13 or 14, I ventured into learning what music would shape my teenage years. My friends at the time, in rural Virginia, were listening to country and pop music that was on the radio. I started to look on spotify and youtube to find the bands that ultimately lead me to want to be in a band and make music. Through social media I found a band called New Years Day and that changed everything for me. I loved the dark aesthetics with pop hooks and heavy guitars and I was hooked. I went to see them open up for Motionless in White in 2014/15 and it was game over- that’s what I wanted to do.

After that, in my early 20’s, I dove deep into my pop roots with Britney Spears and also discovered Deftones- two of my favorite artists of all time. I studied the performances, the movements, and what made these bands and artists successful.

My parents scraped together some money to get me a few short vocal lessons when I was 15 but beyond that, I hadn't really explored my voice. Regardless, I became obsessed with wanting to front a band when I was 17 and my plan was to move to Atlanta and find a band to join. That’s when I decided it was not going to be a hobby but something that would consume my life. Singing and going after my dream of being successful in my band has been almost like a compulsion ever since. I have to do it, there is no choice.

Amit Ahuja: Every artist eventually finds the genre that feels like home. What initially drew you to rock and metal? Beyond the music itself, what was it about the culture—the emotion, intensity, atmosphere, aesthetics, or sense of belonging—that resonated with you on a deeper level?

Sarah: I have always been drawn to rock and metal and it is partly due to the way I grew up. As a child, I was deeply moved by music and I still am to this day. I would watch these dark music videos that were powerful and moving and not fully understanding what they made me feel- I knew they made me feel something powerful. As I got older I would chase that feeling, getting into heavier and heavier music

To me all music under the rock and metal umbrella feels like an outpour of emotions. It takes everything you have been bottling up and amplifies it to a climax. There is a deep sense of connection between rock and metal bands and their “fans”, that’s unlike other genres. I think at the end of the day, people want to be seen for who they are and accepted anyways- rock and metal culture has always been built on that.

Amit Ahuja: Every musician has artists who leave a lasting impression on them. Looking back on your early years as a musician, were there any female vocalists, bands, albums, or songs that had a particularly profound impact on you? Who are some of your favorites, and what is it about their artistry that has influenced your own approach to singing, songwriting, and performing?

Sarah: I grew up on Evanescence, Flyleaf, Paramore, and many others. Evanescence, in particular, has been a favorite of mine since I was very young. It is undeniable that Amy Lee has influenced me as a vocalist. However, my first ‘favorite’ band- the one I truly fangirled over- was New Year's Day. I loved the blend of heavy guitars and pop vocals. Ash Costello was so visually recognizable; she was like a goth Bratz doll and 14 year old me idolized her.

I got into In This Moment around that time as well and I loved the ultra femininity mixed with heaviness and screaming. I remember seeing Maria Brink share stages with male-led heavy bands, while traipsing around in dresses, delivering shrieking screams. I fell in love with the light and dark duality in these female artists that I discovered early on- the idea that femininity and heaviness did not have to exist separately.

Other notable mentions would be Icon for Hire, Stitched Up Heart, Eths and plenty more. I even explored and studied female rockers from the 80’s and 90’s. I think pieces of all of these artists found a way into me: the heaviness, melodic vocals, the theatricality, and especially the idea that I didn’t have to sacrifice femininity to make aggressive music.

Amit Ahuja: Every band has a moment where everything suddenly clicks. Looking back, when did Perrish 9 evolve from an idea into something you knew had its own identity? Was there a particular song, rehearsal, recording session, or live performance that made you realize this project had become something truly special?

Sarah: As a band, I feel that we did not have that moment where things ‘suddenly clicked’ until about a little over a year ago. We spent many years fighting tooth and nail to make it work, no matter what- even if it did not make sense at times. Once the pieces finally came together, we had a lineup of people who had similar goals and understood and appreciated what Perrish 9 was at that time and what it could be. We started to really discover who we were as a band by writing music and creating music videos for some of the songs we had held onto for so long. We all poured pieces of ourselves into the releases as time went along.

