So some of you know this but many of you don't. Effective immediately, I (Neil) will be resigning my vocal post to focus solely on guitars. Julie Schultz (ex-
Vile Red) has graciously accepted the band's offer to join as primary vocalist. Her debut show will be at
Station 4, Friday August 31st with our longtime friends in
Necromis,
Mors Mortis Machinatio, and
Dying Euforia.
It goes without saying that this will represent a marked change in the sound of Cwn Annwn. Most people that we've been talked to are overwhelmingly excited to hear it, but we've had a number of questions that I'd like to try and answer.
Why?Really at the heart of it, the chance to add of a vocalist of Julie's caliber was too good to pass up. We weren't looking to add a singer, but without going into long rambling stories, it just kind of happened. While I've worked and trained diligently over the years to become the best singer I can, the fact is, from a talent standpoint, I will always be limited by the fact that singing for me is a learned rather than natural ability, and as my writing becomes more demanding, especially live, it becomes impossible for me to express the subtle nuances I'm trying to put forward.
Why a female singer?Honestly, her chromosomal makeup had a
lot less to do with it than you would think or believe. The voice fits the music perfectly, and she understands the complexities and details that we're trying to put forward in our music. While it's obviously a different sound, it was a minimal factor in our decision making.
Does this mean you guys are changing your sound?No. We are not discarding
any of our back catalog (at least that we wouldn't have dropped anyway regardless of vocalists changing.) We continue to write songs in the same way that has been successful for us for years. While we're not blind to the fact that this will result in a different sound for past, present, and future songs, our approach, philosophy, and direction with everything we do will remain unchanged. Besides, due to the fact that she's not biologically Klingon, Mike & I will still be singing backups and parts of certain songs.
What will it sound like?It will sound like Cwn Annwn as you've known, loved, and hated it, though I urge you all to check out Julie's old band Vile Red (
click here to check out their Myspace page with their old music) if you want to get a sense of where it's going. If anything, now that I can concentrate on guitar and not worry about singing, I expect the live show to become even better.
So what are your future plans?We hope to get our feet wet with a couple shows late in summer and fall, and head to the studio to record some new material, eyeing an early 2008 release. Our shows will likely be on the same track they've been this year -- somewhat limited in the Twin Cities with a little more out of town focus. Pretty much the same as what we were planning before.
When can I catch this?Visual Addiction &
Nightshade Music PresentsCwn Annwn - new singer debut
with:
NecromisMors Mortis MachinatioDying EuforiaStation 4 (The best fucking rock club in town) - Friday August 31st - $6 cover - 21+ - 8 pm doors
Everyone who walks through the door has a chance to win a $100 ticket to
Visual Addiction Tattoos through a drawing at the end of the night.
We appreciate all of your love and support, and we can't wait to share this with you all. Anybody who's resistant, I understand, but it will be so painstakingly obvious after this show why we've made this decision. Trust us, you will be pleasantly surprised!
Neil