🪩 Interview with Dillon — Lead Vocalist of Solshade
The interview started the way any good Wisconsin night does, with a debate over cheese curds. Dillon grinned, beer in hand, and answered without a beat: “Fried, 100%.” It was the perfect warm-up before he compared their new record to a drink that hits just as hard. “Backwoods Bastard by Founders, 11%, bourbon barrel aged. You only need two of them, but it hits hard.”
When asked about the story behind the album, Dillon leaned in a little, choosing his words carefully. Much of the emotion, he explained, comes from drummer Josh’s personal experiences. “A lot of the lyrics he wrote are based on what he went through,” he said. “‘Proxy,’ for example, is about steering into the void… passing off. And then ironically, he had his accident a couple years later. The whole record is about reflecting, not a strict story or concept, more like a state of mind.”
Experimentation played a major role in shaping the sound. “All of the drums are live, no samples, no replacements. There’s even a part on the record that sounds like a pig scrape between two sides of vinyl. That’s just Travis screaming into one of our pickups through a distorted pedal,” Dillon laughed. The band pushed themselves to try new textures and techniques. For him personally, that meant stepping behind the keys for the first time. “It’s definitely different,” he admitted. “I’m not used to being behind something else, but it’s been a good time to apply myself in a new way.”
The listening party itself carried a quiet weight for him, a mix of disbelief and gratitude. “I never thought I’d be in a position to be doing something like this,” he said softly. “You don’t think about having parties when you join a band. It’s wild that people want to come out, take pictures, eat a cupcake, just listen to good music. I’m humbled.”
When talk turned to the songs themselves, Dillon didn’t hesitate. “‘Everflow’ was written from a deep place. Maddie wrote a lot of the lyrics on that one. But personally, ‘Proxy’ broke the ceiling for me. It opened my eyes to this kind of music even more. I’m kind of a sucker for emotional songs.”
And like any record worth making, the songs didn’t stay static. “‘Conduit Split’ is an amalgamation of three different demos,” he explained. “We pieced it all together into one seamless track. If you compare the demo to the final version, it’s completely different.”
As the room filled with fans waiting for the next track to spin, it was clear the night meant just as much to the crowd as it did to the band. The next person I spoke with was Morgan, a fan who came out to experience the album in real time.
🪩 Morgan — A Fan’s Take
The cheese curd question made its return, and Morgan didn’t even hesitate. “Squeaky,” he answered with a grin. From there, the conversation flowed as easily as the music playing in the background. Even without a beer in hand, he knew exactly what he’d pair the first two tracks with. “A spicy IPA,” he said. “Something with lots of hops. The taste of the album is bitter in an enjoyable way. But not like, slap you in the face like an old fashioned.”
Morgan came out for one reason: new music. He’s been following Solshade for a few years, ever since stumbling across one of their shows after moving to Oconomowoc. “I was looking for local bands because I wanted to go to a bar, have a drink and watch live music,” he recalled. “These guys showed up at X-Ray Arcade and I was just like, hell yeah. And I’ve been seeing them around ever since.”
His loyalty is rooted in the local scene. “I’m a big supporter of local music,” he said. “A lot of people want to see big bands, but they forget that those bands started small too.”
When describing the first songs off the record, Morgan paused thoughtfully, choosing his words the way you might try to name a feeling you’ve carried for a long time. “Almost like a melancholic triumph,” he said. “Like I’m winning, but I’ve lost some things along the way. I don’t always listen for a specific story, it’s more about the interpretation. I just turn off my brain and let it happen.”
Morgan left the listening party with a CD in hand, but no plans to press play just yet. “I think I’ll wait until tomorrow,” he said. “I want to be in the flow when I listen to it. Not distracted. Just me and the music.”
When asked if he’d recommend the album based on what he’d heard so far, he didn’t hesitate. “One hundred twenty percent.”
As the night carried on and the room settled deeper into the record, I sat down with Andy. There was something immediately easy about the conversation. He was calm, grounded, and genuinely present, the kind of fan who listens with both his ears and his heart.
🪩 Andy — A Steady Voice in the Crowd
By the time I sat down with Andy, the music had settled into the room like a familiar rhythm. The cheese curd question made its third appearance, and he didn’t hesitate. “Fried,” he said, grinning. “It’s cheese, it’s fried, and it can be beer battered. That means it involves beer too. You can’t go wrong with that.”