For me, a moment that really stuck out was while we were on set for the Dissect Me music video. This was a big budget production for the band and so much went into it. I was sitting in my big dress in a pile of rose petals and the guys were throwing more into a fan pointed at me. As they cascaded down around me, I became overwhelmed with this sense of knowing that this would be our future (a little bit of manifestation in the moment). I felt so at peace, so in love with what we were creating and I felt so blessed to be in a position where we could do this. Life is about appreciating the journey and I think as a new band, sometimes you forget how special the early on moments are. Every music video, every live performance that passes by, every new song we write, as a band we gain a better perspective as to who we are and where we are headed. We have had many moments where we see how special this project is because it means so much to us- we just want to share that with the world.

Amit Ahuja: The name Perrish 9 immediately captures people’s attention. What’s the story behind the name, what does it represent to you, and has its meaning evolved as the band has grown?

Sarah: This is a great question, we know our name is unique! The name itself did not start out with a deeper meaning to us. It's quite grim but from what I understand, our bassist Bryan was reading an article and it said “nine perish in a fire”- it stuck out to him. The next day he brought it to the band as Perrish 9 and we liked it. Then we added an extra “r” because it looked better to us on paper.

I like anything dark and spooky so I always liked the name. Over the years, we joked that the band has nine lives, like a cat. Every time we die, we come back to life swinging and we probably always will! Although… I can’t say I know what life number we are currently on.. Hah.

Amit Ahuja: Fans often see the finished songs, but they rarely see the obstacles that came before them. Looking back on your journey with Perrish 9, what has been the greatest challenge you’ve faced outside of the songwriting process, and how did overcoming it change you as both an artist and a person?

Sarah: Some people who have been with us since the beginning know this but new people probably don’t. Our biggest obstacle has been simply releasing these songs. We had personal issues happening within our lives, inconsistent members, and a hold on our music for a few years. This taught me that you have to dig in deeper when these obstacles reveal themselves to you. You have to take a self audit and ask yourself, do I really want this? If the answer is yes, you have to ask yourself how far you are willing to go for the things you desire.

We also faced, as many new bands do, people who didn't believe in us or take us seriously. Perrish 9 was joked on little bit in the early days and for someone who was a little shy and insecure when I first started- that can be a hard thing to work through.

This would deeply shape me as an artist and a huge reason why I decide to live authentically these days. I am no longer scared to be perceived. I am no longer scared to be out loud about my band and who I am. Hate gets to everyone sometimes and that's ok. I’m not immune to it even now but as you get older and live more life, it bothers you less.

Amit Ahuja: Every songwriter has a creative rhythm that’s uniquely their own. When inspiration strikes, what does your writing process usually look like? Are you someone who carefully crafts every lyric, or do you prefer following instinct and emotion until the song naturally reveals itself?

Sarah: I do carefully craft every lyric I write but I have to say, I rely on instinct quite a bit. If it is a situation where the instrumentation is created before any of the vocal melodies are thought of, I tend to mumble mouth words and melodies. Oftentimes in that process, certain words will stick out to me. If I am resonating with it, I will use it as a prompt. I’ll try to understand what I am trying to say subconsciously, what is this music making me feel? I usually end up writing something that resonates with me in my current life or a past experience. Other times, I will use a poem I have written and re-work it for the song. It is very interesting when you write music, sometimes you find songs you’ve written in years past will take on a brand new meaning to you as time goes by.

Amit Ahuja: Every song has to begin somewhere. Once an idea starts to take shape, how does it evolve into a Perrish 9 song? What does the creative collaboration with the rest of the band look like, and how does everyone contribute to bringing those ideas to life?

