Folk Metal Jacket are hailing from mighty Italian underground scene, the area of the town called Modena. When I first heard the music that they play I immediately fell in love with their art. So, it was about time to interview them for this webzine.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE FOLK METAL JACKET TO THE READERS OF THIS ZINE THAT DID NOT HEAR YOU GUYS YET?
Folk Metal has been all about the past for too many years, we need bands to research the sound of future folk. That’s what FMJ does.
THE NEW MATERIAL IS OUT. IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE OR SOMETHING THAT YOU TRIED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEW SONGS COMPARED TO THE OLD MATERIAL?
First of all we conceded ourselves more record time, which allows for more variations. These variations include more clean vocals and choir and a more atmospheric music overall. The result might sound less extreme, but it is definitely more inspiring.
WHERE DO YOU DRAW YOUR INSPIRATION FROM FOR YOUR SONGS? DESCRIBE A PROCESS OF THE SONGWRITING FROM THE IDEA TO THE FINISHED SONG?
Inspiration comes in a wide variety of ways, sometimes you just sit down and decide what kind of song you want, sometimes music just explodes from within. Once the early-alpha version of a song is shared by the author, we have a lot of talks and write different versions then decide which one works best.
HOW IS LIFE IN MODENA AND IN ITALY IN GENERAL? DO YOU HAVE A SCENE IN YOUR HOMETOWN, CONCERT VENUES, BANDS, PEOPLE WHO ORGANISE GIGS ETC?
Modena is a very industrial city, it doesn’t have any private venues and most of live music is played in pubs or restaurants. Since you don’t want a loud metal band in these contexts, we almost never play in our hometown. It’s great for jazz and acoustic pop, but definitely not metal-friendly.
HOW DID YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH THE UNDERGROUND SCENE? WHO WERE YOUR FIRST BANDS THAT YOU LISTENED TO, YOUR FIRST GIGS THAT YOU SAW ETC?
The first reason for starting the band was to play with our friends in pubs, we had a
couple places to go and all the bands in this “crew” had 3-4 concerts per year in every pub.
Then our demo was recorded by the guitarist of an awesome death metal band called Ever-Frost, we are still big fans of them. Another band we had a lot of gigs with are Kalevala HMS, their performances have been a great source of inspiration.
We have never been huge fans of the underground scene, but we really enjoyed some less known bands like Metsatöll, Tracedawn, Dornenreich…
WHAT HAS UNTIL NOW BEEN THE BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT FOR FOLK METAL JACKET?
We had some very cool gigs, but the biggest achievement is the family feeling you get after playing together for almost 10 years. The memories and the feeling of being home when you go on stage are the best achievement a musician will ever need.
DO YOU HAVE A LABEL OR DO YOU WORK EVERYTHING TOTALY DIY?
We had a label in the past but with digital distribution a band can find good deals without sharing the incomes with anyone else.
TELL US SOME FUNNY ANEGDOTE FROM YOUR GIGS, OR SOMETHING THAT MADE YOU ANGRY, SAD AND IT HAPPENED DURING YOUR GIG OR TOUR?
In 2014 we played at the Pollege Fest in Carrara, it’s a huge fest with lots of different bands and one of our fans was working there so he had us scheduled to play.
We were told to arrive at 3pm, but since the service was late we didn’t get to soundcheck. We spent 8 hours on the beach or in the backstage, then we got to play 3 songs before they cut the volumes off and told us to leave because the show was too late.
Our singer had to say goodbye to the fans without the mic.
After, we got drunk with our fans and “slept” in sleeping bags on the beach.
The morning after, a garbage collector tried to throw our drummer in the bin because he thought he was a trash bag!
TYPICAL FANZINE QUESTION:NAME THE FIVE ALBUMS THAT YOU WOULD TAKE WITH YOU ON A DESERTED ISLAND?
We have very different tastes, but the whole band would agree on:
Voice of Wilderness by Korpiklaani;
Iron by Ensiferum;
Are you Kidding me? No by Destrage;
Fragile by Yes;
Selling England by the Pound by Genesis.
THIS IS FINAL QUESTION. THANKS FOR THE INTERVIEW-NOW, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY AND I DID NOT ASK?
Thank you Davor for your clever questions, webzines are a fundamental way to let everyone know the real perspective of a band.
Plus, if an interviewer manages entertaining questions it’s guaranteed fun to read. We have definitely become your fans as well, keep up the good work!