In his hand was a Foggy Geezer, but when asked if he’d pair that beer with the album, Andy laughed. “I think you drink anything with this album and enjoy it,” he said. “I lean toward a Pilsner or a pale ale. Or just give me a Miller High Life. Something cold, crisp, clean. Nothing too heavy.”
Andy’s connection to Solshade runs deeper than a casual listener. A few years ago, he was looking for a space to play drums and ended up sharing a practice space hallway with the band. “Every once in a while you show up, and you hear stuff happening down the hall. I liked what I heard,” he recalled. “They had a sticker on their door with the band name, so I looked them up. I heard some of their stuff on Bandcamp, and I really dug it. These guys have talent, but they’re also earnest. The music is genuine. They’re writing about their lives and how they move through it. I just wanted to support that.”
As a fellow drummer, he’s been paying attention to their growth. “From their earlier EPs to this, they’ve matured musically,” he said. “It’s not about complicated time signatures or fancy key changes. They’ve just gotten tighter. They feed off each other. You can feel it in the room. Whatever they choose to do, whether it’s tour the world or just keep playing in Wisconsin, they’ve built something real together. And that’s worth nurturing.”
Andy’s pride in Wisconsin’s metal scene runs deep too. “There’s a strong underground here,” he said. “Madison’s got venues that support heavy music, record stores that stock great metal, and Milwaukee has always done well. There’s room to grow, and these guys could be part of leading that charge. They’ve got a cool sound and a fan base that’s only going to get bigger.”
When asked if he had a few words for the band, he didn’t overthink it. “Keep it up,” he said. “Stay positive. Listen to the good, keep doing what you’re doing, and stay true to yourselves. Make the music you want to make. Whether that leads to airplay or not, being true to you is what matters most.”
As our conversation wrapped, it was clear Andy wasn’t just another listener. He was part of the quiet current that carries a band forward, the kind of presence that reminds you why local music matters. His words lingered long after, and it felt only right to turn back toward the heart of the sound itself.
The next conversation was with Travis, a member of Solshade, whose perspective came from the inside looking out.
🪩 Interview with Travis — Guitarist of Solshade
Like everyone else that night, Travis started with the cheese curd question. “Squeaky,” he said, smiling. “I think that’s the real experience. I just love that little squeak. It does something to my brain. Tickles it.”
When it came to pairing the album with a drink, Travis leaned into complexity. “Maybe a barley wine,” he said after a thoughtful pause. “We’re going for something that has a lot of flavor, a lot to unpack. This album isn’t just one note. It’s layers of feelings and ideas assembled into something bigger. We want people to take it in and interpret it their own way.”
His favorite track to play is “Proxy,” the title track, which he calls the band’s sampler plate. “That one feels like the appetizer platter,” he explained. “It has a little bit of everything we do as a band in one song. If I had to pick one track to represent the album, it would be that one.”
When asked to describe the album in three words, he landed on “thought-provoking,” “emotional,” and “a little awkward.” It wasn’t awkward in a bad way. He explained it as the kind of tension that makes a listener lean in, that feeling of something honest and unpolished in the best way.
Unexpected influences found their way into the record too. “There’s a little bit of girl pop in there,” he admitted with a laugh. It’s part of what gives the album its unexpected textures and open-ended feel.
Travis spoke with quiet clarity about what this album means for the band. “This is our first full-length,” he said. “It’s the first time we’ve written something as a complete album rather than just throwing songs together. I hope this shapes who we become as a band. I want it to guide what we create going forward. Not just riffs with friends, but something cohesive. Something with a sound and message that feels whole.”
When asked about musical inspiration, he pointed to Between the Buried and Me as a guiding influence. “They bring in a lot of different elements from other genres. It’s still metalcore, but they think outside of the box. That kind of creativity is something I really admire and want to bring into what we do.”
As the night moved deeper into the listening party, Travis’s words left a quiet echo. He wasn’t just talking about riffs and rhythms. He was talking about a band finding its identity one song at a time.
The next conversation felt just as grounded, but carried a different kind of heartbeat. Maddie, already mentioned earlier in the night, had her own perspective on what this album means.
🪩 Interview with Maddie — Bassist of Solshade
By now, the cheese curd question had become its own little ritual. Maddie grinned as soon as she heard it. “Squeaky,” she said. “That’s probably because I eat so many fried cheese foods at work that it’s a treat when I get a squeaky. It’s so good.”
She admitted she only drinks beer here and there but still found the perfect match for the band’s new record. “The album has its hard hitters but also its more melodic things,” she said. “So probably something balanced, like an amber. That feels right.”