Sarah: The creative process for a Perrish 9 song takes a few different forms. Oftentimes, Bryan, Matt, or Jake will bring a riff or portion of a song to the table. As a band, we will expand upon it together and write parts. James will throw down drum parts, figuring it out in real time, and I will hum melodies. We usually try to record some sort of demo and start solidifying parts after that. Recently, we have been more collaborative with our engineer and exploring what sounds can be created in the studio. I’m lucky to be in a band with great creatives and every single member is capable of writing. I think going forward, people will appreciate the diversity in our sound while remaining very Perrish 9.

Amit Ahuja: Many fans are discovering Perrish 9 today, while others have been with you since the very beginning. Since some of these songs were written nearly a decade ago, it feels like the perfect time to revisit them. Could you take us back to the moments that inspired, 2AM,Dissect Me,The Cycle, Dream Within a Dream,Seven and Seconds to Nowhere? What was happening in your life at the time, what stories or emotions were you exploring through those songs, and when you listen back today, do they still carry the same meaning, or has your perspective changed over the years? As you prepare to release your new single, Red Thread, does it mark the beginning of a new chapter for Perrish 9, or does it feel like a continuation of the story you’ve been telling all along? Finally, what does Red Thread mean to you, and what do you hope listeners take away from it when they hear it for the first time?

https://youtu.be/WU2Rqtbtprk?si=lMx309G0GVgEwO6k

Sarah: I’ll start with the newest release of ours, “2 AM”. This song was written when I was in my early 20’s dealing with dating for the first time. I met my first love and unfortunately they were emotionally unavailable. “2AM” has always lived in that really complicated space between loving someone and knowing that the relationship or situation is hurting you. There’s that feeling of, why did you save me just to push me away? It’s about that cycle of being pulled in, pushed out, trying to make someone stay, and realizing how much of yourself you can lose in the process. The song also explores how toxic you can become in that situation as a result. Listening to it now, I understand that emotion differently than I did when I was younger. I don’t think the feeling itself has changed, but I have.

https://youtu.be/Mobp2YefVLY?si=a4l1bhuOQwJHKvvg

“Dissect Me” is about how self absorbed we can all become when we focus too much on our problems. It’s about getting out of your head and kind of giving yourself a reality check. The song acknowledges that life is really hard and people struggle with serious stuff every day (sometimes it’s inner demons)- but you’re not a lost cause because of it. Like I mentioned before; I live by this motto that, if you really want to, you can be a different person than you were the day before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZxGeuhPUuo

“The Cycle” is probably one of the clearest examples of finally reaching that point where you say, “I can’t do this anymore.” The line “Can’t be your martyr anymore” really says it. It’s about recognizing a pattern that you’ve participated in for too long and finally wanting to break it. There’s anger in it, but I think there’s empowerment underneath the anger. I had come out of an abusive relationship at this time and I was searching for my power again. Singing this song made me feel powerful again and that’s just what I needed at the time.

“Dream Within a Dream” is a very emotional song for me. A lot of Perrish 9 songs have this melancholy or dark undertone but with upbeat and heavy instrumentation. This song feels sad to me, start to finish. It is really simple lyrically and that was by design. I was at a point where I felt bad about my life and the decisions I was making and there truly was nothing left to say. I was depressed and I had no more excuses left. I would sit in my two bedroom apartment with my roommate and we would day dream about what the future could look like. I was really obsessed with watching Britney Spears Dream within a Dream tour live DVD and I resonated with those words.

“Seven” was one of the very first songs I wrote lyrically for this project. This song is about trying to search for the part of me that has the power to make my dreams a reality.

“Seconds to Nowhere” was written based off of the audio file that was sent to me by Bryan, our bassist when I first joined the project, (before Perrish 9 became Perrish 9). I loved the name! This is a classic take on the trope of wanting to get out of your home town and the people around you- rising above where you came from and finding your place. For me, nowhere symbolized the possibility of anything, which can be hopeful for someone with less than ideal surroundings who dreams of being anywhere but here.