Maja je vrsna glazbenica koja svira u tri različita benda. Proizašla je iz punkrock hardcore scene i čast mi je predstaviti njen rad u mom webzineu. Osim toga, Maja je i moja prijateljica, što mi je još veća čast. Pročitajte što smo razgovarali za moj webzine.
Dobrodošla u moj webzine, pa za početak reci mi nešto o Me As Well, jeste li još aktivni, nekako malo u zadnje vrijeme čujem za vas?
Pozdrav i hvala ti na ovoj prilici od srca, stvarno mi puno znači. MAW je još uvijek aktivan i bit će aktivan dokle god smo živi, zajedno smo od 2006. to više nije bend to je obitelj, prošli smo toliko toga zajedno, ne forsiramo se previše, ja sam završila faks tako da sam skinula taj teret sa leđa pred par godina, a Pero i Leo imaju svoje za riješiti, uz poslove i obaveze i život i slično, tako da izbacujemo kad možemo i kako možemo, sad imamo 5 stvari u pripremi, pa kad bude sve spremno izbacit ćemo van EP : )
Sada kada je prošlo podosta vremena od albuma Group Therapy, reci kakav je bio feedback i kako si zadovoljna albumom, bi li nešto mijenjala u svemu tome?
Užasno sam zahvalna, a i dečki zajedno samnom, na potpori i divnim riječima koje smo dobili od ljudi, koji i dalje slušaju album i kojima naše pjesme i priče iza njih isto znače kao i nama. Album se ne zove bezveze Group Therapy, unutra je sve ono dobro i loše što smo izbacili iz sebe, a prošli smo kroz najgore i najbolje jedni uz druge, svirali zajedno, zafrkavali se zajedno i u biti naše prijateljstvo je ujedno i naša terapija. Ne bih mijenjala apsolutno ništa : )
Kako si uopće počela svirati bas? Je li Me As Well tvoj prvi bend? Kako si uopće došla u kontakt s underground punkrock/hardcore scenom?
Prvo sam išla u glazbenu školu svirala sam flautu, došla u srednju, tamo svirala i klavir, trebala sam nastaviti sa obrazovanjem i postati akademski muzičar kao brat (profesor mentor saksofona), međutim negdje u periodu od 12-te godine mi je puko film i bilo mi je dosta ne imanja vremena za ništa i vježbanja 4-5 sati dnevno, više mi nije bio gušt ni svirati jer nisam mogla izbaciti sve što imam u sebi preko klasične glazbe, ispisala sam se, i onda smo brat i ja smo svirali doma negdje 2005., on je napravio jedno desetak stvari (koje danas sviramo i bit će na novom albumu EoT-a), svirali smo par obrada of NOFX-a i tako, međutim nismo mogli naći ljude jer je tad melodični punkrock bio marginaliziran, jer nije bio „pravi punk“. Pošto je brat svirao gitaru, ja sam uzela bass ali su nam se razišli putevi na nekoliko godina. Nedugo nakon toga javila sam se na neki oglas na blogu od frenda koji je bio prvi bubnjar MAW-a da traži bassistu, u međuvremenu upoznala Lea, i spojili smo se.
Je, MAW mi je prvi bend, ni tad nam nije bilo drukčije nego meni i bratu, melodije nisu dolazile u obzir, stalno su nas ljudi kritizirali dok nismo popili dovoljno pivi sa svima pa su prekinuli pametovat s vremenom haha. U biti većinu muzike koju znam sam dobila od brata, on me pazio kad sam išla na koncerte išao je samnom jer sam bila klinjo još, i usađena mi je kultura još kad sam prvi put krenula „van u grad“ . Sa hardcore scenom sam došla u doticaj malo kasnije jer tada nije bio Internet kao danas, sve smo prek cd-a, kazeta, većinu hardcore bendova sam prvi put čula il preko tuđih kompilacija il prek igrica i slično.
Karlovac ima sjajnu povijest i uvijek je imao odličnu punkrock/hardcore scenu(Kontra, Pžbuka, NSIB, Scud, Flaster of Disaster…sjećam se i odlične kompilacije This Karlovac…) Jel što ostalo od te scene i slavnih dana i kakva je situacija danas u Karlovcu?
Karlovac je imao odličnu ne samo punkrock/hardcore scenu, Karlovac je bio vrlo bitno povijesno-kulturno središte sa bogatim sadržajem, umjetnicima, glazbenicima, povijesnim ličnostima i slično, i ova scena je bila također jedna od njih.
