interview by Miriam Cadoni

www.femmemetalwebzine.net/interviews/perchta-an-interview-with-the-artist/

Secrecy most of the time is beneficial to deflect our attention and focus from important things, such as music. Actually, Perchta‘s identity is not of public domain but her artistic creation speaks for herself. The goal of this Austrian artist is to keep some ancient storie from the old Tyrolean traditions alive and chant. Her debut album “Ufång”, released back in April 2020 via Prophecy Productions, sees the breaking of the borders of the traditional black metal by involving folk instrumentations and pagan culture in her musical structure. Learn more through this interview. Enjoy!

Hello Perchta, welcome to Femme Metal Webzine, how are you and these precarious days are treating you?

Thank you for the invitation! Really good thank you. I’m focused on my pregnancy and the upcoming labor of my first child.

For the readers that are not still familiar with Perchta, would like to introduce how this project came about?

Perchta was founded in winter 2017 by me and my producer/bassist Fabio D’Amore. We already had a clear concept in mind regarding our first album and started recording demos in 2018.

As per the press release, Perchta‘s main goal is to “channel the deity’s essence to keep alive regional traditions that have been trivialized over time to fit modern conveniences”. In reality, how does this get contextualized and put in action?

We’re blessed to be surrounded by our beautiful inspiring nature and an old treasure of folklore mythology. In the end these are the two ingredients of our inspiration of Perchta. Both of them, nature and old sagas, shows us in our modern lives the important things: courage, respect of nature and other creatures and humility.

According to Tyroelean mythology, who’s Lady Perchta and which role had in the local mythology?

Perchta stands for Mother Earth‘s overwhelming elemental power and thus the primal force of the female. She is prominent in all Tyrolean myths as a life giver yet can also be a death-dealing goddess, so she has many faces, is not easy to grasp and frightening. Nevertheless she is revered as a treasure from the old days, a soothing memory and powerful remainder of mountain culture.

Back in April, you have released your debut “Ufång”, what can you share about its general production and what can you share about the lyrics that are contained in it?

We decided to not restrict ourselves just to metal, which would have compromised our artistic freedom. Black metal is the framework for the project, but we don’t shy away from folk instruments such as the hammered dulcimer, and there’s also inspiration coming from pagan religions. Songwriting-wise, we tried to breathe something like a soul into each of the four elements, especially by means of the vocals.

The songwriting of the four main songs was mostly done simultaneously on two levels. Together we developed melodies spontaneously in the studio, that were mainly inspired by sounds of nature or emotions. With some songs the lyrics were written before composing, with others simultaneously. The lyrics of “Herest”, “Långs”, “Summa” and “Winta” were done in a single night and have been spontaneously sung by emotional interpretation during the mastering process.

Diversity and changing dynamics were crucial to every song because each element has its own cycle. For example in “Wåssa”, I explained the journey from a raindrop through a river, floating at the end into a lake/ocean. This journey could also be seen in the mythology of the triple goddess mother, maiden and crone. Birth, live and death.

Also the album is characterized by an “Intro” and “Outro”, should we consider “Ufång” a concept album?

“Ufång” focuses on recurring phases of live in nature and is written as a musical cyclic concept of the album. Birth-live-death and rebirth as part of every element and every human.

The following question is mostly a curiosity for language geeks like me, mostly which is the difference between the current Austrian spoken nowadays and the Tyrolean dialect that you use in the songs?

The main language in Austria is a kind of German. But there are a lots of different dialects in every corner of our country. Especially in some deep mountain valleys, witch dialect seems to have nothing to do with German at all, only spoken in two or three villages and for example it’s not understandable for someone who comes from the capital city Vienna. Perchta use a mixed form of the Tyrolean areas between Kitzbühl and Innsbruck. The Character of these Dialect is his soft, harmonized Melody.

Out of “Ufång”, there were two singles, namely “Åtem” and “Ernd”, which specific info would you like to share about these songs?

Actually, “Åtem” was our first song finished on the album and so, I feel a real strong emotional bound to it. The focus was to catch the nature of the element how it lives in every human body. So the Breath, specifically the in- and exhale noises were an important part of the song.

“Erdn” focused on the earth where we came from and were we have to go after death. Like ashes to ashes, dust to dust. It’s sound-wise the most aggressive one on the album. I would like to transport the message, that the earth is able to fight back, if humans are not treating her right.

Perchta is not only a studio project but also “a functional live formation”. Which are the challenges of bringing on stage such a visual and lyrical idea?

We already created a full concept of stage performance. But there will be no choreography or planned showacts. I think the visualize of Perchta in her full folklore gown, the old instruments like hammered dulcimer and devil stick, the music itself framed with an atmospheric lightshow, should be enough to transport our messages.

In normal times, this question doesn’t procure any embarrassment but I feel anyway obliged to ask you if you had any plans to promote live “Ufång” and instead, how your plans changed?

