Prolific musician and song craftsman Stan Snow returns with his most ambitious and powerful release yet, the rousing new album 'Road to the Sun'. Armed with a star-studded cast of musicians and an ambitious collection of 12 songs featuring intricate arrangements, the record roots itself firmly in rock 'n' roll soil while taking influence from Indie, Americana, Progressive, Classic Rock, and Symphonic soundscapes.
Much like George Harrison’s visionary later work, Stan leads the way musically and thematically through profoundly reflective and sacred territory on this illuminating new collection. Lyrically letting the light in through a prism of mysticism, inner growth, and hard-won wisdom, 'Road to the Sun' accepts all elements of the human experience while opening the window to a flood of radiance and inspiration.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into Stan’s musical origins, his seamless and intuitive songwriting process, the diverse sonic influences behind the album, working with a full symphony orchestra, and what lies ahead on his creative journey.
Thank you for joining us, Stan! When did you first start making music? Where did it all begin, and what inspired you?
"I first started playing piano when I was 8 years old living in Fremont, California. Then, I picked up bluegrass banjo at 9... and guitar at 14. At 9 I was inspired by Earl Scruggs. Loved the energy of his playing on songs like 'Foggy Mountain Breakdown' (theme from Bonnie & Clyde). Played banjo for 5 years and then taught myself guitar. I used to jam along with records and was inspired by the music that I was listening to in high school... The Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Jeff Beck, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Yes, The Allman Brothers, The Rolling Stones, etc. Then, after a few years of playing in rock bands and going on the road at 19, I heard Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, and Pat Metheny. I dove deeply into learning jazz and theory. I studied with a number of really great teachers both in and out of college. I also studied songwriting... both composition and lyric writing."
Can you tell us a bit about your latest release and what it means to you?
"'Road to the Sun' is my best work yet. It's the result of 10,000 hours of learning how to do what I do. It's all inspired by my love and passion for making music. It brings me great joy. The better I get, the more fun it is. I don't suffer from writer's block. I've spent a lot of years learning how to improvise and capture the spirit of the moment. I like surprises and I write to satisfy the music fan within me. Being unpredictable is important. Whenever I listen back to the music I'm working on, it has to resonate with what I want to hear. Otherwise, I will change things until it does resonate. Each time I complete a song there is a feeling of great achievement. It's a thrill and it keeps me motivated. Always exploring new sonic and lyrical landscapes. I'm learning new instruments (just bought a pedal steel) and new ways of playing, recording, making videos, lighting techniques, camera settings, microphones, amps, guitars, keyboards, pedals... marketing, packaging, PR, etc... the whole process of creating is fun for me. And when I'm done, I get to share it with hundreds of thousands of people. And it keeps getting better. Keeps me vibrant, alive, and happy."
Are there any artists, moments, or experiences that influenced you when writing the release?
"Yes, there are many influences that I draw from depending on the idea and the style of production that I may be envisioning. On 'River of No Return', there's a bit of Jeff Beck in there as well as Peter Gabriel. On 'Prism' I am using a tuning on the acoustic guitar that is from David Crosby. As the album continues you might hear influences from Steely Dan, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, Cat Stevens, Peter Frampton, Mark Knopfler, John Williams, Paul McCartney, George Martin, Michael Hedges, CSN&Y, Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, Pat Metheny, Tom Petty, Mike Campbell, etc."
What was your songwriting process for the album, and how did it all come together?
"I wrote the songs in the sequence that they appear on the album. As soon as I finish each song, I usually ask myself, "what do I want to hear next?" I will then hear an idea in my head and begin to explore it. It could be a bass line, a guitar riff, a drum groove, a melody, a keyboard riff or chord progression, lyric line, or some combination of the above. As soon as I have the intro to where it is pulling me into the vibe of the tune, I will hear in my head where it needs to go from there. I'll add a melody and lyrics for the first verse, and then the theme of the song will start to reveal itself in the process. It's a craft. And it's very fun because I don't get writer's block. I can play multiple instruments and I can hear what needs to happen in order to satisfy the music fan within me. I will work on each tune over a number of days, sometimes a week or more. Not usually more than that. I know it's done when nothing is bugging me. And I will go straight into the studio while it's still fresh, and record the basic tracks of lead and backing vocals, guitar or keys, and bass. Then, I will repeat the process and start writing the third song, and the fourth, etc. This album took me about 6 months to write."
How would you describe the sound on the new record? Has there been an evolution in style since you first began?
"My sound is a mixture of styles and genres, and varies depending on the song. There is a combination of Americana, rock, indie rock, prog rock, jazz, symphonic rock, folk, Celtic, roots rock, classic rock, funk, blues, etc. Yes, there's been an evolution in style as I explore different sonic and lyrical landscapes. This album is the first time I've brought in a full symphony orchestra to record with me. I don't really think about styles or genres while I'm creating music. I just focus on developing ideas that are inspiring to me, and then producing them in such a way that they will stand up to repeated listenings. I'll listen to these songs hundreds of times while I'm working on them. And if I do it right, I won't get tired of listening to them. At the end of the process, they will be exactly as I want them to be."
Is there a central message or theme you were trying to convey on this record? Is there a particular track that captures that idea?
"There isn't a central message or theme that I was trying to convey. The title track, 'Road to the Sun', is the closest theme to what the album is about. The spirit of adventure. Pursuing our dreams. Being vibrant to benefit ourselves and others. It's also about the attitude and the discipline that it takes to stay on the path, heading towards the light, and finding joy and peace in all things... people... relationships... family, friends, community, etc. It takes a village."
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations as an artist? Where do you see yourself in the next few years, both musically and personally?
"I am on the 'Road to the Sun'. Always learning and growing, as best I can. I love the process of creating. Trying to get better all the time, in all things. Step by step. Pacing myself to keep balance. I just bought a pedal steel and am learning how to play it. I'll be using it on the next album. I am having an octave mandolin built and expect to receive it in the months ahead. I'll be using it to write new material. I plan to hire the Budapest Orchestra again and will have them play on the next album. I have new guitars that I haven't used yet—a Gibson Firebird and a Les Paul Jr.—each one will inspire new song ideas. I am learning more and more about recording techniques, mixing, mastering, camera techniques, video editing, marketing via Meta, FB, Instagram, YouTube, Google Ads, etc... everything is part of the craft."
What's next after this release? Do you have any new releases or live shows on the horizon?
"I'll start writing the next album in the months ahead. Probably starting at the end of this year or early 2027. I am in the process of releasing the current album to the streaming services one song at a time over the next 12 months. The entire album is out now but only available via Bandcamp. I'm not doing any shows at this time, only videos for every song."
With 'Road to the Sun', Stan Snow delivers an uplifting, masterfully crafted journey through rich sonic landscapes and honest reflection. It’s a testament to the power of artistic dedication and the pure joy of creation. Be sure to check out the album on Bandcamp and keep an eye out for his upcoming song-by-song streaming releases and videos!
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