Artist or Band Name : Indianadesolate
Music Genre : Metal
Websites or Social Media Pages
https://indianadesolate.com/
https://www.facebook.com/heavymetal.org/
https://twitter.com/Indianadesolat1
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnkhlmAnGx6_aVHnhU1LrXg?view_as=subscriber
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0MeJRv7J4CSwg7My0gCf1M
What Musical Genre Do You Feel Best Describes Your Music And How Would You Describe Your Sound?
I would simply say that we are Heavy Metal plain and simple. I don’t want to lump us into any kind of genre as I feel doing that can sort of limit a band in the song writing avenue it will take. Growing up in the late 70’s early 80’s, I had lots of musical influences which I feel is a good thing. My playing is mostly based off of the legendary style and patterns of Dave Mustaine of the band Megadeth, I do however think it is super cool that the lead guitarist Jo is from the Norway area and offers a very talented and unique approach of playing that is different than my style and gives the band a more of a competitive uniqueness to it which is awesome. Our sound is mostly like the Thrash style of playing like Megadeth, Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold, and even some possible Disturbed sound in there as well.
How Did You Get Your Name? Is There A Story?
Yes there is. The name is kind of two fold. I first saw the saying Indianadesolate on a email address of mine and I thought to myself hey that sounds like a cool band name. The second and most important reason is because I and most of my family are from Indiana and after my grandmother and grandfather had passed away it left me feeling like Indiana was now desolate without them. And because they were such good people, those are the reasons why I named the band Indianadesolate.
What Are or Have Been Your Musical Influences?
I have lots of musical influences. I am very well rounded in music and even though heavy metal is by far my favorite it is not the only music I listen to. I growing up in the early 80’s like pop music from that era, I also like older 70’s bands like Led Zeppelin, etc. I also even like Inspirational orchestral music in a group from Los Angeles called Two Steps from Hell which are very good. But if your asking who influenced my guitar playing the most it would be the band Megadeth and Dave Mustaines style of playing.
What Are You Working On Now? Any Future Collaborations We Can Look Forward To?
I am trying to get my ass into gear and get into the studio to write and rehearse the next studio album or EP for us. I am having issues because lately I haven’t been feeling the desire in my soul to play the guitar. For my guitar playing to accomplish anything I have to feel what I am playing in my soul for it to be effective if that makes sense. I have not felt it lately. I do not want to force the issue because then I will be just wasting my time.
What Is Your Ultimate Goal In The Music Industry? What Is Your Plan Of Action?
I came up with a mission statement that I never want to forget as long as I am able to create music. And that is this : It’s never about album sales or dollars, but its about the kid that’s struggling, and that person hears something in one of our songs, and it hopefully helps him or her. Or, they identify with a song in a big way. That’s worth it all. If we can help just one kid help find their way, then it’s all been worth it. And whether we help that young person with life issues, or relationship issues, or just unanswered questions about life. Or, even which way to go in life. If we have helped that one person then we have done our job. That is our ultimate goal, to be a help and not a hindrance.
What Is Your Favorite Track To Perform Live and Why?
Since we are from different countries, and haven’t played together, I am going to rephrase your question into which track is my favorite. My favorite track of ours right now is When the Rubber Meets the Road because of how well the track came together and how well Jo the lead guitarist played his solos with the solo rhythm that I played. The way the track just combines together and sounds so good is to me epic in my opinion.
What Has Been The Biggest Challenge In Your Career Thus Far?
I would have to say whether I was married or divorced, because I started recording our first EP Anarchy In America when I was still married. The hardest thing for me has always been finding the right balance in my life and world, to allow my world to harmonize to where I can make not only myself happy but my loved ones as well and balance everything. To me and in my opinion, if a man can do that to where his world is harmoniously balanced in the right way then he is a wise masterbuilder, and I say Namaste to you my friend as that is my biggest challenge.
What’s Your Typical Songwriting Process?
First I pen the lyrics, then I start writing and rehearsing the rhythm guitar parts for the songs, which is a very tedious task. After the parts are perfectly played, the files are sent over to Jo and he really makes the magic happen. With his gift and vision he puts together a outstanding mix of guitars and drums. Then we send the song over to the bass guitar player Jean Bass and he adds his funkiness to the songs. Then the tracks come back to me and I go over everything me and Jo and I then look through the lyrics I created and see. This is where sort of having a heavy metal symphony in my head kind of helps lol. As I can sing along while I am looking at lyrics and hearing the tunes and see which lyrics match up the best. Sometimes, nothing at all in the lyrics needs to change and this is a beautiful way of confirming to me that those lyrics were destined for that song. After we find the right selection of lyrics for the song, we then send the files over to our Lead singer Mattia Brignoli where he adds his magic touch of vocal spicyness to the mix. When it all comes together It really is a beautiful process and hopefully the fans will love it.
How Has Social Media Influenced Your Career As An Artist?
