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DARK SPIRIT IN A CANDLE - NOVEMBER 2003
STARVOX - APRIL 2002
ENDEMONIADA - JANUARY 2002
DELIRIUM - SUMMER 2000
NOVEMBER 2003, DARK SPIRIT IN A CANDLE
- APPEARS BY KIND COURTESY www.darkspiritinacandle.com
+ Seventh Harmonic - a talented neoclassic oriented british band formed by
Eilish, Kate and Caroline - have already received some wonderful feedbacks
with their first ' The Ascent ' released in 2001 on First Light Recordings,
revealing some gothic influences as Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins but
labelizing this original band as a Dead Can Dance's clone is false in a
way...especially by listening to their new child ' Promise of Sacrifice '
released in january 2003 on First Light Recordings. As their universe is
enigmatic, exotic and fascinating, think of asking more to these passionate
and pretty motivated artists... Caroline and Kate share their views below
1- I first would like to ask you which stories, personal thoughts or
symbols can be seen behind your moniker * Seventh Harmonic
* Some remembrances of summerian religion ? or Apollo's cult ? Or
something different ?
Caroline : I find out more and more about the significance of the
name as time goes on, but the truth is it was born more as a combination of
two different concepts. The power of the number seven is well documented,
but that which interested me most at the time was the connection between
music and light - seven colours of the spectrum aligned with seven notes of
the (Western) octave, as well as the seven planets, days of the week, and
the archangels which ruled them. The word 'harmonic' leapt out at me some
time later, and I instantly knew - with its connections to music and
mathematics - that the two should be combined. It was only later that I
discovered that in astrology it means the mastery of fate and creative desti
ny; as well as many other things.
2 - In which circumstances did you create Seventh Harmonic ?
* More about the evolution ?
Caroline : After a lengthy period of playing drums in many bands,
I started writing instrumentals on my own, which I gave to friends as
presents. One of these was Eilish - we had played in bands together before,
and she offered to play violin on some tracks. A singer seemed the next
logical progression, and after a few experiments with a male vocalist and a
male guitarist, we found Fionna through an ad in the London goth record
shop, and she fitted perfectly (this was in 1999). Subsequent members were
people who had attended gigs and approached us, so it all fitted in
perfectly.
3 - Since your last release ' The Ascent ' you have a new member in
the band + Kate Arnold who seem to be an astonishing unending well - with
multilanguage capabilities [ Indeed she perfectly manages to sing some
arabic vocal lines, in the same vein as Lisa Gerrard 's one ]
* How did you discover this artistic pearl ?
Caroline : She knew Eilish, started coming to our gigs, and asked
if she could join - initially she joined first as a dulcimer player, then as
a singer.
* What does the presence of Kate bring to the new album : ' Promise
of Sacrifice '. ?
Caroline : She studied in Egypt for a year, and has always been
interested in and knowledgeable about Eastern music which was very much a
path I was eager to explore. She is multi-lingual and this also adds to the
intrigue I wished us to create.
* As it can be listened to, vocal lines into Seventh Harmonic 's
songs aren't so easy to be kept in mind, as they aren't foreseenable. In
what order do you compose - vocals first and music after or the contrary ?
Caroline : Always music first - everything else comes afterwards
4 - Since ' The Ascent' you began a travel through Eastern
universes, landscapes.So you decided to go further into ' Promise of
Sacrifice'.
* Is there any philosophical aspects into the album ? Some buddhist
orientations ? Some ecological ones ? or something linked with romanticism
's ideals ?
* Something quite revealing is the permanent dichotomy between
opposites : sun opposed to winter, cold to warm, with a strong focus on
nature or organic elements from earth as the sun, the sea , the moon.etc.
* Is Seventh Harmonic a quest for serenity ? For love in its largest
meaning ?
Kate : As far as the lyrical content goes there wasn't any great
philosophical point I was trying to get across, no ultimate purpose! Though
by the time all the lyrics were written they did seem to fit into a kind of
theme. I think they are quite visual; built around images and symbols
inspired by nature and folklore, history and mythology. Some of the songs
have a more personal element, but in general they've come much more from my
imagination; I like to try and create little stories, but stories that leave
room for the listener to interpret the symbols as they wish. I suppose the
lyrics do express a kind of naive romanticism; as for serenity and love,
aren't they alternative words for human beings' desire for union with the
eternal?! the romantic part of me would like to see music as another
expression of this desire. There was no conscious effort on my part to
'easternize' the music; I just did what seemed to fit. I've always listened
to lots of different types of music from different places and times. Having
studied Arabic and lived for a while in Egypt, I would be surprised if that
influence hadn't affected the material.
Caroline : It's hard to generalise regarding the lyrics, as we've
had several different lyricists, but yes, the quest for 'love in its largest
meaning' is probably the driving force behind many of the lyrics (indeed -
two of our singers left the band to join their lovers in other countries)
and certainly all of the music. Love matters more than anything to me - as I
imagine it does to most people - and I would surrender anything to be with
the one I love. Much of the time I was writing the music for Seventh
Harmonic I was single, and I can hear that ache in the music when listening
to it now, and I think it comes across very strongly in my lyrics. This
feeling can come from not only being with someone, but from feeling the
beauty and awe of nature - that is why I tried to make the music sound so
huge, so vast, so all-encompassing and eternal.
5 - Your music is pretty hard to define .no way to be classified and
that's almost a good thing I guess.It seems u're closed to Dead Can Dance
concerning to the musical approach, spirit and way of composing.
