BLACKTHORN INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE

1.What is the name of your band and how did you come up with it?
What is your name and what do you do for the band?

Aina: We are Blackthorn. It was chosen very quickly according to the principle “easy to remember”/“it sounds good”. A little later, when we defined an idea behind the band, I was studying the relevant literature and read that blackthorn is one of the most powerful trees in magic, so I learned about its use in sorcery, as well as its symbolism; stamina, strength, protection coming from dark spirits. This is it.
My name is Aina, I'm a vocalist, I write lyrics and do a little of this and a little of that.

Acotath: Hello, I’m Polyana and I do drums. 

2.Tell us where you are based and describe the scene. How do you think where you are located influences your sound.

Acotath: We are from the middle of Hell. That’s why you can hear some screams sometimes, mostly ours. 
Aina: Blackthorn are based in Moscow, Russia. The metal scene is really big, I believe they found a new metal band every day here. I am not sure I can say what's the most popular metal genre at the moment... From folk metal to metalcore, we have it all. One the biggest acts from Moscow region is probably Arkona. 
I am not sure our location influences our sound somehow. Russian metal bands mostly try to sound like bands from Europe or the States, it's like a lodestar, you know. I met a lot of people who couldn't guess which country we hail from, including Russians. Well, there is of course an accent, I mean you probably can perceive we are Russian speakers from our vocals.
    

3.Who influences your sound that would surprise people?

Aina: Well, I am not sure there are any surprising influences... It's mostly metal and classical music, but we enjoy a lot of genres, not only metal. Eventually we can get some ideas from non-metal/classical musicians, but saying that those artists influence our sound would be wrong.  
Acotath: Tuvans.

4.Are you endorsed by musical companies , if so who , and if not who would you like to be endorsed by?

Acotath: No, I want to represent something I’ll be proud of. And some companies I like have no distributors in Russia. So I’m a bit in research right now. I would like to get Pro Mark sticks and Remo drumheads endorsement for sure :) 

5.When you started what was your ultimate goal? And how close to the goal are you now?
    

Aina: As far as I remember, it was a full length album. Well, now we have three albums and I can say that the more you have the more you want. Goals getting bigger and bigger every time you achieve them. At the moment we're on a halfway to another goal which I'm gonna keep secret for awhile. 
Acotath: I think I wanted to play 300 bmp in 16 notes blast beats. Far away now, but working on it. Now I have a bit different goal, but this is still my ultimate one. 

6.In today's digital environment it takes creative strategy to keep things moving. What creative ideas do you have to keep your band relevant over time?

Acotath: come on, we are all girls! Everything we do is just another crazy idea. And it doesn’t matter if it’s relevant. 
Aina: Creative strategy indeed can be really helpful. Well, we try different things, from constant contact with fans to visual content and from SMM courses to magic. Creative as hell!

7.We've all seen a terrible live band that is awesome on CD. Is that cool with you or do you lose respect for bands that cannot pull it off live?
   

 

Aina: I prefer not to judge bands by one single show, but if there are several shows and all of them are bad... Probably you shouldn't compose/record/release things you can't perform live.


8.Tell us your “core” are you Metal , Rock , Punk , Pop etc because people just have to categorize these days you know?

Acotath: Just witches, please.

Aina: We are definitely Metal. Well, our latest release is close to classical music, it's EP entitled “Classical Compilation”. But it's more like an experiment and not something we gonna do constantly.   

9.This is a tough question but a very real reality, Is your band actually talented or just popular?
Many bands make it with a cliche or publicity stunts etc. Would you accept fame even if it was just because of being the “ in” thing or is it actually important to you that you gain favor with talent?

Acotath: are we popular now? Can’t feel it though. So that makes us talented, right? No, I’m serious. We are really talented and not so popular yet. 

10.Tell us what to expect from you live. Nothing is more boring than watching bands stare at the floor and bob their heads to music nobody but the band knows. What can your band offer in a live setting that people will remember?
   

Aina: Every band has it's special energy but not every one can share it. No matter what you do onstage, if staring at the floor is a part of your conception, it would produce energy anyway. And energy is a real reason we are attracted to any thing. It's the lack of energy that is boring. 
I believe that Blackthorn can do it onstage and the energy is unique, it's prolly hard to describe, you should feel it. We always try our best to make a Show that resonates with people somehow.

Acotath: Do you want to see how I fall from a drum chair in epilepsy and start a foam party? Also I can do it GG Allin style. Oh, wait. I just sweat in this band, sorry. 



11. What releases have you put out , When will we see something new?
     

Aina: As of 2019, we released three studio albums: Gossamer Witchcraft/Аранеум (2009), Codex Archaos (2011) and Witch Cult Ternion (2015). Other releases are: Era Obscura (single, 2012), Sister September (Anorexia Nervosa cover, 2013), Death of Love (Cradle of Filth cover, 2015), Evocation (EP, 2018), Classical Compilation (EP, 2019). We will start working on our new album asap, that's all I can say for now. 

12. If you have videos where can we see them?

Aina: We have some live videos and a few official music videos on our Youtube page. Please visit www.youtube.com/BlackthornRus

   

13.Everybody has Bandcamp , ReverbNation , Soundcloud , etc
Why do you think this is so important? Doesn't it seem like everyone is giving everything out for free?

Aina: Not everything and I would not call it a “giving out”. For instance, all the tracks on our Bandcamp page are free for streaming, go check them out! And if the music is good enough you will pay to download it to put it on your laptop. Probably you will have one more fan, which is always awesome.
Uploading music to these platforms is indeed important, this is our current reality. Spreading your music everywhere was never a bad idea.

Acotath: how does everyone know that you’re talented if you’re not popular yet? It’s hard to make people to listen to your music even for free. 
   

14.Best moment of your career so far?
Acotath: MFVF in Belgium! The catering was unforgettable! 
Aina: I would say our show at Metal Female Voices Festival in Belgium too, it took place in 2016. Great experience, definitely something I will always remember fondly. 

15.Your message to the fans?

Aina: Thank you for reading this and for all the support.
Acotath: I love you! Your smile makes me happier. I evolve every day to see it <3

Bonus Question who do you bring back
    

Dime , Cliff , Dio , Lemmy , Randy

Acotath: Why? Interested in some resurrection ritual maybe? 
Aina: Yes for Dime, he had so much more to contribute to music. Contact us if you're interested in the ritual by the way. We can trade someone in for him at least