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Double Grammy-nominated California band Rival Sons represent one of the most authentic sounds in modern rock as their remarkable talent and dedication to honest artistry are reflected in their music. During the final stop of their summer tour in Winterbach, we had the chance to sit down with lead vocalist Jay Buchanan and guitarist Scott Holiday to discuss the inspirations behind their latest albums, Darkfighter and Lightbringer, the powerful message these records carry, and the lessons learned while touring with rock icons.
(by Daniella Kiss)
Your latest albums, Darkfighter and Lightbringer, explore contrasting themes of darkness and light. What inspired this dualistic approach, and how did it influence the songwriting process?
Jay: „While we were collaborating on what would become these two records, there was a lot happening in the world, especially during the COVID lockdown. There was also significant political tension in the United States, particularly because 2020 was an election year. Election years tend to bring out the more extreme elements on all sides, so there was a lot of turmoil and division. On a personal level, I went through a lot as well; I lost a few people who were really close to me. The ethos of perseverance and continuing the journey was a strong theme in my life during this time. It felt like I was constantly climbing a burning rope. Scott and I had many conversations about these experiences. He would send me music, and we would work on these songs together. In terms of the lyrics, they reflect the personal turmoil and eventual victory that I went through. I had a child in 2020, and I moved from Nashville, TN to California. The whole journey of finding a place for my family to live and adjusting to these changes definitely found its way into the music.”
Scott, as a guitarist, you’ve developed a very distinctive style and guitar tone that contributes to Rival Sons’ overall sonic identity. For your latest albums, what guitars, pedals, and other equipment did you use to achieve your signature sound, both in the studio and live?
Scott: „I used a whole bunch of stuff. With most records, I try to include a handful of brand-new instruments that I haven’t used before, so the sound naturally changes. The same goes for pedals and tones. I always try to pick up a few things that will change the sound quickly and easily. I even had new guitars custom-made for me specifically for these records. To name a few, I used a Gretsch Falcon a lot on this record, along with a couple of Flying V’s from Banker Guitars. I also used a vintage 1966 Gibson ES-330, a ’65 Gibson Firebird, and several baritone guitars, including a Gretsch 2090 Baritone.”
Who are your biggest influences when it comes to guitar playing? Have any of these influences particularly shaped your approach on the latest albums?
Scott: „It’s really hard to pinpoint a singular influence on this record. There wasn’t one specific guitar player I was drawing from, nor did any particular song feel influenced by a certain person. It was more of a section-by-section approach. Some parts of a song reminded me of something, while others didn’t. I always compare making music to painting—it’s less about technical prowess or being fast and more about adding color and texture to the canvas to create a feeling. Instead of asking if it sounds like David Gilmour or Jeff Beck, I focus on what the song needs. While I do have influences that I wear on my sleeve, this record was more about capturing feelings, colors, and textures than following specific influences.”
Just in general, if you had to name your influences, who would they be?
Scott: „I can name a lot, but I’ll start with key influences like Jeff Beck, who was constantly reinventing himself from record to record, and Dave Gilmour, whose entire work I admire. I also love the creativity of newer players like the Radiohead guitarists, Nick Zinner from Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Jack White’s approach to the guitar. Jimmy Page is a constant source of inspiration, especially for his recording techniques, and I also drew from classic players like Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top. Even newer bands like Papa Roach influenced me during this recording. There are so many great players, both classic and contemporary, but those are some of the main ones that come to mind.”
You made some impressive music videos for some songs from your latest album, including the incredible video for ‘Nobody Wants to Die.’ How involved is the band in the creative process and production of your music videos? Are there any plans to create more videos with a similar visual style or concept in the future?
Jay: „We were very involved in making the video for ‘Nobody Wants to Die‘, from conceptualizing the script to storyboarding. I remember sketching out shots, like the one with the camera behind the guys’ legs as they drop their weapons, which made it into the final cut. It was a lot of fun because we were writing and co-producing the video ourselves. Éli Sokhn, our director, was great to work with. Scott and I knew our roles from the start; he was going to be the sharp gangster, and I played the dirty preacher throwing Bible bombs. For the second video, ‘Rapture‘, I wrote the script and cast Scott’s son in it. Kurt Kubicek, a close friend of ours and the director of that video, was instrumental in pulling everything together with a skeleton crew, and I’m really proud of that video. I wanted it to tie into ‘Nobody Wants to Die‘ as a prequel, and using Scott’s son helped capture the right tone of boyish innocence. When we worked on ‘Bird in the Hand‘, our budget was tight, and we were really running on fumes, but Kurt stepped in again to help manage the writing and logistics. Making these videos was a lot of fun, and I’d love to do more, but the characters feel like their stories are complete.”
