Behind the Mic: An Exclusive Interview with Kasey Karlsen of Deadlands

I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to conduct a Q&A session with the talented vocalist Kasey Karlsen of Deadlands. We discussed her upbringing, musical journey, her band, hobbies, and interests. I hope you enjoy reading this.

Amit Ahuja: "I’m deeply interested in learning more about your background and the journey that has shaped your identity. Could you share where you grew up and your hometown environment? I would love to understand how your upbringing has influenced your values and worldview.

Kasey Karlsen: Absolutely! I was exposed to metal a few different ways. My dad loved rock, my brother loved guitar hero and I grew up loving the same things. I then started to get into video games like Call of Duty (Black Ops II specifically) and it sent me down the rabbit hole!

Amit Ahuja: In addition, I’d like to explore the role of your cultural heritage. How has your cultural background contributed to shaping who you are today? Have traditions, stories, or customs left a lasting impression on you? Lastly, have any significant milestones—accomplishments, challenges, or transformative experiences—been particularly meaningful in your personal growth?”

Kasey Karlsen: I didn’t really have any super cultural experiences to be honest. Although, I’m Norwegian and have learned that metal has a lot of Norwegian roots which is pretty cool. I think the most transformative experiences I’ve had really were at shows when it comes to my mindset about music.

Amit Ahuja: I’m genuinely looking forward to learning about your musical journey. Could you share a defining moment that ignited your passion for music? Perhaps it was a concert that left a lasting impression, a song that resonated deeply with you, or a pivotal experience that inspired you to begin playing an instrument.

Kasey Karlsen: Thank you!! I think the most pivotal moment I had was attending my first metal show. It was Light Up The Sky, Too Close To Touch (rest in peace), New Years Day, blessthefall and Crown the Empire. I was absolutely mind blown and it certainly altered my brain chemistry.

Amit Ahuja: What drew you to metalcore, both musically and aesthetically?

Kasey Karlsen: The contrast 100%. I loved the juxtaposition of the heavy, crazy riffing with the soaring, melodic vocals. It was unlike anything I’ve ever heard.

Amit Ahuja: Which bands or albums had the most significant impact on your sound inside and outside of metalcore?

Kasey Karlsen: Motionless In White - Scoring The End Of The World is my favorite album of all time, Ice Nine Kills - The Silver Scream, Nightmare by Avenged Sevenfold, any Paramore and Demi Lovato. Those shaped my taste like crazy.

Amit Ahuja: Who have been some of your most significant male and female musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound or approach as an artist?”

Kasey Karlsen: Hayley Williams, Demi Lovato, Chris Motionless, Billie Eilish and Spencer Charnas I think had the biggest influence on me so far. I love the power so much. Billie got my attention with her first album, and I love how different and almost eerie it is. 


How has your experience navigating the metalcore scene been shaped by your perspective as a woman, and what unique challenges or opportunities has that brought to your journey as an artist?

Kasey Karlsen: The treatment is definitely different. I feel like in some ways I had an advantage, where there weren’t a lot of women doing what I was doing, but also that opened the floor to people who didn’t like me because I was a women. I still get comments that women shouldn’t scream, or “I just don’t like female vocalists” and I think it’s insane. But I do think the more females that enter this vocalist role, the more acceptance we’ll get.

Amit Ahuja: What does it feel like to be the frontwoman of your band, and how has that role shaped your experience as an artist?”

Kasey Karlsen: It can be a lot of pressure sometimes, especially if I’m not feeling well, but ultimately I feel so powerful. To be able to connect with fans on such a deep level is so sentimental and surreal. I feel like you can connect with people on a different level as a front person, coming from someone in the audience too.

Amit Ahuja: What unique qualities set you apart as a remarkable singer?

Kasey Karlsen: Thank you!! To be quite honest I don’t even think my singing is the best haha. I think my power is definitely unique, maybe my vibrato a bit, but the screams are absolutely where I shine. I also think the writing alone is a huge portion of my talent.

Amit Ahuja: “I’m really intrigued by the story of Deadlands. Can you take us back to the beginning—how did the band first come together? What were the early conversations or moments that sparked the idea of forming a band? I’m also curious about the name itself—‘Deadlands’ is evocative and mysterious. What’s the meaning behind it, and how does it connect to your identity or vision as a group? Was there a particular theme, experience, or philosophy that inspired both the name and the formation of the band?”

Kasey Karlsen: CJ and I met in another band. It was actually pop punk. We quickly realized that wasn’t our vibe. We quit the band, and CJ was producing for his solo project (now known as Arey) so he offered to record some covers with me. We recorded them, posted them, and they were doing crazy well. CJ then offered to sell me his laptop with Logic Pro and all of his plugins on it for $700 and I took it. He gave me a crash course and I started recording on my own. Around this time is when we decided to make a band, and the first name that came out of CJ’s mouth was Deadlands. We went with it and the rest is history. I wish there was some cool meaning but ultimately there is not!

Amit Ahuja: Can you walk us through the sources of your lyrical inspiration—whether personal experiences, stories you've heard, or abstract ideas—and how those influences shape your songwriting process? What does it feel like to transform those deeply personal or creative expressions into a live performance, and how do you connect with the audience through your words on stage?”

Kasey Karlsen: In anything I write, it has to have a personal touch, or it doesn’t feel genuine. This last EP was a combination of The Seven Deadly Sins and ultimately the weakest and ugliest parts of me. The transformation from writing to stage is so empowering. To be accepted and understood when writing about such heavy topics is cathartic. We all have our weak points but actively looking them in the face and searching for change within yourself is such a strong move.

Amit Ahuja: Could you share detailed insights into the creative process, themes, and inspirations behind the tracks Limbo, Kundalini, and House of Cards?”

Kasey Karlsen: Absolutely. House Of Cards was vey personal to me. It felt like the first piece I was proud of. It was meant to be a poker-themed song, but I don’t know crap about poker! Essentially, I wrote about all the people who’ve lied to me and pretended to have my best interest at heart. Once I finally got tired of it I flipped out and cut them off. Then, one day I got a lightbulb moment to change the theming to the seven deadly sins, and that’s what we did. House of Cards happened to fit that mold so perfectly. Villain was the first intentional deadly sin. I’m a very prideful person (we’re working on it) and I looked inward for things to say. Essentially this is the villain arc that bites back, where revenge turns you into the person you never want to be.

Kasey Karlsen: Kundalini was our first ever collaboration and we worked with the amazing girls in The Pretty Wild. I don’t have enough words to describe how incredible they are. We all decided we should hit on envy and play on the fake “girl’s girl” archetype. Jealousy is hate and love at the same time, and we really tried to pull lots of symbolism. We also combined spiritual references because of TPW, which I think was the cherry on top of the song. My favorite envy quote is this: “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones…”

Kasey Karlsen: Limbo was pretty tricky. I am not a sexual person really, (more power to those who are) so I wanted to write differently about lust. The bad parts. The painful parts, and so I wrote about falling in love with someone who only lusts over you, and it stings. Essentially we took the vampire symbolism, and used it to say the luster is not invincible, and what comes around goes around.

Amit Ahuja: Has a message or moment with a fan made you truly realize your music's deeper emotional or personal impact beyond just entertainment?

Kasey Karlsen: I’ve had people cry in my arms because they say that our music saved their life. I’ve had people get tattoos for the same reason and it’s absolutely incredible. It’s such a crazy feeling, especially since I’m a fan too. It warms my heart and reminds me that this is why I do this, even when it gets tough.