* Are you addicted to improvisations, when you're on a composing
time ? What's your usual way of creating ?
Do you compose all together in the band, locked into your rehearsing
room or does everyone bring little by little some of her fragments to weave
the tapestry ?
Caroline : I write the body of the songs alone - mostly using
keyboards - and then pass them on to Kate and Eilish, who add their magic ;
so we all work individually on each track.
* Are you autodidact or do some members have a classical formation ?
Caroline : I am self taught, but Kate and Eilish are both
classically trained.
6 - Daemonia Nymphe joined you for a vocal appearance in ' Immortal
Selene ' adapted from Homer . They are well-known to be signed in a small
french label Prikosnovénie producing some artists in the same musical
approach as Seventh Harmonic. ˇ How did you choose to work with them ?
Caroline : They approached me when they were over in London and
suggested it, so I gave them some songs and the rest is history ! It is a
shame we did not get longer to work together, but they had to return to
Greece. ˇ
* Could you collaborate in the future with other bands as GOR, maybe
? As I read Caroline was a big fan of Dead Can Dance do you think it could
be possible for you to share some musical experimentations, projects with
Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard, as for an example ?
Caroline : I certainly don't think that is a possibility, sadly -
hundreds of people want to work with them ! There's a possibility we might
collaborate with UK band Misnomer - we shall see.
7 - I read that Kate plays also dulcimer and I already noticed the
use of this one by other musicians.
*As I'm totally ignorant, can you tell us a little more on this
instrument with a so beautiful resonance ?
* What does it bring to the atmospheres of the songs ?
Kate : Dulcimers seem to be getting a bit more attention lately,
and rightly so! There are different sorts but the one I play is the hammered
dulcimer. It's basically a flat wooden box with steel strings stretched
across it, which you hit with little wooden hammers; the principle is like a
piano but without the keyboard. It's the perfect combination of a stringed
instrument and a percussion instrument. It has a natural reverb that allows
you to build up these gorgeous layers of harmony, plus a driving rhythmic
quality that you wouldn't necessarily find on other melodic instruments.
It's very old and has variants on every continent, but the one I use is
tuned in such a way that it's often easier to play in the old mediaeval
modes rather than modern major/minor keys. So it can have an
ancient-sounding, otherwordly quality. People are enchanted by it!
8 - By reading some interviews on your site, I discover your music
was also played on TV to accompany some documentaries and I confess I didn't
know that.
* Can you explain us your works for TV ?
Caroline : Nothing has been broadcast yet, but songs off 'The
Ascent' are soundtracking a film about Gothic culture which will be
broadcast in the UK this spring, and hopefully overseas sometime.
* As Lisa Gerrard does at the moment on her own carrer, would you
like to compose some soundtracks for movies, short ones or stuff like that ?
Caroline : I have soundtracked a couple of short films - it has
always been an ambition of mine.
9 - In which circumstances did you work with Paul Nemeth from Cries
of Tammuz ?
* As they are considered as being part of a gothic scene, do you
feel yourself quite connected to this universe ? music ? culture ?
Caroline : I met Paul when I joined Cries of Tammuz (who I was a
fan of) as their drummer a few years ago. We have remained friends ever
since, and he was my first choice when I thought about a male vocalist. I've
considered myself a goth since I was 15, though my tastes stretch to many
other things as well, and I no longer look as overtly gothic as I used to.
Yes, I feel very connected with it all, though less so than I used to -
there seems to be very little evidence of the art and culture which
initially attracted me anymore. These days it's all about techno/metal, and
it's very hard to get anywhere if you're not doing those (though ironically,
techno/trance was the first type of music I started to write, around 6 years
ago.)
10 - It's quite a pity not to see Seventh Harmonic more often on
stage here, despite of the current great festivals - I mean out of England.
*Are there any tour dates planned for the band in a next future ?
Where ? When ?
* Have you some visual effects on stage ? A special atmosphere
created around the music or no ?
* As your universe is a diverse one, full of cultural references,
etc. do you plan also to make some video clips or live recordings for the
fans ?
Caroline : There are no dates planned as yet as we're having a
little rest after the album - hopefully some European dates will occur
before the end of the year though. There's no specific visual effects as yet
as we are not yet in a position to be able to afford things like that,
sadly. But we have a live video of one track available - 'Transformation' -
and the link to that should be on our website. We have someone putting
images to our songs as I write.
11 - How's generally the feedback in England cos you seem to be
well-known there ? and abroad ?
Caroline : The feedback has been wonderful, all around the world -
it is difficult to promote yourself without a label, but we seem to be
reaching out and touching people which is all I ever wanted to do.
12 - Just a last question :
* What does music represent for each one ? (maybe a stupid question
? ? ? ? ! ! ! ! ! ! !)
Kate : For me music represents the chance to make a fool of myself
in public and get the occasional free beer...
Caroline : That which can never be expressed in words !
* And how are the conditions of musicians in England ? Have you got
some subventions ? (I read Caroline recorded in an university ? )
Caroline : I can't really answer that as I have nothing to compare
it to, but in my experience it is good because I had to work on these albums
so hard I could never have done it if I'd had a job, but we have Social
Security which meant I could do this. I was also studying a course in music
production - for free - which was how I was able to have access to a studio
to do this album, so in many ways I have been very lucky with opportunities
in this country.