Maddie spoke with real warmth when she described what this album means to her. “It means a lot that this was something we could collaborate on together,” she said. “Retrospect was more Spencer writing everything and the rest of us learning it. This time it’s everybody’s piece of work. It’s all of our best ideas.”
The transition from James to Dillon on vocals is something she feels good about. “Dillon brings such positive energy,” she said. “He balances the clean stuff with the harsh really well. He didn’t get intimidated by stepping into those shoes. He fits our style and he’s super creative. I’m really proud to have him in the band.”
The track she connects with most is “Everflow.” It’s the one she sang on, and it represents a leap outside her comfort zone. “I wasn’t super involved in the writing because I live in Green Bay,” she said. “But this song was different. I wrote a good chunk of the lyrics, the vocal melody, and actually sang on it. I’m a drummer in my other bands, a bass player here. Singing was something I never imagined I’d do. Everflow means a lot to me because I put the most work into it, and it scared me in the best way.”
That leap was encouraged by the band. “Spencer liked how I demoed the melodic idea and told me to just go for it. I knew if it was terrible, they’d tell me. It was a safe space. I think everyone should try new things like that more often.”
The band dynamic has shifted slightly with Dillon at the mic, but the core energy remains. “It’s always been positive,” Maddie said. “Dillon’s just a wholehearted person. I’ve known him for years and he brings me back to why I love being here.”
She’s confident this album will push the band forward. “I see it being really successful for us,” she said. “Success doesn’t have to mean stadium tours. It means people listen, pay attention, and care. It’s made us more professional. We’re on a label now, we have vinyl, and we’re thinking more like a real band. This album shows we can do bigger things, and we should keep pushing ourselves.”
The night was unfolding like a patchwork of perspectives, each one stitched together with love for the same music. After speaking with the band, I turned to someone experiencing this moment from a different place, not on stage, but just steps away from it. Allie, Dillon’s girlfriend, shared what this night meant from her side of the room.
🪩 Allie — A Partner’s Perspective
When I asked Allie the cheese curd question, she didn’t even have to think about it. “I like them both,” she said. “But if you get it squeaky, you have to be up north. Fresh from one of those little cheese places. Madison is deep fried territory. Up north is squeaky cheese.”
Her drink of choice for the night was a rum and Coke, but not just any rum and Coke. “They use Mexican Coke here and Plantation rum, which is my favorite,” she said with a grin. But if she were at home, dropping the needle on the new Solshade record, she’d pick something a little brighter. “A good cosmo,” she said. “It’s bright, fun, good vibes, but it can also surprise you. That’s how the album feels. A little bit of everything for everybody.”
Allie isn’t just another fan in the room. She’s Dillon’s partner and has watched this shift in his journey from the inside. “I think it’s really cool,” she said. “With Dead Awake, that’s his bread and butter. He can be that crazy guy on stage, screaming and running around. But with Solshade, he’s challenging himself. Learning keys. Doing more cleans. It’s making him a better musician and vocalist. I love seeing that growth.”
But what really stood out in our conversation was how much she values the community around the band. “The people make the scene,” she said. “There are photographers, friends, family, even people wandering in from the bar. It’s so cool that a local band can pull a crowd like this and create something that feels like home.”
When asked to describe the album in three words, she didn’t rush. “Moody. Energetic. Beautiful,” she said. That last word came with a soft smile. “‘Everflow’ is probably one of my new favorite songs. Maddie’s lyrics, Dillon’s vocals, the way it captures love and connection. It’s something a lot of people can relate to. There are heavy songs and wild songs on the album, but then you get a track like that and it makes you think about the person you love.”
If someone were listening to Solshade for the first time, Allie knew exactly where she’d tell them to start. “Everflow,” she said. “It gives everyone in the band a moment to shine. Spencer, Josh, Travis, Maddie, Dillon. You get hints of what’s to come, and you hear their dynamic right away.”
When I asked if she had any words for the band, she didn’t hesitate. “Keep being your true selves,” she said. “You don’t let anything hold you back. Everyone in this band has their own thing that makes them special, and they make it work together. I think they’re going to pop off. I hope they stay together for a long time, because Dillon’s become a better person with them. I love seeing that.”
The night had been filled with voices. Some were fans. Some were bandmates. Allie’s voice carried something different. It was personal. It was grounded. And it was full of love for a band that clearly means a lot to more than just the people on stage.
