Interview Daniel Bohn

Join us for an insightful interview with Daniel Bohn, a progressive metal artist whose music takes listeners on an emotional journey. Discover the inspirations behind his unique style and the compelling narrative of his tetralogy, exploring mental illness and the power of resilience in the face of adversity. Get ready to connect with the profound themes and raw emotions in "Emotions Of The Sky."

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music, particularly in the realm of progressive metal?

I think that adventure started as very young teenager, maybe 13? I loved listening to bands like Avenged Sevenfold and Coheed and Cambria. I enjoy music that breaks the boundaries of your standard format. Long songs and music that didn’t conform. I think that same flexibility has helped inspire its roots into me.

Your music is often described as having melodic singing and soundtrack-like harmonies. How did you develop this unique style, and what influences contributed to its creation?

Several influences, I have always been passionate about movie/video game soundtracks, and the prog nature of bands like Porcupine Tree and Between the Buried and Me. I guess taking all of that in, I crated a sound I am still developing today.

 "Emotions Of The Sky" is the third chapter of a tetralogy. Could you elaborate on the overarching story behind this tetralogy and how this album fits into it? 

The overarching story revolves around the struggles of mental illness, such as anxiety and depression and how they can shape our worlds. Being symbolic in a fantasy setting, I take these themes and explore them in a fantasy story that shows there affects on mortals and Gods, and all the pain we create from them. The hope is to help people find a way to fight and not give up.

 

In "Emotions Of The Sky," your main character experiences eternal depression and anxiety, trapped in a boundless realm by a goddess. What inspired you to explore such deep and intense emotions in your music? 

Honestly from real world situations either I have faced or witnessed. In a way, depression and or anxiety puts us in our own “Realm”of constant worry, fear or loss that detracts us from the joys of the real world. The Boundless realms places one in an actual physical realm that they must endure constant visions or machinations built from the persons anxiety or depression. Escaping it, is no easy task. Just like these mental illnesses, few survive them and even fewer escape them.

 The album seems to journey through various emotional states, from depression and anxiety to anger and revenge. How did you approach translating these emotions into your music and lyrics?

 Honestly, at least for me, I had to get in those mindsets, and really feel the raw emotion. Once that happened, I would play, write, then see what flowed through me. I wanted it to feel authentic, and raw, not “perfect”. I really wanted the listeners to feel the emotion and hear the humanity in the music.

 

Can you take us through your songwriting process for this album? How do you usually start, and how do you develop the songs from initial concepts to fully-fledged pieces?

I would say a mix. In some ways I start with a story moment and things I envision i want in the piece. In other tracks, it was an emotion I wanted to convey. Disdained Gods actually started from the drums and wrote around them to create the full track.

 Your vocal performance on the album is particularly captivating. How do you prepare and maintain your vocal abilities, especially when dealing with such emotionally charged material? 

It’s actually tough. I have always struggled with vocals. In some moments you get in the moment, and the music literally takes over you and you get performances that are exactly what you want. The trouble is, sometimes it's hard to get there, and it takes practice so you can replicate. Sometimes, I will take raw vocal takes, where I literally scream or sing gibberish to get in the vibe.

 

Progressive metal often incorporates complex musical structures and intricate instrumentation. How do you balance these elements while ensuring that the emotions and storytelling remain at the forefront? 

There definitely is a balance. Personally, you don’t need things to be complicated just to be complicated. Sometimes simple is better. That being said, having intricate parts and complex situations can add flavor and richness to a track. So i always try to evolve by having these moments blend in with simpler ones.

Are there any specific musical or lyrical themes in "Emotions Of The Sky" that hold personal significance to you? 

Absolutely, The Red Blight is a cumulation of so many aspects of music that I love. Especially the 5.40 ish mark when the track turns, and pulls in that black metal vibe. When the blight is spreading and corrupting the land and its inhabitants, it's just so dreadful. It really pulls in the emotion and just a ton of energy.

 

As a singer-songwriter, how do you tackle the challenge of creating a cohesive narrative across an entire album while maintaining the integrity of each individual song?

 That is definitely a challenge. I do have sometimes listen over and over to a section I am working on to really try to find a great way to naturally progress. I think having moods or themes that can bring in the emotion and feel fresh, yet similar is key.

 

The album explores a protagonist seeking revenge against the goddess who trapped him. How does this quest for revenge influence the musical direction and atmosphere of the songs?

Well, anger and disappointment are definitely motivators. But foremost, the goddess is spiteful and jealous of her own sister. In her mind, destroying the world her sister made, was a way to punish or inflict pain on her. I think more importantly, the main protagonist knows they must take the burden on to stop her. They know they decide their fate, not the gods.

 

"Emotions Of The Sky" is the third installment in the tetralogy. How do you approach connecting the narrative threads from the previous albums while also introducing new elements and progressions?

Colors of the Land and Emotions of the Sky are very much a back to back sequel. The story continues right after, and brings us into new perspectives with new elements to add the story and world building. The Black and White Sea, is much more of a prequel, or a way to learn of ones past and the pain the protagonist had. Connecting them, can be challenging, as the lyrics only tell a small amount of the story. So much more is in the music and visual art. So making a call back to the Kahn in Silver winds, or other small connections lyrically or musically to show they are all in the same.

 What role does St. Louis, Missouri, play in your music and artistic expression? How does your environment impact your songwriting? 

Honestly, I haven’t really thought about it. I would imagine it affects it for sure. But i’d hope that no matter where I live I can pull in the surroundings into my art.

 Your music often engages listeners emotionally. How do you hope your audience will connect with the themes and story of "Emotions Of The Sky”? 

Ya, we are all different, and experience things in vastly different ways. I hope that Emotions of the Sky, invokes emotions from the listeners, and they can feel it in the tracks.

 

Moving forward in your music career, do you plan to continue exploring the tetralogy's narrative or venture into different creative territories?

Well, the story isn’t finished yet! But, for now, I will keep working on social media content for Emotions of the Sky and jam with fiends. As for whats next release wise, I want to take a little break from the concept. I think next, I will write an album of just whatever I am feeling. Each song is its own piece and not part of a full story. I have some grooves I would like to sing about, that do not fit the current concept project. I think these would be a total blast to release. So stay tuned for those!

 Finally, what message or experience do you want your listeners to take away from "Emotions Of The Sky" and your music as a whole? 

Overall, mental illness is a terrifying and serious thing. There is nothing to be ashamed of, and we're all in this together. We all have demons so to say, and the best thing we can do is fight them, grow and be our best selfs. 

Facebook

Daniel Bohn - Musician (@projectdanielmusic) • Instagram photos and videos

(22) Dan Bohn - YouTube

Emotions of the Sky | Daniel Bohn (bandcamp.com)