HOLON – interview

Introduce your band, and describe your latest release:

Holon is my solo music project, with drummer Geir Anfinn Halland Johansen joining me as my main collaborator. It started as a way to release music after being in several bands that didn’t quite stick. I decided to take the reins creatively and do it all myself—writing, recording, producing, mixing, and mastering.

The latest release is a single called “Samsara”, which came out in December 2024. It’s the first track from an upcoming two-part concept album called Love & Behold. The song explores themes of loss, transformation, and renewal, both emotionally and spiritually.

What’s the hardest part about being a band in this day and age?

You have to be the band, the producer, the designer, the social media manager, the emotional support hotline, and the guy uploading your own lyrics to streaming platforms. It’s like running a full startup, except your product is a 6-minute song about heartbreak that took six months to finish.

Also, trying to stay visible without dancing on Instagram Reels is becoming a spiritual struggle.

When did you realise that your project had the potential to be much more than just a fun idea?

That moment came when I met Rhys Marsh. I had all these songs sitting around—ideas I’d been working on that didn’t really have a home. I wasn’t sure if they were worth releasing, or if I was just collecting half-finished thoughts with a few nice chord changes.

But Rhys listened to the material and really connected with it. He believed in the songs, and that gave me the confidence to take it seriously. He also produced and mixed my debut album The Time Is Always Now, which played a huge part in shaping what holon became.

So yeah—meeting Rhys was the turning point. It stopped being just something I was doing for myself, and started becoming something I wanted to share with the world.

Tell us about your latest release, why should we check it out?

“Samsara” is a personal track that reflects on grief, change, and finding clarity after difficult experiences. It starts off very intimate and gradually builds into something more expansive. It’s the kind of song that reveals more with each listen.

If you’re into music that combines emotional storytelling with layered arrangements, or if you’ve ever gone through a chapter in your life where things had to fall apart before they could come together again—then this might resonate with you.

How does a song typically come together for you?

It starts with a spark—usually me playing around with ideas – melodies and chord progressions on an acoustic guitar and going, “Wait… that didn’t sound terrible.” Then I record it on my phone, forget it exists, rediscover it later, and get excited all over again.

After that, it’s like building IKEA furniture without the manual. I start piecing together sections, layering sounds, rewriting lyrics, second-guessing everything, and finally declaring it done when I can’t think of anything else to change. At that time the song is usually twice the length I had originally intended.

How would you describe your sound to an unfamiliar reader?

It’s a blend of progressive rock, singer-songwriter storytelling, ambient textures, and world music influences. The songs often have dynamic builds, layered instrumentation, and themes that explore introspection, philosophy, and emotional growth.

I’ve been influenced by artists as diverse as Dream Theater, Radiohead and Frank Zappa, so the sound reflects elements from different genres but with a focus on melody and emotion with a pinch of complexity added in there.

What do you want listeners to take away from listening to your band?

I’d love for people to come away feeling like the music said something they’ve been feeling but couldn’t quite express. Or that it gave them a moment to reflect, feel understood, or just sink into the sound – just connecting with the music. If it makes someone feel less alone—or more in tune with themselves—that’s more than I could ask for. At the same time I am always aiming for that chorus that sticks in peoples head as well as challenging the listener a bit with surprising turns.

Where would you really like to tour that you haven’t done so yet, and why?

I haven’t toured at all so everything is a clean slate for me. Currently it isn’t a priority for me as it would be hard for me to get the time to do this, but if I did I would really have to start with my home country Norway. I have travelled a bit in India in the past and touring there would also be awesome. As I am greatly influenced by Indian music and religion/philosophy it would in a sense also be like coming home for holon.

How would you say that the sound of your band has progressed over the years?

Since I basically have only released one album in the past and a new one is coming out now I think the main difference would be that this time around I am doing everything myself. The first album had lots of Rhys Marsh’s arrangement and mixing signature in it. The upcoming one would be entirely my own signature.

How excited are you for 2025, and what can fans expect from you?

I’m really looking forward to 2025. I’ve got more singles coming from Love & Behold and the full release of Part 1 is on the horizon. It’s been a long time in the making, and I’m proud of how it’s coming together—both musically and emotionally.

Fans can expect a steady stream of new music, continuing the themes of transformation, reflection, and emotional storytelling that started with “Samsara.”

So yeah—2025 is about releasing more, sharing more, and continuing to build something meaningful.