🪩 Interview with Josh — Drummer of Solshade
Josh didn’t need a full introduction. When he started talking about “Everflow,” his face shifted into that focused look you only get from someone who lives inside the music they’re making. “It’s the most traditional ballad we have,” he said. “It’s more of a down song, but it still carries the heavier elements. It’s a good jumping-off point to show that we have a softer side while still appealing to people who prefer more aggressive music.”
He also pointed to the album’s closer as another defining moment. “That track has a really good balance of catchy and rhythmic force,” he said. “And then it ends with this sick, Slipknot-style beater riff that just rips. It’s one of my favorites.”
When asked about unexpected inspirations, Josh took a moment before answering. “A lot of the themes revolve around time being limited,” he said. “Trying to find some value in our lives, but also facing the shortcomings that come with it. It’s about the frustration of not aligning with the person you want to be, and the strain of other people not fitting into the shape your life grows into.”
He explained how Dillon helped spark the concept behind “Conduit Split.” “It’s about talking to a brick wall. Feeling like you can’t connect. There’s this disconnect, this frustration building between two people. You can take that interpersonally, or turn it inward. That negative side of searching for meaning and time… that was unexpected but powerful.”
When it came to describing the album in three words, Josh didn’t hesitate. “Contemplative. Deliberate. Liminal.” His choice stood out against the crowd. While fans often called the album “moody” or “beautiful,” Josh framed it with quiet precision, reflecting how deeply he sees the band’s work.
The conversation carried a different weight with Josh. Less about first impressions and more about the thoughts that shape everything behind the curtain.
🪩 Interview with Spencer — Guitarist of Solshade
Spencer laughed when I asked the question that had become the unofficial ritual of the night. “Fried,” he said without hesitation. “I’m basic.” When I mentioned Allie’s theory about squeaky curds being an “up north” thing and fried belonging to Madison, he just nodded. “Yeah, that tracks.”
He’s a beer guy through and through. Tonight’s lineup for him included a Foggy Geezer, a Packerland Pilsner from Hinterland, and a Warsteiner. “I’m a lager guy,” he admitted. “I don’t really like hazies or IPAs. Loggers are just clean and solid.” When asked what beer he’d pair with their new record, he didn’t miss a beat. “Some kind of German or Belgian pilsner. Crisp, subtly hoppy, clean and refreshing. But honestly, that’s what I’d pick no matter what. It’s my favorite.”
When asked to describe the album in three words, he paused. “Thoughtful,” he said first. Then, after a moment, “deep.” And finally, “raw.” He smiled as he said it, because for him, those words aren’t just descriptions. They’re tied to how the record came to life. “I don’t know if it feels that way to everyone else,” he said. “But I know how it was made. So it makes sense to me.”
As a founding member of the band, Spencer has seen the transition from the beginning. His take on Dillon stepping into the vocalist role was full of respect. “James is a great vocalist in his own right,” he said. “But Dillon has that rock star energy. He can stand there with full conviction, look into a crowd, and scream words at them. And it lands. When he turns on that energy, any nerves I might have just fade. He commands the crowd, and that makes my job easy. I just get to stand there and riff in the shadow of someone who’s got star power.”
For Spencer, the song that excites him most right now is “Conduit Split.” “It’s not a single,” he said. “It’s at the beginning of the second half. From a guitar perspective, it’s fun. Some parts are simple, others are complex. It’s got tricky rhythms and grips. At different times, my answer would’ve been different. I’ve loved our first single, ‘Gavagai’ and the title track, ‘Proxy.’ But right now, it’s ‘Conduit Split’ for me.”
When he talked about where he hopes the album leads the band, he didn’t sugarcoat it. “I hope it goes viral. I hope we blow up. That would be awesome,” he said with a laugh. Then his voice softened. “But realistically, I just hope it helps us widen our network. Make more friends. Deepen the relationships we already have. That’s what I really want.”
Before we wrapped, I asked him if he had any words of encouragement for the rest of the band. He leaned back and thought for a second. “It doesn’t matter how much someone has contributed musically or how long they’ve been here,” he said. “The way things are now is because of everyone that’s in it. Everybody has an equal part in how we’re perceived. It’s not about the past. It’s about showing up now and giving everything you’ve got.”
In every story told that night, from bandmates to fans, there was a shared thread. Pride. Heart. And a reminder of why nights like this matter. There was no stage, no encore, no roaring crowd. Just a room full of people hearing something new together for the very first time. The record spun, conversations flowed, and the songs quietly stitched their way into the room. It wasn’t loud, but it was honest and that made it unforgettable.
