METAL MAIDEN OF THE MONTH
JANUARY 2010
VARASKA
The
Metal Pit's "MAIDEN" of the month for January 2010 :
Varaska.....drummer for the Russian band Blackthorn.
Varaska is a young lady who plays drums for the very unique and talented Russian band Blackthorn and she was kind enough to spend some time with us today here on the Metal Pit.
Name : Varaska
Age: 22
Home : Moscow, Russia
Band Myspace: www.myspace.com/blackthornian
Varaska.....drummer for the Russian band Blackthorn.
Varaska is a young lady who plays drums for the very unique and talented Russian band Blackthorn and she was kind enough to spend some time with us today here on the Metal Pit.
Name : Varaska
Age: 22
Home : Moscow, Russia
Band Myspace: www.myspace.com/blackthornian
Metal Pit : Hello Varaska and welcome to the Metal Pit.
Varaska: Hi! I’m glad to be here!
Metal Pit : You replaced the original drummer for Blackthorn within the last year,can you tell us how you came to meet the other ladies in the band?
Varaska:It was just the question of time. Because the best female metal band in Russia and the best Russian drummer girl find each other in any case:)
Metal Pit: Has the transition of playing with a new band been a smooth one and have the other ladies been supportive of you?
Varaska: Yes, I just come and start to play. Girls were shocked and they liked the way I do it.
Metal Pit: Had you been a fan of their music before auditioning as their drummer?
Varaska: My boyfriend was. He is a musician too. He played one concert with them as a session bass guitarist and then showed me the band and recommended to become their drummer.
Metal Pit : Blackthorn is a very unique
band for a number of reasons, their music, the fact that they are all women and
also that they are "witches". Are you a witch as well?
Varaska: Yes, but don’t forget that all the previous drummers were men. So I have brought some kind of uniqueness too)) I didn’t ever study any witchcraft, but I think I am some kind of witch
Metal Pit : In your opinion, how do the band's beliefs impact the lyrical content of the songs written?
Varaska: What do you mean by “how”? They do have an impact as all our songs are about it or related to it.
Metal Pit: I know you did not actually participate in recording the cd but was it difficult for you to learn all the songs and is your drumming style different than the previous drummer?
Varaska: My style is absolutely different. Everyone could hear it on our next albums! Before Blackthorn I played in many bands, I also play in another band, it’s black metal smth like Emperor’s style. Was it difficult? It took me about half a day to learn all songs.
Metal Pit: Can you tell us a little about the other ladies in the band?
Varaska: They are very nice! And Aina’s vocal is very pleasant!
Metal Pit: The band's current cd is called "Gossamer Witchcraft", unfortunatley it is not quite available to everyone, can you tell us when we will be able to buy the cd?
Varaska: You can purchase it direclty on Ravenheart Records website.
Metal Pit: How would you describe Blackthorn's music to someone who had not heard of the band?
Varaska: It’s a sympho-metal with cool guitar riffs and many keyboards, with texts related to withcraft. But you can append this texts to the real life and emotions. And the pearl of this music is Aina’s vocal!
Metal Pit: What is the Metal scene like in Russia today and how do you think the future looks for new Metal in your homeland?
Varaska: Deficiencies in an effort organizers make a profit, and not make a good concert, and in bad publicity and its design, and in bad selection of teams for the concert, in the desire of many groups to copy someone; in the desire of groups to act quickly, not yet learned how to play should be, both individually and collectively, the inadequate technical equipment of clubs (in the province fared worse) in the insolvency of the majority of professional organizers, promoters, technical stuff of the concert stage, and many others, one way or another related to the activities, whether that so far Russia's society, unlike the European, not being able to adequately perceive the informal young people; of widespread alcoholism of most musicians and listeners, in Moscow there is an additional problem of being too spoiled the public, as well as the frustration of some of its parts in relation the reasons described above. Purchase tickets, fees for concerts, extortion and high fees for articles in magazines and Internet portals, when the magazine is the one who has the money, although his group does not represent from itself. Look through modern russian rock or gothic magazine and you will see everything yourself, if sufficient expertise in contemporary music and its representatives. In general, there are many problems, I'll repeat that, in general, they are as unprofessional and wrong approach to business. Progress is being made, but not much. In recent years we have more interesting groups, with interesting stuff and good performance, though, on the other hand there are many specific copiers under foreign commands (such a phenomenon particularly prevalent in the melodic death and various "cores")
Metal Pit: Does the band have any plans for a major tour once the cd becomes available to everyone?
