Interview with Bassist Fish from Solar Flare
By Mick Michaels
COSMICK VIEW: Hello! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.
CV: Given
so many major changes over the last decade, do you believe the music industry
is a practicable and stable enough environment for new artists to even consider
making it a valid career choice? Can a level of sustainable success really be
achieved in your opinion?
FISH: I feel that given the proper circumstances, anyone that has the ambition, drive, and willingness to work hard in the industry has a chance of success. Within the last decade, streaming services have been a game changer in the industry. Before the streaming platforms arrived, it was more of a challenge to get your music out to people’s ears. Of course, it also creates not so much competition, because music is not a contest in my view, but more content for the listener to sort through before they come across your music. Can success be achieved? I believe it can, it just involves a lot of effort and willingness to get yourself out to the masses!
FISH: I feel that given the proper circumstances, anyone that has the ambition, drive, and willingness to work hard in the industry has a chance of success. Within the last decade, streaming services have been a game changer in the industry. Before the streaming platforms arrived, it was more of a challenge to get your music out to people’s ears. Of course, it also creates not so much competition, because music is not a contest in my view, but more content for the listener to sort through before they come across your music. Can success be achieved? I believe it can, it just involves a lot of effort and willingness to get yourself out to the masses!
CV: What
do you see as the biggest change in the music industry since you first started
out?
FISH: The biggest change that I have seen is that it is no longer required to have a major label deal to be a successful artist. With the advent of streaming platforms and the ability to release music worldwide, it has become in a way easier for bands to remain independent or on a smaller label and still be able to make performing a viable career option.
FISH: The biggest change that I have seen is that it is no longer required to have a major label deal to be a successful artist. With the advent of streaming platforms and the ability to release music worldwide, it has become in a way easier for bands to remain independent or on a smaller label and still be able to make performing a viable career option.
CV: How
do you see your music separating itself from your peers and avoiding just being
another cog in the wheel?
FISH: Our music hearkens back to the golden age of heavy metal, with modern elements including power and thrash metal. We have something for every fan of heavy metal and rock music!
FISH: Our music hearkens back to the golden age of heavy metal, with modern elements including power and thrash metal. We have something for every fan of heavy metal and rock music!
CV: Has
the industry’s many changes affected how you write music? Has it influenced
your songwriting style in any drastic form?
FISH: Not at all, we write songs about what we want to write about. We do not try to fit into any type of industry “mold” when it comes to songwriting. We also do not try to do what is “popular” at the given moment. No gimmicks here!
FISH: Not at all, we write songs about what we want to write about. We do not try to fit into any type of industry “mold” when it comes to songwriting. We also do not try to do what is “popular” at the given moment. No gimmicks here!
CV: Has
digital technology led the way for almost anyone to be a musical artist in your
opinion?
FISH: It has allowed anyone to be an artist for sure. Although I also think that technology cannot replace talent and creativity. I think that from a recording aspect, digital technology has vastly improved the ability to put out a quality album, but it also can make things sound less organic than older recordings…especially when producers/artist use programmed drums and other instruments. The result sounds cleaner, but it loses some of the soul of an actual human playing the part.
FISH: It has allowed anyone to be an artist for sure. Although I also think that technology cannot replace talent and creativity. I think that from a recording aspect, digital technology has vastly improved the ability to put out a quality album, but it also can make things sound less organic than older recordings…especially when producers/artist use programmed drums and other instruments. The result sounds cleaner, but it loses some of the soul of an actual human playing the part.
CV: Has music in general been broken into too many
sub-genres? Why do think there are so many classifications of music types? Can
this be confusing for an artist who is looking to build a brand? As well, can
it be confusing for the fans?
FISH: Genres are more for the consumer than they are for the artist. We did not sit down and say, “What genre do we want to sound like?” We wrote what we felt and classified it later, haha! I do think that assigning sub genres to artist can be confusing; I mean what even is “Unicorn Space Metal?” It is useful for promotion also, because it allows us to target what people want to hear…sometimes though the subgenres can get a bit ridiculous.
FISH: Genres are more for the consumer than they are for the artist. We did not sit down and say, “What genre do we want to sound like?” We wrote what we felt and classified it later, haha! I do think that assigning sub genres to artist can be confusing; I mean what even is “Unicorn Space Metal?” It is useful for promotion also, because it allows us to target what people want to hear…sometimes though the subgenres can get a bit ridiculous.
CV: How
would you define “iconic” when it comes to being an artist or musician? What do
you think makes an artist iconic?
FISH: Iconic to me would be an artist who is able to transcend different genres and have mass worldwide appeal. Elvis Presley is iconic, because even if you are not a fan, you know who he is. I also think that being iconic means that you influence other artists with your music. KISS made themselves iconic for having a spectacular stage show and through merchandising. They put their brand out there until KISS became a household name. I do not see a pinball machine in our future yet...but anything can happen!
FISH: Iconic to me would be an artist who is able to transcend different genres and have mass worldwide appeal. Elvis Presley is iconic, because even if you are not a fan, you know who he is. I also think that being iconic means that you influence other artists with your music. KISS made themselves iconic for having a spectacular stage show and through merchandising. They put their brand out there until KISS became a household name. I do not see a pinball machine in our future yet...but anything can happen!
CV: Who
would you consider to be a modern day “rock star?” And is being a “rock star”
something to aspire to?
FISH: My definition of a modern-day rock star is someone who is out there living their dreams and playing music. I have never wanted to be a rock star in the traditional sense i.e., partying, groupies, and acting stupid. My ultimate goal is to be able to support my family with my bass by being a full-time musician. That to me is being a rock star!
FISH: My definition of a modern-day rock star is someone who is out there living their dreams and playing music. I have never wanted to be a rock star in the traditional sense i.e., partying, groupies, and acting stupid. My ultimate goal is to be able to support my family with my bass by being a full-time musician. That to me is being a rock star!
CV: Does
music need to have a message to convey to the world for it to be worth
listening to in your opinion?
FISH: I do not think so. Any music is worth listening to if the listener enjoys it. We enjoy history and fantasy/sci-fi and that is reflected in our songs and subject matter.
FISH: I do not think so. Any music is worth listening to if the listener enjoys it. We enjoy history and fantasy/sci-fi and that is reflected in our songs and subject matter.
CV:
What's next for you? What can fans expect to see coming?
FISH: We are currently writing songs for our second album. We are actively booking shows, festivals, and tours for the future. We are searching for a bigger record label for international distribution of our future album. We also have plenty of new merchandise including T-shirts, patches, lanyards and much more available for fans (also available online via Bandcamp!). Fans can expect us to continue to deliver quality music, and an energetic stage show! We are promoting ourselves internationally and hoping to gain a worldwide following!
FISH: We are currently writing songs for our second album. We are actively booking shows, festivals, and tours for the future. We are searching for a bigger record label for international distribution of our future album. We also have plenty of new merchandise including T-shirts, patches, lanyards and much more available for fans (also available online via Bandcamp!). Fans can expect us to continue to deliver quality music, and an energetic stage show! We are promoting ourselves internationally and hoping to gain a worldwide following!
CV: Thank
you again for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. It was a
pleasure. I wish you all the best and continued success.
FISH: Thank you for the opportunity to chat with you; we appreciate your support of our band!
FISH: Thank you for the opportunity to chat with you; we appreciate your support of our band!
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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.
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