Define your genre in five words or less:
Passionate melodic hardcore.
When and why did you start writing music?
Arron: I started playing guitar when I was 14 and joined a band when I was 16. I was really into music and shows and trying to write the heaviest music I could, so I was stoked to be asked to be a part of a band. I never thought it would have taken me to where it has. We had this whole idea that we wanted to sound like Terror and Her Nightmare and honestly I think we did a pretty kick arse job at it; we were heavy as hell for 16-year-olds. I won’t go into the whole story but many years and many band members later Our Solace was born.
Describe the best gig you’ve ever played:
Mark: I think most of the boys would agree that the opportunity to support two bands that were a huge influence on us being Touché Amore and Make Do & Mend was amazing. The honour of playing with them, and then being able to watch artists we idolise was such a wonderful experience.
What inspires or has influenced your music the most?
Mark: Basically anything real. The everyday struggle for existence in a world that can very easily swallow you whole. Nothing is more infuriating than “artists” faking sincerity in what they do, writing songs (or having them written for them) that carry no heart and no message. I love that every single song we’ve written means the world to us and has its own story.
How do you balance making and playing music with your other commitments?
Alan: I don’t really have a life outside of the girlfriend, the band, work and watching wrestling (yeah I know) but there’s a certain point where you’ve got to prioritise otherwise your band suffers when someone isn’t putting in 100%.
What’s your favourite song, and why?
Arron: The last track on our album Death And What It Means To Live, entitled Her Name Was – this was a song that was created over a really long time and ended up being one of the, if not the most important songs I have written. The song was written and inspired by a very beautiful and important person, Bonnie Grace Howden, who passed away much too soon. This song will always be my favourite and will always go out to her.
OUR SOLACE celebrate the launch of their debut full-length album Death and What It Means to Live at Playground Bar on Friday April 11.