Varaska:It will be great but I don’t know when it will happen.
Metal Pit: How did you get started playing the drums?
Varaska: I grew up in a small town where there was nothing to do. I was 14 years old when I started as a back vocalist in one of a few bands there. Then the drummer of that band left them and I tried to take his place and it was successful! When I become 18 y.o. I went to Moscow, because there were no perspectives for musicians in that small town. And after one or two years of searching, I found two main bands for me (“Sinister Frost” and “Blackthorn”) and found my friends forever (they are bands of my boyfriend, “Esgharioth” and “SWORN”, they are all really nice boys). We often meet each other and play at the same rehearsal place.
Metal Pit: Does your family support what you are doing?
Varaska: I have mother and sister and they support me and what I do, but they live far from Moscow and here I can only rely upon myself and my friends.
Metal Pit: Who are some other drummers in metal you look up to and what have you learned from them that you can apply to your own playing?
Varaska:Derek Roddy, Landryx from Unexpect, Trym from Emperor, Nick Barker, Bobby Jarzombek, Asgeir Mickelson, Bill Ward… I often watch and listen to their playing and take some tricks to my arsenal.
Metal Pit: What about some of your favorite Metal bands, who are you listening to at the moment?
Varaska:Of course Unexpect! And some others, such as Emperor, Spiral Architect, Ihsahn, Esgharioth, My Dying Bride, Anathema, Slumber, Aghora, Sinister Frost, Tool, Mastodon, To-Mera, Katatonia, Ajatarra, Sculptured, etc.
Metal Pit: What kind of gear do you use and why?
Varaska: My double pedal is Axis longboard, my drums and snare – Pearl, my cymbals are Sabian, but I like Paiste as well and maybe I will change my set for Paiste. I use accessories from Axis, Paiste and DW.
Metal Pit: Since you are key to the rhythm section of the band, how is your relationship with Greta the bass player and do the two of you work well together?
Varaska: It is a complex question. Our relationships are in norm, both of us are in Blackthorn not for a long time and we haven’t achieved harmony in work yet. I think there must be much groove in her playing.
Metal Pit: Women in Metal seem to be finally getting the respect they deserve after all the years, do you agree with that?
Varaska: Certainly, I agree.
Metal Pit: Being a woman in a Metal band yourself, do you feel you have had to work harder to prove yourself to some of the doubters out there?
Varaska: I do the same that men do, but men don’t ever tell anyone about is it hard or not. I don’t try to prove something to someone, I like drums and I just play. If it’s hard so maybe it’s not for you and you should try something else. Is it hard or not depends on a person I think.
Metal Pit: I know you have not been in the band for very long but have you had a chance to play live with the Blackthorn yet?
Varaska: The number of concert doesn’t matter, I had a lot of practice with other bands. But there already were some performances of Blackthorn with my participation.
Metal Pit: If money were no object where is a place you would love to play live someday and what band would you like to share the stage with?
Varaska: On Wacken festival with Emperor and Unexpect!!!
Metal Pit: When you are not pounding on the drums what other kinds of things do you enjoy doing?
Varaska: I like to play bass guitar with bow and e-bow, make some Japan dishes. And I like to spend time with my boyfriend also. The rest of time every day we do something at our rehearsal place and our pastime is related with music somehow. Except of all I’m a braidmaster, manicurist, lashmaker and sew corsets!
Metal Pit: I am sure there are young women out there who admire what you are doing and may want to follow in your footsteps someday, what advice would you give to them?
Varaska: You must forget about anything, overcome yourself and all the sickness you have. You must forget all your glamour! And practice every day and every free moment. Only then you have a chance to reach something.
Metal Pit: Is there anything about yourself or the band you would
like to add to this interview?
Varaska: For girls who want to become a drummer. If you really want it, and not just “tuka-tuka, oh, it’s cool”, you must forget about everything. And if the question is for example “relationships or drums”, you must choose drums, in other case it’s no use trying. And if you have free time to play and any other opportunities – use them, don’t waste chances! Here, in Russia, I spend more than 90% of my free time to get money for living, and then the money I need for drums, studying drums, buying drums and accessories for drums, rehearsals, concerts, and so on. It is very difficult to be a metal musician here. The wages are low but the prices aren’t. And after all you have only just a little to spend for music. I hope it will be easier for you than for me.
Metal Pit: What does it mean to you to be chosen as the "Metal Pit's Maiden of the month?