Scott: „We started writing the script for ‘Nobody Wants to Die‘ while on tour, and it was amazing how Jay and I had almost the same idea for the storyline. We combined elements from both scripts and worked closely with the director to bring it to life. I played the gangster with the switchblade, and Jay was the preacher. It was fun pitting ourselves against each other in the video, and to use our own cars—my Pontiac and Jay’s Mercedes, which I ended up buying from him. For the second video, Jay took the lead on the script and cast my son in it. It was really a labor of love, with friends helping out and Kurt Kubicek leading the crew. The scooter my son used in the video was a Christmas gift from years ago, and it didn’t survive the shoot. By the time we made ‘Bird in the Hand‘, we had big ideas but a very limited budget, so our director had to scale things down to what was feasible. The whole crew worked for a fraction of their usual rates, and these videos became passion projects for everyone involved. It was about making art for art’s sake. We paid out of pocket, hoping for reimbursement, but didn’t get much back. Still, making these videos was a blast, and while we don’t plan to continue with the same concept, we’d definitely love to do more videos in the future—hopefully with a massive budget next time! (laughs)”
The band has released nine albums to date. Looking back at Rival Sons’ discography, how do you feel the band’s sound and message have evolved over the years?
Scott: „Our sound has definitely evolved over time. With each record, we consciously choose different instruments, sounds, and recording environments to avoid repeating ourselves. I always make sure to change the tones I use from album to album, even when I lean towards heavier tracks with fuzz. This approach helps us explore new textures and sounds, as well as different songwriting styles, which naturally changes our sound. We don’t aim to replicate what we’ve done before. Honesty in our music is key, and it’s more important to me than being polished or eloquent. When I listen to my favorite artists, I believe them because their music feels real, and that’s what we aim for. I fully support Jay taking his time to make sure everything feels right, especially since he has to sing those words night after night. I’m proud of the hard work we put into every record, making tough choices to create something we truly believe in.”
Jay: „As Scott said, we’ve made significant changes to our sound and approach. Over the years, my songwriting has evolved, and I’ve become more intentional with the lyrics, themes, and melodies. With all the experience from touring and performing, I realized that what I write becomes a mantra for myself, so I take it seriously. It’s important that the lyrics have meaning for me so that when I’m on stage, I’m not just reciting empty words. Our process has become more labor-intensive, and I’ve definitely tested Scott’s and the producer’s patience, but if something doesn’t feel right, I’ll keep working until it does. I’m proud of how we’ve expanded our sound within the rock genre while staying true to ourselves.”
You mentioned that you have a mantra that you live by with each record. What would you say that mantra was for the latest albums?
Jay: „The mantra for these records was simply to keep going, keep running, don’t stop. The title says it all: Darkfighter. That’s really it—fight the darkness.”
Scott: „That was definitely my mantra too. I loved when Jay came up with those ideas and phrases. It was clear that they would be the album titles and mantras for us. We were going through a divisive, confusing, and frightening time at home in the U.S., with racism flaring up, political as well as social unrest, and civil upheaval. People were divided on every issue. As artists, we absorbed all of that and wrote about it. The world felt more restless than ever, so we had to be clear in our message: fighting darkness and bringing light. As simple as that might seem, it felt right for the moment.”
Rival Sons have experienced significant success both critically and commercially. How do you navigate the pressures of success while staying true to your artistic vision?
Jay: „I’ve never felt external pressure, only the creative pressure that comes with starting a new record from scratch. It’s the kind of pressure that fuels creativity, but I don’t feel the need to please others. While we’re grateful to the fans who support us, we’re not focused on making a product for anyone else. Rival Sons is about creating art that reflects who we are, not about designing something to sell. If it resonates with people, great, but that’s not the goal. I think some musicians do feel that external pressure, but that doesn’t appeal to me at all. The pressure we do feel is entirely within our circle.”
Scott: „I feel pressure too, but it’s self-imposed—the drive to create something of value that I believe in. I don’t worry about pleasing the public; it’s more about living up to my own standards. In the studio, we’re tough on ourselves—if something isn’t working, we discard it quickly. Sometimes we get attached to an idea, and even if the other person doesn’t hear it at first, we’ll give it time until it clicks. The pressure I feel comes from my own expectations, my desire to create something I can be proud of.”
Speaking of success, how do you define success in the music industry and how successful do you consider yourself?
