-Interview- (8/30/25)
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? How did the name "Artillery & Storm" come about and is there any meaning to it?
Like any honest millennial, I got into rock music through the video games Rock Band and Guitar Hero. And in high school, I took a chance on guitar lessons. The real turning point was just how much I enjoyed the lessons! All my money made through mowing lawns went towards more lessons. And in college playing in cover bands for tips, all that went to lessons as well! I have always been fascinated by the technicalities of producing music, and did everything I could to learn more about it. Some of that attitude definitely plays into our sound. Not because it is the most technically difficult guitar parts or anything, but because the production is so complex and modern. Everyone in the band is a producer. We all really enjoy learning about new production techniques and applying them in a way which is unexpected. That combination is what makes Artillery & Storm sound the way it does.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
This is music to pump you up. I want the listener to blast this music in the gym and set a new PR on all their lifts. We write about a variety of human topics, but we really try to keep a positive or uplifting message at the core of our songs.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
I describe it as modern,alt hard-rock. Kind of a twist on a modern Linkin Park or Muse. We definitely have a lot of technical overlap with metal (a lot of modern metal is on the forefront of production nowadays!), but we mostly stay more approachable.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Everyone in the band probably has a different answer! But for me personally I will say Bring me the Horizon, Bad Omens, and Shinedown.
5. What's your thoughts on AI generated music?
As a means for more people to express themselves, absolutely awesome. Formerly, it would take years of lessons, and then years of learning how to produce before someone could get their ideas into a real song. Now with these new ML tools someone could bring their ideas to life in a fraction of the time! I have personally never used AI tools for music before, but I have no doubt it will become a normal part of a producer's toolset in due time. But more importantly, we are probably going to hear a lot of new and creative music - written by people, not producers - that we have never heard before, and that absolutely excites me.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Rock?
Right now, there is more diversity and more different types of rock than there has ever been before. I personally know people doing soft rock, metal, 70's, 80's 90's 00's, everything imaginable. And not to mention more modern styles blending hip hop, country, or other genres. Sure, rock doesn't dominate the top 40, but that is ok. It was never meant to. I think there are lots of times where rock is the perfect music for the situation, and that will probably never change.
7. What’s the current music scene like there in Illinois?
It is complicated to say the least. Smaller bars and venues have been having a surge in tribute acts - something which was not nearly as popular in other cities I have lived in. Not sure why, but it is a thing. Chicago (which we are based) also has a very strong festival scene, and just about every major touring act comes through the city at some point. So a lot of smaller, original artists are simply getting beaten out by major acts any given Friday night. And I can't blame them! If my favorite touring act is in town, I would want to see them too! So I know a lot of smaller acts actually get better results going on small tours as opposed to staying in Chicago.
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
I think it is more complicated than most people make it out to be. If it were simple, we would not be talking about it. The laws are stupidly complicated, and the market is complex. Even just navigating releasing new music nowadays is a surprising task. I also think people listen to music more now than they ever did. Nowadays more than half of the people on the train are wearing headphones at any given time. That was unheard of before convenient streaming! I don't really have a point to any of this other than respecting that it isn't an easy problem.
9. What’s next for Artillery & Storm?
We have our first full EP "A Narrow Escape" releasing on October 31st of this year. With the first single "wEird" dropping on September 5th. Also including a music video! This EP has been really special to produce. We have obviously released many singles so far, but never a collection like this. The EP really opens things up creatively - allowing us to release songs that were never truly meant to be singles in the first place! So I think this "A Narrow Escape" is the best showcase of what Artillery & Storm is all about.
10. Any shoutouts?
Thank you to my friends and family for all the continued support! And thank you to Mike and the rest of the team with From the Depths Entertainment.