What’s strange about revisiting older songs is realizing that a song can stay exactly the same while you completely change around it. Some lyrics mean something different to me now simply because I’ve lived more life since writing them. There are things I wrote years ago that I understand better now than I did when I wrote them. Although the lyrics to some of these really old songs are deeply flawed and imperfect.. I feel like sometimes, I write lyrics to my future self. There are messages in those songs that every once in a blue moon when I listen back and I'm like.. Wow, I needed to hear that.

“Red Thread” definitely feels like a new chapter for Perrish 9, but I don’t think it’s disconnected from everything we’ve done before. If anything, it feels like we’re becoming more ourselves. We’re still writing about attachment, pain, love, obsession, loss, fate- all of those very human things but I think we’re getting better at building an entire world around those emotions. However, this marks Perrish 9’s descent into a heavier world, which we have been itching to dive into.

The idea behind “Red Thread” is that invisible connection you can have with another person that seems to exist outside of logic. The idea that maybe there are people we’re tied to somehow, whether it’s across years, distance, different versions of ourselves, or even different lifetimes. That connection can be beautiful, but I didn’t want the song to make it purely romantic. Something can feel destined and still hurt. Something can feel like home and still be dangerous. I set out to write a love song and instead wrote something more real to me. It is a love song but a Perrish 9 love song, hah!

There’s a line, “If the world stopped turning, would our thread lead you here?” that probably sums up the heart of it for me.

I hope when people hear “Red Thread,” they think of their person. And I don’t necessarily mean the person they’re with. Maybe it’s someone they lost, someone they can’t have, someone they haven’t spoken to in years, or somebody they don’t even fully understand their connection to. I want people to be able to put their own story inside of ours.

Photo Credit: Lauren Jones

Amit Ahuja: Growth often comes from taking risks. Were there any songs that pushed you outside your comfort zone, changed dramatically during the writing process, or almost didn’t make the final cut? Looking back, are you glad you trusted those creative instincts?

Sarah: Absolutely. I actually think some of our best moments happen when something initially feels a little uncomfortable.

I don’t want Perrish 9 to get to a point where we know exactly what a “Perrish 9 song” is supposed to sound like and then just keep rewriting it. I love heavy music, but I also love pop music- that goes for the guys as well, they are influenced by a vast majority of different genres. I love beautiful melodies just as much as I love screaming. Sometimes those instincts fight each other during the writing process, but I think that tension is part of what makes us sound like us.

I’m glad we stuck to our guns about releasing old material, it's a healing thing to give your past self the chance that it deserved at the time. I’ve learned that if something makes me slightly nervous creatively, that’s usually worth paying attention to. The safest decision isn’t always the most interesting one.

Amit Ahuja: One of the things that resonates most with listeners is how personal your lyrics feel. When you’re writing, how do you decide which emotions or experiences are worth turning into songs? Do you usually write from personal experience, or do you also draw inspiration from stories, observations, or imagination?

Sarah: Almost everything I write starts with a real emotion. It doesn’t necessarily mean every lyric is a literal retelling of something that happened to me, but I need to understand the feeling underneath it.

Sometimes I’ll take something very small that happened to me and exaggerate it into this huge world. Sometimes I’ll combine different experiences. Sometimes one line comes from something completely real and everything surrounding it becomes a metaphor. That’s probably why there is so much imagery in our lyrics. Saying exactly what happened isn’t always interesting to me. I’d rather tell you what it felt like. And once the song starts becoming its own thing, I don’t feel like it belongs exclusively to whatever originally inspired it anymore. That’s when imagination starts taking over.

I do write a lot of poems inspired by dark movies, shows, and stories I like a lot. So I think when the occasion calls for it and I'm done purging for a bit, I’ll write some lyrics surrounding the art that inspires me.

Amit Ahuja: Part of what makes Perrish 9’ s music so engaging is that listeners often walk away with their own interpretations. Do you intentionally leave parts of your songs open-ended, or do you usually have a very specific meaning in mind and enjoy seeing how people connect with them Differently?

