Behind the Music with The Maiden Voyage Insights from an Exclusive Interview
Welcome to Hawk-IT Media, where we go beyond the music to uncover the stories, experiences, and personalities behind the artists.
In this exclusive Q&A, The Maiden Voyage bandmates JAC, Sonja, Brandon, Erik, and Patrick open up about the journey that brought them together and the creative force that continues to shape their sound.
The band reflects on their musical beginnings, the formation of The Maiden Voyage, the inspiration and meaning behind their music, and the collaborative process that drives their songwriting. They also share memorable moments from on and off the stage, the challenges they’ve faced along the way, and the experiences that have helped define them as a band.
From their earliest influences to the evolution of their sound and their vision for what lies ahead, The Maiden Voyage offers an inside look at the people, passion, and stories behind the music in this exclusive interview with Hawk-IT Media.
Amit Ahuja: Every band has a beginning, and every journey starts long before the first rehearsal or the first song is written. Behind every performance are years of experiences, influences, and moments that quietly shape an artist into who they become. Before we dive into the music, we'd love to go back to where it all started.
JAC, Sonja, Brandon, and Erik, tell us about your backgrounds growing up, the communities that shaped you, and how each of your musical journeys first began.
Sonja: My dad is a musician, so a lot of my early music experiences come from him. I would sit at his feet a lot while he played guitar (mostly the Beatles) and I would sing along. He signed me up for piano lessons through our elementary school in 2nd grade, and I’ve been playing ever since.
My parents also showed me Phantom of the Opera when I was really little - and to this day it’s so influential. I think if you listen to the strings enough in our music you hear the influence.
My Grammy was really into musicals, too. When I spent my summers with her, she would show us musicals like My Fair Lady, West Side Story, South Pacific, etc. This was my exposure to really dramatic vocals/lyrics. When I’m singing in the studio or live, I usually have a certain performance in mind for inspiration. This also really shapes how I write as well.
I went to arts based middle schools and high schools as a music major, so that really helped form my musical journey. As a music major we were exposed to so many different genres that really showed me the importance of being open minded, and how to take influence from every genre.
I remember being on a bus ride home from school, and a friend handed me her skullcandy earbuds and showed me “Pray for Plagues” by Bring Me The Horizon - at first I was like “what is this” since my earliest exposure was pretty light rock n roll. I listened to it again at home on the computer and fell down a rabbit hole of metal - discovering bands like Escape the Fate (which ended up being my first concert), Pierce the Veil, A Day to Remembee, Suicide Silence, Born of Osiris, We Came As Romans, etc. From there I was hooked.
Erik: Both my parents are avid music lovers and were singers their entire lives. So naturally I was drawn to music at an early age. My parents picked up on this as well, so they put me in piano lessons when I was 5 years old. From there I decided to join the school orchestra in 2nd grade playing cello, and then switched to band and choir in 6th grade. I joined the school band as a percussionist and jazz drummer, and from there the rest is history. Drums became my lifeline and much of my identity throughout school and my early adult years. I was a jazz drummer for years before I discovered the catharsis of metal, and ever since then I was hooked. I was lucky enough to be surrounded by loved ones and members of my community that support my dreams and my knack for music.
JAC: Like many people in the band, my dad was also a musician. He took a lot of inspiration from Prince, so he’s fairly talented on the keys, drums, guitar and the mic. So naturally from a young age he’s always encouraged me to get into music and find my passion in it. I jumped around from instrument to instrument and never really picked any of them up as a burning interest, just more as something to try out. In middle school and high school, I joined the school bands as a percussionist and had fun but it felt kind of hollow. Like I was going through the motions but wasn't really enjoying myself.
I got into metal pretty early because my mom would get these CD’s in the mail, and I guess it was like a mixed bucket every time. She ended up getting Disturbed, Drowning Pool, Linkin Park and System of a Down once and I was instantly captivated by them. The energy was just so raw and intense I couldn’t help but want to be engulfed by it. After some time I started playing the drum kit in my first real band called Inches from Agony with some of my day one’s Jordan, Matt and Jovan. My wake up call that I wasn’t meant to be a drummer was after we just played a set. I was chilling next to the bassist Matt and he’s chatting with some guy. Then I hear this: “Yeah you guys are pretty good…except for that drummer though…he needs to go”. I don't think he realized that I was standing next to him, but I’m glad that he didn’t, I needed to hear that.
I have this memory when I was about 8 or 9, and I was walking with my mom at a festival in Madison, Wisconsin. All of a sudden I hear chaos, absolute chaos. I turn to look and it’s a stage with a band with crazy looking members with multi-colored dreads and a crowd that looks like it’s mid brawl. I broke away from my mom and sprinted over to see what was going on and instantly felt at home. I couldn't help but watch the front man with admiration and intense fascination. The passion and energy he had with the crowd had me instantly hooked, I wanted to do that more than anything.
When I heard that random guy say that, I realized the entire time as a drummer I felt this draw to the front of the stage. I didn’t want to be stuck behind a kit with the weight of the tempo on my back. I wanted to be in front, feeding the crowd energy, like stoking a fire. After all of that said, shout out to that random dude in Mayville, Wisconsin. Without you I don't think I would’ve found my passion and be living my dream.
Patrick: Grandma had an organ I used to play with growing up, so my mom started me in piano lessons pretty early. I went into band on the tuba and hopped around from clarinet to saxophone until the end of high school when I dropped the band for computer classes. A few years later a drummer I knew asked if I wanted to join a band on bass, and I've kept one around ever since.
Brandon:
I spent a lot of time going to music stores with my dad growing up, he was in to DJing and small recording set ups and I’d Alesia pass by the guitars on the wall. I’d go “could I play?” and he’d say “one day.” Clearly a 6 year old doesn’t have the best sense of time so I kept asking until ‘one day’ I got my first electric guitar with a small 4 inch amp and 3 books to start learning. Once middle school hit and everyone was on YouTube in its early prime, I watched videos after school and on the weekends Just trying to learn something new until I felt comfortable enough writing a simple song structure. I totally forgot it now lmao but it was definitely a stepping stone to playing guitar for all these years.
Some friendships are built over time, while others come together through a shared passion that feels almost inevitable. Every band has its own story of how the right people found one another, and those early connections often become the foundation of everything that follows.
Amit Ahuja: How did your paths eventually cross, and what brought the four of you together to form The Maiden Voyage? How have your different backgrounds and musical influences shaped the band you are today?
Sonja: Well Brandon and I met in middle school, we were at the same bus stop and got to know each other that way. Brandon would come over after school and we would do acoustic covers of songs. Eventually we played a Battle of the Bands in high school with our covers. We decided we wanted to make it a whole band, and JAC was added as our vocalist, and he brought more people he knew in. We were going strong for a few years and then actually stopped making music together for about 8 years. I was putting together a local show and thought, “Man, I miss playing. I wish I still had my band.” And I sent JAC and Brandon a text asking if they wanted to get together for one more show, and we have been back together ever since. Brandon added Erik as our drummer, and it was a perfect fit. Erik brought on Patrick, our new bass player and it has been a great fit.
I think all of our backgrounds give our songwriting a unique experience. All of our music tastes are so vastly different, but you can hear each of them in the sound we have created.
Erik: I met The Maiden Voyage on New Years Eve, 2014, playing my first show with a previous band I was in, A Martyr’s Fall (good times). It was at a run down old barn in the middle of nowhere, Waukesha. 2 years later I ended up joining a project with Brandon called Visions (more good times). That project sizzled out quickly, but Brandon and I decided we weren’t done writing music together. So we s#!t out an album really quick (Jac helped here and there) and decided not to release it… ever.