Kate : What conditions are like for musicians in England.well, I
could go on about that for a while! Obviously, financially speaking, being a
musician has never really been a shrewd career move in any country. However,
there is something particularly concerning going on here at the moment. It
seems that the government are trying to tighten up the entertainment
licensing laws for live venues. The Musicians' Union and other organisations
are lobbying against it, but if that doesn't work it's going to be even more
difficult for musicians to be heard in England and Wales. Watch this space I
guess.
Thank you ! * Big thanx.Good luck * Thank you !
- by elysia -
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APRIL 2002, STARVOX
- APPEARS BY KIND COURTESY www.starvox.net
[Caroline - I should state that this interview was actually redone via email as the classical music
mentioned below drowned out the entire interview! We had to do it quickly in the middle of recording
our album, hence the reason you don't hear too much from Kate as she was busy scribing lyrics at the time...]
Interview with Seventh Harmonic
~by Jezebel
Being an all girl band in the Gothic scene is not a completely unusual thing, but Seventh Harmonic are,
in and of themselves, completely unique. A mix of Middle Eastern and Gothic influences, they have
constantly and consistently evolved and recreated their music and sound, a never ending journey filled
with exciting and enlightening changes.
We all sat down in a lovely wine bar in Camden earlier this year...the classical music in the background,
the lovely deep couches lent itself completely to the sound the band creates and the depth of their talent
and intelligence.
Seventh Harmonic have undergone several changes in members - this has not deterred the ladies and their
steadfast belief in music and in what they themselves create.
-------------------
Jezebel: What is the main difference, with the cast changes, to the music of the band?
Eilish: There's a slightly more middle eastern sound sneaking in - there were elements
of this before, but they are now becoming evident in the vocal lines.
Jezebel: Where do you think Seventh Harmonic falls in the gothic world? More ethereal?
Or does it have its fingers in many different genres?
Eilish: Well, my Granny likes it and I don't think she'd have a clue about the different
genres and sub-genres of the modern underground scene!! People with a wide variety of tastes seem to like it for
different reasons and can usually relate to some part of it. I guess they would be better informed as to which
category our music fits!
Caroline: I'm not interested in any pigeon holes, and I try, almost wilfully sometimes,
to write material with different influences. People have different perceptions of 'gothic', 'ethereal' and other
terms anyway...I would say our sound encompasses both these elements and many others, but never lingers in any
one camp (except that of copious reverb...!)
Jezebel: There is a strong Middle Eastern influence in the music..that being ostensibly
I would guess from Kate. What other influences strongly lay claim on the band and where do they comes from?
Caroline: The Eastern influence was around before Kate joined, but she has been a complete
godsend as we have been able to develop that element, which I was very keen to explore, in a fuller and more 'real'
way in the light of her musical background and knowledge. Other influences...well, I guess it's pretty obvious that
Dead Can Dance are a huge influence on myself and Kate especially, and one of the reasons I admire them so much is
because they embraced so many genres and styles. I listen to many things, but when I write the music I don't
consciously try and incorporate anything or anyone - what comes out is as much a surprise to me as anyone else!
Jezebel: There also seems to be a strong spiritual side to the lyrics. Where does that come from?
Caroline: Well, we are performing lyrics written by five different people now... But all of us
have 'spiritual' beliefs of some description. I believe a lot of people go looking for some kind of fulfilment outside
themselves when what they need lies within.
Jezebel: There aren't many all woman bands to begin with especially in the genres and labels
that can be applied to the band. Do you find it to be a positive or negative?
Eilish: DEFINITELY a positive thing ;) Great from the PR point of view(!), although we have
come across a few sound engineers who take my natural blonde hair to be the yard stick by which our combined technical
musical expertise is measured...people also think that there is a man lurking somewhere who is responsible for our
backing track, but it is all Caroline's work. She also happens to be a top class drummer, hence the interesting driving
rhythms driving the music. But, don't forget Paul who duets with Kate on occasion - as far as I know, he is a man!!
Caroline: I never consciously set out to start an all girl band - the embryonic formation
of SH was actually myself with a male singer and male guitarist. I've rarely found the fact that we're all girls to
be an issue, apart from the infuriating instance cited by Eilish above. Actually, it's great as the girls sure know
how to shift CDs...I never ask how... ;-)
Jezebel: Your music has been used in a number of television shows and documentaries. Tell
us more about those. How, if at all, has the music been influenced by the project or has all the music previously
existed prior to co-operation with the projects themselves?
Caroline: Well, a bit of both - we've been asked to allow 'Swansong' to be used on a forthcoming
Anglia TV documentary about goth entitled 'Sex, Death And Eyeliner'...I also compose for film (on a very small scale right
now, of course!) but as I compose such a large amount of music, I do tend on the whole to largely use pre-existing material
as I've generally something that fits the bill for what I've been asked to do so far (no slapstick comedies yet,
obviously...) Though Eilish is actually one up on me in that department as she played violin on 'Secrets of The Dead' recently!
Jezebel: Is soundtrack music, etc, something that you would like to get more into?
Caroline: Absolutely, it is my ultimate ambition.
Jezebel: What music influences the sound of Seventh Harmonic? I hear so much of The Changelings
and even Rhea's Obsession..what bands would you compare yourself to.? What contemporaries?
Caroline: Well, it seems a bit egotistical to compare ourselves to the bands that influence
us so I won't, but we all love Dead Can Dance, Faith And The Muse and Lycia. In this country, I can't really think of
anyone who is treading a similar path stylistically - it is always a big problem to find appropriate bands to play
with - so I don't really know if we have any contemporaries as such, but we have a great amount of respect and friendship
with our fellow UK bands on the scene.