Amit Ahuja: Touring for two months straight can be physically and mentally demanding, especially with performances almost every night. How do you sustain energy, care for your voice and body, and stay mentally grounded throughout such an intense schedule? Are there specific routines, rituals, or support systems that help you stay consistent and connected to the music during those stretches?”

Kasey Karlsen: I avoid a lot of foods, I try to stay active, and I try to sleep as much as possible, and vocal rest is essential. It’s definitely difficult, but consistency is key in any form. Luckily I also travel with my boyfriend for Deadlands so that certainly helps!

Amit Ahuja: How do you maintain vocal endurance and physical energy during such aggressive performances?

Kasey Karlsen: Vocal rest, proper warm-ups, good breath support and training before tour are essential! I’m still trying to master it all.

Amit Ahuja: What’s something about the day-to-day of being in a band that fans might not realize?

Kasey Karlsen: You don’t just walk up on stage to play the show. Prepping is important, load-in is a pain sometimes, and merch really is where the bands survive. Expenses are INSANE on tour so definitely buy merch when you can! Everything helps!

Amit Ahuja: If you were given the fantastic opportunity to open for any band or go on a world tour, which bands would you choose to join on this exciting journey?

Kasey Karlsen: Motionless In White, Make Them Suffer, Spiritbox. I would be deceased.

Amit Ahuja: "What has your experience been like as a female vocalist in the metal scene, and how has it shaped your journey as an artist?”

Kasey Karlsen: People can suck, but ultimately I think I’ve had it pretty good. Of course I’ll get scrutiny just being a woman, but overall I think the ceiling has at least cracked. I feel like I am more appreciative of where I am, because I’ve seen and heard so many bad things happen to people in my position.

Amit Ahuja: What keeps you inspired as an artist?

Kasey Karlsen: The fans. It’s always the fans. Writing, surpassing personal goals, all of it means even more when the fans are cheering you on.

Amit Ahuja: What insights or recommendations do you have for musicians who face rejection or experience setbacks in their careers? Specifically, how can these artists cope with disappointment and use those challenges as stepping stones for future growth?

Kasey Karlsen: Everyone faces rejection at some point. Success isn’t always linear. There’s ups and downs all the time. Every single artist you know has failed at some point. The difference is they kept going, maybe they had a rebrand, but they never gave up on their dreams.

Amit Ahuja: Is making music more of a release, a discovery, or a confrontation for you?

Kasey Karlsen: I feel like it’s a release of emotions built up over time. It is the best feeling to get new songs out on stage.

Amit Ahuja: Is there a message you hope fans walk away with after listening to your music, or do you prefer to leave it open to interpretation?

Kasey Karlsen: I just hope they enjoy it, but also find themselves within the song. See if there are any positive changes you can make within yourself and the world.

Amit Ahuja: What’s your favorite song to play live and why? Do you prefer playing small, intimate venues or big festivals?

Kasey Karlsen: Big festivals because for some reason I don’t get nervous! It’s also the adrenaline and seeing how wild the crowd gets. As much as I love intimate venues, the festival peeps are specifically there to throw down.

Amit Ahuja: I would love to hear about any exciting projects, tours, or collaborations you have on the horizon! What are you looking forward to the most?

Kasey Karlsen: Oh man. There’s so many people I would want to work with. We’re about to go on tour with Scene Queen and girli which we are STOKED about. Some dream collaborations would be to work with Make Them Suffer, Spiritbox, and a wildcard would be Billie Eilish.

Amit Ahuja: Can you share three individuals who have positively or negatively influenced your lives, and why?

Kasey Karlsen: Nita Strauss and Josh Villalta have made such an impact on my life and music career. I have learned everything from them and they are incredible. I am so appreciative of everything they’ve done for me. My bandmate CJ has also taught me so much in just the past year alone, not just about music, but friendship and connection.

Amit Ahuja: What kinds of TV shows, movies, books, or podcasts do you connect with—and what is it about them that draws you in? Is it the storytelling, character development, the themes they explore, or just the overall craft?

Kasey Karlsen: The Hunger Games is such a powerful series for me. It was the first book series I really got hooked on. The dystopian themes, the really crazy parallels between those books and today, and the character development and descriptions were so incredible to me. I also love Dexter, The Walking Dead, and a lot of horror stuff!

Amit Ahuja: How do they define happiness in your life, and how does that connect to your vision of success?

Kasey Karlsen: Honestly I’m still trying to figure that one out. Health is a big thing, and just making sure I’m surrounded by people I love is success to me. This includes the fans too!

Amit Ahuja: Do you have hobbies or interests outside of music that get you fired up?”

Kasey Karlsen: I LOVE video games. I may have an unhealthy addiction to Fortnite skins…

Amit Ahuja: Let's talk about how you've dealt with mental health struggles. What strategies, coping tricks, or support systems have helped you? Also, what advice or insights would you want to share with others your age facing similar challenges?

Kasey Karlsen: The gym has been a life saver for me honestly. Especially on tour, it gives me a sense of normalcy and makes me feel really good about myself. Running is also something I love to do on tour and it’s very therapeutic for some reason. Being active has been so important for battling my depression and anxiety. It allows me to clear my head and I absolutely urge people to do the same.

Amit Ahuja: What message would you share with humanity if you had the world’s attention for five minutes?

Kasey Karlsen: If I had the world’s attention for five minutes, I would pretty much preach to be a better version of yourself every day. This is what I constantly try to do internally and externally. Mentally and physically if you are trying to be the best version of you every single day, practicing kindness and discipline, you can do anything.

Amit Ahuja: We sincerely appreciate Kasey Karlsen for sharing your story with us.

Kindly explore the following links to support and follow Kasey Karlsen of Deadlands:

Deadlands Website:

https://deadlandsband.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAacdCG5EWyLgXQTI8IZyDMgM5LeyaRCNeQo0HSOi7jgcdp5bJU_4S66-WDDnGw_aem_eSUFQFZyC2cX-PpBhRCadA

Kasey Karlsen Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/kaseykarlsen?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeSoruB6KMszmQZS2-xjjmfJJhOJP9MJf-3-cpLFKXHtiw0L5iHJp0jvTpl-g_aem_-zD3dIViMwzXq8fjA79i1w

*** Video & Photos are by Kasey Karlsen of Deadlands, unless stated otherwise. ***

Behind the Music: An Exclusive Interview with Hollow Heart

I had the opportunity to host a Q&A session with the members of Hollow Heart, where we delved into each member's background, musical path, the band itself, along with their hobbies and interests. I hope you enjoy reading this!

Amit Ahuja: I would like to learn more about your backgrounds and the personal journeys that have influenced you all. Please tell me where you each grew up, describing your hometown and the surroundings where you were raised. I’m especially curious about how your upbringing has affected your fundamental values and viewpoints.

Hollow Heart:

Bob – Well I was born is reno Nevada but yea I was a baby when we moved here to riverside California. Well, we had moved around somewhat a lot cause my stepbrother would run around with the wrong crowd and my parents wanted to keep him away from that. and we grew up poor but my parents did everything they could to give me the life that was right for me so I guess in a view point is that no matter what hand you have been dealt just keep your head up and stop feeling sorry for yourself keep going cause life didn't come with handbook I can keep going but trying to keep these short

Rob- I am born in Corona CA and raised in Riverside CA. Been lucky to grow up on the same street with my closest friends. Every day growing up I played almost every sport and rode almost everything with wheels on our street. To me friends and family are above all else. 