Sarah: Usually I know exactly what I’m writing about.But I don’t necessarily want you to know exactly what I’m writing about. I love that distinction. There are details I’ll intentionally leave vague because I think the listener deserves to have their own relationship with a song. If I explain every person, every situation and every metaphor, I’ve almost taken something away from them. Sometimes even, there is no metaphorical veil and that's ok. Simple lyrics can be powerful too.

Once we release a song though, it isn’t completely mine anymore. Everybody gets to bring their own life into it.

Amit Ahuja: The visual identity of Perrish 9 is just as recognizable as the music itself. How important are photography, artwork, fashion, lighting, and the overall aesthetic in creating the band’s world? Do those visuals develop alongside the music, or do they naturally come together afterward?

Sarah: It’s so incredibly important to me, I lie awake at night thinking about how I can be more creative visually. The visuals aren’t decoration around the music, they’re part of Perrish 9’s world we are building. I’ve always been obsessed with artists where you could almost understand the world they lived in before hearing a note. Photography, clothes, makeup, lighting, artwork, videos… all of it can tell the same story as a song.

My personal taste has always lived in contrasts. I love something very feminine next to something ugly or unsettling. Glamour next to horror. Pop next to metal. Something beautiful that feels slightly wrong. Visually, I’m also very drawn to things like Tim Burton, Guillermo del Toro, old horror, German expressionism, vintage imagery, Y2k Playboy- anything that feels like you’re entering another little universe.

Sometimes the visual comes after the song, but lately they’re developing much more simultaneously. I’ll be writing and already seeing clothing, lighting or scenes in my head. I want each Perrish 9 era to feel like somewhere you can actually step into, we are working on that and trying to get better with each release but it can be hard as an indie band on a budget.

Amit Ahuja: The world of rock and metal has evolved tremendously over the years, with more women stepping into the spotlight and redefining what it means to front a heavy band. Looking back on your own journey, what has it meant to you to be a female metal vocalist? How has that experience shaped your confidence, your artistry, and the way you see your place within the genre today?

Sarah: Being a woman in rock and metal has been a really interesting evolution for me because I think when you’re younger, you can feel this pressure to prove that you’re “cool enough.” I’ve gotten much less interested in proving that. I love being feminine. I love pop vocals. I love makeup, fashion and beautiful things. And I also love screams off over a disgusting guitar riff, all metal subgenres including hardcore and deathcore.

If anything, being a female vocalist in this genre has made me more confident about leaning into the things that make me different instead of trying to neutralize them. I don’t want to be “one of the guys.” I think there are more women doing that now than ever, and it’s really exciting to watch. Just as I support and uplift women in the genre, I do with men as well. There are so many male led bands that I listen to daily and admire. There’s really room for everyone and I love that.

Amit Ahuja: Artists often don’t fully realize the impact their music has until they hear directly from the people it has reached. Has a fan ever shared a story about one of your songs that completely changed the way you viewed your own work?

Sarah: Absolutely, we’ve just started this journey and I am taken back when we have one of those moments. Specifically, I get surprised at which songs people pick to resonate with. I’ve been seeing more people who discover us bumping the really old songs that I tend to downplay sometimes because I feel my writing wasn’t up to par.

I’ve had a really special full circle moment with a friend who’s been a major fan of the band for a long time, she was married to an ex member of the band and our songs took on a whole new meaning for her. She is a ride or die and comes to every show no matter what till this day. While I won't share the details of her story, I will keep her story close to my heart.

Amit Ahuja: Writing honestly requires vulnerability, but Everyone also needs boundaries. Once those songs are out in the world, how do you separate Sarah the artist from Sarah the person? Has sharing such personal music ever made you rethink where you draw the line between honesty and privacy?

Sarah: I think I’m still figuring that out. Writing is probably the place where I’m least guarded. There are things I can put into a lyric that I would have a very difficult time just sitting across from someone and saying out loud. But there’s also a difference between being honest and giving everyone unlimited access to you.

When I was younger, I think I felt like vulnerability meant telling the entire story. Now I understand that I can tell the emotional truth without explaining every detail of my personal life or identifying who or what something was written about. Sarah the person gets to keep things. Sarah the artist can take the feeling from those things and turn it into something else.

