Ste Van Holm has been recording and releasing music actively for the larger part of 2000’s, and he tends to shift to a new music style with each of the records. So far, he released six albums, and his latest experimentation is a progressive rock concept album titled “Tesla,” which celebrates the life and work of famous physician Nikola Tesla. Holm, who is a physician himself, talked for Progarchy about the new album.

Hey Ste. How are you doing?

I’m doing fine, thank you!

You released “Tesla” in November. How do you feel about the release?

I feel pretty good about it, actually. I feel I did what I could with it, and right now I don’t think I would do anything different. That might change, though. When I listen to my earlier albums, I allways want to change something. When I was about two thirds through the production I felt very different about it. I was about to give it up and do something else. But then I went to see Steven Wilson on his Hand.Cannot.Erase tour, and when I came home that concert had given me the power to finish the project.

How much of a challenge was it to work on the album?

The challenge for me is allways to find out what to do. When I finish an album, the easiest thing for me would be to do some more with the same sound and feel. But I get bored so easily if I do something that sounds like something I’ve done before. It usually take me three years to do an album. The first year is spend with crippling self doubt and useles demos. Then after about a year something happens, and an album starts to crystallize. And the last year is spend recording and mixing.

This time the biggest challenge was to stay within the boundaries of the concept.

How is the progressive rock scene in Denmark these days?

Oh, it’s terrible! There’s not much of a following of progressive rock in Denmark these days. Steven Wilson plays here from time to time. Steve Hackett just played here, and King Crimson pops by in september next year. Apart from that, the progressive acts seems to skip Denmark on their tours. I had to go to Germany to see Peter Gabriel.

What is your opinion about the new wave of progressive bands?

It is great that progressive rock is back! I have to admit, that I still prefer the acts from the seventies, but I might just be nostalgic. I think Steven Wilsons work is absolutely amazing, and he is truely progressive in that he doesn’t imitate the sound of the old progressive giants. I’d like to see much more music like that!

Can you tell me something about your influences?

My influences depends on my perspective. Musically I’m inspired by other music. But conceptually I can be inspired by anything. It could be a scenery, a photo, a film or something totally different. I usually start the work on a new album by making a mock up cover. Then I ask myself ‘how does an album that look like this sound like?’. If, as the case was with the ‘Constructions’ album, I think it looks like an industrial album, then I start to listen to a lot of industrial music, and from there I create my own interpretation of that genre.

What are you listening these days?

Steven Wilson’s Hand.Cannot.Erase has been a favourite since its release, and I still listen to it a lot. But apart from that I’m listening to the new Jean-Michel Jarre album. That’s not progressive at all, but I’m not narrow in my taste. Or at least, I try not to be.

Your five favourite records of all time?

Oh wow, that’s hard… only five picks…

Pink Floyd: Wish You Were Here

Mike Oldfield: Amarok

King Crimson: Red

Peter Gabriel: III (Melt)

Storm Corrosion: Storm Corrosion

Can you tell me a little bit more about the gear you used to record “Tesla”?

Sure! My main instrument is a Gibson L6 which is a few years older than me. Most of the guitars you’ll hear on the album is that one, but I also play a barytone guitar on the album. Then, for the first time in many years, I play Chapman Stick on a few of the songs. There’s Mellotron all over the album, but I also use it’s lesser known cousin, the Orchestron. You’ll also hear the sounds of french experimental instruments Ondes Martenot and Cristal Baschet. And there’s hang drums and theremin as well. Some of the more funny parts to do was to incorporate static and other electrical noises on the album. I build a Jacob’s Ladder which is often seen in the background of Hollywood films that features a mad scientist. It is basically just two strings of metal placed a few centimeters apart, and when high voltage is applied a bow arc starts to climb up the strings. Another thing I build was a Tesla Coil, which is an antenna for transmitting power. I used it to make musical sparks which can be heard on the track ‘Voltage Control’. Everything was recorded on Propellerheads Reason software.

Besides the release of the album, are there any other plans for the future?

Yeah, I plan to play some concerts in the summer of 2016. But we’re still working on it.

Any words for the potential new fans?

To any potential listeners, I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you, that you use your time listening to my music.

Listen to “Tesla” on Bandcamp, and buy if you like it.