THUNDEROR Q&A

Here’s a Q&A with JJ Tartaglia of THUNDEROR, a hard-hitting arena rock and heavy metal band based in Canada, discussing their origins, creative process, and their latest album, Bleed For It.

THUNDEROR is a heavy rock/metal band that was formed in 2020 by Skull Fist members JJ Tartaglia and Jonny Nesta, along with Brycen Gunn on bass. Together, they create hook-driven anthems that meet the high standards expected of a Canadian power trio. Now with two albums released, THUNDEROR continues to evolve, blending ambitious storytelling with high-energy performances, including a full-scale rock opera staged at the Toronto Fringe Festival.

Who are all of the band members?

JJ Tartaglia, Jonny Nesta, Brycen Gunn

Tell us, where did it all start?

In 2020, I formed the band with Jonny Nesta. We had already been playing together in Skull Fist for like 10 years, and we had been talking about doing another band together. So THUNDEROR was born!

What was the spark that got everything started?

It was all about developing my vocal ability. It's something that had been on my mind for years. In 2019 I started to take it seriously. That was the real beginning of my vocal journey, and also as a songwriter. Now we are 2 albums deep.

What’s one surprising fact about you that fans might not expect?

We did a THUNDEROR The Musical last year—a full blown rock opera musical with cast and a creative team. We did 5 shows last summer as part of the Toronto Fringe Festival. It was an awesome experience and a great way to promote the new songs, since our new album is the soundtrack to that musical.

How would you describe your sound or style to someone who’s never heard your work before?

Arena Rock / Heavy Metal / Rock Opera.

What artists, experiences, or moments shaped your current style?

Musically Jim Steinman has been a big inspiration. Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC, Bob Dylan. And just life overall really—the emotions you go through. Love, heartbreak, adventure.

Can you walk us through your songwriting or production process?

Most songs start with the vocal melody. From there I add the drums and then Jonny writes the guitar parts to that and builds the rest from there.

Do you prefer collaborating with others or working solo?

Myself and Jonny make a good songwriting team. That's really the sound of THUNDEROR so I don't want to lose that. But for the next record I would love to incorporate Brycen Gunn's writing as well to see how that shapes the music even more.

If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Brian Johnson. It would be killer to write an AC/DC-style song and have him sing over it.

What’s something you’ve learned about your own voice or instrument that changed how you write?

All things take time. I'm learning to put more character into my voice as my ability develops. It's a journey!

What does a “good day in the studio” actually look like for you?

It's always a good day if I'm in the studio. Drums and keys are always a breeze, but the voice is trickier—some days are just better than others for reasons unknown to me.

What’s on your current playlist?

H.E.A.T.

What’s one piece of gear or software you can’t live without?

My Shure 56A mic for my vocals. The shorty style makes it so that I don't whack it with my sticks.

When do you know a song is finished?

I guess you just know. You have that feeling of completion.

How much of your personal life makes it into your lyrics?

A lot. That's mostly all that it is. For me that's where the emotion and ultimately any connection to the audience will stem from.

How do you handle creative block when it happens?

You can keep hammering or sometimes just step away and come back fresh. It depends on the day.

What’s been the proudest moment in your career so far?

We are nominated for an ECMA award this year for Best Loud Release of the Year. The song “Cape Breton Home” got nominated, and the awards are actually in Cape Breton this year, which makes it even more special. It's a big full circle moment for me as I grew up there.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced early in your career?

With Thunderor, in the beginning it was mainly just discovering my voice. Which I am still doing now, but have made some headway. It's a lifelong journey.

What’s been your most memorable show so far—good or bad?

We opened up for Airbourne on a string of shows in Mexico. That was badass.

What changes have you noticed in the music industry since you started?

Things seem to get more difficult—more expensive mainly. But you have to adapt.

What’s a part of the music business that actually takes up most of your time?

We release our albums on my own label Boonsdale Records, so it is an enormous amount of work. But I believe in the music and the product, which makes the work easier.

What’s a stereotype about your genre or scene that you’re tired of explaining?

We kinda fall in between genres, so I guess it's that not everything metal needs to be 100% metal. I think we're a good example of that.

How do you support other musicians in your community?

Go to local shows, book their bands on shows, hire them sometimes to sub in or join on gigs.

What advice would you give to emerging musicians?

Remember it's about the journey. Give it all you got and have a good time doing it.

What kind of legacy do you hope to leave in the music world?

A worthy discography. If people years ahead still listen to THUNDEROR, that's pretty cool. More importantly, to inspire musicians to pursue their own goals.

Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations we can be excited for?

Our new album Bleed For It just dropped a few weeks ago, so that's it for new music for the next while. But we hope to announce some new tours for 2027.

Check out their Facebook, Instagram, X, and their website for more updates. Listen to their music on YouTube!