Fast forward a few more years and Brandon hits me up asking if I want to play a reunion show with The Maiden Voyage. I was just in the writing stages with my other project at the time, so I said hell yeah, sounds fun. So this time I played another New Years show with The Maiden Voyage, but this time I was IN the band. And then Bandon, Sonja, and Jac got to work on writing more music and re-releasing their original EP while forgetting I existed (just kidding I was a busy boi) and in 2025 we decided it was time to play shows again, this time with new music after 8 years of radio silence.
Since then, Sonja has been leading us to victory as we’ve gained more and more momentum in the last year. This momentum eventually led me to ask Patrick if he wanted to dust off the ol’ axe and join our crew as our low end extraordinaire. His first show with us was Summerfest, so I give that boi props.
Patrick: Erik told most of my story, he was the drummer I joined out of high school in our first venture. After that, I subbed in for the bassist of A Martyr’s Fall a few times, and kinda got caught up with life and happenings until Erik asked if I wanted to play again. I -just- got a 5-string in hopes of getting back into things, timing was perfect. Most of the band I met in the months leading up to my first show with them. It was rough waters at first, but things really came together after a few weeks getting to know everyone.
Having joined recently, I wasn’t able to help with much of the writing so far. But Brandon’s help with tabs and some one on one’s, I was able to catch on pretty quick. I’m excited to see how I can help shape our future sound.
JAC: I met Sonja and Brandon though an ex when we were in middle school. We talked and hung out in passing but didn't really connect. My first band I was doing vocals for was a deathcore band called The Apophis Restraints and they disbanded around 2012. Later that year Brandon and Sonja asked if I wanted to do vocals for them. I was interested but wasn't sure how well I’d mesh with them coming from such a heavy background. So in all honesty, I thought they’d replace me after a while. I ended up bringing some other people in and we’ve been together ever since. We had our little hiatus for a bit, then Sonja decided to ask if we all wanted to play together again. I couldn't pass up that opportunity and I’m so glad I didn't.
I feel like the band as a whole has a very diverse mix of influences. Brandon has an incredible classical background, while Patrick, Erik and Sonja are extremely talented in their disciplines. Each of them are constantly bringing new dynamics to the table when we’re all song writing. So while they make the bulk of the sound, like the inner layers of a cake, I consider myself the frosting and the sprinkles on top. What I really try to emphasize with my sound and my lyrics is the raw human experience. I try to bring a raw, unfiltered, unapologetic expression of human life, passion and emotion to the sound. While Sonja and Brandon bring beauty, I try to bring the harsh reality.
Brandon: Sonja and I knew each other from middle school and during high school, we would sit on the front porch and play acoustic covers later on playing these covers at a local coffee shop. A lot of covers at the time included All-Time Low, Mayday Parade, A Day to Remember, From First To Last, and then we started writing originals. I wish I remembered the originals fluently! It meant a lot to us another time to perform in front of friends and family, but we always felt like something was missing.
I also knew Jac at the time and he would invite me to shows and practices for Apophis Restraints. Just after their disbandment, we were looking for a vocalist and Jac was looking for another music project. A lot of our time was spent hanging out as friends, and as friends music was something we all bonded over. Erik and I met through another music project called Visions and after a New Years reunion show “Tears for New Years”, we realized we missed playing as a band and how music brought us together.
Most bands begin with no expectations beyond making music together, but every successful group eventually reaches a moment when everything starts to feel real.
Amit Ahuja: Looking back, was there a defining rehearsal, performance, conversation, or milestone that made each of you realize The Maiden Voyage had the potential to become something truly special?
Sonja: I kind of have always felt it, but I think the moment that was the “oh we have potential” moment is when we played Summerfest after being featured on BSBTV (Blood, Sweat, and Beers TV).
Erik: Definitely Summerfest after our feature on BSBTV.
Patrick: Around 2 weeks in, when I asked what the next show was, and found out it was summerfest.
JAC: I know everyone’s saying summerfest, but for me It was when we played with Erra, polyphia and invent.animate. I still don’t believe that we did that at such a young age, but that was when I thought “oh snap, we might have something here”.
Brandon: Honestly spending a whole day filming a music video on the beach for Timeless was the moment for me. We didn’t have a green room, but we had a 2 seater lawn chair on the sand and that was good enough.
A band's name eventually becomes much more than words on an album cover. It grows into an identity that represents every song, every show, and every memory created along the way.
Amit Ahuja: What does The Maiden Voyage mean to each of you? How did the name come about, has its meaning evolved over time, and what do you hope people think or feel the first time they hear it?
Sonja: For me The Maiden Voyage means the first attempt/the first try at something and giving it your all, and enjoying the journey even when there’s a storm that feels impossible to weather. We used to be called Meet Me Halfway (when Brandon and I were doing vocal covers we would always meet each other halfway to each other's houses since we lived within walking distance of each other) - and when we added more people it just didn’t feel like the right name anymore. I can’t remember exactly how we decided on the name, honestly.
Honestly, most people think we are an Iron Maiden cover band a lot of the time. I hope when people see our name they connect with the feeling that we are all living for the first time, and are able to connect with trying their best.
Erik: The Maiden Voyage. To me it implies a fresh start, a grand beginning, a changing of one’s life. It’s arguably more fitting as a band name now than it was in its early years. The band has gone through so many changes over the years, but when we “got the band back together” for the final time last year, that set off a new spark of motivation and drive for us, and pushed us to where we realized we can take this project to the moon. We are now officially on OUR Maiden Voyage. So with that, I hope that people think of it as a message of hope and encouragement to start fresh or make those changes in their life to be the best version of themselves they can be. That is quite honestly what this band has done for me, and I will forever be thankful for them.
Patrick: The Maiden Voyage, to me, means an embarkment on a new chapter of life. Living again despite everything that has come and gone. When people hear us for the first time, I hope they think we’re sick, and they feel the bass rumblin’.
JAC: For me The Maiden Voyage has always been about going forward. I think I was the one who came up with the name because I was looking for: 1. Something that wasn't already taken 2. Something that meant progression. The Maiden Voyage was never meant to be something that stood in place. It was always meant as a vessel to explore, see new places, meet new people and learn things about ourselves. It became a therapeutic vessel to process our own experiences in audio form. After Embarkment, we decided to step away from the sort of nautical theme but a saying I recently heard comes to mind. “Smooth seas do not make for good sailors.” We made this band to have fun and to do things we haven’t done before.The name is meant to remind us that: even when things get rocky and we don’t know what we’re doing or where we are. It’s all part of the journey and that sink or swim, we still need to give it our all.
Brandon: The Maiden Voyage has always been about navigating through life. Not everything is easy and some days you’ll have storms. There’s always going to be a new challenge ahead and one thing TMV taught me is that you never have to go through it all alone.
Every great band is shaped not only by the chemistry between its members but also by the artists and experiences that inspired them long before they ever shared a stage. The personalities, musical influences, and individual perspectives each member brings to the table all play a part in creating a band's unique identity.
Amit Ahuja: JAC, Sonja, Brandon, and Erik, we'd love to hear from each of you individually. How would you describe your role and personality within The Maiden Voyage? Who keeps everyone focused, who brings the unexpected ideas, who's usually the organizer, and who keeps everyone laughing? We'd also love to know who your biggest musical influences were growing up, who continues to inspire you today, and where you think listeners can hear those influences reflected in The Maiden Voyage's music.
Sonja: I think we all do really well with delegating tasks/responsibilities. We each have an assigned management position/responsibility we take on. But for focus and organization, it’s usually myself or JAC, we handle a lot of admin things. Unexpected ideas are definitely JAC and Brandon, but in the best way. Their ideas and thinking is extremely valuable in our songwriting process. Erik, Patrick, JAC and Bradon keep us all laughing. I think our practice/songwriting is 50/50 laughing and work.
