Cory’s story reads like a gospel written on backstreets and battered fretboards. From homelessness and addiction to spiritual resolve, his raw past threads through the sound and spirit of Earthquakes and Thunder – a project that refuses to sanitise suffering or spirituality. Alongside Joe-el, whose Canadian perspective brings a distinct tonal sensitivity to their Texas-rooted alt-rock foundation, the duo walk a tightrope between sacred intention and untamed musical expression. In this exclusive interview, we hear how abstract lyricism, genre fluidity, and a refusal to conform define their songwriting process, why their upcoming release strikes a heavier chord than Ancient Paths, and how a third-place slot in America’s Top Hitmaker is shifting their sights back to New York City. It’s a conversation for those who still believe music can wrestle with faith without losing its raw edge.
Welcome to A&R Factory, Earthquakes and Thunder, it’s great to have you with us. Cory, your experiences with addiction and your faith clearly shape much of your story. How have those personal battles and your search for spiritual meaning shaped the core of Earthquakes and Thunder, both musically and personally?
Regarding your first question about how my personal battles and search for spiritual meaning have shaped the core of Earthquakes and Thunder, both musically and personally, I can say that my experiences with addiction and homelessness have profoundly influenced my music. I was a homeless addict, playing on street corners for money, and the music I create today stems directly from those harrowing experiences. My faith has been a crucial part of overcoming those challenges, and it continues to inspire and inform the lyrical and emotional depth of our songs.
Joe-el, you bring a Canadian perspective to a band rooted in the Texas music scene. How has that mix of backgrounds influenced your sound and the way you approach making music together?
There is absolutely a difference between the two. Many times the music is derived from a different message, and it’s certainly created in a different environment. I think similarly all music pulls from itself so you find certain tones and rhythm that just works no matter it’s played or who plays it. My job has always been to find common ground between the two and drive the music as far as it will go. Personally, I enjoy finding the root, exploring what is feeding it, and pulling the sound from the same source. Cory and I agree on the root of what we are doing, and we enjoy the same kind of sounds that we create. It makes it easy to find chemistry when we are doing what we genuinely enjoy. I think what we’ve put together is music that can be enjoyed no matter where you find yourself listening to it.
The band’s name carries a strong Christian connotation, with prayer described as earthquakes and thunder to the devil. How do you approach the balance between spiritual messaging and the wider appeal of your alternative rock style?
Well, I (Cory) am not your typical Christian… I have a liberal leaning in many ways including music and art. I think that all keeps a slight balance between the spiritual and the carnal. However, it is important to walk in the Spirit. The Spirit of God informs everything we do.
After spending time performing in New York City, Cory, what led you to make Texas your home, and how do the local scenes in both places compare in terms of opportunities and atmosphere?
I felt a strong spiritual sense that I should move to Texas. That decision has brought me nothing but peace so I am grateful. My little community is trying to cultivate a scene for artists. We have an open mic here in town as well as many places to play. Additionally, there is a museum here and art crawls that are also hosted in this area. We also have a regular gig at the Music City Mall here locally that satisfies our musical cravings.
You have just finished recording a new release, with mastering as the final step. What can listeners expect from this upcoming track, and how does it represent the next stage for Earthquakes and Thunder?
This next track (album) is going to be more rock-oriented than the last release. It will likely appeal to a much larger audience than Ancient Paths. I don’t plan on releasing another album quite like it but you never know. Really, the whole idea with Earthquakes and Thunder is that I wanted to be really eclectic and play all styles of music. Everything from Indie/acoustic to metal.
You’ve shared that songwriting is often a solitary task before the music comes together in jam sessions. What does that creative process look like for you, and how do those initial ideas change once you bring them into the rehearsal space?
Writing music is completely organic… I often use lyrics that are really abstract… I may use nothing but words in a song that all mean different things. It’s a really strange way to write, but I think that I was influenced a lot by Soundgarden and they seemed to write abstractly as well. When we go into rehearsal sessions that is where things come together. We may end the song differently or stretch the middle out to make room for a longer lead. But overall, we write it and play it the same way pretty much every time.
Competing in America’s Top Hitmaker and currently sitting in third place, how does it feel to have your music recognised on such a large platform, and what would performing in New York City again mean to you at this point in your career?
It feels good to make it that high on Top Hitmaker. It says a lot about our fans and their dedication to our art. To play again in NYC at that level, would mean the world to us.
Soundgarden and Led Zeppelin have played a big part in shaping your musical influences. How do those classic bands inform your sound, and are there any contemporary artists you feel a kinship with right now?
Soundgarden and Led Zeppelin are by far my (Cory) favorite bands of all time. Led Zeppelin came up with some creative and breathtaking tracks during their tenure. I always loved Robert Plant’s voice and the stuff Page came up with on guitar. They have to be in the top 5 bands of all time, ever. Soundgarden was similar. I enjoyed Chris Cornell’s vocals and the higher notes that he could hit. I also loved their heavy, doom-laden riffs, especially in their earlier material. Even though I don’t really sound exactly like those bands, their music informs everything I do down to the root level. As far as newer bands, I don’t particularly like a lot of what I am hearing. I still find myself going back to the classics again and again. But I would say that bands like Elder, Young Oceans, Broken Walls (Native American music), Josh Garrels (early), and Tyler Dory Trio satisfy me for the most part.
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Stream Eathquakes and Thunder on Spotify, or support the artist on Bandcamp.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast
