The Obelisk Questionnaire: Nick Forkel of Turbid North
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Nick Forkel of Turbid North
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
Musician and Songwriter, plain and simple. I don’t play so I can just get real good at guitar or something like that, I play to write songs. That’s my passion and that’s what I love to do. It’s my creative escape. When I was 12 my parents took me to see Kiss on their first reunion tour, it blew my mind away. After that, there was a guitar under the tree for Christmas and I never stopped since.
Describe your first musical memory.
Probably hearing my uncle jam some 80’s hair bands. Motley Crue was the one that caught my ears and always loved as a rat tailed little kid.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
I got two. Getting to play Mayhem Fest, back when it was Slayer and Motorhead headlining, and our first show since we moved back in our hometown of Fairbanks, Alaska. The support of the crowd we had that night was amazing.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
A lot of times in this band, we tend to branch out and go to other places musically. One thing that unfortunately comes with the “metal scene” is that can be a big NO NO. There’s these boundaries set and people want you to stay in that lane. I always try to test that and see how far we can go.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
You get better for one! The longer you do this, the more risks you take, the more rewarding it is. You also feel more comfortable putting your stuff out there, especially the more personal stuff.
How do you define success?
Success is being happy doing what you love doing. I know I’m not gonna make money doing this, but that’s not what it’s about. Waking up, wanting to grab a guitar and feeling inspired to create is a success in my book
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Our van’s engine literally blow up on the way to the first show of a tour. Day 1 casualty.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
I’d like to do a really proggy 70’s style epic 12-minute jam. We’ve dabbled with that, but always with aggressive heavy vocals. I’d like to give it a go with all clean vocals, harmonies, etc. A tune that would wind up on a Yes album or something
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
To make you forget all the problems you got going on and just take your mind somewhere else. To feel inspired and feel alive actually.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
Traveling. I love the road, taking road trips or whatever it is. Seeing new places and new experiences.
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