In Conversation With #222 - Witch Fever
Refusing to be confirmed by genre or gender - Witch Fever have just released their debut album ‘Congregation’ via Sony’s Music For Nations.
Witch Fever’s debut album culminates in what the band like to call “full rage mode”. Since their formation in 2017, the Manchester quartet have had a reputation for making riff-heavy, lyrically furious music that consistently bursts out of the confines of one genre.
First meeting through Manchester’s close-knit alternative music scene, Witch Fever – Amy Walpole (vocals), Alex Thompson (bass), Alisha Yarwood (guitar) and Annabelle Joyce (drums) – have spent five years making gains within an industry that still skews overwhelmingly male when it comes to punk. Their raucous on stage presence, followed by last year’s Reincarnate EP has seen their sound develop in intensity as well as scope.
They took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there Witch Fever - how are you? So your album is out now - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
Alex: We recorded the album a year ago so it feels great to finally get the tracks out to the world! We’re very excited to see what people's favourites are.
It is called ‘Congregation’ - what is the meaning behind that?
Amy: The word congregation often holds religious undertones and a big part of the lyrics on the album are about taking the kind of language that I (Amy) grew up around at church and turning it on its head so it gives me the power. We’ve performed gigs for years in front of our own kind of congregation and community and it felt fitting to tie all the songs together under that word.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
Alex: We recorded it at Blank Studios in Newcastle with Sam Grant. We had a really quick turnover so we recorded all of the tracks live and we also didn’t use a click. We actually finished writing Blessed Be Thy whilst in the studio as well.
What are the key themes and influences on the album?
Alex: A lot of the tracks are influenced by Amy’s upbringing in a church, and also Amy’s influence from horror films and books. Musically we all have different influences that include hardcore, post punk and grunge which kind of mash together to create our sound! Mostly we are influenced by ourselves and what we enjoy playing live.
If the album could be the soundtrack to any film - which one would it be and why?
Amy: Carrie - I can relate to Carrie as a character. I enjoy the religious themes and see Carrie as a bad bitch who’s oppression and rage that she experiences finally bubbles over into supernatural powers.
Do you have a favorite lyric on the album - if so, which one and why?
Alex: My favourite lyric is, “crushing popcorn kernels underneath my knees, to feel closer to the trinity" on Blessed Be Thy. I really enjoy the delivery of the words but it stems from when some people pray they are encouraged to be in discomfort to feel closer to god.
Now the album is out there - what next?
Alex: We’ve already started writing album 2! Expect us to sound more atmospheric and also heavier than ever before. We’ll also be doing lots and lots of touring so catch us in a city near you!
