Prepare to embark on a captivating journey through the musical realms of INHALO, an alternative progressive rock band whose layered compositions transcend boundaries. Following the release of their debut album “Sever,” and appearance on the Progotronics XLI compilation, singer Fons answered our questions about the mentioned release, touring, and more.
Inhalo’s music is described as a seamless blend of serene and ferocious, ranging from tranquil oases to swirling riffs. How do you approach creating such diverse compositions, and what elements contribute to the unique sound of Inhalo?
The most important element is time. Not just the time needed for allowing a composition to grow, but also time as in generations. The members of the band were born between ‘68 and ‘86 and this clearly reflects in our music.
Although we’re not fond of putting bands in boxes, you could call our sound a blend of classic and modern rock. If you think about it, this is probably why the prog audience is picking up on us.
The band members have a rich history, having played in various bands such as A Liquid Landscape, Ivy’s Dream, and The Heaven’s Devils, supporting bands like Karnivool, Riverside, and Marillion. How have these past experiences influenced Inhalo’s approach to music, and what lessons have you carried forward into this new project?
Meeting scene icons and watching them work has been an incredible learning experience. You see a lot of things that are very recognizable. Every touring band faces the same challenges from time constraints to wardrobe malfunctions. It’s very easy to bond over these things which in turn builds confidence to keep doing what we do.
In the meantime, there’s 193 years of musical experience between the five of us. It’s hard to say what exactly this boils down to, but let’s just say we’re not very nervous before a show anymore. I guess we’ve learned to trust the process and roll with the punches.
Inhalo has worked with notable figures in the music scene like Jochem Jacobs (Textures) and Forrester Savell (Karnivool, Dead Letter Circus). How has collaborating with these industry icons shaped your sound and the overall production of your music?
It’s been an absolute privilege to be able to work with both of them. Jochem spearheaded the recording process and you can definitely hear his ingenuity in the more experimental sounds on the album. Him working in tandem with Roy is straight up wizardry.
Forester put the icing on the cake with his effortless style of mixing the heavy and the calm, resulting in the deep luscious mix he is known for. He instantly understood what we were going for, which is incredible considering he lives on the other side of the planet and we’ve never met the man in person.
“SEVER” is Inhalo’s debut album. Can you share some details about the creative process behind the album, and were there any challenges or breakthrough moments during its production?
When I joined the band in December 2017, we had already been friends for about a decade. And when they found themselves without a singer they gave me a call. All of the music was already recorded, so my first challenge was finding the song in these riveting instrumentals with their many moods. A process that took about two years from the initial start of the writing process to having it all on tape and mixed.
Another challenge was the Covid lockdowns and deciding when to release the album. We knew it was wise to be patient, but that was hard because we were ready to share our music. Luckily in the end it paid off when we signed with Construction Records.
The debut album “SEVER” is described as a passionate musical journey about dealing with anxiety and the process of growth within its confines. Can you delve into the inspiration behind the album and how the theme of anxiety is explored in the music?
The two years I spent writing the lyrics coincided with a rough time in my personal life. I sought professional help and found out I suffer from General Anxiety Disorder which, throughout my life, has caused episodes of depression among a mixed bag of other things.
From early on I felt I wanted to document my journey alongside the therapy I had at the time. At first it was very helpful to have a creative outlet for all of the trials and tribulations of my anxious mind. But eventually it also helped me realize that I’m not alone.
I’ve had some wonderful conversations about anxiety since the album was released and it really warms my heart how many people have allowed themselves to be vulnerable with me. It kind of makes the whole thing come full circle.
The journey in “SEVER” is described as one where beauty can lull you into a false sense of security before it pulls the rug from under your feet. How do you translate emotional themes and experiences into your music, and what role does storytelling play in Inhalo’s compositions?
We love a good story, whether it’s a book, a film or an album. And I think the instrumental part of our music tells as much of a story as the words do. Before the words come, I phonetically try to find my way through the vocal melodies. And before that, even, we try to arrange the instrumental compositions in the order we’d like them to be in on the record. From this bird’s eye view it’s a lot easier to see what the story as a whole, and therefore each particular song, needs.
Inhalo has teamed up with Construction Records for the release of “SEVER.” How has this partnership contributed to the band’s growth, and what expectations or aspirations do you have for the album’s reception?
Signing with Construction Records has been an absolute delight. They helped us every step of the way with their professionalism and all round good company. Without them we wouldn’t have made the album of the year 2022 according to IO Pages magazine, I’m sure.
Since we partnered up we’ve played Progpower Europe and with the final Night Of The Prog at the Loreley this Summer on the docket, we can only dream about the stellar moments yet over the horizon.
Tension and release are likened to a ballet dancer gracefully tiptoeing on a volcanic caldera in your music. How do you achieve this delicate balance between contrasting elements in your compositions, and what challenges does it present during the songwriting and recording process?
Time and patience, really. It’s just as important to focus hard and dive deep into every nook and cranny of a composition as it is to step away from it. Much like you put a wheel of cheese on a shelf to ripen. Every once in a while you pick it up, give it a little knock, turn it over and put it back on the shelf. Time can really deepen the flavor of a composition too. The trick is to know when it’s ready.
How do each member’s individual strengths and musical backgrounds contribute to the collaborative process within the band?
This question feels really broad. I don’t know how to answer it, I’m sorry.
Inhalo has played tours all over the continent. How has the experience of performing live shaped your connection with the audience, and what do you enjoy most about the live performance aspect of being in a band?
Personally, I have learned a lot from focusing only on vocals instead of also having a guitar in front of me. With a guitar there’s always things to do like tuning or fiddling with knobs. Only holding a microphone has really opened me up to engaging more with an audience. I’ve had a lot of fun exploring that.
Our music and lyrical content can get dark and heavy. So the smiles on stage and in the crowd throughout a whole set have been the best part about performing live. That and people singing along. A very comforting sight which will forever stay kind of surreal.
Are there specific tracks from “SEVER” that hold special significance for the band or have unique stories behind their creation?
The opening and closing tracks of the album (written and performed by Tim Gros) are very dear to us. Ever since we heard the first demo for what is now Omniscient Beingwe felt we wanted to do something with it. Tim not only graciously let us use that track, he also wrote an encore by our request: Sever. The solemn reprise of a turbulent prelude. Alpha and Omega.
Looking ahead, what does the future hold for Inhalo? Are there plans for tours, new albums, or any exciting musical endeavors on the horizon?
We really enjoy and appreciate where we’re at right now as a band. We’ve been playing and will continue to play shows and festivals, slowly familiarizing the scene with our music. In the meantime we’re hard at work, writing a new album. We’re an ambitious bunch and we like to create something we and the audience can chew on for a while, which takes time. But the best thing about making a connection with a prog audience is their patience and loyalty, so we’re absolutely convinced we’ll see one another in the future.
For more about INHALO visit the band’s website here.