One of my biggest musical influences growing up was Selena Quintanilla of Selena y los Dinos. My sister brought a CD of hers home from school, and I was immediately overwhelmed by her powerful vocals. We watched the movie and I was hooked. I started watching whatever I could, especially her “Last Concert” at the Huston Astrodome.. She still inspires me so much today. I think they can see a lot of the inspiration in my stage presence, along with the way I have sung some lines on our upcoming EP.
My sister was also a huge influence on me growing up. She sang in her High School Musical Theater program, and would come home needing help with practicing a duet. Since she’s my big sister, I always wanted to do everything she did. We would sing “Defying Gravity” from Wicked and “I Know Him So Well” from Chess. I remember singing with her and wanting to sing just as beautifully as she does. She was my first vocal teacher - she would come home from school and when we were practicing her duets would teach me what she had learned.
Erik: Sonja pretty much hit the nail on the head with everyone’s responsibilities, so I’ll focus on my influences. As a child growing up, I think my first true inspiration had to come from my brother, Max. He was learning music and growing as a musician right alongside me, and he’s a couple years older than me so it was easy to follow in his footsteps. Once I was old enough to have my own feelings and preferences toward music, my heart went straight to the heavy stuff, and Guitar Hero was responsible for introducing me to Avenged Sevenfold. I know A7X has their fair share of judgement, but no one can deny the greatness of The Reverend himself (RIP). Jimmy Sullivan opened the door to the life I never knew I wanted. Ever Since I heard them for the first time on the best game ever made, I dove straight down the rabbit hole of metal drumming. Since then, I was introduced to Matt Halpern, Adam Gray, Matt Greiner, and Matt Garstka to name a few, and I realized my heart belonged to progressive metal in all its beautiful forms.
JAC: I honestly don't know how we get shit done, but we somehow pull it off. I swear most of the time when we meet up, we spend 80% of it having fun and laughing and the remaining 20% locking in. Sonja and I are the ones who handle the day to day admin things and while the rest of the crew really handle the leg work around the sound and structure. I feel like I’m the one who tries to keep us on task and organized but I’m also not great with that myself. I think I’m likely also the one who’s pulling out the random unexpected ideas that somehow make its way into the songs. As far as who keeps everyone laughing? It’s everyone. Everyone seems to have their moments when they just say one line that takes out the whole room. I really can't point to anyone and say “so and so is the funniest” because it seems we all have our moments.
My earliest influence has to be Casey Calvert from Hawthorn Heights and Chester Bennington from Linkin Park (rest in power to both). The first time I heard them, I said “Yep, that’s what I’m doing for now on” and stuck with that. Silence in Black and White and Hybrid Theory were certainly my jumping point for learning screams. After that, I leaned into more and more heavy influences. It started with Corey Taylor from Slipknot and Jonny Davy from Job For a Cowboy, Phil Bozemen of White Chapel and now Zelli Zellweger from Paleface Swiss. Fun fact: The first time I heard Entombment of a Machine, I absolutely hated it. I thought it was a terrible song because it scared the hell out of me… then a week later it was the only thing I listened to for about a month.I also have a lot of rap influences like Kevin Gates, J.Cole, Tech N9ne, 2 chains, and Pop smoke. Anyone who can get a room jumping with insane screams or rapid articulation definitely makes the list.
Brandon: I feel like we’re all pretty laid back and then get serious when we need to. That’s one thing I like about TMV is that it doesn’t feel like work. We’re still friends at the end of the day getting together to make music and play music whether its for ourselves or for others. I would say Sonja is the organizer, she loves a whiteboard, smartboard, clipboard, starboard you name it. But we all carry our own weight when it comes to completing tasks. We all can keep each other laughing whether it’s an inside joke or someone looks over and makes eye contact about a joke said last week. If anything, I’d say Jac and Patrick keep the laughs at 100%. One performance that really inspired me growing up was The Devil Wears Prada at Summerfest in 2010. I think that was the most jaw-dropping performance I’ve ever been witnessed and just recall the energy in the air, the sounds, and how fresh it was. I hope people can hear some influence with our music.
Patrick: I’m kinda new here, so I tend to take it easy and let the others handle most of the not music stuff. Everyone else nailed down the roles a bit better than I can, but I can give my influences. The first band I ever went to see was In Flames, opened by Gojira way back in 2007. An amazing show and experience for sure. I’ve made it to their tours a few times since. My other biggest influences in metal have to be Lamb of God, Bullet for my Valentine and Soilwork. I just love a big sound, whether it's in your face punchy or more orchestral and melodic.
Fans usually see the finished product, but every band has faced moments of uncertainty, setbacks, and obstacles that helped shape who they eventually became.
Amit Ahuja: Looking back on your journey together, what has been the biggest challenge you've faced as a band? How did you overcome it, and what did it teach each of you?
Sonja: I think our biggest challenge was finding our sound after getting back together after not writing for a few years. To overcome it, we just trusted the process. It taught me a lot about trusting the bond we have.
Erik: Again, I think Sonja nailed it with her answer. Our biggest challenge was learning how to function as a band again after so many years out of the game. However, we definitely found our stride when we discovered how well we got along.
JAC: Yeah I’ll say coming back together was likely one of the bigger challenges as well as trying to navigate the music scene as adults. It’s one thing when you’re kids just making music, it’s another thing when you’re adults trying to make big moves. Learning how to work with each other’s schedules and personal situations while organizing finances for things brings a whole new aspect that we never experienced in our early days.
Brandon: We’re all older now so life and responsibilities have changed since we were teenagers/ in our early 20’s. Balance was the biggest uncertainty, but we made a calendar to better communicate the times we can do things together. Even if its getting breakfast or a buffalo chicken wrap, you learn how to laugh in the little moments that make the bigger moments more manageable.
Patrick: Personally, it was trying to nail that first performance. A short time table, with the length of the set and having not played much in the last few years, made it a real task to get up to speed. Everyone was super helpful, understanding, and patient. The whole thing taught be about focus, friendship, and what really goes into the backend of one big festival like summerfest.
Every song begins somewhere. Sometimes it's inspired by a conversation, a memory, or an emotion that refuses to be ignored.
Amit Ahuja: Take us back to the beginning of "Limerence." Where did the idea first come from? What inspired the song, what does it mean to each of you today, and how did every member contribute to bringing it to life?
Sonja: To be fully honest, I was getting (and still am) a lot of creepy messages from one person in particular. Like offering me large amounts of money for a picture creepy. At the time when I got that message I was listening to a lot of “spicy” metalcore as it was popping off on TikTok. I was thinking it would be an interesting perspective to write a spicy metalcore song from the point of view of someone who was the unwanted object of someone else's limerence, since that was what I felt like at the time.
So that idea, along with the barrage of just creepy and inappropriate messages this person sent, made me wanna write a spicy metalcore “diss track” towards this person who just was not getting the hint that I was not interested. To me it’s just a light hearted way to poke fun at a very uncomfortable situation. It also was a way for me to branch into a new form of writing. All our other songs are emotional and dramatic, so this was a nice break from that.
I came to Brandon with a small sample synth of a song I had been working on, and it took off from there. He added the guitars, etc and JAC and I worked on lyrics together.
Erik: Give credit where credit is due. I was not involved with writing this one, so I give props to Sonja and Brandon for writing such a fun track. Jac and Sonja killed it on the lyrics as well.
JAC: Sonja basically came up to me and said “Aye, this dude is making me uncomfortable and I want to write a diss track about it”. I said, “Say less” and we took it from there. She laid down the synth, B came in with the heat, I gave it the F-you energy she wanted. I gotta say that was one of the most fun and straight forward songs we’ve ever made, to the point that it damn near wrote itself.