Questions for Eilish -
Jezebel: How did you get such a various and diverse training background?
Eilish: I have always been interested in music and learnt to play quite a few instruments by ear
(as a result of my family's Irish background) and developed a passion for the piano (for which I had formal training form
the age of 6) and then, later the violin (which I started to learn at 9). I studied it at Uni, but, thankfully was not put off!
I learnt to transcribe and arrange by simply being the only person dumb enough to volunteer for various projects (I have a
nasty habit of becoming wildly enthusiatic about something and then getting landed with having to do it!) and discovered that
I could transcribe by ear from tapes, which is quite useful! I have written music for plays etc on commission and have several
orchestral pieces trapped in my head, just dying for the moment when someone needs them to be written out. Personally, it is
only more recently that I have considered my musical background to be quite diverse. Up until then I never really thought about it!
Jezebel:With so many difference experiences in music, what is the common thread between all of them
that propels the sound that you yourself create?
Eilish: Anything I write could have been inspired from anything I've heard in the past. I particularly
like strong sonorous harmonies of the mournful kind! I get a very strong sense of whether I feel it works or not and will try
many ideas before I'm happy with the melody/harmony. Of course, other people may not agree...!
Jezebel: How does your Celtic background influence what you do today and what you create?
Eilish: Well, it influences my intense liking for Guinness! Like all of the other styles of music which
have formed my musical background, the Celtic style is apparent from time to time. There are some violin techniques that
definitely give a more Celtic sound and seem appropriate for more wistful, desolate pieces. Also, the Celtic tradition of
improvising and playing by ear had certainly come in useful.
Jezebel: So, you have been teaching yourself on guitar and bass, when can we be honoured to
hearing them being played live for us?
Eilish: Ah, well, that's pretty unlikely unless it's VERY late at night and the alcohol has managed
to convince me that I can play anything, whilst simultaneously convincing my ears that the sounds they are hearing are in fact
perfect examples of what an acoustic/electric guitar/bass should be! I think the accuracy would be directly proportional to the
amount of distortion required! It would be a true Beavis and Butthead moment, that's for sure!
Questions for Caroline -
Jezebel:You mention that you like to travel, yet stay at home..how do those two things work together?
Caroline: I live in London where there are so many distractions, and it's easy to get swept away by
them...as my time is so important to me, I choose to stay at home and compose and use the solitude to try and clear my mind.
But as we all know, perspectives away from one's own environments and thoughts are so important, hence the travel. I hunger for
new places and new people for fresh impressions which will bring me inspiration...everything that happens to me I try and quantify
as something I can process and share through music, if that doesn't sound horribly pretentious.
Jezebel: Where have you travelled to and where do you dream of travelling?
Caroline: Like most people, I'm not as well travelled as I'd like to be! I've explored quite a lot of
Europe, which is beautiful...but the trip that made the most impact on me was a month's visit to the natural parts of California
(OK, so I partied in San Francisco as well!) Yosemite and Big Sur especially are incredible places, and I was so inspired I
returned and formed Seventh Harmonic immediately - something, after years of playing drums/bass in other peoples' bands, I never
dreamed I'd have the courage to do. As for where I'd like to go...well, everywhere except Belgium! Russia, Mexico, and Nepal/Tibet
are quite high on my list of priorities right now...I'm hoping to go on a trip when we've finished the third album, which we're
currently in the midst of recording, time permitting.
Jezebel: As one of the more driving force of the band in terms of being its main producer, how do you
handle that responsibility and in some ways authority, yet still retain equality in the band?
Caroline: I don't think any of us have ever really looked at it that way - obviously I write the music
and run the band in general, but everyone contributes what their time allows them to. The fact that the three of us have a very
strong friendship (Eilish and I have known each other for over 10 years) means that everyone is very upfront about what they want;
and as far as the music goes, we share a very similar vision anyway.
Jezebel: Do you prefer working at producing your own music or do you find relief in having others do so?
Caroline: Well, I have a clear vision about what I want sound wise which I'm 95% capable of achieving by
myself, but others know all the technical minutiae of mastering that I've never had the time, inclination or equipment to go into!
The perspective of another is really important, especially when you yourself have been working on a song you've literally heard
hundreds of times, and the ideas of those we have so far worked with have really brought the songs into their own. For 'The Ascent'
we really had time to work properly on production with John from Interlock (a band more unlike us you couldn't imagine) and his
ideas and contributions to the album were absolutely stunning.
Jezebel: Tell me more about how the music is formed. What is the process that goes on in the creation?
Caroline: It's not really that complicated - when I've the house to myself I position myself in the sun
(if there is any) and write something, usually every day if I can but not so recently as I've been working on our new album. The
songs then get passed onto Kate and Eilish to do their parts over - as they have such demanding jobs this is currently the only
way we can function, but I really want us to start writing altogether soon.
Jezebel: Again going back to the idea that you are one of the main producers of the Seventh Harmonic
sound and of course, use computers to do so..what do you think of the computer influence in today's music? Do you feel that it
somehow interferes with imagination in music and leaves it somewhat soulless?
Caroline: I don't think you can generalise on this issue at all. Yes, it gives people who are technically
not 'musicians' the chance to make music, but if what comes out is good, be it by accident or design, surely that is the most
important thing. The technology is an incredible tool for those with the vision to master it, and brings so many more opportunities
and potentials for musicians. However, I seem to spend most of my time swearing furiously at Logic Audio, so it works both
ways...We marry technology with traditional/acoustic instruments and I wouldn't want to be wholly in either camp. Anyway, the
machine I actually write on is pre-historic compared to the equipment everyone else seems to use...
