Neon Oracle, a genre-defying band led by Samantha Belle Raee, melds metal, electronic, and experimental influences. With a dynamic lineup and unique collaborations, their debut EP promises a chaotic journey exploring the violent nature of mankind. "Daughters of Hecate," a dark anthem, sets the stage for a sonic exploration of history, war, lust, and the unpredictable human species. Get ready for Neon Oracle, the sonic hooligans shaping a distinct path in the music scene.
1. Who
are the band members and what do they play?
The band
members are Samantha Belle Raee (Vocals, song writer and electronic producer)
Brandon Kelly (Guitars) Alex Harris (Guitars) Ben Parkins (Bass guitar) Andy
Roberts (Drums).
2. How and where did you get together as a band?
The band
came together when I, Sam, put out ads across various social media platforms.
Brandon and Ben arriving first, followed later in the year by Alex and finally
Andy.
3. What are the band's main musical influences, and how do these diverse
influences contribute to your sound?
We have an
insane combination of influences. Blending old school metal, experimental
guitars, groove laden basslines and a frantic mixture of breakbeats, dubstep,
drum and bass and hard metal drums. I offer up a range of vocals from clean,
operatic, scream and increasingly haunted wails. We like to think we are
unpinable as a genre.
4. Have you played any notable gigs, festivals, or events? Any memorable
moments from your live performances so far?
We are
relativley fresh out of the stalls, with only a couple of shows under our belt
so far. Our debut gig was at Merseysides prestigious 'Future Yard', followed by
underground favourite 'Quarry, over in Liverpool. We have a number of exciting
gigs lined up in 2024 though!
5. Tell us about your collaboration with UK producer Alex Headen, known for
drumming through a stroke. How has this unique experience influenced your
music?
I heard about Alex Headen and his crazy accident through my friends on the scene. He had suffered a stroke mid set, live on stage. He actually finished the song he was playing, albeit with one arm! When I heard he had recovered from his stroke only to throw himself straight into university to learn music production, I admired his tanacity and knew I wanted to have a meeting with him. Chemistry is really important in a musical work environment, and I knew Alex and myself were going to make a great team as soon as we met. He actually recieved his masters while he was working on my solo project in 2023! Alex brought his humour, his keen ear, his attention to detail and his broad taste in music to the table. He's been the perfect team mate for us as we take our first steps into recording.
6. The project is being mastered by the legendary producer Machine from Texas. How did this collaboration come about, and what impact has his expertise had on your recording process?
When I
asked Headen who we could potentially have master the project he practically
bit my hand in excitement. He'd admired the work of legendary Texas producer,
Machine, for many years. Machine has worked with the likes of White Zombie,
Lamb of God, Coal Chamber, Ozzy etc. We reached out to him and after doing some
reasearch on us, Machine decided he liked the sound of the Neon project, and he
jumped onboard. It made every single one of us step up our game, by 200%
7. As a new band, do you have any interesting or amusing anecdotes from your
journey that you'd like to share with your fans?
We already
have an array of ridiculous stories from our time together, you must bear in
mind, Im a tattoo artist, Brandon is an astro physicist, Ben is a computer
expert, Alex is a careworker and Andy is in construction. We are literally the
village people lol. You could not craft a weirder combination of people, and by
some insane miracle, we all really get on. I can only imagine the crazy stories
we'll gather over the course of time.
8. Do you have any favorite quotes from upcoming reviews of your music that
you can give us a sneak peek into?
This will
be our first batch of reviews, we are excited to see what the music press think
of us. We really are trying to bring something new to the scene.
9. Where was your single recorded, and who was involved in its production?
This single
was recorded at the Liverpool music university studios. An absolutely beautiful
facility. Recorded and mixed by Headen. Co produced by Headen and myself.
10. Is there a particular ethos behind your debut EP, and how did the band's
diverse musical backgrounds contribute to its creation?
Theres no real ethos behind 'Hecate' other than the band wanting to build on the already intense electronic track I had built. The boys locked in on the feel, the theme the menace that I wanted the song to have. As our first official single, it involved a lot of growth and stratagizing between us. When we went in recently to record our upcoming EP, we could see how 'Hecate' had paved the way. It really was a learning experience for us. We will always love it for that reason.
11. Can you briefly describe the theme or inspiration behind your single "Daughters of Hecate," and how it fits into your overall musical narrative?
Daughters
of Hecate, is about the rage of women. Its about our heritage of magic,
mystisism, power, and about how the world has forgotten how powerful we still
are. Its a dark and menacing reminder to all, that we are the Daughters of
Witches, Oracles, Priestesses, Queens and Empresses, underestimate us at your
peril.
12. Were there any notable or amusing incidents during the recording or
production of the EP that you would like to share with your audience?
This track
was a difficult birth haha. Brandon brought the wrong guitar with him, Sam had
mild food poisoning, and because Alex joined later on we had to graft his parts
in 3 months after recording. We were really glad when it was finally boxed off.
There was a lot of blood sweat and tears shed over this song lol.
13. How does "Daughters of Hecate" reflect the band's style and the
journey you've undertaken together so far?
We were
still pulling in our influences for this track as we were building it. I was
still developing my vocals in new directions, Ben was still finding his
identity in a genre he'd not really worked in before. Brandon ploughed on
regardless, nobodies ever telling that boy who he is or isnt haha. Brandon just
Brandoned. Alex wrote some beautiful parts for this track, but because of his
late arrival they are set back in the mix. You will be hearing a lot more of
his amazing work, more prominently in our upcoming EP 'A history of violence'.
Out in May 2024.
14. What can fans expect from your upcoming debut EP, and how does it build
upon the foundation laid by "Daughters of Hecate"?
The EP is going to be a very different beast. Still staying with our trademark genre bending antics, Violence will be a chaotic journey. 5 tracks, all about the violent natire of mankind, in various guises. 'Hacate' is the smell of gunpowder smoke on the wind, 'Violence' is coming!
15. Finally, Samantha mentioned that "Hecate is a shot across the bow of
what's to come." Can you elaborate on what fans can anticipate from your
future releases and the unique elements that will set Neon Oracle apart in the
music scene?
'A history of violence' is a visceral landscape of noise and blood and broken
bones. A journey through history, the legacy of mankind. War, lust, rage,
family, ancient worlds and the flaming future ahead. We are sonic hooligans,
dragging you through portals in time and space, cooly observing the dangerous
and unpredictable species that is Mankind. There are acts that we could stand
next to proudly, but there aint no one like Neon Oracle.
Neon oracle official (@neonoracleofficial) • Photos et vidéos Instagram
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