Brandon: Sonja gave me a beer that tasted funny and I woke up in a wolf costume with lipstick. Lol jk - Family Guy reference. Sonja told me she had a spicy metalcore idea and I said bet. I also wanted to step out of my comfort zone and incorporate elements to create more of an atmosphere and a feeling, rather than a riff, breakdown, etc.
Songs rarely stay exactly the same from the first demo to the finished recording. Some evolve naturally, while others completely transform along the way.
Amit Ahuja: As "Limerence" developed, were there any creative risks, unexpected ideas, or major changes that ultimately shaped the final version?
Sonja: This one had a lot of creative risks. We had always been more dramatic/emotional before this so it was a risk for me to do something with a more sexual undertone to it.
The first risk we did is in our intro. I wanted it to start like a 90s R&B song, (like The Boy is Mine by Brandy or Too Close by Next) where there was talking at the beginning, but I didn’t want it to sound staged. I called my best friend, Bianca, while I was in the recording booth at like, 11:30pm, and I just told her the situation and her reaction to it on the recording. So if you listen to the intro of Limerence carefully, you can hear more of what was in the creepy messages I was getting.
An unexpected idea I had was the breathy/panting parts. I wanted something to fill the space, so I had that idea, and literally took the mic and laid on the floor and made the sounds and it worked so we kept it in the song.
Erik: Again, I applaud my bandmates for writing an awesome track. It was a huge risk from what we had written before it, and I think the risk really paid off. Brandon wrote the drum parts in this song, and even now they are among my favorite drum parts to play across all of our works.
JAC: I felt like this is where we kinda embodied the “TMV spirit” where we just started pressing buttons and seeing what worked and what stuck. We started throwing ideas on the track one after the other and kind of just let it ride. The whole thing is we wanted to have fun with it and explore a space we’ve never had before. I think the risk definitely paid off.
Brandon: Literally pressing buttons to see what stuck. It was a lot of trying new sounds until you get the right ones that blend just right. At one point I was like “this isn’t making sense” and hat’s when I realized songs do not have to have a bunch of guitar. If anything, I’m more of a background element and the rest of the song comes from the lyrics, vocals, back beats, bass, and drums. Guitars just add a bit of flare, which topped it off just right.
Recording an EP is about far more than capturing songs. It's a collection of long studio days, creative breakthroughs, unexpected challenges, and unforgettable memories that often become part of a band's story forever.
Amit Ahuja: Take us inside the making of Embarkment. What was the recording process like from beginning to end? Were there any memorable studio moments, funny stories, or unexpected challenges that stand out today?
Sonja: “Embarkment”, the version we have up now, is actually songs that we wrote when we were 14. When we got back together we wanted to make them more current/modern, so we reimagined and re-released them. So we listened to the original version, and tweaked/added parts that reflect more of our current sound. The most memorable moments I have is just laughing together, and truly having fun in the creative process with the guys.
Erik: “Embarkment” was written and recorded before my time in The Maiden Voyage, so I can’t really say much about the process behind it, but I can say they are so very fun to play.
JAC: It’s wild to think that Embarkment is over 10 years old. I can't even remember the first time around because it was so long ago but I remember it was a lot of fun and a wild learning experience. Then when we redid it recently, it was like opening up an old journal and looking back over your history. I feel like there’s some parts I wish I had changed up since I’ve become more experienced but then again, I think it was really a good opportunity for us to relieve our past for a bit.
Brandon: Gosh the original version was recorded in a basement and whew I’ll tell you that was my first “big project” not the best at the time. Later I got back into mixing and wanted to revisit some old songs so I brought up the Embarkment files and tried to some new techniques. The falcon was never supposed to make it into the end of Captain America - tbh it was an inside joke and I forgot to take it out. But I’m sitting at a bar and we get the message that the mastered songs are done. I listened to Captain American and spit out my beer saying, “Darnit the eagle is in there still!” Everyone goes “too late it’s staying!” So that’s how we became certified onrathologists.
Once the recording was finished, those songs began finding homes in the lives of listeners. But before they reached the audience, each one had a story known only to the people who created it.
Amit Ahuja: Take us behind every song on Embarkment, along with your singles "Timeless" and "Gemini." What inspired each track, what experiences shaped them, what do they mean to you today, and what do you hope listeners take away from them?
Sonja: “Gemini” was written during a really low point in my life, and the questions that I sing on that track were questions that kept looping in my mind during that low point. The other lyrics in the song reflect that, too. For me it’s like a time capsule of the way I felt at the time, but also a reminder that I can make it out of those times as well. I hope listeners can take away that they aren’t alone in these feelings, and they can connect with us about how they feel.
“Timeless” was a lot of Brandon’s creative vision.
Erik: “ Gemini” was the only song on this list that I was involved with. I actually purposely wrote the drum midi “rough draft” way more complicated than it needed to be, but Brandon decided he liked it that way and published it anyway. So now I have to work extra hard on that song simply because I wrote it that way lol.
In all seriousness though, I think Brandon made the right call there because now the song has this sort of duality of emotion and character, contributing to the Gemini concept. There is this sort of sweeping melody floating on a more intense, rigid structure. It really scratches an itch I didn’t know I had.
JAC: When we recorded Embarkment 10 years ago, it was my first time being recorded as a vocalist, and I had a lot to say. Embarkment really became a canvas for me to lay out all my grievances, struggles and frustrations and I really didn't hold back.
The End was me calling out any and all forms of superiority, especially ones embedded in religion. I really don't have an issue with religion. I honestly appreciate when people have that support, that guidance and passion that drives their life. I find it fascinating and believe it’s a core part of the collective human experience. But the second it’s used against another person; I make it a personal goal to have them understand that they need to treat their religion like their hands, keep it to themselves. If you shove me, I’ll shove you and I’ll ensure it’s not pleasant.
Easier said than done was essentially my frustrations with myself. It was recognizing that my own negative mindset can take control of my body, emotions, interests and ambitions. It can feel like a never-ending internal battle of constantly fending off a barrage of heavy feelings day after day. Just to then have to face this cruel world that seems driven to want to keep you drained and exhausted. It was a reminder that it doesn't get easier even if you give in because that hole will only get deeper, you must keep going if you want a chance at a good life. Which is, as the title suggests, easier said than done.
Captain America is just a giant middle finger to the capitalistic meat grinder that is America. America is incredible and I truly love what it was supposed to be, but its advances have always been at the expense of someone else, foreign or domestic. We either invade other countries for foreign interests or we’re alienating our own people to fuel domestic conflict. I believe America can be great if we’d set our priorities towards the people rather than the ones controlling the people. It’s wild (but not really) that I wrote that song 10 years ago, and it still applies so heavily today. It’s only a matter of time that the collective wakes up and remembers how this country was originally formed.
As I’m reflecting on it, I’m realizing They Have Mouths, I Have Teeth would probably be our first diss track. Back then I was dealing with a lot of toxic people who refused to be held accountable for their shitty actions. It seemed as they went down they only wanted to bring you even lower. It felt like trying to help them was actually a trap and they’d take the opportunity to pull you down as you tried to pull them up. It was coming to the realization that some people won't rest until you're miserable just like them. So it’s best to make sure they never sleep and you keep living your best life.
I can't speak much on Gemini because that was really Sonja’s song that I only tried to help support. In the breakdown, I tried my best to really emphasize the hopelessness she must’ve felt during that period and how I’ve often felt. Where it seems that everyone else is able to flip the “happy” switch with ease and live their lives. Some of us feel like the switch is jammed and we’re stuck alone with the lights off.
