EMQ’s With Erewän
EMQ’s With Erewän
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with French Folk project, Erewän. Huge thanks to them 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?
I chose Erewän as my band scene name, because it’s derived from my civil name and it’s adapted to have some Celtic influences, which I wanted. I play mostly guitar, and tin whistle, even if I also play a little bit of bass and piano in studio. There’s not really a “band” per se, because Erewän is a solo project. It was born by the will of recording some personal compositions I wrote during many years. Then it has been crystallised after a first demo by the will to create. A first album has been released in 2021.
How did you come up with your band name?
As answered before, it was a creation of my own, derived from my real name.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
I’m from the French Riviera, close to Nice. The rock and metal scene here is quite discreet, and mainly populated unfortunately by cover bands. We can still go to great concerts, but not as much as in England for example.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
My latest release is my new album “Soul is the Key”, released the 9th of November this year. The single “Fantasy Worlds” is already available on all platforms.
Who have been your greatest influences?
I have been influenced by many styles and bands. From Mike Oldfield to Iron Maiden, and everything in between, including Mark Knopfler and Nightwish, for example. The list would be too long to cover everything.
What first got you into music?
To listen to a lot of it, mostly. I stepped into Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Pink Floyd, Marillion, Dire Straits, ZZ Top, and a lot of blues musicians, when I was 15. And I spent such a long time listening to them, and diving into their universe and sound.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
If I could name just one, it would be Troy Donockley, the uilleann piper and tin whistler from Nightwish and Auri, and by extension Nightwish. My second choice would be Nine Skies.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I was always fascinated by Glastonbury festival, because of the ambiance, the crowd, and all those flags waving in the air. My second choice would be Red Rock, because of the beauty of the background.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Being a new artist didn’t give me the chance to receive such a weird gift. But I had the chance to still have some great reviews, which I can associate with real gifts.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thank you for bringing Erewän to life and listening to my compositions, it means a lot to me, and it keeps the spirit alive.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
I can’t name just one. There are so many great rock stars that didn’t deserve to die, like Bon Scott, Freddie Mercury, Randy Rhoads, John Bonham.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
What I enjoy the most is the infinite possibilities of creating. This eerie feeling of beginning with a blank page, and everything is still possible. And what I hate is the promo side, and the obligation to search for new contracts, and people to keep our music alive, because I’m not comfortable with that. But I still appreciate people like you for keeping interest in my world.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
The first thing would be to remove the concept of bankability in music. Because it makes everything foggy, when it comes to real talents and real music. Most people stopped searching for music, and listened to what came. But what comes is generally what makes money. And I would remove any association with video, visuals in music. Because it keeps the listener always distracted with visuals, and forgets that music is the most important in our work.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
I can’t name one. I would say “The Number of the Beast” by Iron Maiden, “The wall” by Pink Floyd, “Endless Forms Most Beautiful” by Nightwish, and “Alchemy” by Dire Straits.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CDs or Downloads?
I’m in the cassette and CD generation. I know that the elitists always worship vinyls. Downloads are useful, but above the less quality of the sound, I like the idea to have a object to hold, appropriate and use.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
I mostly played locally, in cover bands, so I never had the chance to play a big gig. But I had the chance to play my compositions on stage, with a band, on sereval little stages. And it was a beautiful experience.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I would definitely pursue a career in making board games, which I already began to do with Alexandre Lamia.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Dead or alive, I would say Alexandre Lamia and Tuomas Holopainen, so we can have a lot to say to each other. And the three others would be Jimmy page, Mark Knopfler and Salvador Dali (which I dedicated one of my songs “Salvador’s Window”).
What’s next for the band?
It would be to continue to work on live sets, to do gigs for this new album, on the local scene and maybe more.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/126221262
https://www.facebook.com/Erewanproject
https://www.ftf-music.com/de/erewan/erewan.htm
There’s a long-standing food-based debate here in the UK. And we’d like your help. So… A Jaffa cake – is it a cake or a biscuit? Discuss!
Haha, this is just my opinion, but even though its size is closer to a biscuit (including the way it’s served), I’d classify it, based on its ingredients and texture, as a cake. I hope I haven’t offended anyone, lol (we don’t joke with sweets!).
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for this interview and thank you for your interest in my music. Have a great day!
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