Varaska: I was surprised!
Metal Pit: Varaska, on behalf of myself and the Metal Pit we want to thank you very much for spending time with us today. I have had the privelage of speaking with the ladies of Blackthorn before and they are not only great musicians but also wonderful people as well. I am sure you will be very happy in the Blackthorn family and I wish you and the rest of the band the best of luck in 2010 and beyond.
Horns up brothers and sisters....
Nick Rohm.
Varaska: Hi! I’m glad to be here!
Metal Pit : You replaced the original drummer for Blackthorn within the last year,can you tell us how you came to meet the other ladies in the band?
Varaska:It was just the question of time. Because the best female metal band in Russia and the best Russian drummer girl find each other in any case:)
Metal Pit: Has the transition of playing with a new band been a smooth one and have the other ladies been supportive of you?
Varaska: Yes, I just come and start to play. Girls were shocked and they liked the way I do it.
Metal Pit: Had you been a fan of their music before auditioning as their drummer?
Varaska: My boyfriend was. He is a musician too. He played one concert with them as a session bass guitarist and then showed me the band and recommended to become their drummer.
Metal Pit : Blackthorn is a very unique
band for a number of reasons, their music, the fact that they are all women and
also that they are "witches". Are you a witch as well?Varaska: Yes, but don’t forget that all the previous drummers were men. So I have brought some kind of uniqueness too)) I didn’t ever study any witchcraft, but I think I am some kind of witch
Metal Pit : In your opinion, how do the band's beliefs impact the lyrical content of the songs written?
Varaska: What do you mean by “how”? They do have an impact as all our songs are about it or related to it.
Metal Pit: I know you did not actually participate in recording the cd but was it difficult for you to learn all the songs and is your drumming style different than the previous drummer?
Varaska: My style is absolutely different. Everyone could hear it on our next albums! Before Blackthorn I played in many bands, I also play in another band, it’s black metal smth like Emperor’s style. Was it difficult? It took me about half a day to learn all songs.
Metal Pit: Can you tell us a little about the other ladies in the band?
Varaska: They are very nice! And Aina’s vocal is very pleasant!
Metal Pit: The band's current cd is called "Gossamer Witchcraft", unfortunatley it is not quite available to everyone, can you tell us when we will be able to buy the cd?
Varaska: You can purchase it direclty on Ravenheart Records website.
Metal Pit: How would you describe Blackthorn's music to someone who had not heard of the band?
Varaska: It’s a sympho-metal with cool guitar riffs and many keyboards, with texts related to withcraft. But you can append this texts to the real life and emotions. And the pearl of this music is Aina’s vocal!
Metal Pit: What is the Metal scene like in Russia today and how do you think the future looks for new Metal in your homeland?
Varaska: Deficiencies in an effort organizers make a profit, and not make a good concert, and in bad publicity and its design, and in bad selection of teams for the concert, in the desire of many groups to copy someone; in the desire of groups to act quickly, not yet learned how to play should be, both individually and collectively, the inadequate technical equipment of clubs (in the province fared worse) in the insolvency of the majority of professional organizers, promoters, technical stuff of the concert stage, and many others, one way or another related to the activities, whether that so far Russia's society, unlike the European, not being able to adequately perceive the informal young people; of widespread alcoholism of most musicians and listeners, in Moscow there is an additional problem of being too spoiled the public, as well as the frustration of some of its parts in relation the reasons described above. Purchase tickets, fees for concerts, extortion and high fees for articles in magazines and Internet portals, when the magazine is the one who has the money, although his group does not represent from itself. Look through modern russian rock or gothic magazine and you will see everything yourself, if sufficient expertise in contemporary music and its representatives. In general, there are many problems, I'll repeat that, in general, they are as unprofessional and wrong approach to business. Progress is being made, but not much. In recent years we have more interesting groups, with interesting stuff and good performance, though, on the other hand there are many specific copiers under foreign commands (such a phenomenon particularly prevalent in the melodic death and various "cores")
Metal Pit: Does the band have any plans for a major tour once the cd becomes available to everyone?
Varaska:It will be great but I don’t know when it will happen.
Metal Pit: How did you get started playing the drums?Varaska: I grew up in a small town where there was nothing to do. I was 14 years old when I started as a back vocalist in one of a few bands there. Then the drummer of that band left them and I tried to take his place and it was successful! When I become 18 y.o. I went to Moscow, because there were no perspectives for musicians in that small town. And after one or two years of searching, I found two main bands for me (“Sinister Frost” and “Blackthorn”) and found my friends forever (they are bands of my boyfriend, “Esgharioth” and “SWORN”, they are all really nice boys). We often meet each other and play at the same rehearsal place.
