Hildr Valkyrie Interview

RavenzCraft Arts Interview with 

Hildr Valkyrie

We are Honored and Excited to get to talk with Angela-Kelly Antoniou/ of Hildr Valkyrie and learn more about her career as a solo musical artist, she has collaborated and worked with many other great artists creating a history of legendary Nordic themed and inspired music 

1. First off I just want to thank and welcome you, It is always very interesting to get to know more about amazing creative artists like yourself,, For those of us who don’t already know, can you tell us where you are from, and a bit about your childhood, where you grew up? 

I came from Hellas (Greece), with origin of half Cretan and half Peloponnesian.  I grew up in Hellas with my family. As for my childhood, let’s go to my music memories when my grandfather understood that I had a music talent, (he was a violin player and my grandmother was as singer, both of Folk Cretan music) he was trying in his own way to learn me the basics since he was a self-taught musician as I am, I remember him teaching me the meters, 1-2-3-4 and 1-2-3-4. He was “pushing” me (for a child could think in the time that wants to play games with other children) to listen to Maria Callas, so to take good bases and start singing in the right way and tone. 

I remember also the time, when he took me to a music shop to buy me my first keyboard, testing all the instruments to find the one with the better piano sound and wrote me to a local conservatory when I was 5 years old, but stopped me within few months after he realized that the voice of the piano teacher was out of tune and was afraid that this would harm my talent. 

2. Can you tell us how you came up with and the story behind the name Hildr Valkyrie?

I will get straight to the point dear Tim, I am an Odinist, a Heathen, believer of the Old Faith, so when I wanted to find a name for my band, I wanted something really strong to present it so I chose the Valkyrie Hildr, Hildr means Battle, and for all of us and each one separately we faced a battle in our lives. 

I have given an Oath to the Gods, to fight for them in any kind of way I can. My biggest “weapon” is my faith and music. When I write lyrics for Odhinn, Thor etc it is not for trend, it is my Hymns to the Gods and I do it with much will and care. A song is like a beacon that carries a message and can travel to any soil upon the earth, can touch the heart of the listener, and maybe, maybe to wake up their spirit and for us, to gain another warrior for this battle against monotheism.  

   

 3. How do they/your family feel about your music career? Was there anyone in your family or a close friend that pushed or inspired you to become a musician?


I believe that all are happy with that, we are a family that the one supports the other in things we love to do, from my parents to my husband. One thing that I regret, is that my grandfather is not in life anymore, and he did not had the chance to see my first release as musician neither listen to it.   

4.Can you share with us what music you listened to as a young child and teenager?, it seems a lot of our inspiration and creativity come out of these early years and play out to inspire other great music, is there anyone in particular that inspired your interest in the metal music genre?

Yes, indeed! When I was in the age of 11, when you start making your musical identity, I was listening to Alice Cooper, Michael Jackson, Scorpions, Guns and Roses, etc, music that it is way easy to listen to and find. 

Later on, in the age of 13 I went to a school party and listened for the first time metal, the song was from Iron Maiden “The Number of the Beast” and it was the first time in my life that my whole body started to shiver, from that time and on, I am a faithful and devoted metal fan.

So, later on in the age of 16, I had the luck to touch and listen the first release of Falkenbach - ...en their medh riki fara... it was not mine, it was owned by an older friend of mine who I forced him to write it on tape to listen to it day and night as I had been addicted to this album! Back then there was not the term “Viking metal” and I only could explain this genre as Epic black metal when someone asked me what I was listening to; also I consider Vratyas Vakyas as my mentor too. The very first song I composed on my keyboards was the cover “Baldurs Tod” and send it to him, I got a very positive feedback for this cover, so I took strength by this and started to compose my own music. 

5. So if you don’t mind me asking, where you always a follower of pagan traditions? I myself was born into a catholic family but never felt comfortable, and soon realized it wasn’t for me, was this the case for you as well?

Yes, of course, we are in the same level. I was also born in an orthodox x-stian family, but from my childish years I was tend to think that something was really wrong with this religion. I remember sitting with my grandmother asking her questions about and she couldn’t find a good answer to tell me. 

