Concert series: TJ chats with Arejay Hale, co-founder and drummer of Halestorm, before their Alerus Center show

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — From a childhood dream to international rock and roll stardom.

Halestorm was started by a brother and sister duo: she sings while he drums.

They’ll be doing that and throwing in a few surprises when they stop at Alerus Center on Thursday night.

I had a chance to catch up with the brother, Arejay Hale.

“It’s going to be very different than your usual Halestorm show. Especially considering our support acts Lindsey Stirling and Apocalyptica, I’ve been saying it’s our most symphonic tour we’ve ever done,” said Hale.

Halestorm, the creation of Arejay Hale and his sister Lzzy Hale, has scored seven #1 hits at rock radio, a Grammy and over one billion streams worldwide.

They just released their sixth full-length studio album called “Everest”.

“It’s a different type of record for us. It’s got its heavy moments its got those moments where you’re like okay that sounds like Halestorm then its got gears that we’ve never really pulled before as a band thanks to our producer Dave Cobb.”

Grammy winner Cobb has worked with Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton and Brandi Carlile. Artists you wouldn’t associate with Halestorm.

“It was a different type of experience making the record because we wanted to get out of our comfort zone.”

In early July, Halestorm was a part of Ozzy Osbourne’s final show, just weeks before his death.

The band played a cover of Osbourne’s “Perry Mason” and Lzzy Hale was the only woman invited to perform at the concert, quite an honor.

“It was a big love-fest and a bit of a cry-fest. When he started talking about his condition, physical condition, and it was right before “Mama I’m Coming Home” and yeah there wasn’t a dry eye in the house we were all just feeling the same emotional rollercoaster the whole night.”

The band is now on its “nEverest Duality Tour” with stops in Canada, U.S. and around the globe through November.

This won’t be there first time in our neck of the woods.

I asked, “Do you remember ever being in North Dakota before?”

“Oh, a whole bunch of times yes we love North Dakota it’s a great spot for us,” said Hale.

“Thanks everybody who has been coming out to the shows and thank you everyone who is coming out to this show coming up, we’re excited.”

You can catch Halestorm and their opening acts on Thursday night at Alerus Center in Grand Forks.

Tickets are available at the box office and at LiveNation.com.