An interview with Emily Ovenden (Pythia).

Emily Ovenden is the singer of UK based heavy metal band Pythia. However, many people might recognize her as one of the singers of the No.1 selling classical act the Mediaeval Baebes. Pythia will release their début album in October this year.

“Beneath The Veiled Embrace, the debut album due for release in October 2009 on Golden Axe Records. 10 awesome original tracks by Pythia and 10 images by Hayley Madden. Featuring the living Legend Brian Blessed.”

For starters: How was the Bloodstock Festival?

It was probably one of the best weekends of my life. We had a great show and the fans were out in force, which always makes it special. I stayed for the wholes festival with most of the Pythia boys and we had so much fun. Everyone was lovely, I met some great people, drank far too much and basically it was brilliant. The best band I saw was Blind Guardian, they were fantastic. It’s the best festival I’ve ever been to. I would quote happily live there all year round.

Singing in a metal band is not exactly the same as singing in the Mediaeval Baebes I guess. What are the differences between singing for the Baebes and Pythia?

It’s very different, I use a different sound in Pythia vocally and I have freedom to express myself as I only have myself to please. The Baebes is all about blending with the others singers to create the MB sound. Both are equally fun and changeling but for totally different reasons.

You are busy with Pythia, Celtic Legend and Mediaeval Baebes. And you have written a novel ("The Ice Room") .                  Is it easy to combine all this with your personal life?

No, my social life is my bands. I don’t have a lot of friends outside of my music projects that I see regularly. I sometime think this is unhealthily but I don’t really have a lot of choice. Luckily I get on really well with the Pythia lads and the other Baebes so don’t really feel I’m missing out on much.

And how did you become a member of Pythia?

The drummer Marc emailed me and asked me if I would be interested in starting a project with him. For some reason it felt like the right thing to do instinctively. We met up for a beer and I liked him immediately. Then Ross joined us and it quickly came together after that.

Some questions about the band:

Together with the work of Tolkien the Greek mythology is an endless source of band names. Why did you choose the name Pythia?

It was suggested by a fan and I liked it. We pronounce the name Pie –Thia like a python not in the Greek way.

Can you introduce us to the other members of Pythia?

• Marc Dyos – Drums
• Ross White – Guitars
  
• Time Neale – Lead Guitar
  
• Andy Nixon Corfield – Bass
• Richard Holland - Keyboards

Is song writing teamwork in Pythia or is there one mastermind behind the songs?

It’s a team effort, everyone writes his or her own parts. Normally the ideas springs from Ross, then Marc adds drums and then I write melody, lyrics and vocal harmonies before bass keys and lead is added. But that is not always the case. If someone has a good idea we run with it

 

 About the album:

How would you describe the music on the album? Because metal covers a lot of different styles these days.

It has its roots in power metal but I think it’s very unique. It’s really hard to describe an album because it will mean something different to everyone. Once you put an album out into the world, it belongs to the world.

Musically it is a very honest piece of work from musicians who are passionate about music and wanted to make an album that was the very best the could, I’m really proud of it and I know give the chance people will connect deeply with it.

Can you tell us something about the songs on the album?

During the making of it I was going through a very difficult time, certainly the most difficult I have ever had to face, so there is a lot of very intense emotions explored lyrically. It certainly isn’t for the faint hearted.

And what are your favourite songs on the album?

Oedipus. I find it very hard to sing without crying. It means a lot to me. The song is about my father and brother having a conversion and how I would like it to turn out.

I’ve never seen much work of photographer Hayley Madden (www.hayleymadden.com) because most of her work is only published in the UK but I do know Brian Blessed from his appearances in the British TV series Blake’s 7, Dr Who and The Black Adder. And he did some vocal parts in the movie Starwars: The Phantom Menace. What can we expect? Something like Christopher Lee did for the Italian band Rhapsody?

He recites an incredible poem, one of my favourite war poems.

And how did you get in touch with him?

We stalked him relentlessly until we got him to agree.

Why did you choose Jacob Hansen for the production (who has worked with Týr, Delain and Destruction)?

We love his production and he was are first choice to mix and master.The album is actually produced by the Sound Viking Are Kolltviet and Jacob did the finishing touches.

And did he have much influence on the songs?

No, but he made it sound awesome.

Pythia will do some gigs in the UK this year. Are there any plans for a European tour?

We’re in talks but nothing is confirmed yet. I love playing in Europe, particularly The Netherlands,so fingers cross.

And the last question: is there anything the reader should know that I have not asked?

Come and join us on our forum and I’ll be happy to answer any other question to may have. (http://pythia.freeforums.org)

 

Links :

Pythia Official Site

Pythia Official MySpace

Emily Alice Ovenden Official Profile

 

Latest Multimedia