Later on I was considering myself as agnostic till I found out about Odinism. In the very beginning I felt strange and alone, but this did not bother me at all, since I felt complete inside. You will ask me and logically, why not just Hellenism? And the answer is that in our schools (and this is caused because the state and the orthodox church are connected, mainly in Greece, the church is somehow the state) we learn that the Gods are… a fairytale, or (as now they present it) a dead religion, that Paganism or Hellenism is “satanic”, “evil”, and the only true god is the one of the x-stians, so if you take such bases you feel incomplete and that’s why I was tend to be an agnostic. 

I remember myself in the age of 14 when we have to go to the police station to make our first ID, I was asked which was my religion and I said, that I do not belong to any kind of religion but if it is necessary to write it down, please add Hellenism, the answer I got from the police officer was that “if I add this kind of religion, in the future you won’t be able to find any job because they will think that you are a lunatic”, so, I let the police officer to add the x-stian religion with a black heart. It is not an easy task for me to read about Heathen Gods, as all the books are not written in my main language, so it is twice as hard, but the thirst is more..

6.So the name Hildr Valkyrie is obviously a Norse inspired name, do you have any favorite literature or stories from the eddas or mythology that you really enjoy? Any favorite deity, god or goddess you really connect with?

Yes, I do! One of them is the Orkneyinga saga which this one I have it in physical book as well, gifted by an Odinist Brother, my Brother Pinlighter, who is not in life anymore, but he is inside my heart and always will be! Hail! 

I think it is very obvious! I am more connected with Odhinn, He is my Guider. There are so many things that I want to say, but for a reason I really can’t describe them by words, the connection I feel is higher than any kind of simple word that can be written.

7.So it seems you have traveled quite a bit for performances and other events, have you ever been to or performed in the U.S? if not do you ever plan to?

 No, not really, everything I do with the bands I collaborate with are through internet, I do not have to be there to record. So actually I have not traveled a lot. In my life I have been out of Greece just 3 times, one time in Germany and two times in Italy. If there was a chance to visit the U.S. of course I would love to go, I have brothers from there, who I would be very glad to meet in real life! 

9. So just curious, from your recent posts and sharing It seems you are open to being aware of the spiritual world, What are your thoughts about paranormal topics such as ghosts, spirits or energies that are said to exist all around us? Have you ever experienced any type of haunting or presence that you could not explain?

The more I felt was in my child years, back then you are more “open” to this kind of connections. Now I feel the energies for example when I practice a Rite out in the country side or while visiting an archaeological monument. 
Unfortunately I live in a city, this means that it is very hard to be connected with the energies without having any interference, also it is the way of life that it doesn’t let me to considerate and clean my spirit as much often I want.  

10. So I notice there was a slight break between your music creating career, did you need a break from everything or where you possibly deciding on a different career path? If you did what career would you be interested in?

Actually was not a brake as it comes to singing, in all these years of “silence” I kept the flame by singing for other bands as a session or guest, but, I admit, it was a “kind” of break from my one-woman band if you say so, because I gifted my time to our Oikos instead of Hildr Valkyrie. I can’t give all myself in two different things at the same time, so that’s why you recognized a long “brake” in-between the two albums.

11. I noticed you have collaborated and worked on many projects with a lot of great people, is their anyone out there today that you are interested in working with someday? and would you be open to collaborating again with someone in the future?

Yes, of course there is. My biggest dream as musician and singer is to sing one day for Falkenbach, but this is just fiction! Of course I am open for collaborations, this is my (how to express it) let’s say it a “reward”; it is the Honor I receive from other musicians who actually enjoy what I do and what to share their world with me, this is something really big and great if you get my point of view, I do not see it as a just collaboration, I see more than that! I see emotions, I see concerns, I see fears, I see other fantasy worlds, I see power, I see the flame within and the creators, let me to enter and share these all. 

12. Can you tell us about your latest released album, how did it feel to come back and create again? Do you feel you have a different view or approach now?

Every time you create something it feels wonderful, either this is a draw, or a sculpture, or an article, a poem; it feels you have completed a goal, in my case speaking, this coming back for Hildr Valkyrie, is something that I wanted it pretty much! I wanted this album to be better than the first one and I think I succeed this aim. After all, time (my good friend) helped me to improve my skills in a level that I am very happy with for my standards. I am a self-taught musician as I mention before, and for persons like myself; to create and finish something from the world of ideas is twice remarkable. 

