Interviews: Firemage

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Epic Folk Metal band Fireimage from Portugal. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

The band’s name comes from World of Warcraft. Ana, our bass player, used to play with a Mage with a specialty in Fire. That seemed like a better band name than other class\build combinations like Lightpaladin, Combatrogue. or Afllictionwarlock!

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

As people who enjoy history, fantasy, and both melodic and extreme genres, it felt like a no-brainer. We feel like the Folk Metal sound is like a special sauce that you pour on a specific genre. There’s pretty much something for everybody within Folk Metal. Korpiklaani does not sound like Moonsorrow and Ensiferum does not sound like Eluveitie, and so on! Other subgenres are a little less forgiving on that account.

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

Mostly yes. Most of us were already bound by family, friendship, or other musical projects.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Vânia (Whistle) - Epica

Ricardo Santos (Keyboard) - Cradle of Filth

Emanuel (Drums) - Motorhead

Ana (Bass) - Epica

Tiago (Guitar\Lead Vocals) - Wintersun

Ricardo Pereira (Guitar) - Lorna Shore

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I draw inspiration from many different things. People, things that happen in life, books, games and movies, legends, and even history. I believe that anything that either has or can make for a great story, should have a song!

6. Where was your last gig?

In our hometown, here in Valongo, a municipality in the Porto district, here in northern Portugal.

7. Where would you like to act?

We’re up for anything but Midgardsblot or 700000 Tons of Metal sound especially enticing!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

I think that Korpiklaani, Wind Rose, or Brothers of Metal, would make for quite fun shows.

9. Whom not?

With the original lineup of The Ramones anytime soon!

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

This is a very good question, and yes. I’ve tackled that before and it’s a tough cookie to crack. The best way to handle stage fright in a healthy and sustainable way is to prepare for your show. Don’t just practice the songs, practice the show itself. All the stage moves, effect changes if you have them, crowd interaction, and even the assembly and disassembly of your gear. You’ll feel a lot more confident if you’ve handled all of these things. While all of the musical parts can be handled with muscle memory and confidence, the setting up for the show can easily distract you and cause stress, so take care of all of that. “Proper preparation prevents poor performance.” Oh, and drink plenty of water!

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

It depends, we actually listen to a whole lot of music besides metal. However, for Firemage, I would say that Týr and Windrose are our biggest influences!

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

Throughout the years we’ve had our fair share of more or less odd requests. But the strangest among us, was when a young woman asked Emanuel to sign her breasts (which he politely refused). But all of those things were with other bands. The Firemage fanbase, we'll see what body parts they'll ask us to sign. Hopefully, their own!

13. What do you think of your fans?

Our fanbase is still forming, as this is our first release. But as far as we can tell, everyone's been crazy supportive and showing us tons of love, we're actually a bit overwhelmed!

14. What do you think of our site?

The work that you do is extremely important. Allowing the fans to know what's going on with the bands they like and with those that they don't know yet is the lifeblood of a scene. Thank you for what you do and may you keep doing it for years to come.

15. Something to add?

Yes! We are putting our very best effort forward with this release. Our EP represents the best of our talents combined but we’re just getting started! There are many stories to be told and many songs to be sung. You can help us in our journey by pre-ordering our “Ignis” Kit and joining the mighty Firemage army!! https://firemage.bandcamp.com/merch/ignis-pre-order