Amit Ahuja: Creating emotionally intense music takes a A lot of energy. When you’re not making music, What helps you disconnect and recharge? Are there hobbies, books, films, art, or experiences that quietly find their way back into your Songwriting?

Sarah: I need things that have absolutely nothing to do with music. I love creative things in general, so even when I think I’m “disconnecting,” I’m probably still collecting inspiration without realizing it. Movies, fashion, photography, decorating spaces, weird old imagery, those things inevitably sneak back into what I create. I’m a huge visual person. I can watch a movie and become obsessed with one room, one costume, one lighting choice or one tiny shot and somehow that ends up influencing an idea months later.

I also just really value normal life. I love to throw themed get-togethers, travel with the people I love, play with my dogs, and enjoy a good dinner out. I can’t say I love to cook, that would be a lie! I love learning and history, you can catch me at a museum or watching endless hours of youtube on a specific topic.

Amit Ahuja: Fans often feel like they know an artist through their music and social media, but there’s always another side people rarely get to see. What’s something about Sarah that would genuinely surprise people?

Sarah: I think people who only know me through Perrish 9 probably expect me to be more serious than I actually am. I’m obviously drawn to dark music and dark imagery, but I’m also kind of wide-eyed and whimsical. I love making costumes, decorating, throwing themed parties, and I can get way too excited about completely mundane things. But honestly, I wear my heart on my sleeve- what you see is what you get.

Amit Ahuja: A Perrish 9 performance is about much more than simply playing songs. When someone experiences the band live for the very first time, what do you hope they feel, and what do you hope they’re still thinking about long after they’ve left the venue?

Sarah: I want somebody who has never heard us before to look up when we start playing. That’s the first goal. I want people to walk away having felt seen, I want this symbiotic relationship between the audience and our band performing.

There’s obviously the heaviness and energy of the music, but I want there to be atmosphere too. I want people to remember what they saw, what it felt like, what I was wearing, what the room looked like, the moments where everything got quiet and the moments where the energy was palpable.

Amit Ahuja: No artist creates in a vacuum. Looking back, who or what has had the greatest influence on your artistic philosophy and the way you create music today—whether musicians, writers, filmmakers, visual artists, family members, mentors, or even fictional characters? What lasting lessons have they left with you?

Sarah: There isn’t one person. I’ve spoken about the bands that influenced me and who I grew up with. But film and visual art influence me almost as much as musicians do. Tim Burton, Guillermo del Toro, German expressionism, old horror films, stop motion.. I’m drawn to artists who don’t just create a piece of work; they create a recognizable world with mediums that make you feel something. Some of my favorite movies like Coraline and Alice in Wonderland explore this need to go beyond the world they know and deal with the challenges they face beyond that little door- in the name of finding a world beyond their own.

That’s probably the biggest lesson I’ve carried into Perrish 9. I don’t just want to write songs. I want us to build a world that could only belong to us that I can share with people who want to exist in it.

Amit Ahuja: Your music paints incredibly vivid imagery. If one Perrish 9 song became the soundtrack to a horror film—or inspired an entire movie or video game—which song, would you choose? What story would it tell, and what kind of world would audiences' step into?

Sarah: This is a fun time to plug that “The Cycle” is actually in a horror movie soundtrack! It’s called Devour and I think it’s making its rounds on the indie horror festival circuit right now. It features Hedi Sheppard as the lead from the band Butcher Babies and it was such a cool moment to see our name on the soundtrack.

“Red Thread” is my answer though for the song that a movie could be created around. Visually I’d want it to feel beautiful and romantic at first and slowly become claustrophobic and surreal, a psychological thriller. By the end, you’re not sure whether you want them to cut the thread or follow it.

