Clattermouuuth’s Music of The Week: Q&A with Leo Soloway

By By Andrew Kohler

Welcome back to Clattermouuuth’s Music of the Week, curating Rockaway’s music taste one week at a time. A couple of months ago, I had an interview with an extremely talented metal musician and good friend of mine, Leo Soloway. I thought I’d share it with you all here.

Q: Describe your music for unfamiliar listeners.

A: To sum it up, I’d say alternative rock/metal. I love ambient synthesizers and reverb-soaked guitars, but I’m also a sucker for huge, distorted tones, epic orchestral elements, and wordy guitar solos.

Q: Describe your creative process.

A: For me, because I’m primarily a guitarist, it always starts with a riff or chord progression. From there, I add drums and bass as a guide to other places I can bring the song. If I continue to like the idea after a few days, I’ll begin to develop other sections that follow or precede the original idea. Vocals usually come last. Not everyone’s style, but it works for me. I’ve come up with riffs that were sat on for so long, and eventually just became the ending of a song.

Q: Your latest song, “Taboo,” is super cool! What went into making it?

A: That song is very special to me. It’s the only one of my songs that I recorded every part for. I always fully compose with lyrics and all, but this is the first time my own voice was on a track. The song features a groove that’s based around drums and bass, guitar playing a very little part in its initial phases. There’s a section where I (attempt to) rap. Rap is a stretch… How about… sing faster? As the song builds, a three-part string ensemble takes the spotlight. Then, a melodic and soaring solo section, followed by a technical and uplifting “djent” style riff, which concludes the song.

Q: How’d you first get into making music?

A: I was creating riffs and songs from a very young age. As soon as I acquired an electric guitar, I was playing stuff modeled after The White Stripes and The Black Keys. From there, I started to experiment with GarageBand. When my parents and music teachers saw my potential, I was given Logic Pro X and an audio interface. It all escalated from there … (I have 7 guitars and no money).

Q: Where do you find the inspiration to create music?

A: Being raised by my mom (a singer-songwriter) and my dad (not a musician, but loves music), I was surrounded and immersed in music all the time. I think it was only natural that I had a desire to create it.

Q: What have you been working on lately? Any new music soon?

A: I have quite a few unfinished songs in reserve at the moment. They’re all in different places. Will they be out soon? Maybe? Who knows?

Q: Other than music, what else have you been up to?

A: Eh, the usual stuff… wine tasting, watch shopping, driving my Pagani. That reminds me, actually, the McLaren F1 needs maintenance.

Q: What music have you been listening to lately?

A: My favorite band at the moment is Thank You Scientist. They’re a seven-piece jazz/metal fusion band from New Jersey. Absolutely astonishing music. The guitarist, Tom Monda, cracked out of his mind. Aside from that, bands like Periphery, Haken, Protest The Hero, Dance Gavin Dance, and Knocked Loose have been in the rotation lately.