This album has some new features, it contains lyrics in four different languages such as Ancient Hellenic, Icelandic, Norwegian and of course English. My session guitarist Jan twothousandarrows brought a new fresh sound to my composes, my sound producer Patric from WSL studio did his best to reveal the sound of Hildr Valkyrie, my sister Runahild gifted her voice skills to one song and she also wrote the Norwegian part of the lyrics for the album, and my husband helped me with his bright mind to complete and bring to life better and stronger lyrics than any other time! 

13. So other then music do you have any other interests or hobbies? Traveling, hunting, hiking?

Oh, I wish I was lucky to travel, I love to see the Cultures, to see the Traditions and explore the treasures of our Europe or also to being close to nature to find time for a nice walk to the woods. Unfortunately I am a city child that works a lots of hours a day and such activities are prohibited. 

As it comes to hunting I would never do that for fun since I respect any form of life upon this planet. Besides that, except the music I have several small activities that comes in the surface from time to time, such as drawing, knitting, sculpturing, making jewelry, but not all together and not at the same the time, just limited and just for my personal use. 

Also with my husband and beloved friends we run an organization under the name of Thyrsos – Oikos of Ethnikoi Hellenes, in which members and friends organize and have active practice by having Rites to the Gods, we have done as far European meetings with other members of Heathen organizations, we have presented Hellenism within European Heathenism to other countries, street activities such as raising banners and protest, also we run online publications that has to do with Heathenism in all its forms. 

14. So this is sort of a bucket list question, If you had 1 day where you could have and do whatever you wanted, what would some of those things be? Any specific places you would like to travel or things you want to experience in your life?

That’s exactly what it came to my mind while I was reading this question, yes, one of my dreams is to step my feet to Norway, to smell the air, to touch its ground, to taste its water, to listen the breeze, to get warm by its fire and let the pure nature of Norway to heal my soul.  

15. This last question is open for you to say or mention anything you may want to all the fans and followers out there, any advice from your personal experiences to other upcoming artists like yourself?

First of all I would like to thank you from the bottoms of my heart for this excellent interview Tim!

It is not a cliché but the true honor for an artist comes from the devotion of those who embrace the art created. To all the hordes out here… Raise the Horns! 

My advice for the upcoming artists; Just follow your dreams, be the one you want to be even if you are not perfect, with work everything will turn out pretty better, have faith in you, but don’t except to earn your living from music, this it might take years or never come.  

Special Thank you to Hilder Valkyrie 

Follow and Support her pages and hear more great music at 

https://sites.google.com/site/hildrvalkyrie/

https://www.facebook.com/hildrvalkyrieofficial/

https://hildrvalkyrie.bandcamp.com/

Follow and Subscribe to us on YouTube at Tim RavenRotar for music video intros, Video Interviews, Events and much more 

Help us reach 1k subscribers! 

http://www.youtube.com/c/TimRavenRotar

also on facebook at 

https://www.facebook.com/RavenzCraftArts/

Special Thanks to Angie Zietler for helping out 

RavenzCraft Arts it is much appreciated!

Thank You All Have a Happy New Year !

Interview with Danheim

RavenzCraft Arts Interview with 

Danheim

Danheim is a Nordic folk/Viking inspired project created by a Copenhagen based Danish producer Mike Olsen. A very cool artist with 8 years of experience in electronic and ambient music, focusing on Nordic Folk, and Viking age music and videos with a raw and powerful atmosphere.

1. First things first, I would just like to welcome and thank you for taking the time and talking with us, It is always interesting to get different perspectives and hear the stories and inspirations behind a creator or an artists work. So for the people who may not already know, where are you from?
And can you tell us a little backstory of what Danheim stands for and is about?



Thank you for letting me do this interview.
I am from Denmark, Copenhagen.
The Danheim project started around one year ago. I had a big interest in Nordic Folk music and Viking inspired music, but I was really most interested in the darker and more powerful songs in the genre, but only a few existed.

There were only a couple of producers/bands making this style at that time, so I decided to start producing it myself, simply because I wanted more of it.

The name Danheim comes from Dan (short for Danmark) and Heim (in old Norse meaning Home)
- so you could say it means something like Danish Home or Denmark is my home.

2.I have to say, what you put out and your content is amazing, I really like the feel and style of it , can you tell us a bit about your past? did you have anyone in particular that peaked your interest or inspired you in your early years to become a creator today?

During the past ten years, I've been doing a lot of different things. But for the most part, i've been interested in entrepreneurship and music. I was never really at ease in a normal job, partly because I love to create new things myself but also because I like to learn new things all the time.