Questions for Kate -
Jezebel: Why Egypt? What is the fascination with the country/culture and language?
Kate: Actually it wasn't really a matter of choice; I was studying Arabic in Leeds and you had to go and
live there for a year as part of the course. Although come to think of it I do seem to recall changing my course from Music to
Arabic when I found out about the year abroad! I've always been fascinated by ancient Egypt but having lived there and studied
the language and culture, my interest has extended to its more recent history and that of the Middle East in general. I think a
lot of people in the 'west' don't realise how much we owe to that whole region; culturally, scientifically and artistically. It's
a place that draws you in...though I would advise against anything that involves camels.
Jezebel: What influences affect your vocal style?
Kate: I'm not sure what my vocal style is; is 'style' the right word? I don't consciously try to emulate
anyone else; I think that would be a mistake, but obviously you can't avoid the influences of those singers you've listened to a
lot. Strangely enough the singers I admire the most are male, but they all have what I would call 'distinctive' voices rather than
conventionally 'good' ones. I always thought Ian McCullough's voice was great (Echo and the Bunnymen) but I hope I don't sound at
all like him! Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (late great Pakistani qawwali singer) did amazing things with his voice. I've listened to a
lot of 'world' and 'folk' music, and people like Sheila Chandra, Natacha Atlas, Kate Rusby, Lisa Gerrard, Liz Fraser and
Siouxsie probably also share the blame for some of the sounds I try to make. I've been having some lessons with an utterly
brilliant gospel singer lately but don't worry, I'm not about to break into a rendition of 'Amazing Grace' or anything.
Jezebel: How in earth did you find the dulcimer? Why choose that over more common and well-known
percussion instruments? What other instruments do you play?
Kate: A friend of mine had one and I fell in love with the sound, so I had to get my own. There are
several places where you can get dulcimers in this country; I got mine from Oakwood in Leeds. It's not quite as difficult to
play as it may look, once you get your head round the tuning (it's remained pretty much unchanged since mediaeval times). It's
great for building up these percussive, rhythmic figures, yet it's so resonant you can build layer upon layer of harmonies at
the same time. You don't have to be amazingly good to get a lovely sound out of it; it plays itself, in fact it's the perfect
instrument!
Jezebel: Of course we will need to go through the favorites:
Books:
Eilish: Practically all of the books I read have been recommended by friends. My friends are a diverse
bunch, as are their tastes in literature so I end up with an equally broad range...a bit similar to my musical background!!
Caroline: I tend to read a lot of philosophical books that give me headaches, but 'In Search Of
The Miraculous' by PD Ouspensky, all about Gurdjieff's Fourth Way system, just blew it straight off! I haven't read any
fiction for years now, but when I did I found the Gormenghast trilogy by Mervyn Peake the most incredible work, in every
way...exquisitely rich language and imagery, I can't recommend it highly enough! I also loved 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho,
a beautiful simple story about following your dreams.
Kate: 'Dune' by Frank Herbert.
Movies/Films:
Eilish: Love 'The Shining' cos it unnerves me every time I see it! Also 'Withnail and I' cos I have very
fond memories of the people who introduced it to me many years ago. Ooooh, and I really like 'Amadeus'. The last good film I saw
in the cinema was 'The Others' wonderfully eerie atmosphere supported by the sheer lack of soundtrack at times.
Caroline: I love anything unconventionally romantic ('Amelie', 'Wings Of Desire'); anything that grips
me psychologically; or anything with an adorable talking pig ('Babe'). If I'm not walking out of a film streaming with tears of
some description I want my money back! 'Clockwise' never diminishes in hilarity for me, no matter how many times I see it.
Jezebel: The favourite album on that deserted island?
Eilish: Rachmaninoff predules including the op.3 c# minor one all of op.23 and 32
Nick Drake 'Way to Blue' compilation
My Dying Bride (any one - I have yet to hear one I don't like! - some top violin lines!)
I guess The Police's track 'message in a bottle' might bring hope on darker days!!!
Caroline: No contest - the first three Dead Can Dance albums! Also 'Les Marronniers' by Collection D'Arnell
Andrea I might well throw items of clothing out of the suitcase to fit in.
A diverse trio of ladies. A diverse sound. Yet one thing binds them together, amazing talent and dedication ot the music they create.
They are also great to get a little tipsy with!!!
top of page
JANUARY 2002, ENDEMONIADA ZINE
- APPEARS BY KIND COURTESY www.endemoniada666.com
Interview by Lucifera Elena
1. The name of your band goes beautifully with the music, how did you come up with the idea to call your band
Seventh Harmonic? What does this mean to you?
Interestingly, it was more of a putting together of two different concepts initially - the number 'seven' is a
potent and powerful number we see represented in the colours of the spectrum, the days of the week and their planets and archangels,
the notes of the musical octave...whilst 'harmonic', as well as referring once more to music, refers to fractals of maths and
physics, as well as being a very aesthetically beautiful word implying peace. I had no idea it actually meant something when I put
the two concepts together, but I have since discovered that the term 'seventh harmonic' has vast significance in music and astronomy
especially, far more than I can attempt to summarise here...
2. Tell us when you started this musical project?
Autumn 1999 was when our initial line-up crystallized with our first singer Fionna, myself and Eilish - we released
'The Awakening' 6 months later.