Amit Ahuja: There’s often a very real connection between creativity and mental health, especially within emotionally intense genres like rock and metal. Throughout your journey with Perrish 9, how have you learned to navigate that balance? What habits, practices, or support systems have helped you maintain your well-being while pursuing something that can be so emotionally demanding and deeply personal? Has your relationship with creativity and mental health changed over the years, and if so, in what ways?

Sarah: I think for me, so far this project has just been therapeutic- when we talk about creativity. Now, I know a lot of bands and artists can understand this, but it feels like the goal post is always moving for new artists, you have to be a team of 20 with only 4-6 members. It seems like there are so many obstacles to get where you need to go.

I also have a hard time not comparing myself to others on social media, but I think that’s a universal problem for a lot of people right now. I think it’s helpful to ground yourself and try to do things that take you out of yourself. I’m talking about simplicity, meaningless games and adventures that are only there to get you out of your head. I remind myself often not to take myself too seriously.

Amit Ahuja: Looking across Perrish 9’s catalog today, is there one song that you feel captures the band’s identity better than any other? What makes that track the one that best represents who Perrish 9 is today? As you look toward the future, where do you see Perrish 9 going creatively over the next few years? Are there new sounds, collaborations, visual ideas, or artistic challenges you’re excited to explore? Ultimately, what kind of legacy do you hope the band’s music leaves behind?

Sarah: Right now, I honestly think “Red Thread” is the closest we’ve gotten to capturing where Perrish 9 is going. It has heaviness, melody, atmosphere and that slightly cinematic darkness I want more of. It doesn’t feel like we’re abandoning the older version of the band. It feels like we’re taking everything we’ve learned from it and becoming more intentional. Going forward, I want fewer rules.

I want heavier moments to get heavier and pop moments to be allowed to be unapologetically catchy. I want to experiment more with sound and production. I want visuals to become bigger, stranger and edgier. I want collaborations that people wouldn’t necessarily expect from a metal band.

As far as legacy goes, obviously we have big dreams. But underneath all of that, I want somebody years from now to find one of these songs during exactly the period of their life when they need it. The music that shaped me did that. If we can leave something behind that does that for somebody else, that’s a pretty incredible legacy.

Also.. I want my future kid to think I was cool.

Amit Ahuja: Finally, every artist’s journey is filled with lessons learned along the way. If you could sit down with the younger version of yourself who was just beginning to dream about becoming the artist you are today, what advice would you tell her about creativity, success, perseverance, and staying true to yourself? And for anyone reading this who’s chasing their own creative dreams, struggling to find their voice, or feeling misunderstood, what message would you like to leave them with?

Sarah: I’d probably tell the younger me to stop trying so hard to figure out what everyone else wants from her and stop taking everything so seriously. The things you’re tempted to edit out of yourself because they don’t fit neatly together are eventually going to become the most interesting parts.

I’d also tell her that success takes so much longer than you think it will and to start putting out art NOW. Even if it’s not perfect, create and learn.

And to anybody who feels misunderstood: being understood immediately isn’t necessarily the goal. Find the thing that feels unmistakably like you, then protect it long enough for everyone else to catch up.

Amit Ahuja: And that brings us to the end of our Hawk-IT interview with Sarah of Perrish 9.

A huge thank you to Sarah for taking the time to share her story, the journey behind Perrish 9, and the inspiration and meaning behind their music. With “Red Thread” opening an exciting new chapter for the band, we’re looking forward to seeing what Perrish 9 have planned next.

Be sure to check out Perrish 9’s Linktree below to follow the band, listen to their music, and stay up to date with their latest releases.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned to Hawk-IT for more artist interviews and music features!

Photo by Andrew Burn

Please check out Perrish 9’s Linktree below, where you can follow the band, stay up to date with their latest releases, and listen to their music.

https://linktr.ee/perrish9official?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=0857cb8e-bcde-4afb-9f1b-f89aba22c77e

Sarah's IG Page:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahstorm_xo/

***Photography featured in this Hawk-IT Media interview is courtesy of Andrew Burn, Lauran Jones, and Linus Ingram. Video footage is provided courtesy of Perrish 9.***