Jay: „Success, to me, is happiness. If you’re happy, you’re successful. It’s about finding content as an artist, and those who have are the ones who’ve truly made it. Living with constant, unfulfilled desires is tough, but as artists, the more we push into new territory and grow together as a band, the more that desire gets satisfied. Building trust and expanding authentically—that’s real success. And of course, having millions of dollars wouldn’t hurt either. (laughs)”
Scott: „For me, success includes some degree of financial security. Happiness and love are at its core, but we need a bit of security to freely create. When I look at where we are now, I feel we’ve achieved total success. I make music with people I love, and we’ve created something I still value after all these years. Our fans appreciate our work, and their energy brings me joy, so yes, this is success to me.”
Rival Sons have had a long journey from its inception to now. What are some of the most significant lessons you’ve learned along the way, both personally and professionally?
Jay: „Relax and enjoy the process—do things out of joy. Early on, I struggled with some pressure and an identity crisis after joining the band, as I transitioned from being a singer-songwriter to rock music 24/7. It was disorienting, and I became more reclusive, both within the band and in my personal life. But over time, as I gained experience and our relationships grew, I realized how fun this all is. Music is something you fall in love with repeatedly. Learning to relax, let the energy take over, and allow it to command the room—that’s been a big lesson for me. When you stop trying to force things and just let them flow naturally, everything falls into place.”
Scott: „I completely agree. Over the years, I’ve learned to really soak it all in. Quitting drinking and intoxicants six years ago helped me be more present, connecting better with the audience and our day-to-day work. I also heard a great analogy from tennis legend Roger Federer, who said he only won 47% of the points in his entire career. This speaks to making mistakes and still achieving success despite them. You can’t aim for perfection as mistakes are inevitable, especially on stage, but what defines a professional is the ability to recover immediately, re-engage, and attack the next moment with full energy. You can’t dwell on mistakes; you have to leave them behind and keep moving forward. That’s something I’ve learned and embraced over the years.”
Rival Sons have toured with some legendary acts, such as Black Sabbath or Aerosmith. Can you share any memorable experiences or insights gained from touring with these icons of rock?
Jay: „There are so many memorable moments. Every time you interact with giants like those bands, you learn something. Whether it’s Black Sabbath or another legendary band, I’ve had mind-blowing conversations where they took the time to say something that gave me a boost of confidence. When you get real talk from these icons, it’s something you don’t forget. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had these experiences. It’s like talking to a master, and they’re passing down knowledge.
I keep many of those lessons close to my chest, but one of the best pieces of advice we received was from Rob Halford of Judas Priest during our first European tour. We were in a van dirty, hungry, and working really hard. Rob simply told us, “You guys are great; all you have to do is stay together. Just stay together.” I’ve thought about that advice many times.”
Scott: „That tour was funny because we had some doubts going into it. While we’re usually confident about winning over an audience, we weren’t sure about that one. None of us were huge Judas Priest fans at the time—their music was a bit too sharp and metal for us. But watching them live gave me a new appreciation, especially after spending time with them and interacting with Rob. They really are amazing. Hearing Rob say he related to our music was a big moment for us. Rival Sons is more rock, a bluesy, brassy band, while Judas Priest is more metal, so we thought people might not respond well to us. Instead, we got standing ovations and wonderful receptions. Rob’s genuine and gentle mentorship was exactly what we needed, and it really stuck with us.
For me, the most impactful lesson came from our 13 months touring with Black Sabbath. It wasn’t something they told us; it was what I observed. They could have treated people however they wanted because they’re rock royalty, but they treated everyone with real kindness. Their crew was happy, and they operated like a family. We all learned from that—treating the people around you well creates a positive environment that affects the entire show. The mood backstage was always good, and it translated into great performances.”
What are Rival Sons’ plans for the future? Can fans look forward to new music, tours, or any other exciting projects on the horizon?
Jay: „Absolutely, there’s more music and more tours coming up. We’ve also been working on a few projects, including a documentary. A producer/director has been following us for the last eight years, ever since our tour with Black Sabbath, so there will be a Rival Sons movie at some point.”
Scott: „Yeah, there will be new music and possibly different compilations. We have a full team constantly working on various projects, and with eight records already out, there’s always something in the pipeline.”
Jay: „As for our next record, we haven’t even started talking about writing new songs yet. The last two records were such a massive undertaking that we’re still coming down from them. But when it’s time to write again, we’ll roll up our sleeves and get to work.”
Scott: „Maybe we’ll make a brass record—no guitars, no drums, just horns and chamber instruments. (laughs)”
Jay: „Yeah and we’ll call it Fuzz Battle. (laughs)”
