Exclusive Interview with THORN

THORN is a mysterious being with desires as large as the sun. Designed to storm through popular culture like Mr. Morrison on a Wiley night at the Whiskey A Go-Go. THORN has the intelligence of Westwood and the courage of Rotten. Preaching transformation and unity across civilizations, with a fanciful fervor for revolution. This is a once-in-a-lifetime meteor shower act, experience, and sight that will never be forgotten.
“DARK SOUL” weaves a tale of a debauched state of mind, Love, and Madness. Carried by unrelenting drumming, catchy yet berserk bass lines, and passionate vocals. As the debut single of THORN is birthed into the online music world, it bears traces of THORN’s intentions and personality. Check out the song and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

THORN: I come from a town called Ware originally, currently living by the sea in Devon though.. I’ve always been a drummer, for as long as I can remember.. I picked up everything else along the way. I started gigging when I was 14 and fell in love with it immediately! From there I just kept on moving, kept on changing and learning until I reached the point where I am now. Still got a long ways to go.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

THORN: Self-taught with most of the instruments I know, that’s one of the reasons I have the sound I do, I think. You’ve gotta make up a lot when you’ve got no-one showing you the ropes. I’ve been educated in rhythm and theory though, helps a lot.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘THORN’?

THORN: THORN is my last name, well Thorne. I was going be named BLACKTHORN for a while, after a character from The Way of Kings by Brandan Sanderson, as well as a play on the phrase “black sheep of the family”. I’m holding onto that name for something else… I’ve always loved heavy metal since a young age, Slipknot – All That Remains – Rammstein – Thy art is Murder. I was that weird kid in school with long hair in back of class, playing his music so loud people next door could hear it. So it’s always been rooted to my soul, I fell in love with The Doors when I was a little older. And now I love all things.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

THORN: I’d describe it as art rock – free of boundaries and definition. I hope what resonates is my emotion & soul. Having a lack of bounders really allows me to adapt the tracks to fit my needs.

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?

THORN:

Above everything else I’ve strived for having my own voice, my own sound & style which took me years to make but I think I’ve got there. It started with immense amounts of experimentation – from broken microphones to alternative methods of performing.. At first I had no deadlines or rush so I was completely free to experiment and find what resonated for me the most. Hard to explain, it’s literally taken years.

6. 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?

THORN:

Music has the divine power of all these things, to connect and entertain as well as transcend and unify. My goal, personally, with music, is to unify as well as enlighten, to be a place of absolution as well as a tool used to wake people up a little.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

THORN:

I’m here for the journey, I love it now and I’ll love later. I’ve told my other half actually, that music was my first love and will be my last. They didn’t take it too well…

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

THORN:

It always begins on my own, with a thought or idea, a passion maybe. I’ve written music during sex, or on a lonely walk at night, sometimes it’s from the piano, often the drums. Each track is different, I think it’s real important to allow fluidity and give yourself to moments of inspiration… No saying “I’m gunna write 5 songs right now” Just letting things come as naturally as the rain.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

THORN: Well, my songs ASHTRAY and DARK SOUL are both rooted in pain. These songs are about evictions, break-ups, hospitalisations, suicide of a friend & a lot of chaos. It’s all been difficult. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

THORN: The success of sharing, having people enjoy my sound. Having people curious about THORN. That beats any tour or triumph so far for me. Just hearing the buzz and being able to share the success with my friends.