I started making music around 2000 or 2001 - it was a bit primitive back then, there weren't a lot of digital tools available, and it took many years of learning, and trying different things before I was satisfied with any of my music. I ended up releasing a couple of CD's around 2007 but nothing really happened after that so I took a long break and started again last year, and since then things have been going really well I think. I have already released two albums and several singles, with two more albums on the way to be released in 2018. If I should mention someone who inspired me to start Danheim, I would say my friends and heilung are very high on that list.

3.If you don't mind sharing do have a certain spiritual following or traditions you practice?

I myself am very interested in the Norse traditions and folklore as well, Im also a researcher of Rune magic and study of the old remedies and practices, do you have interest in this area of study?

My main belief is Asatru, but I'm not that much into practicing it with groups.

Practicing traditions like Blót and other things have always fascinated me, but I've never attended one with a group before, I would like to try it at some point and see if it works for me but I'm a bit private when it comes to that, though I do ask the gods of old for advice often and have friends with the same beliefs and interests. I also like to research Nordic Mythology and Viking history, but I still have a long way to go and many things to learn. I have also recently taken an interest in Norse Galdr and Seiðr which I am slowly beginning to research and learn more about. Ræveðis, from Denmark, is a real talent regarding this and is the one who peaked my interest in it.

4.I want to ask about your merchandise, do you personally create all the artwork as well as create all the video graphics and production? and the music? do you create all this yourself?

All my music is done by myself, except when I collaborate with Sigurboði Grétarsson from Iceland.
He's a great singer, and I think his vocals/voice works really well with my style of music.

I am creating and designing the merchandise designs but I'm not printing and producing it myself, a company in England does that. Most of my videos are made from free movie clips I find on different websites, I then cut and paste and insert some fx and overlays here and there.

5.I see you have a livestream channel on youtube and you allow other artists to submit music to be played? this is a very good idea, can you tell us more about this?

Yes, this is a recent and new project I started about a week ago. I have former experience with internet radios, and created one of Denmarks first internet radio stations, which had some good success back in the day. (where we also played music from upcoming and unsigned artists from around the world)

So naturally my friend came up with the idea one night, and I thought it could work since I didn't find anything similar to it on YouTube. Since starting the radio its been going great and growing every day, and I have just added Eldrim, Neeko Freeman, and many other new artists recently.
It's great to be able to promote other artists, and let listeners find new music at the same time.

That's one of the reason why I really enjoy the Radio platform.
6.Can you tell us any music you are currently a fan of? There are so many great artists out there,
any favorites you are listening to right now?

At this moment I would say that my favorite artists are Eldrim, Heilung, and Wardruna.

But it's a bit limited nowadays of how much I listen since I'm currently working on my two new albums which takes up a lot of my time. I think all of them have their own unique styles and are really talented.

7.So Im not sure how much you have seen of our work with RavenzCraft Arts but we create projects and videos similar to yours and im looking to improve on production and quality, can you tell us about your creative process, like what video programs or software you can suggest to other creators like you and I to start with?

Any new or good equipment you have purchased recently that you enjoy?

I think today's industry standard is something like or similar to Adobe After Effects, but I never really had the time to learn it. It was a bit advanced for me so I quickly gave up on that.
Right now I'm using Magix Movie Maker, which have some good features and is a lot easier to learn. I haven't bought any new video equipment lately, but I am definitely looking for a good video recorder that works in dark conditions and can be used for my future music videos.

- we have a lot of amazing places here in Denmark, which I think would work great in upcoming Danheim music videos.

8.So What are you currently up to? any new events or projects you want to mention that will be coming out soon? can you tell us any details or spill any new news about your upcoming plans that may be exciting to hear about?

Right now I am working on two new albums.
The reason for making two albums at the same time is because I will release them at the same time which might sound a bit weird, but they will be a complete opposite of each other which is think will be very interesting and a breath of fresh air. Making two albums is a lot of work and takes a bit more time but I think it will be worth it in the end for my listeners.

9.So I was wondering , in the future as i know we are all very busy ,,would you be open to collaborating with us, or another artist that matches your genre, in a short project or music video in the future?
We have a few artists in mind that are open as well to creating some type of collaboration work, I think it could lead to something great.

I would definitely be interested in that if I can dig up a little time for it.
I might have to wait till I'm a little further with my new albums though. But I am always interested in new projects and collaborations.