Brandon - I was raised in Riverside California by my mother and father.

Jam- I moved around a lot in my youth, but mostly raised in Rancho until my teens and moved to Redlands for most of my life, I was raised in a fairly conservative household and raised to work hard for things I want, which is a mindset I’ve pushed with music and help me bring the band to a harder working level.

Brian - I grew up in a small town outside of Riverside called Moreno Valley until I was 8 years old, it was then that we moved to Riverside. Growing up we moved around a lot and lived in and out with family until we made the move to Riverside where we found stability. I grew up in a small trailer park where I made friends that helped shape my musical identity. As we grew up though I was faced with a choice; get deeper into drugs or focus on sports and music and stay on a better path. Thankfully I was able to make my way out of the trailer park and make something of myself.

Amit Ahuja: Moreover, I would like to hear about your cultural heritage. In what ways has it shaped your identity? What traditions or stories from your culture have significantly contributed to who you are today? Are there specific experiences or milestones—accomplishments, challenges, or turning points—that profoundly impacted your personal growth?

Hollow Heart:

Rob- My cultural heritage? I have none. I'm just white trash trying to navigate trash pile I call my life.

Jam- it’s weird to say but my culture is a culture in of myself, I don’t really take my nationality or ethnicity to the point of inspiration, Theres a lot to be proud of both as an American and as a Mexican but as far as self-inspiration it’s based on my own interests and hobbies rather than my upbringing.

Brian- I am part creole; half of my family has roots in Louisiana. I grew up eating gumbo and going to family reunions where my immediate family was the only white one there. This helped me to see people for whom they were as opposed to being focused on race and being accepted by different people.

Amit Ahuja: I’m excited to delve into the details of each member's musical journey. Could you all share a particular moment or experience that sparked your passion for music? Perhaps it was a memorable concert you attended, a song that resonated deeply with you, or a moment of inspiration that inspired you to pick an instrument.

Hollow Heart:

Bob – So in my family there are two musicians there is me and my uncle (who passed away some time from cancer) but he was the most amazing person. I remember being a kid at family party's listening to art Laboe Motown records just oldies, but he could play the bongos like no other. I would be in his garage running around trying to steal someone's beer. But whenever he pulled out them bongos I would just stop and admire the sounds that he would make and how everyone just kind of sat there watching him. Another moment I can think of is when Linkin Park first came out, I remember just hearing Chesters’s voice how emotional and just a powerhouse of a vocalist he was. I remember thinking to myself I want to do that I want everyone to be watching me pour my soul into everyone word that comes out of my mouth. Again, I can keep going just want to keep it short and sweet

Rob- Music has been a huge part of my life. My dad on family trips used to blast ACDC on cassettes, I think that's where it started. A song that resonates with me is Elton John - Rocket Man.

Brandon - So I grew up in a musical household in the 90s, my parents always had the latest CDs in every genre of music, mainly a lot of 80s metal and 90s grunge. 2 instances for me first one was seeing my dad's white Fender P bass I was just drawn to it from day one, and then when I got my first CD ever and was Soo excited to receive it was Soundgarden's A-sides album haha I still have that CD somewhere.

Jam- initially what ultimately lead me to wanting to play guitar was guitar hero and with some embarrassment jealousy, my brother was picking up guitar a little after I did and was progressing much faster and getting more attention, playing came naturally to him and it lead me to practice harder and really push to be better haha

Brian - For me a real turning point in my musical journey as it pertains to being a musician would be when guitar hero became a worldwide phenomenon. I quickly became obsessed with it and it got me into metal music and playing guitar and drums.

Brandon - Well each of us knew each other from past bands in our 20s. We all play shows with each other's bands all over the IE, so it just clicked day one for us when we started Hollow Heart. Before I joined, I was kind of done with live music and trying to be fully focused on life, but I was drawn back into the scene, I couldn't leave, it's my passion to play guitar so why not pursue it again with my best friends

Amit Ahuja: What obstacles have each member faced in their musical, and what strategies did you all employ to overcome them? It would be great to hear about your actions to transform your passion into a successful music career.

Hollow Heart:

Bob- Me personally when I lost both of my parents to covid that really hit me really hard I've been doing music for a while now never really had much "obstacles" but ya when they passed i kinda gave up everything and I mean everything but ya just really had to pick my head up and just get back to doing what I love doing.

Rob- Obstacles? I think I’m just having the time for it recently. Dealing with life changes. I had a fall in September 2024 that left me quadriplegic. I got diagnosed with Severe Spinal Stenosis and had to have major surgery. I learned to walk, use my arms and hands again. After 2 months in the hospital, a month in nursing care and intense PT I am back to playing my bass. I got lucky to be in a band with friends who are caring and understanding so they have been working with me with it. In our upcoming music video Tradition, you will see me wearing a strap around my waist so I can hold the bass. I am still dealing with the aftereffects.

Brandon - Burnout, it can set in when you’re pushing too hard in a way kind of have to take a step back and breathe a little from time to time. One way is I try to not listen to a lot of metal when we are playing a run of shows, I'm already going to be playing it and listening to it all day at shows. Don't get me wrong though I love metal haha.

Jam- as an adult now Time is a huge factor and obstacle, Bills and responsibilities aren’t easy to maneuver when you have a job and want to make time for preforming and practicing, when I was younger it was sacrificing free time and time with friends now its sacrificing energy, money, time with loved ones and friends even Moreso.

Brian - for me personally - the biggest hurdle with my musical journey has been financial. Instruments are very expensive when you make no money so it was important for me to find a career that would help support this dream of mine. Being able to start my own photography business helped me learn what kind of business mindset I would need in order to make it with music as well.

Amit Ahuja: Is there a specific musician for each of you whose creativity and life story has significantly influenced your decision to pursue music? Did their narrative inspire you to take the leap and form your band? Please describe how their journey and artistry have shaped your musical path.

Hollow Heart:

Bob- I feel a lot of people have influenced me as far as their story goes that’s their story, I want to make my own and hopefully inspire someone else just the MUSIC has inspired me

Rob- I don't know if there are any musicians. The three that come to the top of my head is Angus Young, Tom Searle and Chris Turner. Tom Searle fought cancer for 3 years and kept writing and playing shows. He left a legacy and is a legend. He showed me that there is no excuse to stop doing what you love. 

Brandon - It changes all the time really, in my youth it was Dave Mustaine and Megadeth, my teen years it was any deathcore band haha and lately it's been Connor Sweeney and Xander Raymond Charles and what those guys are doing with baritone guitars.

Jam- there are so many inspirational stories musicians have faced and pushed through but for me my biggest early inspirations were Mick Thompson of Slipknot, and Randy Rhodes. Just any musician who’s pushed boundaries and changed the scene by doing what they love over what’s expected.

Brian- For me personally The Rev and Travis barker were a big influence early on in my drumming. Aside from them I don’t home in on specific people one the music industry but the bands they are in. I tend to gravitate and relate to the music aside from the individual apart of the group.

Amit Ahuja: I'm excited to explore the narrative behind your band, Hollow Heart. Could you take me on a journey through the unique paths that led each of you to come together as a collective? I’d love to hear about the significant moments or experiences that served as turning points in your journey, helping you build a strong bond and work seamlessly as a cohesive unit. What challenges did you face, and how did they shape your collaboration?

