Crimson Moon: How did the band get started?
Jensen: I had some songs I needed vocals, and so I searched to find a singer, I discovered Kate through Soundbetter and I wanted her to sing for me. This was around October 2020, and ever since I continue to work with Kate to help bring the songs we make come to life.
Crimson Moon: What kind of music do you play?
Jensen: We play Metal, if we had to be categorized into a sub-genre, we would be under the doom metal genre. We want to create music that is dark but also is melodic and beautiful with very powerful meanings and lessons in the lyrics.
Crimson Moon: How has the fan response been?
Jensen: For the people that have heard our music, which is not a whole lot right now but it’s better than nothing. The response has been great, I appreciate everyone who takes the time to have a listen to our songs. Either if they like it or not I appreciate everything.
Crimson Moon: Where did the band name come from?
Jensen: The band name came from the song Lodestar from our first album. This was before we had a band name, I just decided to make that the band name. The main reason is because the meaning behind the word. A Lodestar is a guiding star, usually the brightest star in the sky that will help travelers, such as a ship find its course. It can also be a person who serves as an inspiration or guide. I found that meaning very powerful, which is why I want to convey that feeling through our music. I want the music to live up to the name in many ways from lyrical subject matter to the music itself. So yes the name means a lot, it shows the kind of way we want to present our music and ourselves. We want the music to serve as something more than music.
Crimson Moon: Introduce the band members.
Jensen: There are only two members myself and Kate. I usually write all the instrumentation, like drums, bass, guitar and synth. Kate would write all the vocal melodies, lyrics and would do piano sometimes. We also work with Riccardo Pasini who is our mixing and mastering engineer. He is amazing! so kind and amazing to work with.
Crimson Moon: How many albums/CD’s have you released?
Jensen: We only released our self-titled debut album back in May 2021, only released digitally. I want to re-release it later, on CD and vinyl.
Crimson Moon: Tell me about some of the songs on the latest CD?
Jensen: Our last album, we did some special songs Light My Way and Until The End. Those two songs are some of my favorite songs on that album. Those are the songs that garnered the most response and most plays. On the new album coming up we released two singles so far, the title track Event Horizon and Go On Without Me.
Crimson Moon: Who writes the music? Lyrics?
Jensen: I would write majority of the music and Kate would write all the lyrics. I would usually would give her the idea and meaning for the lyrics, and Kate is free to run with whatever she can think of. She does such a good job, and I’m glad to have her work with me. I am truly grateful for her!
Crimson Moon: And where do the lyric ideas come from?
Jensen: I would think of ideas or feelings I want to convey in the songs, I would do my best to do this in the instrumentation first. Just to help with the atmosphere, so when the lyrics are created it’s just the final touch to complete the big picture.
Crimson Moon: Has the Covid Pandemic impacted the band at all?
Jensen: Not at all, even if Covid was not a thing we would still be where we are.
Crimson Moon: Do you have any side projects?
Jensen: No side projects.
Crimson Moon: What is the music scene like where you guys are from?
Jensen: There are a lot of metal bands in Vancouver. Some bigger bands like Unleash The Archers which is a big influence on me, hailing from Vancouver BC. Also, the band Spiritbox are from Victoria BC and they are huge right now. I’m so glad for those bands to represent BC, there is a certain pride I hold when bands like that get attention.
Crimson Moon: Who are some of your musical influences?
Jensen: My biggest influence is Alter Bridge, based on how melodic and beautiful their songs are. We are doom metal and so bands like Candlemass a classic doom band is such an influence for me. Finally, metal bands with female singers such as Lacuna Coil, The River, Mercy Brown, Heritor, Cryoshell, Within Temptation and Jinjer hold a special place in my heart.
Crimson Moon: What is the band like when you play live?
Jensen: We never played live we are for now only a studio band.
Crimson Moon: Have you guys ever played in another country?
Jensen: At the moment no.
Crimson Moon: Do you do anything special warm-ups you do before you play live?
Jensen: Nothing.
Crimson Moon: What made you want to be in this band?
Jensen: There is so much you can do with listening to other people’s music but sometimes to help release your emotions and creativity into the world is creating yourself. Which is why I started this band to help serve myself and hopefully to others.
Crimson Moon: If you weren’t in this band would you still be involved in the music industry?
Jensen: I’m not in the corporate music industry, we are independent artist. No matter what I will still find a way to be creative.
Crimson Moon: As a musician what advice can you give to fellow musicians just starting out?
Jensen: We are still starting out ourselves, so can’t really give some strong words of wisdom. But all I can say is make the music for you, and be confident in your music. I really love to hear my own songs, not because I’m egotistical it’s because its music I want to hear.
Crimson Moon: What does the future hold for the band?
Jensen: Our second album Event Horizon is coming 2022! It’s almost done, we want to get it on vinyl and CD. Also working on an EP which is a combination of older and newer songs. Finally, already working on songs for our third album, so many things to do. The future is bright and I’m glad to be doing this especially with Kate’s help it wouldn’t be the same without her.
Contact them at:
https://www.facebook.com/lodestar.officialband
https://www.instagram.com/lodestar.band/
https://lodestar1.bandcamp.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0O5jipJoLd1KoV4XDtIquA
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN_NFcKy6bDJFsX7aQ67fBw