3. Do you enjoy the comparison to Dead Can Dance? Do you feel limited because of the label?
I feel incredibly flattered to be compared to such an unbelievable band, really! In some ways it would be impossible
to feel limited to a comparison to a band who managed to incorporate such a vast amount of influences in their output, from mediaeval
to ethnic - what especially inspires me about DCD is this embracing of so many influences, the will to go further and beyond whatever
unimaginable realms they were creating at the time.
4. Tell us a little about your works "The Awakening" and "The Ascent"? Any other releases
readers should be aware of?
'The Awakening' was our first CD with 6 tracks, which I recorded at home on an 8 track. As Fionna is a very ethereal
vocalist, this CD reflects that wistful gentleness, and I'm still extremely happy at how well it captures the spirit in which the band
was begun. 'The Ascent' was our first full length album with Amandine, who is a very different vocalist, extremely dynamic and passionate.
I basically wanted to put as many different sounding tracks on there as I could, so it veers from dark ambient/neo-classical, to darkwave
electronica, to Gregorian chants, to acoustic balladry, to seering symphonics, to instrumental drum'n'bass rhythms with Eastern samples...
you get the picture! As if that wasn't enough, we had John from industrial techno metal outfit Interlock co-producing it with me, who
managed to make it sound like each song actually came from the same album...! As for other CDs, we actually have done a CD with Interlock,
where they remixed 3 tracks from 'The Awakening' in their unique style, with bonus tracks from both bands. There is also the first album
I did before forming a band, 'Adumbrations', which is all instrumental.
5. What are you currently working on?
As both aforementioned vocalists left to join boyfriends in foreign lands, we now have the vocal talents of our
dulcimer player Kate, whose versatile voice complements perfectly the more Eastern influenced direction we are heading towards
(it also helps that she studied Arabic!) We are working on two tracks for the forthcoming compilation by UK industrial label Wasp Factory,
entitled 'Working With Children and Animals Vol II' which should be released in April, and will demonstrate our latest progression!
6. Have you done any live shows?
Quite a few, mostly where we're based in London, UK; but we're on the eve of playing Eurorock Indoors festival in
Belgium, which we are greatly looking forward to as we have received so much interest from overseas.
7. What bands would you look forward to playing live with?
Hmmm. Well, I guess Lisa Gerrard or Brendan Perry would be the ultimate achievement, but at the moment the band I'd
be most honoured to support are Faith and the Muse.
8. What are your musical influences and what influences your lyrics?
Influences are varied - DCD are the obvious ones, and Lycia particularly influenced me when creating 'The Awakening',
but now I try to listen to a broad range of styles as sometimes even a word, a beat, a chord progression, or an effect in a song from a
genre I'd never usually listen to can provide the germ of an idea. To be honest, most of my inspiration comes from beautiful places, and
memories. Kate's musical influences are pretty similar to mine, though she has more 'knowledge' of genres including Eastern music; and
Eilish likes all sorts of music, from classical to metal, though I think most people have picked up on a predominantly Celtic style to
her violin playing. As for lyrics, we've now had them written by five people! - all three singers plus myself, and one track, 'Transformation',
by guest vocalist Paul (ex Cries of Tammuz), who we'll hopefully work with again. In that respect, it's hard to summarise, though they are
on the whole emotional and evocative. They're all up on the website...
9. Endemoniada's theme is women of the underground music scene. Please tell us if you see a rise of women in the
underground music scene and what your feelings are towards this?
Yes, I do see more women in bands, and I think it's fantastic! What would be even better would be to see more female
drummers, or bands where women are writing the entire song, for example. The fact that we are an all girl band is rarely referred to,
which I also take as a very good sign that it's not such a novelty anymore; though we do still get the odd assumption that someone else
(ie: a male) writes the music/backing track we use when we play live, which makes my blood boil...
10. What are your goals for Seventh Harmonic?
To be able to play as many gigs overseas as possible, and to send as many people into beautiful worlds when they hear
us as we can... :-)
11. Tell us a little about the members and your musical training?
Actually, though I am the songwriter and play drums, bass, guitar and keyboards, I have no musical training at all!
I taught myself everything, complete with bad habits. Kate and Eilish, however, are both classically trained on several instruments,
and possess an incredible musical knowledge.
12. Any last words?
Thanks for the interview, thanks for listening, and you can find out more on our website
- we love hearing from people, so drop us a line if you so desire! seventh.harmonic@virgin.net
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SUMMER 2000, DELIRIUM
- APPEARS BY KIND COURTESY www.deliriummag.com
by Lady Venus
England has churned out many great bands over the last three decades. Some of my favorites span such diverse genres in
bands like Paradise Lost, Cradle Of Filth, Anathema, My Dying Bride, Hecate Enthroned, Godflesh, Nosferatu and now Seventh Harmonic. Their
album The Awakening, conjures melodies spanning celtic and eastern genres with ethereal and atmospheric soundscapes. I spoke with Caroline
Jago about the band, England, her spiritual beliefs and more.
I am very impressed with the music diversity and atmospheric, Celtic and Eastern elements of your album, The Awakening.
Can you tell me a little bit about the songwriting and recording process for this album?
Thank you for your appreciation! The songs were written by myself, originally intended for film soundtracks, but then I
decided to develop the project into a band in the Autumn of 1999, so the others added their parts and we recorded the songs in the ambience
of my own home at the start of the millennium - I wanted to capture that initial rush of ideas and inspiration...Lyric writing was shared
between Fionna and myself.