Kontra mi je jedan od najdražih bendova tog perioda moram reći, tekstovi i muzika me totalno preuzeli prvi put kad sam to čula. Međutim kad je ta scena bili aktualna ja sam imala 2, 3, 4 godine, moj brat zna više jer je on stariji od mene. Taman kada sam prvi puta počela ići van u grad, osjetila sam dašak stare scene i Male scene (kultnog prostora u Karlovcu) gdje su stalno bile slušaone, koncerti svaki vikend, hrpu ljudi i slično, i par puta nakon toga se zatvorila i ta atmosfera je nestala zajedno sa starom scenom. Nema više baš te specifične scene koliko znam, ne bi htjela krivo reći jer ih ne znam sve pošto sam puno mlađa generacija, zadnje što je postojalo od ljudi sa te punkrock/hardcore scene nekadašnje bili su Carl Hunter ali su se nažalost raspali. Oni su puno pomogli MAW-u da krenemo zapravo svirati jer su nas zvali na konceve i to im nikad nismo zaboravili. Scud je svirao pred nekoliko godina ali su se okupili samo za tu priliku. Ali bilo je predobro, osim punk/hc scene bilo je još hrpu preludih bendova, izdavale su se kompilacije na cd-ima, brat je donio sve te cd-e doma pa sam pohvatala dok je on slušao.
Ima bendova na Maloj sceni uvijek, Opaki Jahači Vatrenih Riffova Iz Pakla su tu, Lorelei su tu, Trea Viit su tu, mi smo sa EoT također tamo i tako. Naravno da nije kao prije, velim ja sam počela ići u grada taman kad je zamrla ta starija scena i imala sam sreću da sam doživjela bar 5 posto toga, međutim više ništa nije kao prije, ali danas je drugo vrijeme koje će se skroz drugačije obilježiti od prethodnih, tako to ide, dakle drugačije nije nužno loše.
Pogađaju li te jal na sceni i ljudi koji seru samo po tipkovnici, a kada ih sretneš oči u oči ne usude se ništa reči? Oduvijek sam mrzio za hardcore punk bendove reklamiranje po flyerima „female fronted“ jer mi to odvajanje cura od dečki u bendovima bilo nekako debilno? Što misliš o tome? Jesi li imala kakvih neugodnosti ili doživjela kakav seksistički ispad nekada kada si svirala s bendom zbog toga jer si djevojka?
Mene osobno ne pogađaju jer nemam vremena baviti se takvim stvarima, reagiram rijetko i samo ako je netko od ljudi koje volim povrijeđen. Pošto sam sa druge strane ujedno profesor i pedagog, uvijek prvo pokušavam shvatiti ponašanje, racionalno razložiti, zaključiti u čemu je stvari i ići dalje. Vrlo rado bih s nekim ušla u zdravu raspravu osobno, međutim takva su vremena da se svatko može sakriti iza ekrana, lažno njegujući samopouzdanje i sve ono nezdravo u čovjekovoj psihi, zato se trudim što više slati pozitivnu energiju i pozitivne poruke jer ujedno takav svijet i želim oko sebe. Iako sam svjesna da postoje takvi ljudi, ne pridajem im pažnju jer samo hrane svoje unutarnje svjesne ili podsvjesne psihičke probleme, za osobnu i zdravu konfrotaciju bez nasilja je potreban integritet, hrabrost i mentalna disciplina. Kenjaža po drugima iza tipkovnice i ekrana u mraku u 3 ujutro je zeleno svjetlo za lagani posjet psihijatru :D
Što se tiče „female fronted“ situacije, a šta da ti kažem, nemam ništa protiv ako je to ljudima đir, ne volim naravno da me se izdvaja jer sam cura, međutim to je više stvar mene kao osobe jer ne volim da me se općenito izdvaja ili stavlja u centar pažnje. S druge strane, kako se ti postaviš prema drugima tako će se i oni prema tebi, uvijek djelujem kao dio kolektiva i ne dajem do znanja da bi me se trebalo izdvajati zbog nečega jer stvarno ne bi trebalo, tako da me ljudi ne diraju uopće što se tiče toga. Nisam nikada imala problema, svi ljudi su bili više nego divni prema meni.
Osim Me As Well, sviraš u još dva odlična benda, jedan od njih je EoT, pa objasni molim te o kakvom se bendu radi i kako je došlo do suradnje s tim bendom? Koliko shvaćam, tamo sviraš s bratom? Vidim da ste dosta aktivni pa gdje se može čuti/nabaviti vaša muzika?
