A Dirty Dozen with GHOST HORIZON – September 2021

According to a recent press release: “Ghost Horizon is an atmospheric black metal band from Phoenix, AZ. Dan Stollings, the founder of Ghost Horizon, writes and performs vocals and plays all the stringed instruments.” We get Dan to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

I like to sprinkle in little melodies and what not that you might not pick up on the first time around. Also, some of the lyrical content is very obviously personal. Can you pick out the parts that are?

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I can almost say single handedly, Iron Maiden got me into metal and music in general. Their musicianship was/is amazing.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Iron Maiden’s Live After Death album hit me pretty hard. The energy and attitude was more than I could handle at 13 years old.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Emperor, Alcest, Agalloch, Woods of Ypress, and Ulver.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Thinking of Ulver, I’d say having Garm on an album (doing screaming vocals!!!) would be fantastic.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I’d describe it as melodic, atmospheric black metal. I’ve been compared to child trying to put a square piece into a round hole before. That was funny AND depressing. Good job on that guy.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Well, since Ghost Horizon is essentially a one man band, and can do all of that myself if I drink enough.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I’m not one to get starstruck, but I did get to meet Neige of Alcest, Jeff Waters of Annhilator, and also Devin Townsend very briefly.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I’m really just a hobbyist musician as it. I have other hobbies as well, though, and I feel like I have a great balance.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I always enjoy questions about the meaning behind specific parts of my albums, and tend to dislike questions about the future of the band.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I probably would have not toured with an unsuccessful power metal band and subsequently killed my motivation to make music for several years.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I’d honestly like to see a band like Led Zeppelin record. I think that would be pretty dope to see and experience.

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Category: Interviews