CELLAR DARLING INTERVIEW
Cellar Darling are a Progressive folk rock band from Switzerland and were founded in June 2016. Cellar Darling has three members Anna Murphy, Ivo Henzi and Merlin Sutter and are signed to Nuclear Blast Records.
Cellar Darling are bringing out a new album titled ‘The Spell’ will be out on March 22nd. Pre-save & pre-order a vinyl or a special edition 2CD digibook including an audiobook of Anna telling the story behind the concept of the album!
We got to speak to Ivo and Anna about their upcoming album and more.
TM - What can fans expect from your new album The Spell?
AN - It is a concept album, it is something we have never done before so it's pretty unique for us to work on in this way. We wrote the music according to a story, the story is based on the myth of the death and the Maiden which is Renaissance art. I created my own story of this a girl falls in love with the personification of death and we follow her as she tries to reconcile with him but fails at every test. The track list was made before the story we wrote the music according to what was happening in the story.
TM - What Inspired you to go in this direction for The Spell?
IVO - I think it was spontaneous this idea popped up into Anna's head day after the release of the first album. Then we develop the idea to a big story and it took a year to finish the album.
TM - What was your writing and recording process for The Spell?
AN - We are a very collaborative band Ivo and I write the music but we always arrange the songs together as a band in the rehearsal room. If you can imagine a classical rock band this time invert a lot at the studio with our producer as well a lot of the songs are rough scratches that bloomed when we went into the studio.
TM - How did you come up with your album cover for The Spell?
IVO - We works with a friend that we have worked with before an album cover and we love his art. We gave him the ideas and concepts and he worked on the ideal self.
TM - How did you come up with the video for your song the spell?
AN - The Spell is one of the central key parts to the story because death comes a spell of eternal life on the girl which makes it impossible for her to find him. This is why the album is also called The Spell because its what the story is about and our video director came up with the video himself he didn't need any guidelines.
TM - What made you want to write your song lyrics about stories?
AN - Its the concept of the Bands, we didn't plan it we're not the type of band to come up with a fix concept. We just want to be authentic for rock musicians I like writing stories and having people have their own interpretations.
TM - How did you come to play the Hurdy Gurdy?
AN - I started playing it when I was Sixteen and I saw it with a mediaeval folk band I immediately fell in love with the sound and rented and instruments. Buying one immediately would have been very expensive and that's how I got into it.
TM - If you could have any bands play one of your songs which band would it be which song would it be and would it be in your style or their Style?
IVO - Insomnia by Queen in an opera version.
TM - If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be and why?
IVO - OPETH I really like this style of music and the type of music they represent.
AN - Jeff Buckley if was still alive because I am so inspired by him as a singer I love how conveys emotions.
TM - How did you come to get signed by Nuclear Blast?
IVO - We knew Nuclear Blast from our previous band, so we were still in touch with them after we split up with our old band, we contacted them and signed with them.
TM - What made you want to leave Eluveitie and start Cellar Darling?
IVO - Our drummer Merlin Sutter was kicked out of Eluveitie and IVO and I decided to leave with him.
TM - Can you tell us a story about playing progpower USA?
AN - For me it was very special but I'm the type of musician that prefers intimate from shows festivals. This festival felt different and it felt amazing and the stage was amazing I felt really at home.
TM - If you could play any metal festival in Europe what would it be and why?
IVO - Summer Breeze because I really enjoy that festival but I would also like to play Hellfest.
TM - Anything else you want to say to your fans?
AN - Thanks for the support we really love Australia and hope we come back soon.
TM - We hope you come back to Australia sometime soon. Thank you for this interview today.