Introduce yourself and the members of the band and their musical backgrounds?
Well, I have been in many bands of many differing genres, including the English gothic bands Cries Of Tammuz and This
Burning Effigy. I played drums and bass in most of these bands, but then wanted to explore my own sound without having to rely on others
to get me somewhere. Eilish was in the band Obsession Of Lilith with me, and I gave her a tape of my tracks initially as a friend, where
upon she volunteered her virtuoso musical talents Her musical background is extremely varied - she is classically trained, and has played
in orchestras and musicals amongst many other things... I found Fionna, the vocalist on The Awakening, through an advert in a record shop,
and she was completely new to any musical project.
Since you are a multi-instrumentalist, please tell me which instruments you play and what significance does each hold?
I play drums, which I love for the pure physicality of it, to involve your whole body in playing an instrument is a great
experience. Unfortunately I have to program the drums for Seventh Harmonic, as I just don't have the finances to take on the cost of recording
using 'live' drums, though I try and get as close as I can by sampling real kits and 'playing' the keyboard as I would a kit... I write most
of the tracks on keyboards, which I love as it is so easy for melodies to 'flow' from this instrument. A bit of guitar too - a beautiful thing
to play, but if you pushed me to choose my favourite instrument I think I would have to choose bass (which is what I play live) as it combines
rhythm and melody.
How far back does your musical training go?
I have never actually received any formal training as such, save a couple of piano lessons at school. I gradually taught
myself everything from the age of 14 or so, and have devoted much of my life since leaving university to this pursuit.
How has the response been in the U.K. and elsewhere so far?
Well, I am amazed to be honest with you - it has been fantastic, and not what I was expecting at all! The UK scene is
dominated by the dance floor at present, or the more traditional rock style - we have no precedent in this country for the sound we are making,
so I am very surprised at the collection of rave reviews we have had, and the attendance at the gigs, of which we have played only a handful so
far. The CD sold 200 copies in its first month of release - quite a few of them abroad, and the Italian distributor Audioglobe made it 'Release
Of The Month'. We have had a very positive response from the US too, are on quite a few of the club playlists out there, and have been asked to
contribute to 3 compilations to date.
Which spiritual beliefs do you hold and do you bring them into the band?
Well, they are only brought into the band in the respect that obviously they inspire the lyrics, and to a more abstract extent,
the music, in that I believe that the music is 'channeled' to some extent. I think it is a very personal thing, and don't believe in any one 'way'
or belief as such. The works of Gurdjieff are probably the closest thing I can identify with at present. I have made many explorations in this
field, and now I believe in finding your own spiritual strength through constantly experiencing and evolving, not being fixed to any part of
yourself (or others), being in the now and moving on...yet not becoming absorbed in yourself or your discoveries to the exclusion of all else.
Having said that, I understand that a certain measure of isolation, and even disruption, may be necessary at some point to properly focus on and
face yourself; though I do not mean to sound flippant with regard to those who have experienced genuine suffering. I went on a Buddhist retreat
once where you weren't allowed to speak to or even look at anyone for 10 days, and found it extremely beneficial - nowadays I don't believe in
any 'religion' per se, as I find at some level there is generally some dogma attached, or hints of conversion, superiority or another hidden
agenda. Of course I cannot dismiss it all, especially as there is no denying the powerful energies that can sometimes be accessed by following
these well trodden paths (in this instance I am referring more to paganism or magickal traditions rather than the doctrines of the more rigid
religions). This touches on the meaning of a few of my lyrics - to move away from the allure of language and paraphenalia of faith and to feel
what is real without labelling it with words and their accompanying associations. Sometimes people need these external 'props', especially at
the beginning, but the real truth in my opinion lies in moving away from accepting anything you are told until you have experienced the reality
of it for yourself.
I noticed the song "Tireansamraidh" is in another language which I believe is Gaelic. Please correct me if I am wrong and
tell me what this song is about?
Fionna: "Tireansamraidh" is written in Scots gaelic. It is a very moving poem I wrote for my grandmother whilst she spent
some time on the Isle of Lewis where she was born. Standing on Tolsta beach, or walking along the heather covered moor I could feel her spirit
there, in the air I breathed. I felt it was right to portray the song in her native tongue, the last words she ever spoke were in gaelic.
Are you fluent in other languages?
No, I think that is why I chose music, the universal tongue!
From your past in the other bands you have been in, what do you feel you have brought with to this band?
Hopefully, a knowledge of what mistakes not to repeat, and a realistic sense of how to go about things in the managerial
sense. Obviously an experience of playing in different styles and working with other people, some of which have inspired me both musically
and personally; but most of all, I hope, how to treat people within a band. The right alchemy of personalities and abilities is very hard
to find, and sometimes people have to be nurtured, like flowers, before they have the courage to release their full potential and bare
themselves in front of everyone.
Your lyrics are very pagan to me and the essence of your vocal style and the instrumentation give the band an aura that
is dreamy and sensous. Do you feel this is a good portrayal? How would you describe your band musically, spiritually and lyrically?
I don't want to describe it, though I do like the way you have, and agree with your portrayal. I want to avoid critiques,
and focus on entering atmospheres - I think it is for the listener to find their own visions of it...
If I am correct you reside in London. Is the music scene strong, and are there other bands in your home you enjoy listening to?