Due to the cancellation of many events, the CD release party and our simultaneous live debut on the Dark Easter Metal Meeting 2020 has been postponed to the upcoming year. Very disappointing, because everything has been planned so neatly, but it was inevitable under the circumstances.

But there is hope for 2021 and another confirmation for the Vienna Metal Meeting next year on 22th of May. For this year, we decide to promote “Ufång” via our social media and create two more videos. The lyric video of “Gluat” was released on 2nd July 2020 and another big production will come in October 2020 for “Wåssa”.

So, Perchta, we’re almost at the end and with this please be free to say hi to your fans and your readers. Thank you so much for this interview.

I’m truly overwhelmed and grateful of the many positive reactions for Perchta the past year. We’re glad to see, that many people can share our joy regarding this debut album and will be taking part in this unusual musical journey. Taking care of oneself and not overloading the system is now more important than ever.

After the crisis has passed it will be particularly important to support artists, hosts and locations. So hopefully we’ll see us in Munich or Vienna! Thank you for these interesting questions!

HOMEMEET THE BANDMeet The Band: Perchta
Meet The Band: Perchtaby Chad Bowar
Prophecy Productions

This week, we’re featuring the Austrian artist Perchta in Meet The Band. The black/folk metal group’s debut album is Ufang.

Chad Bowar: Give us a brief history of Perchta.
Perchta: Perchta was founded in winter 2017 by me and my producer/bassist Fabio D’Amore. We already had a clear concept in mind regarding our first album and started recording demos in 2018.

Describe the songwriting process for Ufang.
The songwriting of the four main songs was mostly done simultaneously on two levels. Together we developed melodies spontaneously in the studio, that were mainly inspired by sounds of nature or emotions. With some songs the lyrics were written before composing, with others simultaneously. The lyrics of “Herest,” “Långs,” “Summa” und “Winta” were done in a single night and have been spontaneously sung by emotional interpretation during the mastering process.

What will be your strongest memory of the recording of the album?
The first time hearing the complete master of Ufång in the studio. Taking in the dynamic of the album by listening to this song has been an overwhelming experience.

How would you characterize its style/sound?
We have been trying to come up with a definition where our work could be located within black metal, but defining the genre of Perchta is not an easy task. Elements of folk and ambient music can definitely be found as well. Our first priority is the transport of our emotions during the development process. Therefore you can find stirring exuberant passages, but also calm mysterious ones and even some disturbing sounds.

What lyrical topics do you cover?
Ufång focuses on recurring phases of live in nature and is written as a musical cyclic concept of the album. Birth-life-death and rebirth as part of every element and every human.

How did you come to sign with Prophecy?
Prophecy Records has noticed our pre-production version of “Åtem” and have been very interested in the concept of Perchta. I am delighted by this cooperation, because I believe that the label is a perfect fit for us.

What are your goals and expectations for the album?
I am hoping that many people can share our joy regarding this debut album and will be taking part in this unusual musical journey. There are lots of ideas for upcoming albums. This is why we hope that Ufång lives up to its name (beginning) and raises the desire to hear more among our audience.

What has the early response been like?
The reactions have been quite positive. There are some very good reviews of Ufång and I have been able to take part in many interviews. Therefore I see our future in a very positive light and am truly grateful for all the interest that people take in our project.

How did you get started in music?
I have been able to gather stage experience since my childhood. My education started out in the areas of classical singing and musicals. Since the age of 14 I have been interested in the metal scene, was gaining experience within smaller bands and could get acquainted with many fantastic musicians and friends.

Who were your early influences and inspirations?
My fascination and inspiration lies within those bands, that are brave enough to look over the edge of the plate and refuse to be narrowly defined by genre borders. Experimenting with unusual instruments, voice or melodic sequences as done by Igorrr, Dornenreich or Bethlehem inspires us to explore our own musical borders.

What is the first metal concert you attended? What’s the best one you’ve gone to?
My first concert was also my first festival. It was the FM 4 Frequency Festival 2005 with Queens Of The Stone Age, Die Toten Hosen, Foo Fighters, Incubus and Oasis. The best concert was also at a festival that I have been attending for many years: Solstafir at the Funkenflug Festival 2014.

How is the metal scene in your area of Austria?
Very small, familial and authentic. You know, respect and support each other.

How has the coronavirus pandemic impacted the band?
Due to the cancellation of many events, the CD release and our simultaneous live debut on the Dark Easter Metal Meeting 2020 has been postponed to the upcoming year. Very disappointing, because everything has been planned so neatly, but it was inevitable under the circumstances.

How has it affected you personally?
I work in health care and therefore I am on the front lines and sadly experience the impact of the virus first hand on a daily basis. Thanks to the fairly quick reaction of the Austrian government and our excellent health care system, we were able to avoid a more severe tragedy. Our situation has stabilized due to the strict limitations.

Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
Taking care of oneself and not overloading the system is now more important than ever. After the crisis has passed it will be particularly important to support artists, hosts and locations. Thank you for your interesting questions and good health to you!

(interview published April 11, 2020)