Introducing…. Stone Sea
Click Roll Boom: Tell me about how you got started
Stone Sea: Stone Sea started in Brazil, jamming with friends like any other band. The sound and compositions were quite raw and straightforward. I ended up recording an album by myself there just before moving to Ireland. Once there, I began experimenting — blending heavy riffs with more melodic, world-music-inspired ideas, as I was suddenly surrounded by people from all over. Eventually, I found other members to keep the project going, and we released a few EPs and albums in Ireland. Last year, I moved to Málaga after getting a proposal to work as a sound designer. Here, I reinvented the band with Gonzalo Rubio on drums and Pino López on bass. It’s been a long journey — geographically and musically (laughs) — but the essence stayed the same: groove, emotion, and exploration.
CRB: How would you describe your sound, and how has it evolved since you first started?
SS: It’s a blend of heavy groove, wavy melodies, and hints of world music — like stoner rock that’s wandered across continents and picked up sounds along the way. At first, it was raw and instinctive — very riff-based, almost primitive. Over time, it became more melodic and introspective, but still with that punch. I like playing with contrasts: weight and flow, chaos and calm. That tension is where the magic happens (laughs).
CRB: Who or what have been some of your biggest influences, musically and beyond? SS: Musically, definitely Black Sabbath, Nirvana, and Type O Negative — and also a lot of blues, classical music, and folk traditions from around the world. Beyond music, I’d say nature, dreams, and inner and outer space.
CRB: What does your songwriting process typically look like – is it a more individual or collaborative effort? SS: Although not always, it usually starts alone — a riff, a melody, or a rhythm that sparks something. I’ll shape the main idea, then bring it to rehearsal where it takes a new form. The band adds their own flavour, and the song grows naturally. It’s a mix of both — individual at the start, collaborative in the end. Some songs even came from jams; the first riff of Mystify came out during a soundcheck, believe it or not (laughs).
CRB: How do you approach experimenting with new sounds or ideas when creating music?
SS: I let the song guide me. Sometimes it asks for clean, simple chords that fit an easygoing melody (like in Peace at Ease), and sometimes it wants a distorted, mid-eastern-inspired riff with the drums right in your face (like Age of Tears). I don’t really force experimentation — something just tells me where to go, like a gut feeling. The goal is always to serve the emotion, not just “try to sound different.”
CRB: What’s been one of the most memorable moments in your journey so far?
SS: There have been many, but one that stands out is one of our first gigs in Dublin. People who didn’t know us started headbanging to songs they’d never heard before. That feeling of connection — energy bouncing between stage and crowd — it’s indescribable. It’s also very special to be in a different country and feel musically accepted, as if people are accepting your soul with open arms. Also, anytime we finish recording a song that truly captures what we felt — that’s always a special moment. Because I know it’ll be there forever… or at least as forever as I can think of (laughs).
CRB: How do you prepare for live shows, and what do you aim to bring to your performances?
SS: I usually go quiet for a while before playing — like I need to empty myself before filling the room with sound. I don’t follow strict rituals, but I like to stretch, relax, and joke around with the band. Once we’re on stage, the goal is simple: make people feel — and scream my lungs out without being judged (laughs).
CRB: How do you balance creative expression with staying connected to your audience?
SS: By being honest. I don’t write thinking about what people will like; I write what I need to express. But that honesty, in a weird way, is what creates connection. People can feel when something is real — especially if it’s not commercial.
CRB: What do you hope listeners take away from your work?
SS: At first, I’d like them to drift away — to wonder. But deeper down, I want them to feel connected, and in that connection, understood. That’s what so many bands made me feel, and I’d love to give that back.
CRB: What does the future hold for you – any plans or goals you’re excited about?
SS: Right now, we’re releasing singles from our upcoming album Ad Astra, which comes out in 2026. The latest single Age of Tears is out, and our next one Left to Be drops on December 12th with a gig in Louie Louie, Estepona. 2026 will be all about releasing the album, touring, and hopefully expanding our sound to new places — both geographically and creatively.
Answered by Elvis Suhadolnik Bonesso, Lead Singer, Guitarist and Founder of Stone Sea
