Interview with Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (https://petesrocknewsandviews.com)
PD: How would you describe yourself or your band as an artist?
SF: We’re a fun, high energy heavy/power metal band. If you’re into Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Dio, Helloween, Hammerfall, and Kamelot you’ll love us!
PD: Can you tell us briefly about your background – i.e. where you’re from, how you came to make music, etc.
SF: Cincinnati, Ohio. We all came together for the love of the art, we love making music and creating a fun atmosphere for everyone who comes to see us play. We just really enjoy making people feel good!
PD: Who and what inspires you to make music, both in terms of musical and other influences? What do you like to write about in your songs?
SF: We’re fans of so many different things and styles of music I’m classically trained in opera, we love so many different styles and genres and draw inspiration from everything in one way or another. We write our songs about anything really, we like to be able to paint with a broad brush to make the listener able to get their own feeling and understanding of what they draw from our lyrics so we try our best to be relatable.
PD: What are your aspirations as an artist?
SF: To just be able to make something people enjoy and be able to do it as a sustainable career in our lives. There’s nothing more rewarding than bringing happiness and joy into people’s lives.
PD: What is the proudest moment in your music career so far?
SF: Putting out our album, playing a gigantic show in our home town with lasers and a 9ft dragon, and having people resonate with what we’re doing.
PD: Promoting one’s music is such a challenge these days, especially with so many
new artists emerging from bedrooms in the day of the home studio. How is that going?
SF: It’s rough honestly, it’s frustrating to feel like you’re working so hard and so long without much return on your time and money that you dump into it. Plenty of times I’ve felt like nothing is “moving the needle” at all but we just keep working hard, and try not to slow down.
PD: And how do you book and promote your live shows and tours? Any performances coming up?
SF: Everything is done with emails, and staying tuned into our surroundings to find a show to either put on ourselves, or be apart of. It’s been really difficult lately especially with all that’s happened in the world, money is tight and it’s a huge challenge to get someone to “take a chance” on you and try to get something together that gets everyone a return on their investment.
PD: What do you think about downloading music online? What about streaming sites like Spotify?
SF: It’s a double edged sword in a lot of ways, I’m happy to get my music out there in places I may never be able to go, but the drawback is the market is flooded with people just like you, and algorithms can be troublesome to be able to get to “the right people “ who will enjoy you.
PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?
SF: The Last Amazing Greys by Sonata Arctica,
Such beautiful music with amazing evocative lyrics some of the most incredible words I’ve ever heard in a song.
PD: Is there anything you don’t like about the music industry, which you would change if you could?
SF: I wish radio stations didn’t completely ignore newer bands putting out great 
music. In my hometown they treat rock/metal like nothing new has happened since 2006 (on a good day)
PD: So, what are you working on at the moment?
SF: Presently we’re working on our second album, which is shaping up to be a more developed and evolved sound for sure I can hardly wait to share it with everyone.
PD: Where can we learn more about you and buy your music/merch online?
SF: We have a website
www.solarflaremetal.com
And specifically for merch our bandcamp here
https://solarflareofficial.bandcamp.com/album/solar-flare
Solar Flare links:
Band/Artist location – Amelia Ohio
Website – Facebook – You Tube – Bandcamp – Merch – Reverbnation –
Twitter – Instagram – Apple – Spotify – Amazon – Deezer – LinkTree – TikTok –
Check our page for Solar Flare