Hollow Heart:

Bob – This is a small story on how we came to be really but ya. Me Brandon and rob used to play in a band called decade in motion I've been playing with them for years now. Jam and Brian were in different bands, Jam was in the rise of a tyrant and Brian was in set your anchor, both amazing bands at the time we would always play on the same bill we would headline, or they would back then everything was Lil simpler. So when all that ended we all kind of took a step back I thought i was done with music but ya I think I remember talking to Brandon asking him what he thought about trying to take on being in a band again so I hit jam asking him what he had going on at the time I don’t think he had anything going on I remember asking him if he would like to start a band with us. He told me to go fuck myself aha jk but ya he came over we did a couple jam sessions, and we really like the stuff we came up with and so we kind of just start recording ourselves the good Ol garage band recordings haha. We had formed a band call soul seeks balance and the members were Brandon, rob, jam, and me. We came out with some good tracks, but we never had a Dummer all programmed so for a while we were looking for a drummer and for the love of God could never find one. Until I finally convinced Brian to join i remember asking him and I really think he told me to go fuck myself haha but ya he was everything we were looking for in a drummer chill and good at drums and I think also we were looking for someone who can vibe with out-of-control group

Rob- A lot of challenges. There is this thing called life that happens and sometimes it takes time to heal before getting back on the grind. To me, being in a band with your best buds doing what you all share the same passion for makes it cohesive. We help, care and bust each other’s balls when we need be. 

Brandon - Well each of us knew each other from past bands in our 20s. We all play shows with each other's bands all over the IE, so it just clicked day one for us when we started Hollow Heart. Before I joined, I was kind of done with live music and trying to be fully focused on life, but I was drawn back into the scene, I couldn't leave, it's my passion to play guitar so why not pursue it again with my best friends

Jam- Brian pretty much said it best, we were all in separate bands when we met and got together with this project to really give it our all,

Brian- Honestly, we all have been friends and musicians for over a decade, so it was easy for us to get together and start making music. Our band formed when we all decided that after not playing music for almost 10 years, we should do it one last time and do it the right way to make it worth the sacrifice. The biggest hurdle we must overcome now as older adults is our busy life schedules.

Amit Ahuja:. Additionally, I would love to hear about the inspiration behind your band’s name. What led you to choose this name, and what meaning does it carry for each of you as individuals and the group as a whole?

Hollow Heart:

Bob – Honestly, I don’t know who came up with the name and I think collectively we all didn't want a dumb or cliche name

Rob- Ummm I forgot... to me the name is just a placeholder the name doesn't matter to me as much as being in a band with my best buds.

Brandon - For me it's a reminder that there will be times in our life that we feel down, lost or alone with a Hollow Heart if you will, but it's how you push through, how you pick yourself up and keep going, your story isn't over.

Jam- I really wish we had a deep meaning, and I’d love to lie and give this deep meaningful reason we chose it, but we had gone through a few different names and this one just felt right when we said it, one of those things you hear and you’re like yupp that’s the one.

Brian- Honestly, we spent almost a year going by the name “Ember Shores”. But after some back and forth as basically put 5-10 ideas in a hat and pulled at random and hollow heart was the one that stuck. Plus, to us it sounded the best lol

Amit Ahuja: How do you all find inspiration for your lyrics, and what does it feel like to perform your creations in front of an audience?

Hollow Heart:

Bob – Its honestly amazing to be back on stage were playing bigger venues then I think any of us can imagine. God, it takes me forever to write lyrics sometimes im so conflicted with what to write and what to write about. But now days I like to make stories about something or someone I get a lot of my inspiration. from Mike from devil wears Prada me and jam fuck with them heavy some would say a Lil too much haha. But back then I used to write about fucking the government and anti-illuminati just dumb shit when I was a kid. Nowadays I just like to have fun with it

Rob- That's something for our vocalist to answer.

Brandon - I know it's cliche but just life, things that happen in life that people can relate to.

Jam- that’s all bob

Brian- I’ll leave that to our vocalist.

Amit Ahuja: Talk about the new tracks you all released, “Jaded and Atlas.” What important message does each member want people to learn about once they hear the songs?

Hollow Heart:

Bob – It’s not so much as a message with atlas or jaded its more of building your own thoughts with it. I feel like we have our own point of view of what we think someone should get out of it. i want people to listen to our music and come up with whatever they want whether it be a love song a breakup song a song about family or whatever man we just want to make music that we like and if your vibe with us then fuck ya

Rob- I don't know about learning a lesson. I feel the listener can decide what they take away from it. I just like when someone vibes to our tunes

Jam-  For me how I perceive ATLAS is a story about a woman who dreamed of exploring space and she really pushed and succeeded, she finally got a mission but things don’t ever go as planned and there was complications and the story is open ended about her fate, Id like to think were going to hear more of her story later in time. JADED is about seeing the world in front of you and just not being present, being unable to see the world for what it is and looking at things in black and white, a lot of self-doubt and sadness is expressed in JADED, and I think it’s a relatable experience most people have been through. 

Amit Ahuja: I would love to delve deeper into the intricate behind-the-scenes aspects of the production process. Could each of you provide a detailed account of what each member contributed, step by step, during the production of these two songs? What specific technical technique did you all use to release the final version?

Hollow Heart:

Rob- ummm Atlas came about 4 years ago Jam wrote the prepro while everyone gave input. The video concept was done by me on my crappy Galaxy Note phone and Brian refined it, edited and shot it. 

Jam- technical side of it to add to the process Brian explained is we use Logic for pretty much every part of the process, paired with GGD/ Neural DSP/ JST/ and isotope products.

Brian- it starts off with our lead guitarist Jonathan coming up with a skeleton of a song. He brings it to the band for collaboration, and we all go through section by section analyzing what we like and don’t like and what fits the song best as a whole. From there I take it, and I put my own drum spin on it. Once vocals are recorded, Jonathan and I take it into postproduction, and I give Jonathan minor mix feedback as he primarily produces the music.

Amit Ahuja: We’d love to hear about any exciting projects, tours, or collaborations you have on the horizon! What are you looking forward to the most?

Hollow Heart:

Bob – were always trying to take stuff to the next level with hollow heart these guys are the smartest and most dedicated brothers I have ever had the privilege to work with. What we’re looking for is just to have our music speak for itself and if our music so happens to take us on tour or signed then so be it I’m just excited to meet new people and express myself on stage like no other

Rob- Tour maybe next year? Not a huge one but maybe some mini ones. Not sure about collaboration but we are always open to them

Brandon - we are still in the process of releasing each of our songs as singles rather than a whole album at this point, but excited to be releasing our next song “Tradition” along with a music video for it very soon. 

Jam- We just wrapped up a new music video that will be dropping in the next few weeks as well as starting another! A new EP is in process, and we are constantly filling our show schedule!

Brian- We have a lot of shows lined up so the best way to keep informed is to follow us on social media!

Amit Ahuja: Where do you see yourselves as a band in five years?

Hollow Heart:

Bob – This question is always funny to me even in job interviews like "where do you see yourselves self in the next 5,10 years? And I always replied I don’t know cause honestly were never promised tomorrow the fact that I get to wake up from the day after is truly a blessing that's kind of where I’m at with that so you ask me in about 5 years and then I can tell you. I love to live in the now so if I’m still on that stage having fun with boys then so be it

Rob- 5 years I'll be in my 40's I'm not looking forward to that but I'm hoping to be better at my instrument and have a bunch of street cred under our name.

Brandon - Like every band dream of to be signed or touring, I think.

