I really think I've always been inspired musically. I can't remember an age where it wasn't the most important thing to me or my main form of expression. I know the issues I write about have changed a lot. Not only from a personal viewpoint but also what's going on in the world has changed and has had an effect on what goes on in my mind that I want to get out through music. Also, a weird concept is that as I've grown up, the issues about my life have completely changed and there are areas where I've mellowed out a bit. The things I once thought to be epic when I was young or going through school now don't affect me like they did. But of course this works both ways and there are completely new issues, ideas and passions that consume me that force me to write the lyrics that I do. I think my song writing structure has evolved from songs that used to seem scattered and imbalanced to me. I now don't feel I have to cram a million melodies and themes into one track. Instead, I work on one idea and melody and develop that to a point where I'm happy with it.

It's hard work to structure & program complete songs and I'm still learning how to use the software but I love starting with synth lines and beats and developing vocal melodies within these simpler song structures. I can see earlier what the style and sound of Ayria is going to be and I have more of a say in the direction of songs. I still need help with final production as that area is tricky when you're new to it all but I've completed more than a few songs since starting in February and I'm having fun with it. I also bought a keyboard and have been using it to write songs and just play around with it. I have to honestly say if I had to choose between doing just vocals or programming, I still love doing vocals way more because it's where my heart is and I find singing to be the ultimate form of expression for me personally but I like developing myself in other areas too!

I always do melody then lyrics. Sometimes, the lyrics that come out randomly when I'm developing a melody are the ones that stay because they worked so well and they contain the idea that I want to sing about and develop a track around. This sounds silly but in every track I do there has to be one melody that blows me away personally or it's not worth doing. I sometimes wonder if people can pick that out when they listen. It's the thing I look for in other artist's songs. When I listen to music, I'm usually listening for lyrics or that killer vocal melody that makes you listen to the track on repeat for an hour! If I have an amazing time singing something over and over, I know I've found something good.

Of course. (Thank you by the way!) I try and achieve a mixture of songs that deal with both personal and societal events. I easily get bored with listening to bands that stick to one theme only like an entire CD of war lyrics or breakup lyrics. The message is there and it's great but when it's being hammered into 12 tracks, I find it to be overkill. I like listening to songs that contain personal subjects because I find I can relate better to them so I thought it was important to have some on my own releases. If people find it inspiring, that's great. I've actually often been told that my lyrics are a little too depressing but it's something I just can't help! Even when I try to be positive it somehow gets flipped around. For example, I remember when I was working on a track called ÒLostÓ for the first Epsilon Minus release. It was meant to be 100% positive and upbeat to match the music and I started with these intentions but it ended up being about something totally depressing. My style now is that I take these upbeat songs and bring them down I guess!

The tough part of touring is sitting in a car all day, sound checking, eating greasy food, doing a show, staying up until 4:00 am and then having to do it again the next day for several weeks. But I did love it! The tour was better then I could have hoped for considering that the album was released the week the tour started. We definitely had good crowd responsiveness without most people even knowing who Ayria was. I don't know if it was based on my musical past being in another band or if the fans of Razed In Black were just extremely receptive to the opening bands but every town we had incredible responses. Wolfsheim back in April was the experience of a lifetime. Not only was it the biggest crowd I had ever played for (over 700 I believe) but also, I had never been to California and here I was being booked for such an incredible show so far away! It was overwhelming. California had an amazing crowd and everyone seemed really into what we were doing on stage and what we brought to the show. I'm actually going back there for a show on July 15th and I'm very excited to see some familiar faces.

I really have no idea how to answer this question. It's not that I don't have any plans for the future but I can't think about that in depth because Ayria has already surpassed my expectations of what it could have been. I have to admit that I was scared when I was no longer in my last band because I felt that I had to start again, not knowing what I could do without losing momentum and not knowing if people would accept a new project from a vocalist. There were so many things that could have went wrong with a band breaking up but I felt in control at least and I was determined to make an album I was proud of and I know I put myself out there even more than before. So, the future is something unclear to me but for now I'm plugging away working on new ideas and concepts for the next release. I keep playing shows when asked because I love to get out there. I know I want to play Europe and I'm hoping that will come in time. That's all the plans I'm thinking of for now really!