Interview: Geoff Waye of Triskelyon

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't like music. Even as a kid my parents played music in the house from classical to classic rock bands. When I first started getting into music on my own I was also young and it started with bands like Duran Duran and Billy Idol and progressed to heavy metal with Judas Priest, Motley Crue, etc etc. The song lyrics (and lyric video) for “Odyssey (Blessed by Steel)” tell of that musical journey. As for what I'd be doing without music...probably be an even bigger Star Trek and Star Wars nerd than I already am! lol

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

Aside from the aforementioned sci-fi obsession, just simple stuff like getting outside in nature – in the woods, by the sea etc. Really clears the mind, lifts your spirits and helps inspire creativity.

How long has your band been around?

Triskelyon is brand new. I decided to do a solo project in late 2021 and started working on songs then. The first three are on the debut EP that came out at the end of January 2022. I'm in other bands (Category VI and Artach) that have been around longer, but this one is the newest.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

I'm based out of St. John's, NL, Canada. People from outside of here expect that we all live and die for folk/traditional music, but that isn't the case for me. I'm sure it has had unconscious influence maybe but nothing direct. The geographic isolation away from the world's big music scenes has really fostered a DIY attitude and nature plays a big role in my life and some lyrics.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

Triskelon is a deliberate misspelling of the word “triskelion”. It is defined as follows: “A triskelion or triskeles is an ancient motif consisting of a triple spiral exhibiting rotational symmetry. ... The actual triskeles symbol of three human legs is found especially in Greek antiquity, beginning in archaic pottery, and continued in coinage of the classical period.” It has different meanings, but the one that spoke to me is the concept of forward movement and not standing still....some of the ideas that are raised in the lyrics for the EP track “Find a Way”.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

This was conceived as a solo / recording project so there are currently no plans for live shows.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

The best venue in St. John's for heavy music is The Rock House. It's not at all a metal bar, but they are open to welcoming metal bands to play there. They have a good sound system, lighting, stage. It's perhaps also the go-to spot for small to medium-level bands who tour here to play at as well.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

I dunno, whoever liked the band I was with really. King Diamond would be awesome to play with as I'd love to meet the King. Also Kreator so I can exchange vegan recipes and cooking tops with Millie. lol

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Do it because you love the music. Not for money, not for the social media likes, the fame, etc. If it's not therapeutic to create music then maybe it's not for you. These days there are so few new “rock stars” and there are 1000's of people with tons more talent than those who are popular. So focus on making yourself happy musically, whatever that is, and do it for yourself first and foremost. As for my younger self – maybe it would have been to write and record more music sooner, take more lessons from someone more knowledgeable (I barely had any guitar lessons as a kid and wanted to just learn on my own).

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

I wish I would have started recording this solo project earlier. It wasn't until I hooked up with Raul Marques (drum programming) that I realized I could do this on my own. Also a big shout out to Michael Small who mixed and mastered the EP and the two killer vocalists on the EP Pete Healey and Marlee Ryley (Hyperia). Even though it's a solo project, without all their input it wouldn't have been as awesome!

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

Musically perhaps “Odyssey (Blessed by Steel)” because it has some really fast riffs that I am really happy about and a solo that is short but one of the better ones I've come up with IMO. Lyrically, it would be “Hunger” because it reveals my anger about the division in the world, the racism, the way that some are led down into an illogical hole where they become a part of a cult believing in nonsense. The imagery of the lyric video depicts this well showing BLM protests and things of that nature.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

The EP is so new that I can't really answer this properly. The two lyric videos have gotten positive feedback. As for playing, I have been forging along writing more songs so I can have a full album, and not playing these three songs now that they are in the can.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

I can't pick up my guitar for more than 15mins and I have a riff I like. Sometimes I have to mentally tell

myself to stop and practice some patterns, exercises, etc just so I don't end up with 50 songs written and no time to record them all. Haha! As for what inspires the music...I don't know, it's like some people do puzzles, crosswords, mess with a fidget spinner, etc to feel calm. For me, it's playing guitar and riffing. I don't play along to other people's music, I am of the motto “Create don't copy” so that's why I am inspired to do. To just come up with ideas I like and mold them into songs makes me happy.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

In a nutshell: Injustice, environmentalism, frustration, and the love for metal.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

As this is a solo project I get to do what I want lol. I'm not a control freak tho, I like those who are a part of this to bring their own identities into the songs. Being in a full band there is compromise and that's cool, but doing this solo project means I'm just doing whatever I want for better or worse.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

For Triskelyon, my plans are to get about 5 more songs done and release a full album. I hope to use the two vocalists that are on the EP and also include 2-3 more to give the songs even more variety and flavour. The EP was just a taste of things to come. Hopefully, people like it and will entertain buying the EP from Bandcamp to help finance the full album. Doing things as a solo project isn't as easy but it's fun and I'm determined to have a full album done in 2022. As well, I'll be a part of two more albums this year: the upcoming albums from Category VI and Artach. I'm not gonna stop and will keep pushing forward writing new music and with luck, someone will like it, if not, oh well I had fun making it! lol

Triskelyon.bandcamp.com | Facebook.com/Triskelyon-109813604928220 | YouTube

Lyric Video - "Hunger" -

Lyric Video - Odyssey (Blessed by Steel) -