Jam- hopefully doing things on a more national level, were really striving to be better than we ever had in our past projects.

Brian- Ideally, we would be continuing to play music for people!

Amit Ahuja: What’s something about day-to-day being in a band that fans might not realize?

Hollow Heart:

Bob – I’m going to praise jam and Brian on this one the amount of work those two do for this band is out of this world. There is so much work that goes into being in a band well at least from our camp. We did everything, from the banners to the lights, the recordings and music videos were all done by us as a band. Brian and jam when off the rails with making sure everything goes the way all of our visions are meet i mean come on jam made a fucken band Bible with everything we need in it it’s just crazy but again we all work as a team and we all ping pong off each other no one is bigger than the next person i think that's what makes us all important to each other just having good vibes

Rob- It's a struggle sometimes. There are days where you just don't want to be bothered by it. But once you get into the flow it is fun.

Brandon - It can feel like having a second job at times but a fun one with your friends haha no, but it can get quite busy especially before a run of shows, clock out of your day job and clock into the band haha

Jam- It never stops, there’s never downtime and if you’re treating it like a future career, you can’t stop. Always writing/promoting/practicing even down to gear we’ve changed our live set up 4 times in the last year. You always have to be chasing perfection even if its an unachievable feat. If you feel like you’ve done enough it just means you haven’t.

Brian- It’s a constant grind. The fun part is playing the music in the practice space and on stage but 90% of it is marketing, social media, and business work. It’s a lot!

Amit Ahuja: How do you handle creative differences when writing together? For example, when members have different ideas for a song, how do you decide which direction to take?

Hollow Heart:

Bob – I mean we all think we have the same writing process. When we write a song, we all sit collectively and say ya that's hollow heart or sometimes in a song we have different views like this part sounds a Lil different or off, but we quickly come to agreement. That’s what I love about us. We can all pick apart a song and each one of our viewpoints is heard and it makes it on the song like each one of us hears something different that the other guy doesn't and we're all open to adjusting to it and make it what it is

Rob- We are blunt to each other.

Brandon - quite simple - we have adopted a mindset where if you don't like an idea, you can't just say you don't like it and that’s it, you have to come with something else. We are very easy-going and very like-minded and we all like the same things.

Jam- The song comes first, I’m not afraid to push boundaries and I don’t want to keyhole the band into a specific sound. Being open-minded is a huge key to collaboration with 4 other people. You have to be ready to take criticism you don’t like and ready to put the band over your opinions

Brian- Me personally, I am easy going. If I disagree with a creative decision I let everyone know but will ultimately do what is best for the group and song. We like to vote on things to keep it democratic.

Amit Ahuja: If you were given the fantastic opportunity to open for any band or go on a world tour, which bands would you choose to join on this exciting journey? Additionally, what specific reasons motivate your desire to tour alongside them?

Hollow Heart:

Bob – Oh without a doubt devil wears Prada again one of me and jams favorite bands that’s just me personally. The number of times I have seen these guys, the energy that they have every time they hit the stage is just out of this world but honestly, I would love ANYONE that we would be on tour with

Rob- What comes to mind is Landmvrks but I mean we live to open up or play with any band.

Brandon - for me right now it would be to tour with Make Them Suffer they killed their headline tours this year. They are just Soo tight and technical live which is what we strive for, and they seem like fun to be around.

Jam- I think we would all agree playing with TDWP would be a top of our goals list ahah, aside from them I’d love to tour with Slipknot.

Brian- I would love to open for The Devil Wears Prada or Make them Suffer.

Amit Ahuja: What insights or recommendations does each member have for musicians who face rejection or experience setbacks in their careers? Specifically, how can these artists cope with disappointment and use those challenges as steppingstones for future growth?

Hollow Heart:

Bob – I mean we're a new band we haven't had anything yet but if that time comes and im sure it will I'll take it with a smile on my face and move on cause there is no time to relish in the negative there is only time to relish in victories if you don’t like me or the band hey here’s a beer let's party

Rob- Don't dwell on the negatives just keep pushing forward. It all about grinding. Umm one big thing I have to say is try not to have the "I want to be a rockstar" mentality do it because you enjoy it. It'll be more smooth sailing. 

Brandon - it’s gonna happen you just can't listen to haters do what you want to do, music is art, create what you want to hear. Just be yourself, don't make music to please people creating music starts with you.

Jam-  be ready to disappoint people, nobody can please everyone. I always think of something Robert Downey Jr said “Listen, smile, agree, and then do whatever the fuck you were gonna do anyway.” Music is self-expression, be yourself and the right people will find you.

Brian- Rejection is a part of life. You can never make everyone happy, and most people won’t be

interested in what you have. The main thing is to just keep going. Success doesn’t happen overnight and if you’re doing music for “success” then you’re doing it for the wrong reasons.

Amit Ahuja: Can each member share three individuals who have positively or negatively influenced their life, and why?

Hollow Heart:

Bob- I mean band wise Mike Hranica, Chester Bennington and Jonathan Davis I have other more but idk just when I saw or see them live i feel like they leave it all on the stage is saw Korn and linkin park years ago but something about devil wears Prada Mike just has so much emotion when singing

Rob- individuals? I already listed Tom Searle but another two. Keanu Reeves and Tom Cruise. Both follow their passion, and they have a lot of respect for their craft. 

Brandon - My Dad, he was in bands playing bass and taught me the basics when I was 14, I took that knowledge and ran with it and now here I am playing 30-inch scale baritone guitars with 100-gauge strings haha almost full circle.

Amit Ahuja: What are each member's favorite movies, and why are they significant to you? Is it the story, the characters, the visuals, or something else that resonates with you?

Bob- I love the eternal sunshine of a spotless mind. I don’t know I can't explain it they take the saying it's better to love than never to have loved at all and make a movie out of it

Rob- I am a huge movie nerd. I collect Blu-rays and 4k. I can go on and talk about this subject for hours. I don't know each member’s taste. My top 5 are Jurassic Park, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Independence Day, Interstellar and The Martian.

Brandon - Goodfellas, “all my life I always wanted to be a gangster” - Henry Hill

Jam- some of my favorite movies are Fight club/gangs of New York, I like marvel, chick flicks and comedies a lot as well

Brian- I’m a big fan of marvel movies or superhero movies in general. I’m just a child at heart lol

Amit Ahuja: What TV shows do each of you enjoy and look forward to watching? What captures your attention in these shows, perhaps the surprises, character development, or overall production quality?

Hollow Heart:

Bob- I mean i really don’t watch to many shows but I love the last of resident evil love on spectrum haha weird I know

Rob- Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and Suits. Writing and production

Brandon - I really don't watch a whole lot of TV, but it was breaking bad and the office during covid years. Yeah, definitely the character development in both shows.

Jam- For me my favorite shows are the office, Seinfeld, HIMYM, but I’m kind of a binge show watcher, so I’ve watched so many. It’s hard to pinpoint exact reasons or my favorites. There’s just so many good ones I could do a whole separate interview on just shows!

Brian- I don’t really put that much thought into the tv shows I watch, but I like adult cartoons I guess haha Rick and Morty and big mouth are among my favorites for the crude humor and adult themes. The juxtaposition between the innocent cartoon style with adult crude humor is hilarious to me.

Amit Ahuja: Which books do each member appreciate the most, and what makes them significant to you? Is it their writing style, the themes they address, or the feelings they inspire?

