Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with Thorne Empire
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Lying in the attic, listening to songs on my cassette player; tracks like Vona by Plach Yeremiyi, My Way by Frank Sinatra, Don’t Stop Believin by Journey, Attempt No. 5 by VIA Gra, Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics. etc…
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I have always been pulled toward words, obsessing over poems like ‘Around the Corner’ by Charles Hanson Towne, Kipling’s ‘If’, Monika Langguth’s ‘The Jailer’, and Blake’s ‘A Poison Tree’ until their rhythms felt stitched into me. Eventually curiosity became momentum: I tried writing a poem, then another, then another, until one day I wondered what would happen if I tried shaping one into a song. After finishing it, I hired a ghost musician online to bring it to life, and hearing my own lyrics sung back to me flipped a switch. I was hooked instantly. Suddenly I was spending whole nights chasing melodies and lines, grabbing only a couple hours of sleep before work, unable to stop.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I’m exploring something completely new and pushing myself into uncharted musical territory. I was never really into metal until ‘Queen of the Damned’ movie sparked my interest, and now I am trying to create an album full of rock and metal tracks. At the same time, I’m working on a project of conversation style songs; it might sound unusual, but trust me, it’s going to be out of this world.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I’m not sure you can really pin down my songs, because I am not a traditional songwriter; I’m an experimenter. I chase different styles and let my life, and the lives unfolding around me, shape every lyric. In ‘Gone With the Summer’ you hear the echo of a love I lost; ‘Scars Run Deep’ digs into the pain I carry; ‘More Than Blood ‘ honors one of the most important people in my world; ‘All I Need Is One’ celebrates my true friends; and Line in the Sand draws straight from my political fire. I guess my songs really are a journal; one filled with love, betrayal, war, and friendships.
What is one thing you have learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Do not rush. Do not force. Do not cut corners. Create music the right way. I have several songs that never turned out the way I envisioned them because I either rushed, cut corners, or pushed myself to write lyrics without real inspiration.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
There are too many to list, but the main tools I use are probably AI based. I don’t really have vocals of my own, and AI gave me the voice I needed; letting me express myself fully without relying on anyone else.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I’m not sure I’m truly feeling any musicians this year, so much of today’s music seems driven by profit. Still, lately, I have been listening to Jelly Roll, Imagine Dragons, Lady Gaga, and a few others.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Many of my songs are drawn from my own experiences; they’re shaped and influenced by the life I have lived. The more you truly experience, the richer your stories become, and the more you have to write about.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I hope people can connect with my music. I hope my songs reach those who feel alone and forgotten, letting them know that others share their struggles and encouraging them to seek support. I hope my songs inspire someone to live each day as if it were their last. I hope my songs convey that there are alternatives to conflict, yet also remind listeners never to shy away from standing up for what is right.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Patience is probably the most important lesson it has taught me.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I don’t really have a dream venue or festival where I aspire to perform; I’m not really a performer. Still, hearing even one of my songs performed at Red Rocks Amphitheatre would be incredible. At the very least, having one of my songs featured in a movie or TV show would be amazing.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
There are so many talented musicians to choose from that it would take me a whole day to make a complete list. But here are the first ones that come to mind: Bob Dylan, Eminem, Johnny Cash, Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Struggle Jennings, Tom MacDonald, and Jelly Roll. They have all recorded at least one song that has touched something deep inside my soul.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
https://www.youtube.com/@thorneempire/releases
https://thorneempire.bandcamp.com
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/thorne-empire/1101018878
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I want my music to travel the world, find the ears it’s meant for, and maybe, just maybe, let this amazing hobby pay for itself.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
If I’m being honest, nothing. I don’t want it to be about me; I want the focus to be entirely on my music. Besides, if someone is listening to my music, they probably already know most of what there is to know about me.