Timeless, is likely my version of Gemini. I was going through a really rough time in my life where I felt like I was trapped and I didn't belong anywhere. I felt like I was constantly drowning with every breath as I was using my energy to just barely tread water. When I’d have moments of hope and confidence, they seemed to be swept away with the next wave that hit. I never felt like I could get a grasp of reality and constantly felt that feeling in my chest of a sudden drop. I became hopeless to what life threw at me. I came to the realization that even though I’m lost, even though I feel hopeless, the waves are going to come no matter what. Fighting them seemed to get me nowhere, I might as well try my best to go with the flow and allow them to take me where they want me to go. So far, I can say it’s taken me to a better place.
Brandon: Embarkment was the first EP I wrote guitars for and alot of it for me was how can I make this heavy. I know, typical thing to say for a 19 year old writing songs on a 6 string guitar. Fastfoward to my 20’s when I started dabbling in 7 strings and felt that I had the right canvas to convey emotion and feelings. Gemini and Timeless were perfect for me to experiment with wider ranges; distant ambient clean guitars that reflect the sadness in life and aggressive low tuning riffs/ chuggs that reflect the brutal reality. The dichotomy of the two really go well with a 7 string and I look forward to exploring new tunings.
Every band develops its own creative rhythm. Some songs arrive quickly, while others take months of experimenting before they finally feel complete.
Amit Ahuja: Walk us through the Maiden Voyage songwriting process. From the first spark of inspiration to the finished recording, how does a song come to life? Could you also choose one song and explain its journey from the earliest idea to the final version?
Sonja: I feel like it’s truly different for every song. Sometimes it starts with an idea or feeling that we have, and we write from there. Other times, we have a small keys/synth, or guitar sample we have written and we build around that - just like with Limerence.
Erik: For the most part, I leave the heavy lifting to Brandon, Jac, and Sonja, and I’ll come in and give my creative input when they ask. The band was always their baby first, so I do my best to honor that.
JAC: It’s really a mix bag. For a while it'd be Brandon dropping a song in the drive, then we’d just build ideas off from there. Now we’ve all started giving a little bit more into the first inspirations, Sonja will bring something to the table that we’ll work off of. Or I’ll send Brandon a terribly sung melody or idea that he whips it up into something delicious. We all try to contribute what we can where we can though the entire song writing process.
Brandon: Really I just go through life. I don’t ever try to rush a song or say, I need a song written now about X and has to be Y minutes long. Music for me is a way to understand emotions and navigate the problems I've encountered in life. If I'm going through something very intense or a period of time that really tests me, challenges me, or makes me feel a wide variety of emotions, I need to figure it out and the way that I do that is through music. It's a good way for me to go back and understand what I felt at the time. Not all feelings are conveyed through guitar.
Usually, I can hear the sound or effect as I go through the instrumental, otherties I go, “does this sound match the feeling?” I never thought that one instrument alone can satisfy that requirement, but I do find in moments like timeless where it's very intense starting off and then reaches a mysterious verse, a melancholic chorus, and a breakdown that eventually boils down to three elements; clean ambient guitar, aggressive, drums, and screaming vocals. It’s moments like that in a song where silence is louder than anything. Because most times you end up sitting with the silence before you write the song. Sometimes I’ll write a verse or an ear worm, ya know like it’s catchy and conveys the point.
Time often changes the way artists look at their own work. Songs that once represented the present eventually become snapshots of a particular chapter in life.
Amit Ahuja: Now that some time has passed, what does Embarkment represent to each of you? How do you look back on that record today?
Sonja: To me Embarkment represents the beginning of our journey back together as a band. I look back on it with a lot of pride. Those were songs we wrote as teenagers, and we were able to reimagine them in a way that reflects more of who we are now.
Erik: Like I said, this record was written long before I was even around, but for me it still represents my own beginning with this band. These were the first songs I had to learn in order to be TMV’s drummer, so they will always have a special place in my heart.
JAC: For me, it was really a snapshot of our youth. We were learning a lot back then and with the remake it shows how much we’ve grown from then. I personally think I sounded better in our original version, but I think that's because it has been engrained in me for 8 years at that point.
Brandon: Embarkment taught me how to and not to mix lol.
Patrick: I wasn’t involved with much of the writing, but it was the craziest tracks to learn, and super fun to play once you got it right.
Growth is one of the most rewarding parts of any band's journey. Every new release reflects new experiences, lessons, and creative confidence.
Amit Ahuja: When you compare Embarkment with "Timeless" and "Gemini," where do you hear the greatest evolution in The Maiden Voyage, and what lessons are shaping your future music?
Sonja: I think you can hear the evolution in the songs really well. Embarkment is very structured, and Gemini has a structure to it as well, but Timeless is way more fluid and has a lot more creative ideas surrounding it. I think that is where we really pushed and developed our sound. The lessons that are shaping our future music is to just have fun, and really continue to push ourselves to develop the whole sound. I really want us to push our limits, and continue to try new things.
Erik: Gemini and Timeless have a more developed and complete sound in my opinion. Brandon, Sonja, and Jac had been involved with a lot of other projects since TMV’s initial hiatus and developed their own musical abilities and landscapes over the years. I myself have come from all sorts of different influences and projects both active and behind the scenes. Bringing all those unique experiences together and applying them to this fresh, new sound has brought TMV to the next level.
JAC: I think that evolution really comes from the improved dynamics we’ve tried to incorporate into our singles. I think Embarkment was us just trying to find our place where our singles were more of us flexing where we’ve been, where we are and where we are going. I tried to bring in more vocal and lyrical techniques to really embody the feeling and the concept I was trying to portray. I think the rest of the band also really showed how they evolved with many of the other techniques and ideas we presented in each song.
Brandon: I hear a more mature sound in Gemini and Timless compared to Embarkment. When we all came back to write new songs, our choice in sounds reflects our growth and what we bring to the table from our individual journeys. With the newer songs, I’m backing off on guitar more and only using it when necessary/ most effective. Less is more!
Patrick: The newer stuff is definitely more refined and thought out. By comparison, the earlier stuff was more to stand out and make a spectacle, while the new stuff wants to drive its point home through a flow.
Although "Timeless" and "Gemini" belong to the same era of the band, each tells its own unique story.
Amit Ahuja: What inspired these songs? What do they mean to each of you, and were there any memorable moments, breakthroughs, or challenges while bringing them to life?
Sonja: “Gemini” was during a really low point for me, I had a lot of negative self-talk thoughts and ideas of not wanting to be here anymore. I was in a negative headspace for months. It’s really hard for me to open up to others, and to share my feelings. So it was a way for me to express myself without having to put in exact words. For me the memorable moment was hearing it all come together and having the relief of the feelings coming out and not holding it in anymore. My biggest challenge was being vulnerable enough with my band to let them in to how I was feeling, because I wanted that to shape the sound. I had to go beyond surface level statements with them and get really into what I wanted to come across in the sound.
“Timeless” is similar, with that feeling of hopelessness as an eternal loop, like the line says, “a feeling you can’t escape” but choosing to fight and pull your way out of that feeling.
Erik: Timeless was written during the time I wasn’t really involved in the writing process, so I can’t really speak to that song, and Gemini was sort of an experiment on drums. See question 10.
JAC: I think what inspired these songs is really that feeling of hopelessness and allowing us to feel the emotions rather than just trying to suppress them. I remember a late night where I was really struggling, I had what became the chorus ringing loudly in my mind. And I just thought “I know you feel like shit, but if you don’t record this, you’re going to forget it and feel even worse” So I booted up my computer and did a take while essentially crying. I wanted so badly to just lay in my bed because who the hell wants to listen to a take of a grown man in tears. But suppressing my emotions and allowing that embarrassment to hold me would’ve been worse for my mental state than to just “man up” and do it.