Hollow Heart:

Bob- I like sci fi books the Witcher, resident Evil, song of fire and ice (game of throwns) no i just like to be not here if you know what I mean i like to pretend im in the universe ha

Rob- I haven't been much of a book person. The last book I read was the Harry Potter series when I was a kid

Brandon - Been reading Neil deGrasse Tyson’s book Starry Messenger. It's an ego check on our self-importance, it makes people rethink our relationships towards one another.

Jam- I like reading books by Chuck Palahniuk, Theres just a more cynical look at life through his writing, the stories aren’t rainbows and butterflies and show a grittier outlook which can sometimes be refreshing. A lot like TV shows, I read quite a bit and have a humble little home library!

Amit Ahuja: Which podcasts do each member passionately recommend, and what makes them stand out?

Hollow Heart:

Bob- I don’t really listen to many pod cast even thought I know i should

Rob- Podcast I listen to the most is Trash Taste and Tiger Belly. Trash Taste I vibe with because I used to be heavy into Anime and Tiger Belly because Bobby Lee is my spirit animal

Brandon - I really like the Shawn Ryan show lately and hearing veterans’ stories and their mindset to overcome some of the hardest things I've ever heard people overcome.

Jam- I don’t really listen to podcasts, the most recent one I think I listened to was about prehistoric animals but aside from that, Marvels wastelanders or bad friends and occasionally second date update.

Amit Ahuja: I want to know about each member's favorite bands or music artists that they all like. I’d also like to hear about each member's most memorable concert experience. Please share details about the atmosphere, the performance, the venue, and anything else that made it special for you.

Hollow Heart:

Bob – Man, back in the day, the reason I started screaming was Linkin Park and Slipknot. I saw Linkin Park—I think it was Taste of Chaos. I was a teen and just seeing them go from TV to live... it was unreal. Life-changing.

Because I knew that’s what I wanted to do someday.

Rob- My favorite bands? Umm there is a lot but top of my head recently Kublai Kahn and Landmvrks. Thought my life would be Chiodos, Emmure, Asking Alexandria and The Plot in You. I don't have any specific concert memories I'm not fond of being in crowds. 

Brandon - Too many to name but Make Them Suffer, they are just incredibly tight sounding live. I was blown away by their technical playing and overall sound But I really like Movements, Stick figure and Bilmuri.

Jam- The devil wears Prada and slipknot are my two favorite bands both have such unique aspects they bring musically and to the stage, with TDWP you can feel the tangible raw emotion in their words and how they feel through how they play, for me it tends to hit a lot of emotional points. Slipknot was one of those bands that was my big introduction to everything, but with any genre I have favorites those two are just big stand outs!

Brian- I’m a big fan of pop punk, right now my favorite bands are state champs. Knuckle puck, and the home team. My most memorable show was a state champs show at the house of blues in Anaheim where we saw state champs after I hadn’t been to a show in almost a decade. It reignited my passion for music and is what got me back into music.

Amit Ahuja: What does success look like for each member?

Bob – I don’t know, I’m simple. As long as my wife and my dog have a roof over their heads, my family is healthy, and there’s nothing to worry about—honestly, I’m good.

Rob- I want everyone to succeed in life.

Brandon - Success in a band for me would be to be able to pursue music and still have a comfortable living

Jam- success for me would be being able to confidently walk away from a regular job and do this full time, being able to support my life through music.

Brian- For me, success would be opening up shows for bands like devil wears Prada, make them suffer, Polaris, and more. Being able to tour with them, open for them would be a huge success for me. Anything else is just the cherry on top.

Amit Ahuja: How does each member define happiness in their life?

Hollow Heart:

Bob – Happiness is where you are right now — or not at all.Find joy in the present and stop worrying about the future.

Rob- Umm for me it's just being with my friends, family, movies and music

Brandon - being comfortable and honest with yourself

Jam- happiness is waking up each day, we all carry burdens in life and being able to carry them through another day is a blessing in of itself.

Brian- That’s a loaded question. Happiness is a choice. Whatever is going on in your life you can choose how to react and happiness for what you have in your situation is a choice you make.

Amit Ahuja: Each member takes time to reflect on their personal experiences with mental health. Consider how these experiences have impacted various areas of your life, such as relationships, work, and personal growth. What specific insights have you gained through these moments?

Hollow Heart:

Bob – We all battle with something every day. I believe it’s just up to you how you handle that battle. Me personally (Bobby), I battled with suicide after I lost my parents to COVID. I mean, I could go on about this topic, but I’d rather not.

What saved me was having friends, family, and my beautiful wife to help guide me through what I was going through, I can say some days are better than others. But find someone who gives a fuck about you. My friends and family are my rock. I also learned it’s okay to cry and just have a moment where you're not okay

Rob- My mental health? I have been struggling with depression and anxiety since 2010. One day I don't know why but something just hit me and I felt like death. Im on medication to balance myself out but everyone has their way of dealing I don't judge. I am very dissociative and have trouble connecting with anyone outside my band/friend group. 

Brandon - kinda like the last answer is to be comfortable with yourself and mindset. You got to take care of yourself mentally and physically. You can't make others around you happy if your not happy. People can sense or feel your energy, so make it positive and you'll see all the positivity naturally attract to you.

Jam- this is a deep one and ive delt with dark places and found expression through the music, whether its listening or creating finding a positive outlet for sadness is a good step that helped me overcome a lot of the sad life has to offer, just to touch the surface of it.

Brian-Focusing on Mental health is a huge part of my life. Having struggled with anxiety since I was 17 and only being medicated for it recently I feel like it’s something that is too stigmatized for the modern world we live in. I have done everything holistically, ate different, gone to the gym, etc. the only thing that has helped my anxiety was medication. It truly turned my life around. It’s made my relationship with my wife better, my family better, all around it’s made life better.

Amit Ahuja: Additionally, think about how you all have managed the challenges related to your mental health. Share strategies, coping mechanisms, or support systems that have significantly impacted your journey.

Hollow Heart:

Bob- Like I said before losing my parents was the biggest challenge I have ever faced because you know when you’re a kid you think your parents are invincible its something you don’t think about when they are alive. After I lose them, I’m telling my wife and my true friends where there for me at my darkest time tell all saved my life whether they know or don’t

Rob- I don't have any advice.. I feel like everyone has their ways to cope. I say I'm lucky to have my friends and the band around everyday would be A LOT harder. If I have anything to say to someone it'd be surround yourself with friends and family who understand what you are going through. 

Brandon - i like to always tell my self when things get hard a David Goggins quote “because no one else wants to f-ing do it”. It really feels good to push through something hard you will always come out a better person if you push through hardship.

Jam- being open with friends and family about what you might be going through or feeling helps, find people who don’t judge and love you through thick and thin and feel comfortable in expressing how you feel no matter what.  

Brian-See my last answer lol

Amit Ahuja: What insights would each member like to share with others around the ages your all are who are grappling with mental health challenges?

Hollow Heart:

Bob- You’re not alone is this world someone is willing to listen to you care for you shit hit me up I’m here. Life is life and there is no getting around or short cuts

Rob- Try to stay positive honestly when things get bad the best thing to do is remember that once you hit bottom there will always be an upside. Things that are going wrong or going through something bad just remember there will be a time where your future self will go " I may have overreacted" time heals a lot.

Brandon - Don't give up don't let anything or anyone get to you, it’s you and you only at the end of the day get comfortable with yourself mentally. keep pushing thru become the toughest person you know, you know what you need to do so accomplish it, set smaller goals to reach the bigger goal and it's ok if you need to step back a bit don't overwhelm yourself.