Hvala na divnim riječima, EoT je punkrock metal đir, tamo svira moj brat Boris, brother from another mother Goran i ja. Svirali smo već nekoliko puta zajedno kroz godine ali nikada se stvari nisu posložile, i sad eto zadnje dvije godine je sve sjelo na svoje mjesto i svirat ćemo zajedno dokle god smo živi. Sa Goranom se znamo isto cijeli život tako da je i to obiteljski bend, čak smo nedavno saznali da smo stvarno u rodu, što je prebolesno :D Izdali smo album ‘Defibrilacija’ 2017. i sada će izaći ove godine ‘Teorija Ludog Chovjeka’ kao posveta punkrock korijenima i bendu koji se trebao tako zvati kad smo brat i ja prvi put počeli svirati zajedno 2005., sadrži neke nove pjesme i neke stare 15 godina koje je brat napisao dok je bio klinac, jedna od njih je ‘Nažalost u pravu’ koja je izašla sada nekidan, može se chekirati na youtube-u. ‘Defibrilacija’ se može nabaviti kod nas prek fejsa ili bilo kojeg načina komunikacije, novi album će izaći pod Menartom, kao i službeni cd-i, negdje u 6. mjesecu, tako da će se moći kupiti kod nas i u trgovinama nekim il tak neš, ugl. stavit ćemo na fejs obavijest jer nisam sigurna kako taj dio ide : )
Sviraš u još jednom, opet drugačijem bendu odnosno Manntri. Vidim da ste po turneji često, da svirate vani, kako se dogodilo da si ušla u taj bend? Sada kada imaš perspektivu sa turneje, koja je osnovna razlika ljudi na gigovima kod nas i vani? Jesu li kod nas ljudi na gigovima malo „razmaženi“? Kakav je osjećaj znati da ćeš uskoro svirati na legendarnom Wackenu?
Tako je, pjevač Marko je ujedno i producent i živi od toga, on je snimao prvi album od EoT-a ‘Defibrilacija’, u tom trenutku je Manntra bila pred raspadom, Marko je pitao brata Borisa hoće li svirati, onda je došao i prethodni bassist Danči, ja sam dolazila na koncerte i prodavala merch i brzo sam zavoljela dečke, kada je Danči otišao, pitao me Marko hoću svirati bass, četiri probe kasnije svirali smo zajedno u Rusiji u St. Petersburgu. U isto vrijeme smo došli Fili, drugi gitarist i ja. Prošli smo zasad dve turneje zajedno, jednu manju jednu veću, ove godine gostujemo In Extremu kao predgrupa i sviramo na Wacken i Rockharz festivalima u Njemačkoj, zajedno smo prošli popriličnu kilometražu, namirisali se tenisica jedni od drugih, spavali i tuširali se po svakakvim mjestima, upoznali sjajne ljude i tako.
Osnovna razlika je u kulturi, nema kašnjenja, nema živčanih i nekvalificiranih tonaca kojima baš danas nije dan, tonci i tehničari su tamo za vas da naprave svoj posao i da vama bude ugodno kad svirate, ne smijete imati neispravne instrumente, neispravne kablove, zna se točno kad je tonska, kad je ulaz, završetak koncerta, ljudi znaju da će za cijenu ulaznice dobiti kvalitetu koju su tražili i zato kupuju i merch i ulaznice i podržavaju vas maksimalno moguće, što je ujedno i vama motivacija da dajete 150% od sebe. Koncerti završavaju u 11 tako da se ljudi stignu odmoriti za posao drugi dan i slične vrlo zanimljive kulturološke razlike.
Ne znam kako da opišem našu publiku jer stvarno ovisi gdje dođete i na koga naletite. Ima gigova gdje svi stoje prekriženih ruku ocjenjuju vas i osuđuju od glave do pete haha, ima gigova gdje ljudi doslovce lete po prostoriji i ne zna se tko više čaga i tko se više zabavlja i tko više časti. Ne treba dolaziti sa predrasudama, samo dati sve od sebe, dati ljubav i šta se desi, desi se.
Što se tiče Wackena, jako sam zahvalna ponajprije dečkima što su me primili u bend jer zbog njih to mogu doživjeti, a drugo sam zahvalna životu što je tako dobar prema meni. Uzbuđenje, zahvalnost i ljubav, eto to osjećam. I nadam se da mi kabl neće riknut do 8. mjeseca.
Što misliš da je tebi hardcore/punkrock dao? Misliš li da te napravio boljom osobom? Ja često osjećam hardcore u sebi, bez zajebancije, kao neku silu(Force hehe), kao neku unutarnju energiju. Jel možeš i ti to osjetiti? Ja se još radujem kao klinac svakom novom odličnom bendu kojeg čujem. Jel se ti raduješ novim bendovima koji ti naježe kožu?
