EMQ’s with HER DESPAIR
Hi Everyone. Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with London based Gothic Rock band Her Despair! Huge thanks to Vocalist ‘J’ for taking part!
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
We are HER DESPAIR – a six piece gothic rock band based near London UK, formed 2015. We comprise of myself, J, singing, Dan and Jord playing guitars, Vikki on bass, Lee behind the drums and Toby on keyboards. In 2015 we released our debut album “Hymns For the Hopeless,” followed by 2018’s “Mournography” EP. November 22nd of this year saw our most exciting release yet – “Exorcisms of Eroticism.”
How did you come up with your band name?
Originally it was going to be Tears of Heaven, then As She Drowns in Her Despair, but that felt quite lengthy. It was shortened to HER DESPAIR, and that felt right as an overall title for what I was attempting to achieve.
What country are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
We’re from the UK and there’s a great scene here, with plenty of bands on both an underground and “mainstream” level. We’ve found that people in the North respond to us particularly well, where there’s a very strong Goth scene.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single or Video)
“Exorcisms of Eroticism” was released on 22nd November, and we’re really looking forward to sharing it with the assembled congregation. The release is the dark and dramatic collection of six new gothic rock anthems from HER DESPAIR. Designed to unravel the mysteries of the theologic and the erotic, each song is set to a storm of symphonic instrumentation; providing the perfect soundtrack for your sorrows.
There are two songs available online now entitled ‘Pandaemonium’ and ‘The Exorcism’ (which includes a superb accompanying music video directed and filmed by Scott Chalmers), both of which came as instant downloads upon pre-ordering the release from our Bandcamp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Clqrj6rftJA
Who have been your greatest influences?
Our greatest influence are the Sisters of Mercy, with other particularly inspirational artists being Rammstein, HIM, My Dying Bride, Staind and so on.
What first got you into music?
I grew up listening to my parents vinyl collection so I’ve always been surrounded by music. Many of those artists I still listen to frequently today – Elvis, Meat Loaf, Led Zeppelin, Abba and many more. I began to discover my own taste in music from the age of about 12, first getting into 2000’s metal and then branching off into far darker territories after I discovered Goth music.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
It would have to be Andrew Eldritch from the Sisters of Mercy. Always the inspiration!
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
There are some amazing goth festivals within Europe that we would love the opportunity to play, such as M’era Luna or Wave-Gotik-Treffen. We’re very much looking to branch out in 2020, so performances such as those would be very high on our wish list.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
We love you eternally – the best is soon to come…
If you could bring one Metal/Rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Pete Steele from Type O Negative or David Gold from Woods of Ypres!
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I love the songwriting process, and hearing the idea gradually become the reality in the form of a full song. It’s cathartic, and also very exciting to compose new material and see where the creativity takes you. I can’t necessarily think of much that I hate, but sometimes the long journeys can test my sense of humour.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
The fairly limited experience I’ve had of it so far hasn’t been so bad. Having said that, the individuals who seem to care nothing of the art but only the money could take themselves elsewhere, and that might be a good change.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Floodland” by the Sisters of Mercy
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Vinyl for the art and crackle, CD’s for a simpler collection, streaming for convenience.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Personally, I think our best show was Darker Days Festival earlier this year. A fantastic event all round, and we got an incredible response from the audience.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I like to think something creative still, maybe writing a book.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Andrew Eldritch, Jim Morrison, Pierce Brosnan, Bram Stoker, Jesus Christ
What’s next for the band?
Our main focus right now is the release of “Exorcisms of Eroticism.” The plan for 2020 has yet to be revealed, but all will become clear soon. I’ve started putting a few ideas together for some more new songs, so who knows what may come.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Our main website is Bandcamp, where we sell our music in both physical and digital formats, plus our merchandise. Socially we use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, plus a few others such as Soundcloud. We love interacting with fans online, their messages of support are always appreciated.
https://herdespair.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/herdespair/
https://twitter.com/herdespairband
https://www.instagram.com/herdespairband/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVZhKFjVsq1Wpbruy-dryuw
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Biscuit!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thanks for the questions and the coverage!! “Exorcisms of Eroticism” is out NOW and is our best release yet. We thoroughly hope you enjoy how dramatic it is.
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