EMQ’S With SEVEN YEAR WITCH
Hello everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with USA Rock ‘n’ Rollers, Seven Year Witch. Huge thanks to their Bassist, Spencer Burden, 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?
My name is Spencer Burden. I’m the Bass Guitarist! My brother Seth Burden is the drummer of the band. We’ve been making music together our whole lives. When we started this band we recruited our highschool classmate Aaron Langford for vocals. Eventually, we stole guitarist Beau Anderson from another band. He’s also been playing music and in bands since childhood!
How did you come up with your band name?
When trying to come up with a band name, I put my iTunes library on shuffle. The first song that came up was “Seven Year Ache” by Roseanne Cash. I thought it would be an excellent band name but obviously her song would come up first on a google search. The next song to play was “Witches’ Dance” by Mercyful Fate. After combining them together, I had “Seven Year Witch.”
What country are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
We are from the U.S.A. and the state of South Carolina. The music scene is great here! We’re close to many major cities that are great for music such as Atlanta, Greenville, Charlotte, and Asheville. We can’t wait to play on the west coast this summer!
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single or Video)
Our latest release is our single ‘Cyanide’. It was paired with an awesome music video. Check it out here!
Who have been your greatest influences?
Anything with Chris Cornell (SoundGarden / AudioSlave etc.), Led Zeppelin, Mercyful Fate just to name a few!
What first got you into music?
As a young child I sang at church. We had a drum set at our house when we were kids. I’d play it all the time. My great uncle started teaching me guitar when I was young. In school I joined band class and marching band. As soon as elementary school I started to grow an obsession with Rock music. In high-school I started playing in my own Rock bands. Around junior or senior year, that’s when this band formed!
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
If we’re thinking on a large scale, collaborating with Jack White would be a dream come true. Other amazing bands we’d love to collaborate with would be Crobot, Nonpoint, The Parlor Mob etc.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I’m not too familiar with festivals! But doesn’t Slipknot have a “Knotfest”? I’d love to do that one! I’m a huge Slipknot fan.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
A stack of fake money!!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
This sounds so generic but it’s so true; Thank each and every one of you.
For an independent band we would have nothing without each individual fan. We’re not on the radio, we’re not on television, there is no movement or trend that makes you popular to like us. You made a conscious decision to support us despite all that. We don’t take it for granted and we love you all!!!
If you could bring one Metal / Rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Cliff Burton. He passed away at 24 years old. His life was just getting started, but it wasn’t in vain. He inspired me and so many others for generations to come! Rest in peace!!
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I love doing this. It gives my life meaning and it makes me happy.
My favourite thing is playing live and touring! The thing I “hate” is probably the politics that go into it. Some bands have an unfair advantage and can skip in line with money. But coming from the bottom will make our success story that much more rewarding!
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Nationally syndicated radio shouldn’t play the same songs / bands over and over and over. They could find a few minutes each day to give some upcoming bands a play. But they won’t unless it makes them money or benefits them.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“Don’t Break The Oath” – Mercyful Fate, “BadMotorFinger” – SoundGarden, “Dogs” – The Parlor Mob
(I can’t name just one!!)
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs, or Downloads?
Vinyl for the true experience and album art. Downloads/Streaming for convenience. CD’s are cool to me because that’s what I had growing up. And Cassettes just cause my van has a cassette player ha ha!.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Opening for Pop Evil was cool because it was probably the biggest crowd we’ve played to.
Touring with Adelitas Way was such an amazing memory. They were like the first big band to take us on the road with them and believe in us.
Also touring with The Lonely Ones was an amazing experience. They are one of those bands that have done it all and there was so much to learn from them!
It’s so hard to pick one show!!
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Probably delivering a pizza and being lost in life to be completely honest ha ha!!
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Jerry Seinfeld, Brann Dailor, Mike Portnoy, Tony Hawk and Danny Antonucci
What’s next for the band?
A West Coast tour with Buckcherry in June!
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
www.facebook.com/sevenyearwitch
www.instagram.com/sevenyearwitch
www.tiktok.com/@sevenyearwitch
www.youtube.com/channel/UCAyAr1Lyq2gSWVDCc2ZXLJw
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
I’ve never heard of those! I just googled them and they look kinda gross to me. Looks like a cake to me though!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you as well! Subscribe to our YouTube! We’re focusing extra hard on building it!
