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Following the release of their latest single, “Alter Ego,” we had the pleasure of chatting with Searching Out Solutions vocalist Hale about the new song, her musical background and influences, the band’s evolution since their 2022 debut album, Pieces of the Red Line, and their plans for the future.
Reuel
Hello Hale! It’s a pleasure to chat with you. How are things going for you on the life and band fronts?
Hale Naphtha
It’s a pleasure to chat with you too! I’m doing great, and I’m so happy to finally start a new chapter where I can showcase my band. It means the world to us to finally release what we’ve been working on for so long.
Reuel
This sounds amazing! You released a new single last month! Congratulations!! “Alter Ego” came out, and what a song it is! How are you feeling about the way it was received by your fans?
Hale Naphtha
I’m so glad you like it! I think it’s the best-received song in our band’s history. After taking our time, carefully preparing everything, and recording in the studio at our own pace, I think the announcement that something new was coming after such a long time made people really happy. And of course, it also caught the attention of a lot of new people, which is great.
Reuel
Fantastic! “Alter Ego” explores how people can be fake and deceitful, and your vocals perfectly reflected that pain of betrayal. What inspired this deep and relatable topic, and your great performance?
Hale Naphtha
Thank you so much. Honestly, I think it’s something we’ve all been through at some point. Sometimes it helps to open up about how we feel, and turning those negative emotions into music is something Searching Out Solutions has always done a lot. I think bringing a song like this to life can be a way to find closure. It’s almost cathartic.
Reuel
There’s Phil Collins, there’s Dave Grohl, and there’s you! How has your background as a drummer shaped the way you sing and front Searching Out Solutions?
Hale Naphtha
Wow, those comparisons are incredibly flattering! Honestly, I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. I used to write my own songs as a little girl, and I started singing in rock bands when I was 12. I learned to play the drums when I was 15, and singing and drumming have been my inseparable companions ever since.
Being able to play drums, guitar, and sing is a huge part of my songwriting process. It allows me to understand a song from different perspectives and figure out what it needs from each instrument. I think it really helps me approach songwriting with a more complete vision of how all the different elements come together.
Reuel
How would you describe Searching Out Solutions to our readers who have never listened to your music before?
Hale Naphtha
I’d describe it as a layered cake. It’s essentially alternative metal, but there’s also a blend of alternative rock and emo running through it. We bring together a refined mix of influences, with heavy seven-string guitar riffs, hard-hitting drums, and highly versatile vocal melodies, topped off with a touch of growls 💅
Reuel
Which musicians would you say have inspired you personally throughout your life and career?
Hale Naphtha
As a frontwoman, I draw inspiration from all kinds of artists, but when it comes to rock and metal, some absolute powerhouses who have always inspired me are Angela Gossow, Alissa White-Gluz, Hayley Williams, Amy Lee, and Tatiana Shmayluk, to name a few.
And even though I’m the vocalist in this project, I’m also a drummer, so I’d love to give a shout-out to some incredible drummers who have influenced me, such as Anika Nilles, Joey Jordison, Mike Portnoy, among others.
Reuel
What comes after “Alter Ego”? Are there any upcoming releases you can tell us about?
Hale Naphtha
Of course, there will be new releases in 2027! We can’t wait to share everything we’ve been working on for so long. And alongside new music, you can also expect some European festival announcements!
Reuel
Sounds exciting! Searching Out Solutions released their debut album in 2022. How has the band evolved since?
Hale Naphtha
“Alter Ego” embodies what you can expect from our upcoming release. We’re really excited to be able to say that Searching Out Solutions has evolved musically. While Pieces of the Red Line (2022) leaned more towards alternative rock and emo pop-punk, with guitars tuned to B♭, this new album sees us diving headfirst into alternative metal without abandoning our roots. Our sound has matured quite a bit over the years, and it’s definitely gotten heavier, to the point where we’ve found ourselves moving into alternative metal.
Reuel
Thank you for your time, Hale! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Hale Naphtha
Here are my social media links and the band’s!
(mentioned below)
It’s worth mentioning that any support you can give us by sharing our music, streaming our tracks, and engaging with our content means the world to us. You can also support us on Bandcamp and grab some merch. Thank you so much for all your support! It truly means everything to us.
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