Jam-  let it out, don’t be afraid to cry, being in touch with your emotions is not a weakness and being able to love yourself is more important than most things in life.

Brian-Don’t let the alpha male bullshit stop you from getting the help you need. If going to the gym and lifting weights helps you, than that’s great! But if you need medication, it is a resource that exists and that is proven to work for the people that need it. Don’t be afraid to talk to a therapist and work through your bullshit.

Amit Ahuja: I’d like to direct a question to each of you; I’m genuinely curious to know if any of you have hobbies or interests that ignite your passion outside of your musical endeavors.

Hollow Heart:

Bob – I think all of us have our own hobbies, but at the same time, we kind of share the same ones. I know for a fact we all like playing video games and collecting figures (like Warhammer 40k). I know Jam likes restoring comic books and selling Pokémon cards.

Brian is really tech-savvy with a lot of stuff, Other than that, he also shoots weddings and video. and Rob—yeah, all he does is play video games.

Rob- Gaming and movies

Brandon - I love the outdoors, camping, fishing, and hunting. It's good to disconnect from time to time from this busy world. I've also been really into building and painting Warhammer 40k lately. Warhammers lore and stories give me creative sense to write heavy guitar riffs and ideas haha.

Jam- I love gaming and take a lot of inspiration from the stories and music in them, I also have a comic book restoration side project that brings me a lot of peaceful joy and lets me experience a lot of very sentimental books and peoples stories behind them!   

Brian-I do photography and videography professionally as well as rock climb and build computers. I’m a tinkerer so I like to figure out how things work and how to put things together.

Amit Ahuja: What message would each member share with everyone if you had the world's attention for five minutes?

Hollow Heart:

Rob- I have no clue. Best advice I have is we all end up dead in the end be it rich or poor I think just try and live the way you want too.

Brandon - Be kind to each other, we don't know what each other is going thru on the daily. A simple kind gesture goes along way. We're only on this earth for a short time so make it positive why be negative? could you imagine if we were all negative that would be terrible. Anyways love you all! Thanks!

Jam- stay open minded and stay true to yourself, it gets better.

Brian- Treat people the way you want to be treated. Straight up. Regardless of how others may be acting if you continue to put good into the world then good will come back to you tenfold. Don’t be an asshole and the world will be a better place.

Amit Ahuja: We appreciate the bandmates of Hollow Heart for kindly sharing their stories and interests with us.

Check out the Linktree of the incredible band Hollow Heart, Dive into their music and make sure to hit that follow button to stay updated on their latest tunes and exciting news! You won’t want to miss out!

https://linktr.ee/hollowheartCa

***Video and photos are provided by the band Hollow Heart, unless stated otherwise.***

Behind the Music: An Exclusive Interview with Against the Sun

Photo Credit: Jessica Greif of CapturedByJessica

I had the pleasure of conducting a Q&A session with the band members of Against the Sun, where we discussed their backgrounds, musical journey, the band itself, as well as their hobbies and interests. I hope you guys enjoy reading this!

Amit Ahuja: I’m really interested in hearing about your backgrounds and the journeys that have shaped who you are. Can you share where you grew up and what your hometown was like? I’d love to know how your upbringing has influenced your values and perspectives.

Against the Sun: Most of us grew up in Orange County, CA. It’s a laid-back community south of Los Angeles. Growing up close to the beach and somewhat away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles gives you a chance to slow down a little bit in life. Houston, our guitar player, grew up in northern California. Lots of trees, decently cold. He’s even more laid back and chill than we are.Our drummer, Hank, grew up in Taiwan. He’s really proud to be Taiwanese and to represent Taiwanese musicians here in the United States.

Amit Ahuja: Also, let’s talk about your cultural heritage. How has it played a role in shaping your identity? What traditions or stories from your culture have made a big impact on you? Have there been any experiences or milestones—like accomplishments, challenges, or defining moments—that have really helped you grow as a person?

Against the Sun: Most of us coming from California, we really value community and a good time. We’re more about the vibes at a show than anything else. We want to make sure everyone feels welcome and included.

Amit Ahuja: I’m really looking forward to hearing about each of your musical journeys! Can you share a moment that got you hooked on music? Maybe it was a concert you went to, a song that really hit you, or that one spark that made you want to pick up an instrument.

Against the Sun:

Photo Credit: Vivian: So Finch Photography

Alex (Bass) - Grew up listening to a lot of Classic Rock and Classic Metal with his parents. Has a love for the foundations of these genres. Brad (Guitar) - Grew up listening to everything from Strung Out and Bad Religion to August Burns Red and As I Lay Dying. Studied music quite a bit growing up, has a great grasp on theory.

Photo Credit: Vivian: So Finch Photography

Brad (Vocals) - Fell in love with bands like Three Days Grace, Linking Park, and Slipknot as a young teenager. Always strives to find the right balance between heaviness and melody while keeping the lyrics as real and as emotive as possible.

Photo Credit:  Jessica Greif of CapturedByJessica

Houston (Guitar) - Avenged Sevenfold was the first band he was obsessed with. He’s a Progressive Metal guy that likes to experiment with all kinds of different sounds and kinds of Metal

Photo Credit: Vivian: So Finch Photography

Hank (Drums) - Is into the REALLY heavy kinds of Metal, like Deathcore, Death Metal, and Tech Death. Hank is a great guitarist along with being an excellent drummer. He lives for fast tempos and crazy heavy riffs.

Amit Ahuja: What obstacles have each member faced on their musical, and what strategies did you all employ to overcome them? It would be great to hear about your actions to transform your passion into a successful music career.

Against the Sun: Some of us grew up fairly poor and had to wait until we had stable jobs to be able to invest in this project. Recording, mixing, mastering, artwork, videos, and advertising all cost money. Hank has only been playing drums for seven years. He’s had to overcome being an international student in an unfamiliar country, but he’s thrived here in the States.

Amit Ahuja: Is there a particular musician or band whose artistry and personal journey have had a profound impact on your choice to pursue a career in music? Did their life story motivate you to take the bold step of forming your own band? Please share how their experiences and creative expressions have influenced your musical journey and shaped the path you’re on today.

Against the Sun:Brad here, Adam Gontier from Three Days Grace is my favorite singer and probably always will be. Their One-X album came to me at the perfect moment. Adam sang about his personal struggles with addiction and addiction has taken several members of my family. His personal journey of sobriety was really inspiring, as was his willingness to create meaning and beautiful art from such a dark experience.

Amit Ahuja: I'm really curious about the story behind your band, Against the Sun. Can you take me through how each of you ended up coming together? I'd love to hear about any key moments or experiences that really brought you all closer and helped you gel as a group. What kind of challenges did you face along the way, and how did those shape how you work together?

Against the Sun: Against The Sun was Brad’s project starting in high school. He didn’t really get the chance to devote as much time as he would’ve liked during high school and college. The band also went through several lineup changes to be what it is today. Half of the guys were found on Craigslist of all places and the other half met Against The Sun through Musician’s Institute, a music school in Hollywood. We all came together united behind our shared music taste and desire to make a splash in the Modern Rock/Metalcore scene.

Amit Ahuja: Additionally, I would love to hear about the inspiration behind your band’s name. What led you to choose this name, and what meaning does it carry for each of you as individuals and the group as a whole?