Brandon: Timeless captures that emptiness and hopelessness that I think a lot of people can relate to. A lot of electronic music actually inspired me to write Timeless, going away from the typical metalcore path, but wanted to bring in more of a dance theme. Because you can’t get rid of your emotions, but you can learn to dance with them. It brings a new vibe to our sound.
Lyrics often reveal thoughts and emotions that are difficult to express in everyday conversation. For many artists, songwriting becomes both therapy and storytelling.
Amit Ahuja: When writing lyrics, how much comes from personal experiences, observations, imagination, or emotions that are difficult to put into words? How do you decide which stories deserve to become songs?
Sonja: For me it’s a balance of experiences, emotion, observation, and imagination. Sharing/expressing emotions and feelings can be difficult for me, so I try to do as much of that as I can lyrically. Sometimes a line will just pop in my head and I put it in a note on my phone, as a catch all for ideas. Then I try to see which lines can go together when we write a song. Our process is usually deciding a theme or inspiration for a song, then we build around that together with visuals or lyrics that we have that can be put together.
Erik: I’m not much of a lyricist by any means. I leave that to the real professionals (Sonja and Jac).
JAC: Everything I write seems to only come from my core. As much as I’d like to be the more polished writer that has a notebook of witty lines that I can adapt to any song. It never plays out how I want. Each song usually has a specific emotion, experience, or vision tied to it that I’m trying to paint for the listener though distorted vocals. The lyrics end up making their way onto the page as I’m listening to the song and trying to capture the vision in the moment.
Brandon: That is a tough question. Some songs I’ve written because they’re too close like a diary entry so I keep those for myself. Other times, im usually going through something and I don’t have a guitar or drumset on me, but I’ll just word vomit what I’ve been going through in prose style in a notes app, close it, and come back to it in a week. Other times I just have an ear worm here and there. I’ll help out with the ideas, but I’m not much of a lyricist.
One of the most rewarding parts of making music is discovering how deeply it connects with complete strangers.
Amit Ahuja: Has a fan ever shared a story or message that completely changed the way you looked at your own music? Is there a moment that reminded you why creating music is so important?
Sonja: For me, a moment for me was after we had played Summerfest, there were two small girls who wanted a picture with me after our set. While I was talking to them one of them said they played piano, and for me it was an important moment for visibility. That girls could see me on stage and see themselves.
Erik: I haven’t really had a special moment like that with a fan, but there are few friends and family that like to tell me I’m their favorite drummer. That tickles my soul a little.
JAC: I had a friend come up to me once and tell me that one of my songs helped get him through a time when he was close to a relapse. That impacted me pretty hard, because I’d always hoped that I’d be able to help someone through my lyrics, I just wasn't expecting it to be so close and someone I knew.
Brandon: Someone came up to me after summerfest and said “you guys sound great and you have really powerful lyrics.” It was good to have that reassurance that our work reaches out to other people and reminds me that at the end of the day we’re all human living the shared human experience.
Music can be both an escape and a source of healing. For many artists, writing, performing, and connecting with others becomes a way to process life's highs and lows, while listeners often find comfort in those same songs during difficult times.
Amit Ahuja: How has music influenced your mental health and overall well-being, both individually and as a band? During challenging moments, how do you support one another, maintain a healthy balance between your personal lives and your music, and what message would you share with anyone who may be struggling with their own mental health?
Sonja: Music has always been my safe space. So no matter what I’m feeling, the music I’m playing or writing always reflects that. As a band we have always said that we are friends first. We are just honest with each other. We tell each other how we are feeling - if we are overwhelmed or need help, etc, we say it.
Sometimes personal life and music life balance can be hard, but it’s a matter of discipline and planning.
My message for those who are struggling with their own mental health is to lean on friends and family for support, let people know you need help. Also seek professional help, it is always worth it.
Erik: To add to Sonja’s statement, It’s easy to make time for the hobbies and interests that matter to you most, because it’s what you truly want to do. It’s easy for me to justify giving my time and effort to music, because I am always happiest and most at peace when I am playing and writing music. My soul thrives on it, and I’ve made a pact with myself to never stop pursuing music until I die on that drum throne.
JAC: I feel like many of our songs highlight the importance of mental health. Your worst enemy and best ally lives in your head, and that’s a difficult dynamic to balance. If you’re not patient with yourself and those around you, you’re only going to let the enemy win and cause you more pain. Unfortunately this world isn't set by default to help people's mental health, in fact I feel like it’s set to do the opposite. That’s why we really need to support each other and make an effort to support those around us. Friend or not, sometimes a small question, statement or act can positively impact someone in ways you didn’t expect.
Brandon: Music is a great outlet for self expression. I find it to be the most helpful for me where I can write a song about a tough time or what I was going through, go back and listen to it a year later and go “wow, I was going through a lot.” But that helps provide clarity in my emotions and how I can move on from them in a healthy way. As a band, I feel like we all understand each other better because we are constantly expressing ourselves around each other and helping each other communiticate exactly what it is we want to express. It really shows a sense of support we have for one another. As far as managing our personal lives, we understand that we all have lives and respect each others’ life duties outside of music. At the end of the day, TMV is a way for us to come back and say “hey, how’s everyone doing?”
Patrick: Music is always there, a track for every mood to help you through. Some tracks and albums have really helped me through hard times, and others to let loose in the good ones. I’m always at the ready if anyone in the band needs an ear, some this or that equipment, or some gear hauled. Keeping time for the band isn’t too tricky, practice gets set enough in advance, and I'm able to practice quietly at home with my gear if need be. To people struggling I would just paraphrase one of my favorite newer sayings “Stay with us, your time to shine is coming, trust.”
No matter how far a band travels, there's usually a piece of home that remains part of its identity.
Amit Ahuja: How has your hometown and local music scene influenced The Maiden Voyage's sound, work ethic, and identity? Are there venues, musicians, or experiences that helped shape who you are today?
Sonja: Milwaukee is our hometown. Our first show was at the coffee shop I worked at called “Sherman Perk” on the Northside. We played X-Ray Arcade a lot, and we have played with some incredible bands there. Playing the Miller Lite Oasis Stage at Summerfest this year was a huge moment for us, too.
The local music scene has shaped our sound a lot. They’ve given us a lot of support over the years. We have a lot of friends in other bands who have helped shape our sound, too.
As for experiences that have helped shape who we are today, I would honestly say it’s the cliche saying of “trial and error”. We have made mistakes on the way, along with successes, but each one has been an important lesson to us about who we are, or areas we may need to improve.
Erik: The Metal Grille, now called Xray Arcade, will always be home base to me. I’ve met so many wonderful people from playing shows at that venue. Seen so many amazing bands. MET so many amazing musicians. But I agree with Sonja that the Miller Lite Oasis Stage was something else.
JAC:I really have nothing but love for the Milwaukee/midwest metal scene. It is a great community that helps each other out when it can and holds strong morals. We make a strong effort to keep the scene a welcoming, hate-free environment. The shows should be people's safe space and I feel like after every show that becomes more true. The love and support I feel at every event makes me proud to be involved in the scene and makes me want to do what I can to help it grow even more.
Brandon: Shout out to the Sherman Perk, (r.i.p. the table). We played there for acoustic shows and had a lot of fun. The local scene was a mix of varying types of support. I’d say you find the support that matters most to you and keep going with that. Our last show in a bar in Appleton, WI was so much fun. But honestly, I’d say the Miller Lite Oasis Stage is the most memorable time for me. I felt like I was finally somewhere I wanted to be as a performer.
Patrick: I’d agree with Erik that the x-ray feels almost like a home base. While I've not played there as much, I spent some years and countless shows setting up and tearing down there for A Martyr’s Fall. It’s given all of us many chances to meet alot of great people and talented musicians.
