Welcome, thank you very much for accepting the invitation to give this interview to Metalwar!

-Jo: Let’s start with Introducing yourself as a one man band and your background!
-Unreqvited : Hey Jo!Thank you very much for having me. Unreqvited is my solo project, which I started in 2016 as a creative outlet where I could experiment with blending atmospheric black metal, post-rock, and cinematic elements.
Over time, it has evolved significantly, incorporating a much wider range of my musical influences.
When I first began this project, I was still playing in a band where songwriting was a collaborative effort.
I originally created Unreqvited as a side project—an opportunity to have complete creative freedom and full control over the songwriting process.

-Jo: Unreqvited, what was your thought about choosing this name and what is the meaning?
-Unreqvited : The name “Unreqvited” stems from the idea of unreciprocated emotions.
I wanted a name that captured the emotional depth of the music without being tied to any specific theme, allowing it to remain open to interpretation.
On a personal level, I’ve always felt a deep sense of emotion toward life, the world, and others—feelings that often go unreturned, which makes the name even more meaningful to me.

-Jo: Your last album is a knockout, A Pathway to the Moon, (can’t stop listening to it) tell a few words about it and the feedback you got?
-Unreqvited : Thank you! The response has been really encouraging, which means a lot after pouring so much time and effort into this album. It’s always a bit nerve-wracking to take a creative leap, especially when the sound shifts so drastically from previous work.
The transition to performing as a live band played a major role in my decision to incorporate more lyrical vocals, but beyond that, I’ve naturally been drawn to more vocal-driven soundscapes in recent years.
I see this as the definitive path forward for the project, and I expect it to continue evolving in this direction for the foreseeable future.

-Jo: What are your songs about?
-Unreqvited : I’ve always preferred to keep the themes of my music abstract, especially in the way they’re presented. While there may be a story behind each song or even an entire album, my main focus is on capturing a feeling rather than conveying a specific narrative.
I also choose not to reveal the exact meaning behind any particular track, as I believe the listener’s interpretation is just as important as my own.
I want the music to be an open canvas, allowing each person to connect with it in their own unique way.

-Jo: How do you describe your music to people?
-Unreqvited : It’s always a tough question because Unreqvited pulls from so many different influences.
I usually describe it as atmospheric metal that sits somewhere between blackgaze, post-rock, and orchestral music.

-Jo: Describe your creative process when you write new music!
-Unreqvited : It’s very fluid and intuitive. Sometimes, it begins with a melody that comes to mind, other times with a riff I stumble upon while playing guitar, and occasionally, an entire song takes shape in my head before I’ve written down a single note.
I build on those ideas layer by layer until they start forming a cohesive atmosphere.
Since I work alone, I can fully immerse myself in the songwriting and production process without outside distractions.

-Jo: How is your work ethic and commitment to your musical pursuits?
-Unreqvited : I’m very dedicated to my craft.
Music is not just a passion for me, it’s an essential part of who I am.
It is my one and only creative and emotional outlet.
I’m always pushing myself to evolve as an artist and explore new sonic territories.
Even when I’m not actively working on an album, I’m constantly writing, learning, or experimenting with new sounds. This is something I will undoubtedly be doing for the rest of my life.

-Jo: What do you believe sets you apart from other musicians or singers in the industry?
-Unreqvited : Unreqvited occupies a unique space, blending a wide range of influences in a way that I don’t think is very common. As a solo project that fully writes and produces every part of the music myself, I have complete creative control, allowing me to shape every detail exactly as I envision it.
This makes the sound deeply personal and a true reflection of who I am—something inherently unique that no one else can replicate.

-Jo: Do you think that online presence is important for fans to find you and critics to find your music to write about?
-Unreqvited : Absolutely. In today’s music landscape, online presence is crucial.
It’s how most people discover new music, and it’s the quickest and easiest way to connect with listeners all over the world. I do my best to interact with everyone and be active, but I also try to be mindful of the amount of time I spend on there. As I get older, I find myself becoming less and less interested in the constant buzz of social platforms.

-Jo: What are your future plans?
-Unreqvited : A lot of touring is on the horizon, with plans to hopefully take Unreqvited worldwide within the next few years. A brand new album is also in the works currently, but still in the very early stages.

-Jo: Where can we find your work?
-Unreqvited : I am active on most social media platforms sharing content & updates, and Unreqvited’s music is available to listen to on all major streaming platforms.
Physical copies and merch are available on my Bandcamp and via Prophecy Productions.
Links to everything are available at unreqvited.com

Thank you very much for your time!

Interview: Joanna Gonas