Metal Pit: Does your family support what you are doing?
Varaska: I have mother and sister and they support me and what I do, but they live far from Moscow and here I can only rely upon myself and my friends.
Metal Pit: Who are some other drummers in metal you look up to and what have you learned from them that you can apply to your own playing?
Varaska:Derek Roddy, Landryx from Unexpect, Trym from Emperor, Nick Barker, Bobby Jarzombek, Asgeir Mickelson, Bill Ward… I often watch and listen to their playing and take some tricks to my arsenal.
Metal Pit: What about some of your favorite Metal bands, who are you listening to at the moment?
Varaska:Of course Unexpect! And some others, such as Emperor, Spiral Architect, Ihsahn, Esgharioth, My Dying Bride, Anathema, Slumber, Aghora, Sinister Frost, Tool, Mastodon, To-Mera, Katatonia, Ajatarra, Sculptured, etc.
Metal Pit: What kind of gear do you use and why?
Varaska: My double pedal is Axis longboard, my drums and snare – Pearl, my cymbals are Sabian, but I like Paiste as well and maybe I will change my set for Paiste. I use accessories from Axis, Paiste and DW.
Metal Pit: Since you are key to the rhythm section of the band, how is your relationship with Greta the bass player and do the two of you work well together?
Varaska: It is a complex question. Our relationships are in norm, both of us are in Blackthorn not for a long time and we haven’t achieved harmony in work yet. I think there must be much groove in her playing.
Metal Pit: Women in Metal seem to be finally getting the respect they deserve after all the years, do you agree with that?
Varaska: Certainly, I agree.
Metal Pit: Being a woman in a Metal band yourself, do you feel you have had to work harder to prove yourself to some of the doubters out there?
Varaska: I do the same that men do, but men don’t ever tell anyone about is it hard or not. I don’t try to prove something to someone, I like drums and I just play. If it’s hard so maybe it’s not for you and you should try something else. Is it hard or not depends on a person I think.
Metal Pit: I know you have not been in the band for very long but have you had a chance to play live with the Blackthorn yet?
Varaska: The number of concert doesn’t matter, I had a lot of practice with other bands. But there already were some performances of Blackthorn with my participation.
Metal Pit: If money were no object where is a place you would love to play live someday and what band would you like to share the stage with?
Varaska: On Wacken festival with Emperor and Unexpect!!!
Metal Pit: When you are not pounding on the drums what other kinds of things do you enjoy doing?
Varaska: I like to play bass guitar with bow and e-bow, make some Japan dishes. And I like to spend time with my boyfriend also. The rest of time every day we do something at our rehearsal place and our pastime is related with music somehow. Except of all I’m a braidmaster, manicurist, lashmaker and sew corsets!
Metal Pit: I am sure there are young women out there who admire what you are doing and may want to follow in your footsteps someday, what advice would you give to them?
Varaska: You must forget about anything, overcome yourself and all the sickness you have. You must forget all your glamour! And practice every day and every free moment. Only then you have a chance to reach something.
Metal Pit: Is there anything about yourself or the band you would
like to add to this interview?Varaska: For girls who want to become a drummer. If you really want it, and not just “tuka-tuka, oh, it’s cool”, you must forget about everything. And if the question is for example “relationships or drums”, you must choose drums, in other case it’s no use trying. And if you have free time to play and any other opportunities – use them, don’t waste chances! Here, in Russia, I spend more than 90% of my free time to get money for living, and then the money I need for drums, studying drums, buying drums and accessories for drums, rehearsals, concerts, and so on. It is very difficult to be a metal musician here. The wages are low but the prices aren’t. And after all you have only just a little to spend for music. I hope it will be easier for you than for me.
Metal Pit: What does it mean to you to be chosen as the "Metal Pit's Maiden of the month?
Varaska: I was surprised!
Metal Pit: Varaska, on behalf of myself and the Metal Pit we want to thank you very much for spending time with us today. I have had the privelage of speaking with the ladies of Blackthorn before and they are not only great musicians but also wonderful people as well. I am sure you will be very happy in the Blackthorn family and I wish you and the rest of the band the best of luck in 2010 and beyond.
Horns up brothers and sisters....
Nick Rohm.
Check out Previous METAL MAIDENS OF THE MONTH