The stage is where songs truly come alive. Every performance creates a unique connection between the band and the audience that can never be recreated in a studio.
Amit Ahuja: When someone sees The Maiden Voyage perform for the very first time, what experience do you hope they leave with? Beyond the music itself, how important are atmosphere, audience interaction, and creating a memorable live show?
Sonja: I hope they leave with the experience of seeing a band with lots of energy on stage, who is inviting you to join the fun with us, rather than just watching. Atmosphere and audience interaction is essential when creating a memorable live show. When the audience feels like a part of the music, rather than a bystander, that’s what makes a difference.
Erik: I hope that everyone in the crowd leaves our show wanting more. I want the experience to move each and every person in the room with us, and I want them to feel like that performance was just for them, because it is. I know it's not realistic to reach everyone's hearts like that, but I will always play with that exact intention
JAC: My goal for every show is for someone to turn to a friend and go “What the hell was that?!”. I really strive for the show to be an immersive experience that keeps the viewer on their toes. Even if they know the song, I want to still keep people guessing of what’s next. I try my best to really feed the crowd as much energy as I physically can, because every time I have I get an incredible return on investment. I hope that when people leave the show, they feel like they must see us again because they know it’s not just going to be a show, it’s going to be an experience.
Brandon: my goal for every show is to have someone leaving the venue being like wow I want to see that band perform again or they would really fit well with *insert bands* at a live show. I strive to make each show an experience for someone that they feel like the performers connected with them on stage.
Patrick: I just want folk to dig the music and have a great time. I still have alot to learn about really getting the crowd going. Now that I’ve got all the music nailed down, I’m working on how to move with it and keep from being a statue on stage. Gotta keep the energy up!
Some of the best stories happen away from the spotlight. Long drives, late-night rehearsals, backstage conversations, and unexpected moments often become the memories bands cherish the most.
Amit Ahuja: Looking back, what's one behind-the-scenes story that perfectly captures what it's really like being part of The Maiden Voyage?
Sonja: One of my bandmates will hate this story but there was a time when we were trying to record a line in the studio, and I wanted it a certain way, and he insisted that it wouldn’t sound right. I kept telling him, “just try it, just try it” - well he did and he was right, it didn’t sound right. When we played it back to listen, it sounded so off/wrong that I literally fell to the ground laughing so hard I was crying and he’s just shaking his head saying “I told you so”, and we got right back to work. Another moment is after we played Summerfest, and we had our “We did it” moment. Being a part of TMV is like getting a bonus family.
Erik: I am so bad at recalling specific events but one particular studio session comes to mind. I believe we were recording Sonja’s vocals for Forget Me Nots, and Sonja for the life of her could not hit a specific note and it was driving her crazy. I came in and did my best to guide her through the vocal melody, but the syllable that she kept messing up was “moo” so it just kept getting funnier and funnier the more we emphasized that note. Anyways, by the end we were all laughing so hard it was a miracle we were able to finish those vocals. Good times. I promise it was funnier in person, you had to be there.
JAC: Man, the amount of dumb inside jokes in this band is absolutely unreal. The only thing I gotta say about this is that the one we dub as the Duke of Burleigh has given us a wealth of wild stories that I hesitate to share. I guess the one I can share is, I had a buddy that was from France (Shout out Lex) that came to every practice, every meet up and was essentially our first roadie. Well, we have one of our biggest shows before he leaves to go back to France and he’s never seen us play a real show before. We get there, get ready and wait to play. While we wait, the Duke takes Lex into a van and they both get absolutely loaded. Little did they know, we only had to wait for one band to play before we went on. So while we’re playing the set, they’re in the van getting destroyed. We come off stage and Lex enthusiastically goes “Alright let’s get this show started!”... I had to inform him that no one knew where he went and that we just finished playing. I learned a lot of French that day that I don't think I repeat in public.
Brandon: we are just finished tracking Jac’s vocals for our song roses, and the last lyric is “lie, lie, lie.” at the end we said what if you say “you lie!“ from the show invader Zim. We kept it in the song until we had to send it out, not doing a falcon part two lol but random studio inside jokes like that keep us laughing.
Patrick: Ooo there was a fun hot-tub promo with wayy too many takes.
While music is a huge part of your lives, it isn't the whole story. The passions you pursue away from the stage often influence the creativity you bring back to it.
Amit Ahuja: When you're not writing, rehearsing, recording, or touring, what do each of you enjoy doing? How do you relax, recharge, and find inspiration outside of music?
Sonja: I have a lot of interests/hobbies. Along with music, I model on the side as well. It’s always such a fun experience. I also dabble in fashion design from time to time. If I had more time, I would learn how to bring my sketches fully to life. I’m also an avid reader, I think that’s the biggest way I relax. I just finished reading my 15th book this year, and I’m already on to my next one. The biggest way I find inspiration is seeing new bands live, from stories I read, movies I watch, or film soundtracks I listen to.
Erik: I would say my biggest interests are my friends and family. I like to watch movies and play video games and what not, but I find the most fulfillment among all my favorite people. A good laugh and a good time can do wonders for the soul. Also, I’m a sucker for a good nap.
JAC: I’m honestly pretty lame. I work out, find events to go to with my friends and play videogames. In the summer I go camping, and cruise back roads until I get lost. In the winter I snowboard and go drifting in parking lots. I try to travel as much as I can and my goal is to hit every continent at least once.
Brandon: I like grilling, there’s something therapeutic about it that’s so relaxing. Plus you can eat after it! I like mini golf, chilling with my friends’ dogs, and catching up on sleep.
Patrick: If im not upgrading my P.C. or building one for a friend im probably using it. That, or some disk golf.
Fans know the musicians they see on stage, but there's always another side that rarely gets the spotlight.
Amit Ahuja: What's something about each of you that fans would probably never guess? Do you have hidden talents, unusual hobbies, or interesting interests you'd like people to know about?
Sonja: Something people would never guess and is an unusual hobby is that I collect swords, specifically replicas from fantasy films I love. I have quite a few of Lord of the Rings, but I still want to grow my collection. A hidden talent is that I can speak a little French. An interesting interest I have would be to have a library of my own. You need 1,000 books to officially register as a library. It’s a big life goal of mine.
Erik: Outside of drumming, I wouldn’t say I have a very interesting lifestyle. I wake up, pound an energy drink, go to work, come home, spend time with my partner and our fur babies (2 cats and a bunny) and go to sleep way later than I should. Sprinkle practicing drums and playing shows in there and that’s my life. I wish I had more time and money to do more fun things, but don’t we all.
JAC: I can solve a rubix cube and I hang with my cats, not a whole lot going on besides that.
Brandon: I love watching reality TV - Bravo network is my comfort!
Patrick: I can never finish watching a gundam series but I have about 20 built.
Every band eventually reaches a point where it begins looking toward the next horizon. New songs, new experiences, and bigger dreams become the motivation for what's next.
Amit Ahuja: Where do you hope The Maiden Voyage goes from here? Are there new musical directions you'd like to explore, dream collaborations, festivals, or venues you'd love to experience? Looking far into the future, what legacy do you hope your music leaves behind?
Sonja: I hope we continue to push ourselves and our sound. We are doing our best to keep things moving and ride the momentum as best as we can. A goal is to continue to do what we can to reach new audiences.
A new musical direction I would like to explore would be to have more
EDM/electric pop sounds in our new music. A dream collaboration I would have would be with Chris Perez, doing an acoustic song together. Other dream collaborations I would have would be with LIGHTS, Bad Omens, Of Virtue, Yergurl, and a curveball one is Craig Armstrong (I would love to work with him to compose an orchestral piece).
