Not only is he making his Download debut, it’s also a first time playing in the UK. At fifteen, Storm is already reaching milestones many can only dream of in their career. Born into a musical background and armed with the right mind set and talent in spades, Storm is making waves. Having their song ‘House Of Cards’ go viral, an EP and a new album on the way there’s no stopping them. Aggy Gillon joins Storm to discuss what inspires them, their advice to those wishing to follow in their footsteps and what is the dream for the future.
Can we get you to introduce yourself for the recording?
Yeah! My name is Storm. I’m a fifteen year old metalcore artist from Norway! Now I’m at Download Festival and this is crazy!
Oh wow! We didn’t realise you were only fifteen. That is so cool! So we assume this must be your first Download then?
Yeah it is!
Have you ever been as a fan before?
I’ve dreamt of even just being in this festival and just watching bands and now I’m playing here myself. It’s totally crazy to me.
So you’re fifteen and you’re playing one of the biggest rock festivals in the whole world. How did it all come about?
It’s been affecting my sleep *laughs* It’s absolutely a dream come true although I haven’t even dreamt of this because I thought it was too…It’s just crazy.
Did you enjoy your set earlier?
It was great. I saw some people singing our lyrics. I’ve never seen that before.
So what does it mean to you to play Download?
It means everything to me. This is what I want to do. Being here is a big step. It’s obviously the biggest thing I have ever done.
So, when did you start getting involved in music?
I have music on both sides of my family. I was only one year old and danced and sang Micheal Jackson songs in a nightclub. I became a little bit shy as I got a little bit older. I’ve got a friend that would say you gotta sing! You gotta make a band! That was when I started my first band when I was eight years old. It just started from there.
When did Storm start?
Storm started when I was twelve years old. I had another band called Snow Storm. I decided to move onto this new project that was just called Storm. I was like I want to do this metalcore thing.
So you said you have a musical family. Are they artists as well?
I have a very musical family. They are not metalheads. On my Dads side it’s folk music and on my Mum’s side it’s flamenco. The metal genre I found myself. They have been supporting me since day one. Like I said I danced in my Dads nightclub and my Mum was like woo!
That is wild and so cool! We read that your song ‘House Of Cards’ went viral. Can you tell me about that?
Yeah it did! I think it just came out at the perfect timing. It was so fun watching how it grew. We posted a tik tok video. I didnt even think about posting a Tik Tok video but it was just me *sings lyrics* and it got like a million views. We also played at Tons Of Rock the same week.
That’s one of the biggest festivals in Norway isn’t it?
Yeah. That was great. Watching the streams I couldn’t believe it. I kept on thinking this is gonna stop now but it didn’t *laughs*
That must have been mind blowing for you for it to just take off like that. ‘Die Young’ is your latest single, isn’t it? Can you tell us about that?
It’s about not being afraid of doing what you want to do. I’m saying I’m living my life like I’m going to die young. I’m doing what I want to do and not being afraid of what others are saying. I sing, dance, dance, dance until the day that I die. You got to have fun, you know? A lot of people are afraid to take a chance and say fuck that. Do what you wanna do.
So you have one EP out at the minute. That was released in 2022. Can you tell us about that as well?
Yeah. That was my first release. All those songs I wrote myself at my studio at home. When I was with the record label and we were choosing the songs for the EP I chose the heaviest songs because we wanted to start with a punch in the face. I loved the process of making those songs. I feel like I have changed a lot since those songs. People wouldn’t believe it’s the same artist now, I think. That was what I really wanted to do then, you know? All those songs have a meaning for me.
What inspires you?
If you listen to my songs it’s not just metalcore. There are a lot of pop influences and rap also. That is because of the band Falling In Reverse. They are my favourite. When I saw them bringing in all the genres in their new stuff I was like wow! Then I thought no one else was doing it. When they did it I thought it was something special. When I’m in the studio now I’m like can we do a pop punk song? Or can we do a rap song? Or a song on the piano. Let’s just try it out. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t.
What have you got coming up release wise?
We are actually working on an album right now. We were working all winter. It’s been a long process but we are so near being done now. I’m really looking forward to showing what we have been doing because its so much different. We have so much on the piano, so much that is so heavy. That album is just me and Erland being creative and doing what we like. I think we could get it out in the beginning of 2025 but I don’t want to rush anything. I want this album to represent who I am now. I also want to release a lot of singles as I want the songs to get all the attention that they need.
That’s what it’s about isn’t it? Doing what you love.
People say well you got to do that because that’s what you did before and that’s what you’re fans like. My mind set is that I’m making what I listen to and what inspires me.
Well you’re obviously doing something right!
Thank you so much
Have you done many shows in the UK before?
Never.
This is your first UK show? Wow you’re totally going in with a bang having your debut at Download Festival!
This is the second show we are doing outside of Norway. Being at Download Festival is totally crazy.
Are you staying for the whole weekend?
Yeah, I am. I’m really looking forward to seeing Escape The Fate and Slaughter To Prevail.
It’s quite inspiring what you are doing from such a young age. What would you say to others who would want to get into music and do something like you?
Do your thing. There is so much talent out there that may be afraid to do what they want because people will judge. In school there’s a lot of people who will say what the f*ck are you wearing or what are you doing. You just gotta get through that and do your thing. If you listen to them then you are doing them a favour. You gotta do what you want to do. Be who you want to be and be yourself, basically. I’ve always just wanted to be myself, I don’t want to be like anyone else.
Never lose that mindset, it’s absolutely the best way to be. So what’s your dream, what do you want to do next?
My biggest dream is playing warm up for Falling In Reverse. They are my favourites.
Well at the rate you’re going we can see something like that easily becoming a reality.
What would you like to say to those reading this article?
Join the Storm. I can’t wait to show you what we have been working on. I am very proud of it and I hope people will like it.
Interview and photos by Aggy Gillon