Hailing from Boston, the intriguing artist The Soldier has released a lushly intense new single, “Napalm Skies.” The track delves into deeply raw emotions, aiming to enhance listeners’ connections through its evocative storytelling. By artfully interpreting words and dissecting emotional narratives, The Soldier provides a front-row seat to explore and understand complex feelings, lifting common misunderstandings and allowing a deeper connection with his audience.
1. **”Napalm Skies” is a deeply reflective and personal track. Can you walk us through the inspiration and creative process behind writing this song during the COVID-19 pandemic?**
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Thanks for noticing its depth. It really was a product of everything going on around me at that time. COVID amplified some things I was dealing with inside myself because I was forced into a place of isolation. When I feel a buildup of anxiousness, sadness, or pressure, I try to write a song. It’s my default way of processing, and writing helps me be able to understand what’s happening. It gives me confidence and peace, because if I can write about a problem then I’m above it. Having that way of releasing internal pressure assures me that whatever is going on will pass.
2. **Your music is influenced by artists like Twenty One Pilots, Hippo Campus, and Half Alive. How do these influences shape your sound and approach to songwriting?**
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I’m always always always listening to and studying music from artists I get inspiration from. Usually I’m studying lyrics, melodies, and structure. These artists have hit me the deepest throughout my years. A song is always telling a story, whether it be the lyrics or instruments. Sometimes the lyrics tell a different story than the instruments. I’ve always found that with these three artists, and I never get bored of their discography. I want to make music that never gets boring to someone, so I try to learn from them.
3. **In “Napalm Skies”, you explore themes of life’s uncertainties and personal fulfillment. What personal experiences or reflections did you draw upon to convey these themes?**
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I have things in my life that I’m in the process of overcoming, and things I’ve already left in the past. I think everyone’s got a similar experience. I wanted to capture the defiance of turning away from something that’s not good for me anymore and also the celebration of being free from whatever that may be. I also wanted to highlight the sacredness of my craft and how it helps me push through trouble into fulfillment.
4. **You’ve taken on multiple roles in producing your music, from songwriting to production. How do you manage these different aspects, and what challenges have you faced along the way?**
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Yeah, I’ve always heard or I guess you could say ‘written’ full songs in my head. After a while I couldn’t take hearing them and not being able to make them anymore, so I learned to produce. When I make a song, I’m always trying to bring the fullness of one of my ideas to reality. I can’t put someone else inside my mind to hear it the way I do, so I take on all the different roles to get it just right. As time goes on I’m learning to bring the more complex ideas to reality.
5. **The production of “Napalm Skies” involved collaboration with Logan Ryan for mixing and mastering. How did this partnership enhance the final sound of the track?**
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Logan’s very good at what he does, and Napalm Skies deserved a proper mix and master. When I’m done producing a track, especially with this new stuff I’m making, it can sound like a wall of noise. For example, Napalm Skies has a ton of intricacies and counter melodies that needed to stand out but also not clash with each other, and in the demo version they didn’t do that. So Logan was the guy that made sure it all fit together properly and sounded as good as it could be. I’m really grateful cuz Napalm Skies wouldn’t exist without him.