A dream venue/festival for me would be Warped Tour, Welcome to Rockville, Upheaval, and Inkcarseration. As a Milwaukee native, the Rave is up there for me, too. I hope we leave a legacy of a band who is authentic, and created music that people connect to.
Erik: We are really just getting started as far as where we want to take this project. We have finally broken out into festival shows, and we are definitely focused on maxing out our reach with that. Personally, I feel the sky is the limit. I want to make music and spread it to the far corners of the world. Luckily with the internet and social media, that is a lot easier these days. Dialing it in though, I just want to get a good sized van and bring our music to anyone that wants to hear it. That would be the dream.
I hope people are still listening to our music a thousand years from now. I hope the people of countless generations after us listen to us and think, “yeah i can dig this” or “this is doing something for me”. The world could always use more joy, laughter, and music. I just want to make that my purpose.
Brandon: I definitely would like to play more festivals and large scale outdoor venues. Maybe I like the breeze and fresh air haha, but I’d want our music to carry through different eras where it evolves but doesn’t lose its true core.
JAC: Ideally I’d like to really have us lean further onto our live experience for the audience. There’s so much we can do beyond just the music and I want us to explore that much more as we grow as a band. I also definitely want to play more festivals. It’s so cool hearing “I was just walking past and you guys caught my attention.” Even if they didn't like the set, I’m just happy that we caught the attention of someone new who likely wouldn't have even come to a show. The ability to give people the opportunity to experience us on their own free will rather than cramming them in a room and forcing them to watch gives a different aspect in my opinion.
My lyrics and the music are likely going to be the only legacy I leave behind. I think about the fact that I, and probably most people, have no idea who someone like their great great great grandfather is. Even if I knew his name, there’s likely nothing around that’d be able to tell about his character, experiences, or ideals. All that becomes washed away within a few generations. I feel like what we do in this or any band has a chance to last longer than just one or two generations. It has the possibility to show who we are and what we believe long after we’re gone. Even if I wrote a memoir outlining everything in my life, not only will no one likely read it, but it will also likely get lost in time. Using music as a form of that legacy gives people at least a more digestible snapshot of who the people were at that period of their lives. I just hope people can relate enough to take something from it.
Patrick: I haven’t had much of a chance to help shape the sound yet, I’m just excited to see what I can add to the mix. Dream collabs for me would probably be along the lines of something with Lamb of God or Soilwork. I think we could really mesh well with their sounds. As far as dream venues, I cant think of anything off the top of my head, but I’ve always wanted to visit and play in Japan. If my music were to leave a lasting mark, I just hope its one of good times and sick beats.
Music and film have always shared a unique relationship. The right song can transform a scene into something unforgettable and become forever connected to that story.
Amit Ahuja: If you could place a Maiden Voyage song in any film, television series, or iconic movie scene, what would each of you choose? Which of your songs would you feature, and why would it be the perfect fit?
Sonja: For a film, I want to say Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I love that movie so much, and I think the scene that I would choose would be when Joe is struggling to hold on to any memory he can of Clem, but I would pair it with our song “Gemini”. For TV series, I would say Naruto, but throw any of our breakdowns over a fight scene from The Fourth Great Ninja War and I will be happy.
Erik: Timeless should be in Castaway with Tom Hanks. No explanation necessary. Wilson can sing the harmonies.
Limerence can be on Euphoria… hear me out…
JAC: I’m not a tv or film buff at all, so I struggle matching any of our songs with something like that. However, for some reason I felt like Captain America would make an awesome animated music video. There’s so many concepts in there that I feel like could give the right artist a lot of inspiration to make something truly wild and unique.
Patrick: Put timeless to any good fight scene and its set.
Every journey leaves something behind—not only for the people creating it, but also for those inspired along the way.
Amit Ahuja: As we wrap up, what message would each of you like to leave with your fans and our readers? Whether someone is chasing a dream, struggling through a difficult season, or simply searching for their own path, what words of encouragement would you like to share?
Sonja: I was watching an interview of a musician I really admire, and he said “No one is going to care about your art more than you do.” That really stuck with me. No one is coming to open doors for you, you have to open them yourself, or build the door to opportunity for your art and your voice. A message I would want fans and readers to know is that you are always capable of more than you know. Whether you are chasing a dream, struggling through a different season, or searching for your own path, I would say “it is all possible” - it’s just about the work and energy you put into it. Another line from Brandy’s Cinderella that has stuck with me since I was a kid is “Impossible things are happening everyday”.
Erik: I guess the best piece of advice I could give to anyone out there is to always stay true to yourself, never stop searching for your purpose, and don’t forget to smile. Life never gets easier, we just get better at life. If you’ve ever wondered if you should pick up that skill or hobby that’s always in the back of your mind, just go for it. You’ll never know if you were meant to until you do. Life is too short for what ifs. That’s why I am chasing my dreams even in my 30s.
Brandon: as corny and cliche as it sounds, changing your mindset really shapes how you tackle future events. One of our earliest shows was not our best, but we said “Are we gonna sit around and mope about why things aren’t fair, or are we going to figure it out and make sure it doesn’t happen again?” We had a lot of growth and I want to tell everyone to keep on growing. Grow where you are planted, everyone’s bloom/harvest season is at a different time, but what matters is that you learn about yourself.
JAC: I get told a lot that I can be a bit morbid about these things, so I apologise in advance. But, unless you know exactly when you’re going to die, why the hell are you not doing whatever the hell you want? We’re only on this planet for an incredibly brief and stressful period of time, so why are you limiting your potential? We’re all going to die anyway and the last thing I want while my soul is leaving my body is to be thinking “man I wish I would've done X” or “I wish I would’ve tried Y”. Just fuckin’ do it. Otherwise you’re going to regret not doing it and there are no second chances.
I say this knowing fully well that my own anxiety holds me back from time to time. But every opportunity I can break though that mindset, I do what I can so I can live my best life. It’s too short and fucked not to. Everyone else is going to talk shit about you regardless of you doing what you want or doing what they want. At that point, just let ‘em, let your haters be your motivators. As long as you have your shit together, you’re looking out for your fellow man, and being kind to those around you, just send it. Just start pressing buttons and see what the hell happens. What do you literally have to lose?
Patrick: I’ts definitely not all sunshine and roses, we’ve all got those moments we struggle through. I’ve seen my fair share of strife, and probably caused more than some unintentionally. All we can really do is try our best with every day we’ve got, and just be honest with each other. Oftentimes, hiding the pain is worse than letting someone see what you’re going through. We’re all human, and we’ve all gotta help each other through this world. Keep shining, star.
Amit Ahuja: That concludes our exclusive Q&A interview with The Maiden Voyage. A huge thank you to JAC, Sonja, Brandon, Erik, and Patrick for taking the time to share their stories, experiences, and the journey behind their music with Hawk-IT Media.
From their beginnings and creative process to the challenges they’ve overcome and their plans for the future, The Maiden Voyage continues to move forward while staying true to who they are as a band.
Thank you for reading and stay tuned to Hawk-IT Media for more exclusive interviews with artists and bands.
Be sure to check out The Maiden Voyage’s Linktree below to explore their music, social media, and more:
All photos used by Hawk-IT Media are the property of the respective photographers credited below.
Erik (drums) — Bryce Rambin of Rambin Productions (@rambin_productions_)
Sonja (keytar/clean vocals) — Breighanna Maye of MetalMuse Media (@metalmusemedia)
Patrick (bass) — Breighanna Maye of MetalMuse Media (@metalmusemedia)
Brandon (guitar/clean vocals) — Bryce Rambin of Rambin Productions (@rambin_productions_)
JAC (vocals) —Bryce Rambin of Rambin Productions (@rambin_productions_)
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