Interviews: The Medea Project

In this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Goth Metal/Death Metal/Doom Metal band The Medea Project from the UK. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Medea was the wife of Jason (from Jason and the Argonauts legend). She was the high priestess of Hecate and she was a twisted, dark, crazy and driven woman.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We didn’t really so much decide on a genre but moreso sidled up to it like a creepy drunken guy in a nightclub. And much like his dress-sense, we incorporated all our influences into our music.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Yes, we were both part of the alternative music scene in South Africa and we were playing in different bands. After 5 years we eventually ended up in the same band just before we moved to the UK.

4. Each band member favorite band?

Ah, that’s a difficult question. We both listen to various types of music so it would depend on what mood we are in as to what we we’re into at a point in time. There are so many bands that we enjoy, it’s just easier to tell you what music we listen to mostly.

Brett: Listen to mostly death/doom, early 2 nd wave black metal, folk/neo- folk, goth, Americano gothic, stoner metal, synthpop

Pauline: Listen to mostly Old school death metal, symphonic black, doom, Americano gothic and goth and darkwave.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

It’s a compulsion for us to write. It’s not something we plan, it just happens. We get inspired by sound and the need to create a certain atmosphere. It’s also a release.

6. Where was your last gig?

It was at an all-day metal festival at the infamous Old Salutation Inn in Nottingham a few days after finishing our recording.

7. Where would you like to act?

Anywhere where we can experience and be part of creating a dark, heavy atmosphere.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We would love to tour with Nibiru (Italy) again. It was a great tour with a great band and also Godthrymm (UK) who we’ve shared a stage with before. Hmmmm, now there’s an idea…. Would have loved to play with Type-o-negative but sadly that’s not to be. Bloody Hammers, Bigelf, Lake of Tears (should they start playing again), Sleep of Monsters to name but a few.

9. Whom not?

Anything too close to mainstream, doesn’t matter what genre. We are not a knees-up and sing-a-long band.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Brett: Often and I still do. I am now of the mindset that if I’m not nervous, then I’m not putting everything into the gig. I deal with this by wandering off for about 10 minutes before I get on stage and clear my head.

Pauline: I don’t get stage fright as much as I get edgy. I used to handle this by downing a few shots before I got on stage but due to over-doing it once and not being able to function properly, I don’t do that anymore. I now try and zone out and not worry about the details too much and just feel the music.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Thanks for using the word ‘inspired’ and not ‘influenced’.

Pauline: Anna-Varney Cantodea is my song-writing muse. I love the weird nuances within her songs and she has the perfect balance of simplicity and chaos. She is an absolute brilliant songwriter and composer. My drumming is inspired by primal sound and feel.

Brett: Inspiration takes many forms and to list the bands that inspired me we’d run out of words on the internet. The first time that I heard Bauhaus, Mclusky, Johann Wolfgang Pozoj or even Wovenhand, it excited me as they pushed normal songwriting and playing conventions out of the window. It’s far more interesting when the rules get ignored now isn’t it?

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

To move to their little town in the middle of nowhere.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We like our fans and we even have a dedicated anti-fan, we like him too! Most of our fans are very open-minded when it comes to music and we have amazing conversations with them.

14. What do you think of our site?

We like that you cover a range of genres and that you also feature the other creatives and not just bands. It’s really unique and we like unique!

15. Something add?

We’re playing in Birmingham (UK) at the end of November so if you happen to be around, come and share a drink or 2 (check out our Facebook page or website for details)! We’re also busy putting the finishing touches on our album so there’ll be some little bits of news on that coming out over the next couple of months. Thanks for taking the time out to get to know us and remember always keep it dark and heavy!