10.In your social media profiles I went back to research, it mentions you have created music for short films and other projects, can you mention a few, or have any that were really fun or your favorites to create with?

I recently produced the soundtrack for a short film called Wolves in Winter, which was a really interesting experience, because most of the film is focusing heavily on dialogue throughout the film, so it was a bit of a challenge, but I also learned a lot from it. The film should be out soon so I'm really looking forward to sharing it and watching the final rendition.

I have two other projects I'm working on but unfortunately, I can't say anything about it yet....

11.So what are you ideal goals with Danheim?

where and how far would you like to take this?

I hope to continue Danheim until the days of old and experiment with new ideas and instruments. Right now I am having a handmade Bowed Lyre (Jouhikko/tagelharpa) made, which I am really looking forward to using in my music, it will be a bit bigger in size and different from normal Bowed Lyres, so i hope and expect to get a deeper and a richer sound out of it which I think will fit really well into my style of music.

12.Ok so this last question is for you to say or mention anything you want to all the fans and supporters out there, any words of advice for upcoming creators out there?

I never expected the all the support I've gotten, and I can't thank you enough for making Danheim go this far, the Viking community is getting stronger and stronger and it gladdens me to be part of it. If I have to give an advice I would say try to create something you really like, don't get too inspired by other artists and just focus and keep doing it. One day the path will lead in the right direction.

Thank you again for taking the time to do this Interview,

I really like your style and the way you present your music and videos and I think you will go far, I encourage you to keep pushing your goals and we all look forward to seeing more and cant wait for the 2 new upcoming Albums!

Follow and support Danheim at these links below:

https://www.facebook.com/DanheimMusic/

http://www.danheimmusic.com/

Also check out this New short Intro Music video we created featuring official music from Danheim!

New music video Intro feat.Danheim

Ravenzcraft Arts supports upcoming artists from all over the world, if you are interested in doing an interview or need help gaining awareness or creating promotional videos we are here to help!

Contact us anytime at this email to set up a presentation:

jax4us2016@gmail.com

YYLVA Interview

RavenzCraft Arts Interview with 

YYLVA

-YYLVA, meaning ‘she-wolf’, is an Atmospheric Black Metal venture created by British artist and songwriter, Clare Webster. 

In a world where traditional heathen and ancestral values are rapidly being lost , YYLVA’s etheric, harp-laden lullabies serve to reconnect us with our fading heritage.

Hello YYLVA it is awesome to finally to talk with you,, 

1. So the first question we have for you is: what brought you into creating music? 
I have done a bit of research and it seems you have taken quite a bit of time and effort put into all this, you already have created something amazing. Was there anyone that you looked up to or encouraged you to pursue a musical career?

Unfortunately, it's very hard for me to pinpoint when I decided I wanted to become a musician. I was brought up in a family that, although were not musicians themselves, had a strong passion for music and when I started to demonstrate the ability to sing and play the piano as a child, I was always encouraged. It wasn't until the age of around 11 that I started to listen to rock and metal music that I suddenly decided to develop more of an interest in it in general. By the age of 13, I had discovered how music could really touch the depths of your soul with it's raw emotion in acts such as Nirvana, which was what inspired me to start to learn to play the guitar, write my own music and perform in bands from the age of 14. Since then, although my music tastes have changed somewhat and continue to do so, the sentiment that music is the perfect form of expression; which can be overwhelmingly haunting and beautiful, has

always been at the core of everything I create.

2. So, we know that you have worked with Edenfall, another great band out
there, can you tell us a bit about YYLVA: who is involved and what it is
about? For example, YYLVA is meant to mean "she-wolf", correct? What is
the story or expression YYLVA is bringing?








YYLVA is currently a solo project; I have written all of the music and the lyrics for my debut album 'The Wood Beyond the World', although the release does feature guest musicians: Rob George (guitar) and Sean Brazil (bass guitar and violin) who are both members of my other project, Edenfall. I intend to keep it a
solo project for the time being, although I am currently working on a live line-up as I am looking to start gigging once the debut album is released, so who knows what the future holds! 



