Dark electronic goth musician Midnight Thorn’s new album Alone in the Darkness is a deeply personal and introspective glance into the mind, philosophy, and personal experience of an artist delving into the darker side of music and life. Influenced by his immersion into the Albuquerque goth community and recent split with his previous band and romantic relationship, the album’s title reflects his newfound contentment in both his personal and artistic solitude. Check out the exclusive Interview below:
1. Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?
MIDNIGHT THORN: My love for music and desire to play music myself was certainly fostered by my father.
As a former nightclub and radio DJ, my father introduced me to a lot of great music growing up. As a teen he would take me to see live performances of all my favorite bands when they would come through town.
It seemed like such a magical experience to be up on stage playing music to a crowd of adoring fans. I thought, “that could be me up there”. Also, I find music to be one the things that makes life living. I want to be a part of that and contribute to the world the way it has contributed to me.
2. Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?
MIDNIGHT THORN: My journey as a musician started at the age of thirteen taking guitar lessons from an incredible teacher named James. He catered to my interests, teaching me the technical skills I needed to play the metal I was into as well as introducing me to the work of guitar legends.
Once my technical skills were polished we moved on to advanced key theory. This has proved invaluable to me over the years, especially as my musical interests and style evolved and diversified. It’s given me the ability to produce the particular sound and emotion I want out of the music without limitations as well as the ability to play any genre effectively based on the elements that create it.
3. Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound? Also, what’s the story behind choosing the name ‘MIDNIGHT THORN’?
MIDNIGHT THORN: Over the years the music I’ve listened to and played has varied greatly.
Each phase in my musical journey has contributed to my sound as I learned different techniques. Rush and Stevie Ray Vaughan were big influences early on, giving me skills for composition and soloing.The Black Crows taught me a lot about formulating catchy riffs. Blue Oyster Cult taught me to bring diversity of style to the table.
Later on I got into playing country music covers which I would play at small parties with my friends. Though I’m not sure there was any particular musicians that I was influenced by, but traces of Americana can be found in much of my music to this day. After that, a dive into Alternative Rock helped me to think outside the box.
Finally, getting into gothic music and the gothic community introduced danceable synth and electronic elements to my sound.
4. What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?
MIDNIGHT THORN: I would definitely say that my stylistic diversity sets me apart. Rather than try to create a signature sound, I try to make every song a unique experience. Changes in vocal style, blending of genres and utilization of a variety of instruments and sounds creates this effect.
You may not like every song on my album. I’m ok with that. But I feel almost every listener will be able to find at least one song they truly connect with.
I describe my music as gothic because my vision with Midnight Thorn is to blend the various styles of music that appeal to the gothic community. Elements of goth, post-punk, darkwave, industrial music, ebm, synthwave and dark-electro can all be found throughout the album.
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as ROCK?
MIDNIGHT THORN: Metal music and classic Rock were the beginnings of my musical journey and the first songs I learned to play. Playing country covers also was a big influence. Playing in blues bands taught me to work with other musicians and greatly influenced my sound. Karaoke was a big influence for me too. I learned to sing well and perform confidently in front of strangers. Playing covers at open mics furthered this, finally moving into playing songs I’d written. Forming an Indie rock band taught me the ropes of more serious performance and music production. I’ve always played a variety of genres and can write and play any style of music well.
Midnight Thorn’s style was really born when I started to get heavily involved with the gothic community in Albuquerque. I love the music and the culture and I wanted to be a part of it.
6. Music often transcends entertainment. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
MIDNIGHT THORN: Music can be a powerful influence, combining the emotion of sound with the winged words of poetry.
It has made huge impacts on society and culture over the years. It’s also somewhat self affirmative in a way though, because everyone will take a song differently depending on their own personal experiences. Sometimes, not at all what the artist intended. It also brings people together in a spectacular way. This is all the magic of music and it works in mysterious ways.
My personal philosophy has been greatly influenced by music over the years and I try to inject some of that into my music, as well as personal experiences I think others may connect with. Much of the lyrics on this album address the lies we tell to ourselves. I think it’s important to realize these things and break them down as they distort our view of the world.
7. Do you feel the rewards of your musical career match the energy and passion you invest in it, or are there different kinds of fulfillment you’re still seeking?
MIDNIGHT THORN: Not yet! But the journey has just begun. The sky is the limit but I’m very much learning when it comes to the promotional side of music. I learn a little more each day. Hundreds of hours went into the production of this album. I’ve done everything myself from writing to production and it’s been a lot.
I am quite pleased with my album though and I get a fair amount of reward just listening to my own track and hearing them come up when I’m streaming music. I did that! Is the thought in my mind every time I hear one of my songs.
8. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, what’s the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?
MIDNIGHT THORN: I have various different methods of writing songs that I developed in a period of time where I would write a new song every day, never to be used or played again. The point was learning how to write and get past creative barriers. This eventually unlocked an endless well of creativity for me.
Some songs start with lyrics and music is built around them and their mood. Sometimes the music comes first and I ask myself “what is this song trying to say?” and then add lyrics from there. Sometimes it just starts with a riff or drumbeat and I build around it and see what sounds good. Sometimes there’s a song in my head and I’ve got to figure out how to bring it into the world.
On this project I’ve worked alone. I’ve somewhat fell in love with being a composer rather than just creating a part of the whole piece. I may do some collaborations in the near future as it is fun to bounce off the ideas of others and work as a team.
9. What’s been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?
MIDNIGHT THORN: My life completely fell apart right before I started working on this project. An awful breakup with the lead singer of my previous band turned my life upside down along with some other circumstances I won’t get into.
Midnight Thorn was born from the ashes of my previous life. The Title of the album “Alone in the Darkness” is representative of this as I left band and the people that had become my family behind and went off on my own, finding a place of acceptance, friends and belonging within the goth community and making my own way in music.
10. On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why?And let’s talk about your latest release and future plans.
MIDNIGHT THORN: Releasing this album has been the biggest achievement for me so far.
I struggled with my previous band because of their inability to produce and release music in a timely manner. A year and a half in we only had one shakily produced EP to our name, though we had over 20 songs written.
I completely wrote and produced this album in 6 months. I’m quite proud of that and I plan to continue to release music at an accelerated pace. I want to share my ideas with the world!
11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
MIDNIGHT THORN: I have certainly dealt with haters/trollers in the past with previous music projects. Honestly it’s not a big deal. If people are hating, you’re reaching people.
Usually I just respond in a witty but non-confrontational manner and keep the conversation going because it draws more attention to the post. Use it! However, with this project I’ve received little to no negative feedback. I think part of this is that my target audience is the goth community. They’re just not those kind of petty people.
12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
MIDNIGHT THORN: I really have found I enjoy working at home the best. The creation of the music is the most rewarding for me. I certainly enjoy spending hours in my headphones recording and perfecting my tracks. Live performance is exciting though.
Though I have not done any live performance for Midnight Thorn yet, I am excited to embark on that journey. I wanted the album to be out before I started moving in that direction. That’s the next step though.
13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
MIDNIGHT THORN: I think everyone sees music through their own perspective regardless of the intended meaning, and I think part of being a good lyricist is leaving room for that personal interpretation.
However, I do enjoy sharing the stories behind my songs with others and I try to put that information out there wherever I can.
If you look through the description on my full album on YouTube it includes a brief background of the story and intended message of each song.
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