Sara Squadrani - Ancient Bards
Interview By Robin Stryker
Grab your crossbow and join young Dorus and the four kings of Lastworld on their epic quest for the mystical Black Crystal Sword. If you like Rhapsody Of Fire, you’ll love the Italian symphonic epic power metal sextet, Ancient Bards. Femme Metal chatted with vocalist, Sara Squadrani to learn more about these newcomers on the power metal scene.
Welcome, Sara! Would you tell us more about Ancient Bards’ brand new album, “The Alliance Of The Kings”?
Hi everyone! Well "The Alliance Of The Kings" spells the first part of a fantasy saga set in an ancient land called Lastworld created by Daniele Mazza. The album is the result of our work and passion; we recorded it last summer at the Fear Studio in Ravenna and we also had the privilege to have some special guests, like the Toto Corde Choir, the guitarist Simone Mularoni and some elements of the band Figure Of Six!
Please introduce the other five members of Ancient Bards, and give us an idea what their personalities are like.
I have to say that I have the pleasure to work with some pretty awesome guys! Daniele (keyboards) is the mind behind the whole project, he is very determined and stubborn, and he’s an excellent composer; Claudio (lead guitar) is simply amazing, he is a great guitarist technically speaking, but he also is very sensitive and has this huge heart, you can feel it when he plays! Martino (bass) is the youngest member of the group but he is very professional and devoted to his instrument. Fabio (rhythm guitar) is very accurate in what he does, he really puts himself into things while Alessandro (drums) is the crazy side of the band, he is our impulsive dreamer!
Female-fronted power metal bands are a rare breed. How did the band start, and how did you become a member of Ancient Bards?
It all started when Daniele created the saga and then composed the music, after a few tryouts he finally found the people for his ideal line up. I became a member of Ancient Bards thanks to my MySpace page: Daniele was looking for musicians in the net, he looked for someone who lived nearby and he found me!
The album tells the first part of the Black Crystal Sword Saga. Who are the main characters in the story, and why are they looking for the sword?
The story is set in a world called Lastworld. The main characters are Daltor, the king of Westland; Alron, the prince of Northdesert; Rahed, the king of Blind Mountains; Shena, the queen of Icy Forest; and Dorus, a mysterious guy… the “villain” is Sendor, a dark wizard who came to shake things a little down in Lastworld! The Black Crystal Sword is an ancient sword forged at the beginning of times that holds in itself enormous powers: whoever held it could easily rule the world, so the four kings hid it in a secret place so that none could take advantage of its powers and the world could live in peace. Guess what? Somehow Sendor came to get the sword… the kings are the only ones who can stop him!
Where did the idea for the story come from?
The whole story came out of the mind of Daniele Mazza. He is a fan of Japanese sagas like Final Fantasy and of Nordic tales about elves and heroes!
Was it the band’s plan from the beginning to tell the story of the Black Crystal Sword, or did Ancient Bards start out as a more typical metal band?
It was our plan from the beginning, we were born exactly with the intent of telling this story. In fact, our name is revealing: like the ancient bards who travelled the world telling the deeds of their kings we (hope to) travel the world telling Daltor’s adventures!
The album is Part I of the Black Crystal Sword Saga. Has the entire story-line already been developed?
Yes it has! We already know every single step of the story and know the end. I can tell you it is full of surprises and sensational developments ;-)
Your voice is positively MASSIVE on “The Alliance Of The Kings”. What is your musical background? Were you in any bands before Ancient Bards?
My musical background is wide and maybe a bit unusual for a metal singer, as it goes from pop artists like Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Shania Twain, Christina Aguilera, Anouk to bands like Gotthard, Queen, Nickelback, Dream Theater, Symphony X, Alter Bridge... Many people say my tastes can't combine, but they do! I was in a band called Stay Jam before Ancient Bards, along with Alessandro. It has been a beautiful experience from which I learned many many things.
Which is your favourite song, and which is the most difficult to perform live?
My favourite song for now is "Frozen Mind" because it’s the one that presents the female character of the story, the only one among the heroes like me among the bards! I think the lyrics express a feminine soul as they show a typical feminine feeling: concern. The most difficult to perform is "Farewell My Hero" as I need to reach first low and then some pretty high pitches!
I was amazed to see such a young band on a label like Limb Music, the home of Rhapsody and Luca Turilli. How did Ancient Bards come to the label’s attention?
As soon as we had the master, even though we already had some contacts with a few labels, we sent it to some other labels, just to give it some other chance. Fortunately LMP liked us and sent us an e-mail where he wrote he was interested. When we read that mail, we suddenly realized that LMP was just perfect for us!
If “The Alliance Of The Kings” were adapted to a visual media, do you think the album would make a better video game, live-action movie, graphic novel or anime series?
Nice question! I think it would adapt to all of these kinds of media but I guess it could get a better result if used for a video game: visual, sound and interaction can make you feel like you are actually living in Lastworld!
What is the biggest dream for Ancient Bards? For you personally?
Our biggest dream would be to tour and play in as many places as possible, maybe even with some great and famous band from which we could learn tons of things. Personally, I just wish to keep on expressing my passion to which I devote my heart for as long as I can!
Will your fans be able to see Ancient Bards on tour soon?
Unfortunately for now we have nothing confirmed, so our fans and us will have to wait for that!
What are the band’s plans for the near future?
Our agency is working on a possible tour while we keep on working hard rehearsing and settling things for the next album…
Thank you so much, Sara. I can’t wait to hear Part II of the Black Crystal Sword Saga. Do you have any parting words for your fans at Femme Metal?
I wanna thank you and all the readers of Femme Metal. It’s been an honour and a pleasure for me talking with you! Our adventure is just at its beginning, we are planning on getting far but we can’t without your support, so thanks again to each one of you!
Latest Multimedia
Links
Sara Squadrani Official Profile
Ancient Bards Official MySpace
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