Yes, you are correct: YYLVA is a play on an old Swedish name meaning 'she-wolf' or 'female wolf'. Like many other magically minded folk, I have a deep fascination with wolves; they are very misunderstood creatures an in spite of it's fierce reputation, it is a shy, intelligent and elusive creature. I feel that, like wolves,
being misunderstood is a hardship that many cunning folk endure. I recently read an extract from 'A Sand County Almanac', a book written by 20th Century American ecologist, forester and environmentalist Aldo Leopold where he wrote
an evocative account of an encounter with a wolf he shot:

"We reached the old wolf in time to watch a fierce green fire dying in her eyes. I realized then, and have known ever since, that there was something new to me in those eyes - something known only to her and to the mountain. I was young then, and full of trigger-itch; I thought that because fewer wolves meant more deer, that no wolves would mean hunters' paradise. But after seeing the green fire die,I sensed that neither the wolf nor the mountain agreed with such a view."


Lyrically, this project covers many themes including heritage, history, mythology and folklore but instead of trying to analyze all of the concepts I cover, I prefer to leave it to the listener to take what they will. However, one thing I will say is that everything I write about leads back to my undying love for nature and the overwhelming sense of awe I feel every time I immerse myself within it; it is a sense of being that I am unable to formulate into words.



3. I know from personal experience that in this industry everyone in some way or the other has encountered criticism and hardship. Can you describe a time when your work was criticized and how did you handle it? Any advice for others on how to handle this?




I have received some criticism for music projects that I have been involved with before, but to be truthful, I think it is something that every musician faces; at the end of the day, it's impossible to please anyone and there is always going to be someone that isn't all that enthralled by your music. Critique can be good and
can help you to grow as a musician in some areas, in which case it is welcome more often than not. Luckily, I've never received any truly horrible or nasty comments and my music has always been more or less favored by the public.


A common remark that I have heard quite often with performing with Edenfall, especially whilst performing live, is that I don't interact with or warm the audience up enough. I can certainly understand why this point has been made a few times as we are quite often placed on gig line-ups with other very energetic
female-fronted metal bands and to some extent, this is what people come to expect, even if you are a miserable gothic doom metal band! However, we always try to be a little bit different and we tend to find that we always seem to stand out a little differently, genre wise, no matter what kind of gig we play (whether it be symphonic metal or extreme metal) and this seems to split opinions quite
often.

With YYLVA, people have been very receptive and positive towards my music so

far, although I did receive quite a long comment picking holes in my approach to

black metal from an elitist in a Facebook group recently. I am very intrigued to see when the album is released what sort of comments I am likely to receive, especially after the stir that Myrkur has caused in the black metal community in recent years. We shall certainly see what the future holds, but whatever comes forward will be taken lightly; at the end of the day you just have to remember that you can't please everyone and sometimes, unfortunately, you do come across the odd arsehole!

4. I see some very good potential and originality with you. What do you believe sets you apart from other artists? What do you want people to think about when they hear your music?




I think I'm going to find it very hard to answer this question fully as I write from a place so deep, that trying to explain what my music is all about is extremely hard to put into words and to explain. However, I will begin by introducing you to the following Welsh term that you may have already seen used by me fairly regularly: Hiraeth: a homesickness for a place you can never return to, a place which maybe never was; the nostalgia, the yearning, the grief for the lost places of your past.


Other similar words include the Portugese 'saudade' and the Romanian 'dor' which all carry more or less the same, almost inexplicable meaning. I share a lot of the same views as the Romantics and a a result of this, the work of writers such as Byron, W.B Yeats and Wilde greatly inspire me as does the visual work of the Pre-Raphaelites. I abhor the structure of the modern world and modern thinking; particularly our disregard for the natural world, it often fills me with an overwhelming sense of sadness and melancholy. Too many people don't seem to take the time to really appreciate the beauty and power of nature, it is too easily bypassed in our materialistic, consumerist society. I guess, to summarize, I use my music to communicate my love for nature and I hope that people will connect with this sentiment and hopefully, in someway, awaken their consciousness whilst listening. As John Ruskin put it so aptly:
"Go to nature in all singleness of heart, and walk with her laboriously and trustingly, having no other thought but how best to penetrate her meaning; rejecting nothing, selecting nothing and scorning nothing."


Although I understand that my influences and subject matter is quite a common theme to explore in Atmospheric Black Metal, I think what undoubtedly sets me apart from other bands within this genre is my inclusion of the harp. I have noticed the instrument used very sparingly in a few projects, such as Wolves in the Throne Room's recent release, 'Thrice Woven', but as far as I am aware, I am the first artist in this scene to use it as a primary instrument. However, I do think that it's enchanting sound is perfectly suited for this genre of music; it's tone and resonance has an ethereal quality that purges the soul like no other instrument.

