Interviews: Solstice Rider

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Epic Melodic Death Metal band Solstice Rider from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?

Thanks for having me, so the funny thing is Solstice Rider came to me one day out of the blue, with no inspiration and no prompting from others just a random thought. Maybe the metal gods gave it to me haha.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

The evolution of this sound and style came over a period of time when my father introduced me to rock and metal music at a young age. Initially, I was listening to bands that were available to me like Black Sabbath and System of a Down, eventually, I found Sonata Arctica on YouTube and that set me on the current path today.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

It was initially meant to be a one-man project but I realized over time that it was just not sustainable over the long term if I did everything by myself. There's even probably a demo floating around somewhere where I'm playing all the instruments/vocals and doing all the mixing on our first single ever released “Game of Life”. I was going for a Slayer sound with singing, wild times.

4. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

My inspirations vary depending on the day. Sometimes it's a video game or movie. Sometimes it just comes to me. It’s a mystery most of the time. 

5. Where would you like to perform?

Wacken or Tuska, most definitely. I've spent so much time growing up watching live concerts of Wacken and Tuska that I'm convinced they are both a sort of Holy Land for metal.

6. Whom would you like to perform with?

Nightwish or Insomnium. I'd say in retrospect these bands have put on amazing shows and to some extent, they have inspired my showmanship as well. Seeing them live is always inspiring.

7. Whom not?

I'm not really interested in touring with any band If they consist of a bunch of jerks. I've not personally met any of them just yet, I've only heard stories about them. But I won't utter their names here.

8. Any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

I'm sure most of us have suffered stage fright at some point. It's a rite of passage for any and all musicians. The best way to deal with stage fright is to face it head-on. I remember playing my first show and I was also a frontman and I can tell you I was very concerned about how things were gonna go. But I sort of fell naturally into it and it turned out to be an amazing time. The stage fright will go away once you do it enough times

9. What bands have inspired you the most?

Nightwish, Yuki Kajiura, Sonata Arctica, and Children of Bodom. Without them, I doubt This band would exist.

10. What do you think of your fans?

I think our fans are the gears that keep this machine moving. They are dear to my heart as we are dear to their heart. I look forward to growing with them in the future. It feels like a big clan.

11. What do you think of our site?

I’ve been intrigued thus far.

12. Something to add?

We are releasing an EP and an LP in 2024, STAY TUNED!