Today we’d like to introduce you to Scott Dispel.
Scott, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The Concept of the band Dispel emerged not as a mere project but as a testament to resilience, storytelling, and the transformative power of music. My journey, deeply rooted in the rich soils of fantasy gaming, mythology, and theatrical extravagance, found its voice in the aftermath of a U.S. tour that revealed the stark musical voids within my local scene. Inspired by this revelation and an unwavering obsession with the narratives that shape us, Dispel was born from a desire to fill these voids with soundscapes that bridge the realms of the mystical and the mortal.
The conceptual core of Dispel, beginning with the ‘Lore’ album, is a homage to the archetypal ‘Hero’s Journey,’ a narrative deeply entwined with the essence of human experience. This endeavor, inspired by the storytelling prowess of Rush, reflects my lifelong affinity for albums that not only tell a story but also invite listeners into a world beyond their own. Through a makeshift studio and the collaboration of talented musicians, I sought to create music that delves into the mysteries and tales that have long captivated our collective imagination.
The 2nd album ‘Inferno’ album, and its precursor EP ‘Past the Gates,’ inspired by Dante’s ‘Inferno’, represent more than a creative project; they are the synthesis of years of exploration, learning, and adaptation. Through the medium of music, I sought to traverse the circles of hell, not just as a storyteller, but as a soul intimately acquainted with the trials and tribulations that Dante’s poem explores. The Dispel music videos for ‘Glasya’s Heresy’ and ‘Flames of Greed’ are not mere visual accompaniments but are theatrical embodiments of the sins and salvations that Dante enumerates, reimagined through a contemporary lens.
This journey has taught me that the essence of music transcends the barriers of language and culture, touching the core of our emotional existence. Music, in its purest form, is revelation—a universal truth that binds us in shared experience and understanding. As Dispel continues to evolve, it stands as a beacon for those who seek solace, understanding, and connection in the depths of sound and story. My commitment to this craft is unwavering, fueled by the belief that through music, we can explore the deepest mysteries, confront our darkest fears, and ultimately, find our way back to the light.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Challenges Faced by Dispel.
1. Loss of International Touring Opportunities. Dispel had planned a tour of Germany, which was unfortunately cancelled due to the pandemic. This resulted in significant setbacks, including lost momentum in building an international fan base, missed media exposure, and unrealized networking opportunities within the European gothic and darkwave scenes. The band also faced financial strain from non-refundable promotional investments and logistical planning costs tied to the tour. Beyond the tangible losses, the cancelled tour disrupted the emotional and creative momentum of live performance, a core element of Dispel’s theatrical presentation and storytelling.
2. Challenges in Securing Arts Funding and Grants. Applying for arts and music grants is an extremely time-intensive process, requiring detailed proposals, budgets, and artistic statements that often compete against large institutional projects. The competition for limited funding means that even high-quality applications are often not awarded, leading to unpredictable results despite significant effort. As an independent, artist-driven production, Dispel must balance administrative demands with creative work, writing, producing, rehearsing, and promoting, making it difficult to sustain the pace of both. This limits the ability to expand projects such as “Inferno: The Rock Opera” into full-scale productions with multimedia staging and professional touring capabilities.
3. Finding Committed Musicians for a Visionary, Theatrical Project. Dispel’s music is deeply conceptual, combining gothic rock, darkwave, and theatrical metal with heavy reliance on mythic and fantastical imagery. This visionary style demands musicians who not only perform at a high level but also understand and commit to the immersive storytelling aspect of the project. Recruiting and retaining such talent is challenging, many musicians seek more traditional performance outlets, steady income and live performance and can struggle with the extensive creative demands and visual aesthetic that define Dispel. As a result, maintaining a consistent live lineup and creative team requires ongoing effort, patience, and alignment of artistic values.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Dispel is a gothic rock and theatrical metal band that brings medieval literature and fantasy to life through music. Our work reimagines timeless archetypes and stories like ‘The Hero’s Journey’ and Dante’s “Divine Comedy” as immersive, modern myth, combining dark electronic soundscapes, ethereal vocals, and cinematic storytelling.
We specialize in creating concept albums and live productions that feel like stepping into another world. Our 2nd album, “Inferno”, was written to be a full theatrical performance, drawing on themes of morality, redemption, and transformation. Each song serves as a chapter in a mythic journey, supported by visual storytelling and stage design inspired by medieval and occult imagery. We’re currently working on the live production.
What sets Dispel apart is our commitment to building a complete artistic universe, where music, myth, and performance merge into one. We don’t just write songs; we craft living legends. We’re proud to have built a body of work that invites audiences to experience art as both fantasy and reflection, a return to the mystical roots of storytelling through sound.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Cleveland has always had music in its bones. There’s a raw, unfiltered energy in this city, a tradition built on sweat, soul, and sheer drive. The local club scene remains one of the most accessible and authentic in the country, with venues run by owners who truly care about the music and the artists behind it. Many of these clubs have stood the test of time, serving as launchpads for countless underground acts who built their following one live show at a time.
It’s been inspiring to see the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame open its doors wider to local artists, giving regional musicians a world-class stage to perform on. That kind of visibility helps nurture the next generation of Cleveland’s music legacy and reminds the world that this city has always been a birthplace of sound and movement.
Yet, despite this creative wealth, funding remains a major challenge for independent musicians. If you’re not a registered nonprofit, you often need to seek fiscal sponsorship just to qualify for most grants, a process that can be complex, time-consuming, and competitive. This barrier limits the opportunities for artist-driven projects that operate outside institutional structures, especially those like ours that invest heavily in storytelling, visual production, and live theatrical presentation.
Though the music scene struggles with so many distractions today, there’s a shared belief here that music matters, that it’s worth fighting for, and that’s what continues to make this city such a powerful place to create.
Pricing:
- ‘Lore’ Album Download – $9.95
- ‘Inferno’ Album Download – $9.99
- ‘Inferno’ CD – $15.95
- ‘Inferno’ Red Vinyl album – $24.99
- ‘Inferno’ T-Shirt – $21.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dispelmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dispelmusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DispelMusicdotcom
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-dispel-doland-2b607817/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DispelMusic
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dispelmusicdotcom
- Other: https://dispelmusic.bandcamp.com