5. I always have seen music as a major form of magic, and an art of passion within the soul. Do you think being an artist/musician changed your life for
the better? How has it brought you from a regular person into the great musician you are today?





I have always connected with music on a much deeper level than any other art form; it's the most beautiful and expressive form of creativity. All of my favorite artist's have had some profound effect on me, but I have also found that writing your own music can completely awash you with healing and clarity, particularly
over recent months. In all honesty, it's ridiculously hard for me to try and explain what I mean by this without bursting into tears; just over six months ago I was involved in a fatal car collision and the past few months have been absolute hell,
to put it bluntly. Perhaps I will go into the details of exactly what happened at some point in the future, but the trauma is still very raw and it still hurts too much to try and tell my story. However, this experience has changed me; I'm much more aware of the fragility of life, I've experienced emotions that I didn't
even know existed, but most of all, I am more aware; I feel everything much more deeply, especially love. 

I often find myself lost in moments now, where I'm in complete awe at the beauty all around me but it's such a bittersweet feeling; everything is touched with melancholy, for some benign reason. As the accident happened half way through writing 'The Wood Beyond the World', I completely threw myself into it's creation and hurled these new-found emotions into it and as a result, I feel I have written like never before. At times, it often feels like I'm experiencing an epiphany whilst I'm writing; I'll be composing something on the harp or I'll be writing out some lyrics and after being so completely and utterly immersed in it, I'll feel a release. I strongly believe that dedicating all of this time
to writing is healing me more than anything else: yes, it's difficult; it can be emotionally unbearable at times. But it's so worth it; it's so, so worth it!




6. So, just curious, do you have a certain spiritual following? 
Can you share with us what path you connect with? And, do you have any interest in magic and or witchcraft? If so, I know a few people you may be interested in....




Spirituality has a big role to play in my music, as well as my personal life. I personally practice elements of Traditional Witchcraft and Shamanism;
everything that is incorporated in my weaving is solely nature based hedge-witchery. For those unfamiliar with the term, a hedge witch derives from the Anglo-Saxon term 'haegtessa' which means hedge-rider; traditionally wise women or healers used to live within or on the edge of a forest which used to be
seen as very mysterious, full of magic and wonder. Essentially, the term refers to someone who lives on the edge between the two worlds; this physical plane and the spirit world beyond it. 


Although I do some healing and divination work, the
majority of my recent work revolves around working with spirit; I spend a lot of time astral travelling during meditations and also work a lot with elemental energies, or nature spirits. My family roots can be traced back to the 13th century in Northern England and with a strong Anglo-Saxon and Danish heritage,
this greatly influences the type of work I practice and what I follow; after all, it's what flows through my veins.

7. So, we want to know about what you like? What music do you listen to today? And, if you are comfortable, what music did you listen to as a child?







Musically, I am influenced by a variety of different acts and musicians but these days I listen to an awful lot of black and doom metal as well as a wealth of neo/dark folk, ambient and traditional / medieval music. There have been a few albums that I listened to an awful lot whilst writing music for 'The Wood Beyond the World' which have given me an ocean of inspiration:
Empyrium - 
Songs of Moors and Misty Fields
Agalloch - Pale Folklore
Elderwind - The Magic of Nature
Wolves in the Throne Room - Two Hunters
Dead Can Dance - Within the Realm of a Dying Sun
Alcest - Souvenirs d'une Autre Monde

I'm afraid to say that my musical taste as a child was quite embarrassing! The first CD I ever purchased was the Michael Jackson's single 'Earth Song' though; I find that to be quite profound as the sentiment behind that particular song still resonates a lot with me 20 years later.




8. So, my goal with RavenzCraft Arts is to help upcoming artists like yourself gain awareness and connect with fans and other artists that may be looking to collaborate or create future projects. Would you be interested in doing any future projects with other artists or video series creations? If possible, which artists would you dream of collaborating with?




As I’ve already mentioned in my previous question, there are quite a few artists that have inspired me along the way and there is probably too many to even mention that I’d love to collaborate with! However, one musician who I’ve been following for over ten years now Schwadorf (Markus Stock) of Empyrium, The
Vision Bleak and Sun of the Sleepless. After reading a lot of his lyrics, we seem to have a very similar, if morbidly poetic, outlook on the world and I’d be very intrigued to see what magic could be created!



