Oakenthrone Interview
Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview, very much looking forward to welcoming you to Norwich later this year.
Thank you! Yeah, I’m really looking forward to kicking off the tour in Norwich.
You guys hail from Manchester, I visited myself for first time this year, seems like a good music scene there, how have you found developing a black metal band in the North of the country?
Manchester, and the North in general, has always been great for producing music. There’s probably a ton of reasons why. Maybe we just have something in our genes? Maybe from being from old mining towns? Who knows, but it’s nice to be a part of that. There is a certain pride that comes with being Northern.
I see you, Simon, started Oakenthrone, as a solo project later developing into a full live band. That's quite an undertaking as a solo project, how did the idea come about and how did you find it solo initially?
It really started after a prolonged period of inactivity from myself. This was a project to start up that creativity again and see what I could do. That’s why those early demos sound the way they do, I’m really experimenting with my sound and finding my voice. There was no real plan originally, but an urge to write. Then it just developed from there.
How have you found the transition from a solo project to a full band?
I’ve really enjoyed the process. I’ve been incredibly lucky in finding the guys I have to fill the ranks. They allow me the freedom to create the same way I did before, but enhance it with their skills. Live, having 3 people way more experienced than me playing, lets me just concentrate on my own performance and not have to worry about what they’re doing!
Personally I love the themes that run through your music, the death and destruction of humanity through natures consumption. What inspires you when you’re thinking about writing new tracks?
I think about these themes all the time. They are a hugely important part of who I am and how I interpret the world. Writing is usually quite spontaneous and unplanned. I struggle with writing on demand, but once I do start on a new project, it becomes all encompassing. The music always comes first, but it’s usually attached to an emotion or a theme in a way that makes the lyrics flow quite naturally afterwards.
Do you have a favourite folk tale from folklore or mythology, something you find really inspirational?
I do love the Arthurian tales at the moment. Gawain and the Green Knight is one that really sticks with me. The Green Knight, green men, ents etc, all are mythical creatures that find their way into my own writings and are a great personification of the themes of humanity being consumed by nature that are so important to Oakenthrone as a whole.
When going on tour do you have any rituals, favourite drinks or must haves in your rider?
We’ve not quite developed any wild rituals or riders yet! We’re all late 30’s, early 40’s and two of us are sober too - so we’re probably more boring than we’d like to admit (or at least, us sober ones are!) I always go through a period before we go on stage where I have to mentally “lock in” and get in the right frame of mind. Not quite ritualistic, but it’s an important part of the process.
What do your kids think of you being in a band? Have they been to see a show yet?
I think they find it pretty cool. They have grown up in this environment though, so it’s not unusual for them. They’ve not been to one yet but they absolutely will do. My youngest is probably our biggest supporter and wears the t-shirts all the time (bet he can’t name 3 songs though. Poser).
Ha ha!
Do you think the music scene has changed comparing how it is for your kids now, to how it was when you started out? For better or worse?
Whether it’s better or worse is a debate we could have until the end of time! But it is certainly different. I’ve been in the position where I’ve started a band in 2007 and I’ve started one in 2022 so I do have practical experience of the changes in the industry. Accessing the ability to record your own music, create your own videos and put yourself out there is so much better than it used to be. Good because more people who in the past would not have access to create for themselves, now are easily able to. Bad because this does lead to an over abundance of more derivative music. Honing your craft in the studio and the live setting, and being the best you can be at what you do, is still the most important part of becoming successful. But how you present yourself is totally different these days. Now, it’s all about the short form, algorithm friendly “moments”. I don’t know that I’ve really mastered that, but have been lucky enough to do ok while still being a bit of a dinosaur.
That is impressive, it is incredibly hard to know how to 'work the algorithm' so you are doing amazing.
What’s been your favourite show to date, and what happened to make it your favourite?
We’ve had some great shows. The three dates we did back in March in London, Manchester and Edinburgh were highlights. We were taken by surprise by just how positive the responses to those shows were. For me, the last gig we played was probably my favourite. We opened up day two of Tynebound Festival supporting some amazing bands. But we had a few tech issues before we played, (my amp stopped working for one - it’s temperamental!), and the fact that we managed to play to a standard I don’t think anyone would have realised was something I’m really happy with.
What is the weirdest thing that has happened either at a show or while touring?
We had an almost disastrous moment in our first show that I only found out about after. One of the cymbal stands fell so someone working the show came on stage to help fix it, but in doing so managed to trip over a lead and unplug the bass guitar. All part and parcel of playing live and a nice reminder that no matter how hard you rehearse you’ve got to be ready for anything!
Very wise advice, and so true.
Lastly what is coming up for in 2027 (can’t believe 2026 is nearly done!)?
2026 has been a big year for us and we will be having an incredibly busy end to the year! We will release our next single, A Vigil Under Sol, in October. November will see the album Ad Silvam finally release, then December we are doing this tour to support it. So right now, all I’m thinking about is surviving 2026 before we start revealing next year's plans!
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