Spasio mi je život, eto ukratko. Naučio me da stojim čvrsto na zemlji, volim ljude koji su uvijek tu uz mene u dobru i u zlu maksimalno, pokazujem im to svaki dan na najbolji mogući ili meni svojstven način, da cijenim život i sve što donosi, i da ne odustajem kad je teško, ono najbitnije, kad je najteže, treba najjače udariti.
Iskreno, slušam jako puno različite mjuze uopće mi nije bitan žanr dokle god mi je sjajno, ali nisam nikad nigdje osjetila to što osjećam u punkrocku, ne znam je li to do mene jer ga preferiram, ali taj osjećaj zajedništva i kolektiva je prisutan i na koncertima, jednostavno ima drugačiju vibru od ostalih žanrova. Stvarno sam bila na svakakvim koncevima ali jedino sam to ovdje osjetila. Ili brijem, neš od toga je :D
Veselim se svakom novom bendu isto kao i ti, najgore je šta onda forsiram tri mjeseca na repeat pa se svima zgadi tako da to u tišini odradim sama sa sobom, veselim se svakom koncertu, obožavam ići na koncerte, a kad se naježim mislim da nema boljeg osjećaja na svijetu jer je po meni to i poanta glazbe, eto.
Jel misliš da ćeš jednog dana moći živjeti od glazbe koju sviraš?
Haha ako nešto kapne neću imati ništa protiv :D
Za kraj, klasično fanzinaško pitanje, reci mi nešto što bi možda željela, a da te nisam pitao u prijašnjim pitanjima. To je to za ovaj put, puno ti hvala, bila mi je čast.
Ja sam Neo ovo je Matriks.
Hvala ti na ovoj prilici i na podršci, puno mi to znači i meni je prvenstveno čast.
I first heard Won´t Stay Dead when I listened to their awesome album recently. They sounded interesting, so I decided to interview them for this webzine. My questions were answered by Saffron and Violet. Read and enjoy!
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR BAND TO THE READERS OF THIS ZINE THAT DIDN´T HEAR YOUR MUSIC YET?
Saffron: Punk rock songs about crime and horror movies with grunge and goth influences.
IN OCTOBER YOU RELEASED YOUR NEW RECORD. NOW THAT COUPLE OF MONTHS HAVE PASSED, HOW IS THE FEEDBACK? ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE WAY IT CAME OUT TO BE?
Violet: We were very excited to finally put an album out. Feedback has been pretty good so far. We had a fun time working on it with our pal Kolbe Albin. Looking back on it now, like I said we are very happy to put an album out, but at the time Tyler had just joined the band and I think we were still feeling things out as a band. Some of the songs we have on that album we have outgrown, reworked or just sound much tighter now. At this point we have so many news song that we are itching to record and get out there.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR MUSICAL AND LYRICAL INSPIRATIONS FROM?
Saffron: The lyrics are mostly inspired by movies, but I also write about serial killers, history, ghost stories; Each song is like a self-contained story that can be inspired by almost anything creepy, disturbing, or macabre.
WHAT IS SO BEAUTIFUL IN HORRORPUNK? COULD YOU DESCRIBE HOW YOU CAME TO TOUCH WITH IT AND WITH UNDERGROUND SCENE IN GENERAL?
Saffron: We’ve all been involved in our local scene in other punk bands before coming together as Won’t Stay Dead. In an earlier iteration of the band, we kind of just decided it would be cool to write songs about horror movies and ran with that. I think we’re a lot grungier than a traditional horror punk band, while still holding onto the spirit of weird.
Violet: I’ve always been in bands that either sing about nonfiction, political, or personal topics, so it’s really fun to be doing something completely different than that. I’m always really excited to read the lyrics that Saffron brings to us. Playing music in general always allowed me to step away from reality for a bit and I think horror punk takes it to a whole other level. It’s like the thrill of watching a horror movie mixed with the imagination you use when acting out a character or scene mixed with the adrenaline you get when playing music.
A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I KNOW SAY THAT REAL HORRORPUNK SCENE DONT EXIST, THAT EVERY BAND IS JUST A MISFITS RIPOFF! WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THAT? HOW COULD THEY BE PROVEN WRONG?