Another artist who blows me away every time I’ve witnessed a live performance by him is Einar Selvik of Wardruna. He put’s so much energy and fire into his music; he’s another one it would be a dream to collaborate with. Thinking more realistically, there are a couple of bands and musicians here in the UK that I know personally and whom I’d love to work with in some way or
another including Old Corpse Road, Aklash, Winterfylleth and Wolcensmen.

9.So Do you have a bucket list? What are the things you want to experience and do in your life?


If I’m honest, the majority of the things that I want to do, see and experience before I die are music related and along with the stereotypical things such as
touring the globe, playing at festivals and having the opportunity to support and meet some of my idols, there are also a few other specific things; some of which I’ve already started working towards.


For a while now, I’ve been longing for atmospheric events such as Prophecy Fest in Balve Cave, Germany and Dark Bombastic Evening at a fortress in Romania to happen over here in the UK. I think there would be something mightily special
about having some incredibly deep and spiritual music performed live in atmospheric or historic venues such as churches, caves, crypts etc. I’m currently in the early stages of planning an event or two along these lines in the UK for the end of next year hopefully, so stay tuned! After playing the harp for the past four years.

 I also recently decided it’s time to start learning a new instrument and after purchasing a cello, aptly named ‘Black Phillip’ after the demonic goat in the film The VVitch, I’ve decided to finally start
to learn this instrument. Also, even though I’m still adding the finishing touches to my debut album, I’ve already started to gather ideas for my next release and I’m currently looking into an artist residency in the heart of the Gloucestershire
countryside for next Spring so I can make some headway on song writing in beautiful surroundings and away from the dirge of civilization...






10. I noticed with your new upcoming album "The Wood Beyond The World" you are recording and filming in a few very cool looking places: Can you tell us a bit about the places you are visiting and possibly leak a little more info about this project?

As a lot of my inspiration comes from the landscape, nature and history that I dwell in on a day-to-day basis, I have really wanted to include some of these beautiful spots within my work. As I believe I stated in one of my earlier questions, I have a great connection towards the land and to the spirits that
dwell herein so I only felt it right to showcase some of these magical places. 

I’ve noticed that within the black metal scene and in a lot of today’s dark / pagan folk music, there is especially an awful lot of focus on Scandinavian and Norse landscapes and heritage etc; whilst I find it beautiful, I personally wanted to promote some of the rich history that we have over in the UK that I think to some
extent, is sometimes forgotten about.



One particular place that has already been quite heavily featured in my work; both in promotional images and which will also be featured in an upcoming music video for ‘A Sidhe in Throes’, is the Rollright Stones in Oxfordshire, England. I think I can safely say that this is my most favorite place in this world; I dreamt of this place before I even knew of it’s existence. Words cannot even
describe the sense of ‘home’ I feel within the circle, I feel as though I am part of the landscape; at one in the sacred grove. The Rollrights are a Neolithic site, consisting of a stone circle called The Kings Men, a dolmen named the Whispering Knights and The King Stone; a single standing stone and has been
used as a magical site over it’s 3000+ year existence. 
I could be here all day speaking of them, but more information can be found about it here:
http://www.rollrightstones.co.uk/


I have also been very lucky to film a live recording of one of my songs at Guy’s Cliffe in Warwickshire, UK; a stunning ruin set along the banks of the River Avon with a hermit’s cave, hidden lore, ancient springs and forgotten rites. 
There are many other places that I am currently looking into working with, perhaps a year from now you can expect some atmospheric performances in a crypt or two...

11.So the last question is open for you: Is there anything you want to mention or say? Any advice or words of wisdom for the other upcoming artists and creators out there?







Have I not already said enough?!
No, I would really like to thank you Tim of RavenzCraft Arts for giving me the opportunity to vent and pour my feelings out into this interview, the support is very much appreciated!
Please do check out my website at 
https://www.yylva-official.co.uk/ if you would like to find out more and please don’t forget to check out some of the other very talented musicians mentioned above!

Well I have to say that this was a very good interview, I thank you for being so open and letting us get to know you, I actually really enjoyed reading your answers and its funny you mention you were inspired by Aldo Leopold because I actually live very close to his settlement on the Wisconsin river and have visited his shack and land before..funny how all these little things can inspire and connect us, while we are still so physically far away from each other..

Thank you so much 

-Tim RavenRotar

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