Well, it isn't the best place as far as the media perception of 'goth' or anything really alternative is concerned. This isn't
a bad thing in that it keeps things underground and there is still a lot of enthusiasm here, but I think it may have shaped the scene to the
extent that bands seek a more commercial sound by way of attempting to have some success in a country where it is *extremely* hard to - in
London I guess there must be at least 200 bands of varying genres playing every night! There are still plenty of goth clubs and things going on,
but the club playlists aren't half as varied as they seem to be in other countries. I think we do go beyond the goth tag though...I'm not interested
in pigeon holes.
What bands outside of the U.K. are you a fan of?
I think my favourite band stateside has to be Lycia, but I am also impressed with This Ascension (especially the early material)
and we all like Faith and the Muse! Arcana are another big favourite...
Are there any bands or musicians that have influenced you in a big way in your music career?
Dead Can Dance have made the biggest impression on me. The way they embraced so many styles of music from different countries
and different times, and made them all sound so incredibly pure and emotive. Even now I listen to their sound, 10 years after discovering their
magic, and it has lost none of its capacity to inspire pure awe...
What is the significance of the band name and what does it symbolize for you?
I think the properties of the number seven are extremely magical - there are seven notes in the Western musical scale, seven
colours in the spectrum, seven energy centres (chakras) in the body, seven main planets surrounding us, which the seven days of the week are named
after...all are inter-related and imply a unity in all these things. Harmony is in my eyes the purest ideal to strive after, both musically and
personally, and 'harmonic' is a word relating to music, and also a word used heavily in conjunction with the ideas of Gurdjieff and the Mayan
calendar/civilization (both of which are very influential to me), relating to physics and planetary aspects; so I brought both concepts together
with the idea of it representing the ultimate, enlightenment. It was only afterwards that I discovered that it *did* actually mean something! -
in astrological terms, the seventh harmonic in a chart is associated with creative inspiration and mastery; fate; unknown or unseen worlds;
mysticism; and karma.
It's nice to see other female members in your band. How did you meet them and do you feel comfortable and compatible with all
your energies? Sometimes when there are more than one female in the same band tensions tend to rise so this is why I ask you.
Well, actually, my experience is not like that. I have been in several all girl bands at various stages, and we all worked
really well together! All members of Seventh Harmonic are female, and that's the way I like it - women seem to be less afraid of hard work,
and seem to be better at interacting with each other on a more intuitive level, without ego getting in the way. Apart from which, there are
hardly any all girl bands around - if there was a man in this band I know everyone would presume that that was who had written all the music!
What other things outside of the band interest you?
Travelling is my other passion - discovering new places, new people, new ways of thinking...but mostly, everything I love -
beauty, art, pleasure - is tied up in music and its creation.
What is currently in the works for Seventh Harmonic?
Having a break for the summer after working very hard on the CD, live set, promotion, etc. I have many songs written which
we will then start working on in the autumn for the new album, which will be out sometime in Spring 2001, all being well. We have had three
songs remixed by the band Interlock, which are in a more dancefloor style, and are currently gaining both bands wider recognition; we also
have covered the Swans track 'I Remember Who You Are' for a tribute which I believe will receive a US release soon...
What is the next level for the band?
To broaden our audience in as many ways as we can! We have had some interest from film production companies, so perhaps
some soundtrack work might be on the horizon. We have also had some interest from record companies - a deal would be nice, but it is not
something I am consciously chasing. I am very proud of what we have achieved single handedly. I would love to start playing abroad though...
Are there any other projects you have outside of this one you would care to share?
I am working with Paul Nemeth, who I was in Cries of Tammuz with - our project (as yet un-named) is a cross between The
Doors and Dead Can Dance, and we will be releasing a CD before the end of the year. He will be contributing some vocals to a couple of
Seventh Harmonic tracks in the future as well.
Have you ever visited or performed in the U.S.? Are there any forthcoming plans to do so? Please tell me about any
European touring experiences.
I would love to! I have visited the US once (California), last year, and completely fell in love with it. In fact, I would
really like to move out there - we will have to see what the future holds. As for plans, we have no contacts out there at present, but it is
something I am striving towards. As for Europe, I have played in Germany, Spain, and Austria in other bands, and *loved* it - the hospitality
and crowd response from the people we played to was wonderful...
If you could change something about your life right now what would it be?
I believe in counting my blessings, and that everything in life happens for a reason and that it is up to us to find the
lesson in it - in that way, I wouldn't want to live an incredibly comfortable life as it wouldn't feel 'real' to me on an emotional level.
Having said that, a recent big loss has occured and has left me feeling extremely sad, both in myself and at the waste of what was and could
have been given to people. I just have to believe that it has cleared the way for something else that will come along and take things to a new,
higher level, and perhaps touch more souls...
You have such rich culture in England and your surrounding Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Do you travel much to these parts?
are there any places that have strong meaning for you? If so, why?
I don't travel there as much as I would like. Unfortunately these places seem to be the victim of the universal scourge
of catering to tourism that is slowly eating away at any place in the world that has any beauty or meaning. I do not wish to sound negative
or cynical, but to see sacred places plundered for their prospective commercial appeal fills me with great sadness. I was myself brought up
in Wiltshire, and am presently very enamoured with the mystic lands of Cornwall - Eilish and myself are both holidaying in Celtic lands...
Is there a favorite book or film that means a lot to you?
The Gormenghast trilogy by Mervyn Peake is the most incredibly magical and evocative piece of literature I have ever read.
Is there anything else you would like to end this interview with?
Don't let anything stand in the way of fulfilling your talents and your dreams...
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