Saffron: Like I said, I don’t think we’re a traditional band you would think of when you hear “horror punk.” We definitely don’t sound like The Misfits, nor are we on the psychobilly side of the genre. I think as long as you’re writing punk songs about spooky subject matter, you can end up being classified as horror punk, which leaves a lot of room for unique sounds and experimentation.
DID YOU GUYS TOUR A LOT? WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME TO EUROPE ONE DAY? DO YOU THINK THERE IS A CULTURAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN AVERAGE GIG VISITOR/FAN? HOW DOES YOUR LIVE GIG LOOK LIKE?
Saffron: We haven’t done much touring in this band, mostly we’ve stuck to Chicago and surrounding towns. We’re playing out of state soon, and we’re really excited for that. We’d love to do a tour around our surrounding states and even a bit farther than that, but it’s tough for us because we’re a completely self-funded band and we all work full time outside the band.
We would love to play in Europe if we ever get the chance. Every band we’ve spoken to who’s toured Europe says that the shows are great and the audience just loves being at shows. I think people in the states are a lot less enthusiastic about live music as a whole, which is a bummer.
LETS TALK HORROR. ANY PREFERENCES IN THE MANY SUBGENRES OF THE HORROR? MINE ARE SLASHER AND HAMMER HORROR BUT ALSO I AM A SUCKER FOR FOUND FOOTAGE!
Saffron: For me, the weirder the better. I love independent/arthouse horror and thrillers, especially foreign ones. Giallo films are a favorite of mine, I remember seeing Argento’s Deep Red in a theater at like 2am and having no idea what was going on but loving it. I also love the classics, The Exorcist was the first horror film I remember watching, and the original Halloween is one of my favorite movies of all time.
Violet: I like the classics and weird movies like Blue Velvet and Rivers Edge where you feel really uncomfortable, confused but at the same time moments make you laugh.
WHAT IS BETTER IN YOUR OPINION-GREAT HORROR MOVIE OR NICELY WRITTEN HORROR BOOK? I MEAN IT IS REALLY HARD TO DECIDE ISNT IT?
Saffron: It’s definitely hard to choose. You get a different experience from a book vs. a movie so it’s hard to compare them. When reading a book, it’s easier to feel what the characters are feeling through exposition, so you get a different kind of emotional impact; whereas with movies, you obviously have the visual aspect. I generally prefer movies because it’s easier for me to focus on a more contained piece of media; Plus I love me some practical effects.
ARE YOU PREPARING SOME NEW MATERIAL? WHAT´S IN STORE FOR THE FUTURE OF WON´T STAY DEAD?
Saffron: Like Violet said, we have a lot of new songs written that we’re really proud of. We’re hoping to record a full length album sometime this year.
HOW DOES THE SCENE IN YOUR TOWN LOOK LIKE? IS THERE A HOMOGENIC, UNITED SCENE OR ARE YOU, LIKE IN SO MANY OTHER CITIES DIVIDED INTO CREWS, CLIQUES…?BIGGER VENUES VS.LITTLE CLUBS, WHAT IS BETTER? BIG FESTIVALS AND CROWDS OR SMALLER INTIMATE SETTINGS?
Saffron: The Chicago scene is kinda weird. Our DIY spaces generally only stay open for a couple of years at a time. The surrounding suburbs and towns tend to have a more active DIY scene, but it can be tough to drive an hour+ to get to shows. There are some cool bars to play in the city, but since the shows are usually 21+, that alienates the underage crowd. All in all it’s a weird scene, especially for a sort of niche band like us.
WHAT IS LIFE IN AMERICA LIKE? DO YOU LIVE WELL? IS IT REALLY THE PROMISED LAND? DOES THE AMERICAN DREAM EXIST?
Saffron: America sucks pretty hard right now.
Violet: Donald Trump is our president…do I need to say much more? It’s fucked and kind of scary right now.
IS THERE SOME WEIRD/SCARY URBAN LEGEND IN THE AREA/CITY WHERE YOU LIVE?
Saffron: We have Resurrection Mary, a hitchhiking ghost who gets into people’s cars near a cemetery outside of Chicago. I’ve never seen her, but it’s a cool legend that I’ve grown up hearing about. We do have a song about her, but you’ll have to wait for that upcoming full-length I mentioned to hear it.
Violet: Not long ago, there were many Mothman sightings in Chicago, so that’s pretty cool.
THANK YOU FOR THE INTERVIEW. IS THERE SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY AND I DIDN’T ASK YOU?
Saffron: Thanks for reaching out to us! Please check us out on Spotify, Facebook, Instagram, and Bandcamp to watch for all updates on new music and upcoming shows