Against the Sun: The name came from our first ever roadie. At first, I picked it because it sounded cool, but as time went on, it gained its own meaning. Our music is dark; we use it as an outlet to discuss pain and negative emotions. You only see your shadow when you’re ‘against the sun’ so we chose to represent that and explore the shadow.

Amit Ahuja: What’s a band name you almost went with but didn’t?

Against the Sun: We almost went with Broken Wing and I’m very thankful we didn’t.

Amit Ahuja: How do you all find inspiration for your lyrics, and what does it feel like to perform your creations in front of an audience?

Against the Sun: Most of the lyrics come from personal experience. I also work in politics, so I’ve written about societal issues and philosophy. But usually my inspiration comes from heartache, anxiety, and the negative things that I need to work out of my system.

Amit Ahuja: Could you provide details about your recently released track, "No Sympathy," which came out a month ago? Additionally, I would love to hear about your brand-new EP, "Pieces." What key messages or themes does each member of the group hope listeners will take away from these projects?

Against the Sun: No Sympathy started as Hank’s song and he pretty much had it fully baked when we got around to working on it. It’s one of those songs that you hear right away and go ‘oh yeah, that’s a single.’ I wrote the vocals for it in just a half hour as a flood of inspiration came to me.

Our Pieces EP is a collection of songs we had written over the course of the previous year and a half. We don’t tend to go for overarching themes or messages with full releases, we focus on each individual song. Therefore, that EP comes to you in Pieces and it shared the name with the song that was released as a single right before the EP drop, so we kept it simple and called it Pieces.

Amit Ahuja: Which songs were your guys' favorite to create from the EP?

Against the Sun: I’m sure everyone would have a slightly different answer. Alex would definitely say BMM because that was the song that he primarily wrote. I would say (Brad) that mine was Ashes. That’s one of the most emotional songs I’ve ever written, and it feels great that people have resonated as strongly as they do.

Amit Ahuja: I'm really interested in getting into the nitty-gritty of how the production process works. Can each of you share what roles you played in making this song and the EP? Also, I’d love to know about the techniques and methods you used at different stages to ensure the tracks' success.

Against the Sun: Everything starts with the drums. Drums have to be recorded first and then edited so they’re perfect before we start recording the guitars and bass. We always record live drums to make our songs have an authentic feel, no programming here. Next up is the guitars and this can be one of the longest steps because Metalcore is such a guitar-focused genre of music. We record everything ourselves, so the production is up to us as well as the recording. Next is bass where we try to have it match the kick drum and fit in with the guitars. And last is vocals, which I record literally in my bedroom walk-in closet. It’s not fancy, but it gets the job done!

Amit Ahuja: What song took the longest to perfect, and why?

Against the Sun: BMM went through several iterations as we were writing it. The verse riff because the chorus riff and back and forth before we settled on the arrangement. We also had to write that breakdown section in the middle and the chorus went through multiple iterations as well. Glad it came together the way it did though.

Amit Ahuja: We’d love to hear about any exciting projects, tours, or collaborations you have on the horizon! What are you looking forward to the most?

Against the Sun: We’re looking forward to our new song ‘Heaven Falls’ dropping on June 27. This is going to be a very different song lyrically from any one we’ve ever released, so we’re excited for you all to hear it!

Amit Ahuja Where do you see yourselves as a band in five years?

Against the Sun: Hopefully signed to a label and touring!

Amit Ahuja: What’s something about the day-to-day of being in a band that fans might not realize?

Against the Sun: At least for me, I sometimes feel like more a promoter than a songwriter or musician. I post on social media several times a day, so it can get exhausting. But that’s what you have to do to stay relevant in today’s music business.

Amit Ahuja: How do you deal with creative differences when writing together? Like, when everyone has their own ideas for a song, how do you figure out which way to go?

Against the Sun: We run by majority rules. Imagine how tough that was when we only had four members in the band. Ultimately, we always try everyone’s ideas out, even if some are skeptical. We try to go based off of vibes during band practice. We try not to write on laptops, we try to capture a vibe while playing together that we feel good about.

Amit Ahuja: If you were given the fantastic opportunity to open for any band or go on a world tour, which bands would you choose to join on this exciting journey? Additionally, what specific reasons motivate your desire to tour alongside them?

Against the Sun: Oh gosh you’d probably get some very different answers depending on who you ask! For Alex, I’m sure he’d say Slipknot because their such a legendary Metal band. For me (Brad), I’d say Breaking Benjamin because I think our style of melodic Hard Rock really fits with theirs. For Brad and Houston, probably Avenged Sevenfold, as they’re both enormous fans of that band.

Amit Ahuja: What keeps you guys inspired as artists?

Against the Sun:  Figuring out how to tell new stories. We try not to write the same song twice or try the same video idea twice. We have to be inspired to do something new.

Amit Ahuja: What insights or recommendations does each member have for musicians who face rejection or experience setbacks in their careers? Specifically, how can these artists cope with disappointment and use those challenges as steppingstones for future growth?

Against the Sun: Try to focus on past successes. This business is so tough, and it messes with my mental health all the time. Understand that it’s okay to take a step back and re-evaluate what you’re doing.

Amit Ahuja: Are there genres or styles you want to experiment with in the future?

Against the Sun: People really want us to try Deathcore but I think the heaviest we’ll go is Icarus or BMM, but never say never. I’ve been really thinking about how you mix a sound like Spiritbox with Emo, we’re working on that song right now.

Amit Ahuja: Which books do each member appreciate the most, and what makes them significant to you? Is it their writing style, the themes they address, or the feelings they inspire?

Against the Sun: Our song ‘No Exit’ is inspired by Jean Paul Sartre’s play of the same name. It’s an absurdist play who’s most famous line is “Hell is other people.” I wrote that song to capture the ideas in that play because it’s stuck with me for so many years.

Amit Ahuja: What does success look like for each member?

Against the Sun: For some of us, it’s making the best music we can and have it connect with as many people as possible. For others, it’s about playing on the biggest stages we can and having the sickest live shows. We all gain happiness from this project in different ways.

Amit Ahuja: Which song of yours would you time-capsule for aliens to find?

Against the Sun: We think No Exit is our best song even though it’s one of our least popular.

Amit Ahuja: Let's talk about how you've dealt with any mental health struggles. What strategies, coping tricks, or support systems have really helped you along the way? Also, what advice or insights would you want to share with others your age who are facing similar challenges?

Against the Sun: Songwriting is how we cope. Better to invest your time in creating art that reflects your experience rather than wallowing in sadness and anxiety.

Amit Ahuja: I’m genuinely curious to know if any of you have hobbies or interests that ignite your passion outside of your musical endeavors.

Against the Sun: We all like video games quite a lot. We sometimes play different ones, but we’re all a bunch of nerds at the end of the day.

Amit Ahuja: What message would each member share with everyone if you had the world's attention for five minutes?

Against the Sun: The world is better with your art in it. Create for yourself, share it with people, and define your success there, you’ll never be unhappy.

Amit Ahuja: Thanks to Against the Sun, for sharing their story interest with us.

We encourage you to explore their music and follow them on social media. All information related to Against the Sun is available on their Linktree below:

https://linktr.ee/against_thesun?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeRQUO2TKyR8cNTuTHVNSPb3GVtYTQDLluyfYfdUV4yzVXgdkWBcYPSfgTzwQ_aem_BDUXOl5nZbelGxScUxLe1g

**Photos are by Jessica Greif of CapturedByJessica, and Vivian: So Finch Photography. Videos by Against the Sun unless otherwise noted***