I think and feel sites like Facebook, etc. have helped artists tremendously. I remember my days in high school before the internet, and the only way I could keep up with my favorite bands was either by MTV, or by going to the local newsstand in my town I grew up in and reading magazine articles the band had done. I remember countless times I would stand and read a whole article Dave Mustaine of Megadeth had done in Metal Edge magazine, because I was too broke or poor to buy the magazine lol!!! But social media certainly has helped a online band like us tremendously. I am different because we do not tour, and I let fans into my world and how I am in my personal life because growing up as a teenager I used to practice and do mock on the spot interviews to myself just in case I ever did make it in the heavy metal industry. So I always practiced for it, and feel I can handle it just fine. I am certainly glad for the social media as it helps us.
What Are Some Tracks and Artists Currently On Your Playlist?
I have lots of music on my playlist, a wide variety as well there is Ghost, Led Zeppelin, Megadeth, 80’s pop songs, late 70’s classic rock songs, a orchestra group called Two Steps from Hell, Sevendust, Disturbed, Linkin Park, 3 Doors Down, Pillar, Avenged Sevenfold, some Type O Negative and the kitchen sink lol just kidding. One track I found a profound truth based on how I feel is a tune by the band Kingdom of Sorrow called God’s law in the Devil’s land a really truthful song about the lack of morals in our society today. I really base what I hear on how I feel.
What Did You Do Before You Started Making Music?
I was pretty much just going through my life working and just being miserable. All because I was not pursuing what I love doing, and that is making heavy metal music. It is such a beautiful thing to just be able to create, and leave your legacy and mark on the world after you leave this world behind when you die.
Any Advice For Young People (Men or Women) That Want To Succeed In The Music World?
I would have to say to young people, that if you truly are gifted, and have talent at something, especially while you are young. Please do not waste your time, and follow your dreams, and reach for the stars. Too many times people have wasted their lives and become miserable human beings, because they did not pursue the gifts that they possessed. You will have dream crushers that will get in your way, and try to hinder you, because they themselves are not happy with there own lives. You will have obstacles, and down falls that try to stop and hinder you, but stay the course. Please remember that a artist does not die when they fall down, the artist only dies when they decide to stay down. Have that persistance, and be that tenacious pit bull that never gives up, or gives in. So that when the dust settles and you have laid all of your cards on the table, hopefully, you will have the winning hand in the game of life.
What Would You Change In The Music Industry If You Were A Top Music Executive?
I am not trying to attack anyone’s character here. If I were a record executive, I would definitely change the way the artists embrace, and only allow people with money to spend the most time with them backstage and at meet and greet events. I speak from experience from this, because at one time I was probably one of the biggest and most devoted Megadeth fans around, I even had tattoos put on my body devoted to the band. Now do not get me wrong. It was a thrill getting to meet the band after a indoor performance, but it was perhaps literally for 30 to 60 seconds. The fan who may not be as loyal, got to spend quality time with them, and even have lunch with them at meet and greet events, if they whipped out the money to pay for the bands time and attention. If I went on tour I would take my ass out to the buses first, and let the most devoted fans backstage first, and hang with them first because they are the most loyal. I would change up the game to where a fans loyalty is rewarded.
How Do You Feel About Originality?
With only 7 notes not including the sharps and flats in the musical alphabet, it is harder than hell to find nowadays. With every metal or hard rock song you can say this song reminds me of this or that tune. Thank goodness for modern technology that allows us to use different amp tones and different tunings on our guitars. I do often feel it is more difficult to start a (original if you can call it that) band rather than a cover band because with the original band you have to build the beast from the first brick on up. In a cover band, chances are if you are good enough you already have a following through he local bar scene and venues you have played, as to where if you are original, you have to start from the first fan and keep going, and that is if they like your tunes. I think with us, a online band only, we have it even more difficult because we do not tour or play gigs or venues. Every fan we gain has to actually take the time to listen to one of our songs and like the song. So a ton of it depends on our song writing. Also, with todays short attention spans, good luck. We also do not have a financial institution like a label pushing our stuff, we are the real underdogs in the underground metal scene.
Is There Anything Else We Should Know About You Or That You Would Like to Add?
I just wanted to add that I and the producer feel like we do not want to sign a record label, because we would be giving up our artistic rights to our music, and we would be forced to make music when we are not prepaired to write music. Also if we were to violate any of those rules written in the contract whether we knew about them or not we would be penalized in some way or another by the record company, because we were in breach of a binding contract. Now some may say well if you do not sign with a label then you will never make it to the big time. Perhaps we will not, but I ask you this, if the heavy metal or hard rock quote big time is so fantastic then why are many of it’s artists drug addicts, or former drug addicts, pill poppers, and alcoholics, and many suffering from depression. Still with all of the money, power, and fame they can not seem to find and keep that elusive key to life called happiness without poisoning there own bodies and putting themselves into a spinning wheel of destruction heading towards oblivion. Perhaps what we think is really the big time is just an illusion that we are made to see by the artists music videos and propaganda. I feel we should be free independant thinkers and use wisdom before leaping into the deep end of the cespool without first being an experienced swimmer.