Interviews: Mother Morgana

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Heavy Rock/Progressive Rock/Psychedelic Rock band Mother Morgana from Austria. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Did you plan it, or did it come out just like that?

In the earliest iteration of the band, there was parallel progress between musical composition and lyrical work. When we saw them fitting and accomplished enough, we went looking for a band name. There were several propositions, but we felt a gravitational center... choices got thinner. Then, there it was- ancient in spirit, yet surprising. I guess we all just liked it since.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Our blend of influences is quite wide. We all like hard rock sounds and progressive composing, but are also drawn to older, more archaic, foreign, or historical genres. There's a blend between traceable, traditional roots and lyrics-focused self-expressionism in Stoner/Doom/Metal varieties. That makes it possible to dig into a deep toolbox if you want to tell expressive stories musically.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Not really, the pieces just fell into place.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Katharina: Too many, but a little bit of everything: Black Sabbath, Parliament Funkadelic, Falco 

Jakob: Gentle Giant on the progressive rock side, Sabbath for Metal/Doom 

Stefan: There are too many, so I’ll go with the really big ones: Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Elder, Arctic Monkeys, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard 

Fabian: Elder, Colour Haze, All Them Witches, Tigran Hamasyan, Bill Laurence & Michael League.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

The world around, travels, books, movies, & popculture in general. They're full of questions and situations that sometimes just don't leave you. So better work with them, because that's where your interests are, anyhow.

6. Where was your last gig?

At Kapfenberg (A), an open-air gig called City Rock.

7. Where would you like to act?

KEXP Live Session, we all love this series, and their sound engineers are magicians. Always dream big!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

It would be nice to do a feature/collab with bands of the Austrian scene.

9. Whom not?

Difficult people (bands), we're friendly, professional, open, and easy. We'd like to see that in bands we play with, too.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright?

Stefan: Doesn’t everybody suffer from stage fright somehow? And of course, especially when there are people in the crowd you want to impress, you will get some weird feelings in your gut when you walk on stage – I think that will never leave you. It’s also good to keep the adrenaline pushing you, which helps a lot to concentrate. 

Jakob: Of course, for a long time quite heavily. Since school days, I had a repeating dream of falling or failing when acting on stage. Since then, I became accustomed to a certain dose of fright that I would now be missing if it weren't there. 

11. Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Stefan: Just do it, you won’t fuck up, and if you do, keep on going, 98% won’t notice. A calm moment before entering the stage, with a smoke or a beer, also helps... Playing a gig is always a stressful situation, driving in cities you don’t know, can I park near the venue, not forgetting gear, load in.. the key is after everything is set up, try to chill and concentrate on the gig itself. 

Jakob: If you're a planner, plan ahead; if you're a thinker, play it through...relax with your bandmates... whatever you're good at can be your strategic icebreaker. When you're scared, show yourself there's no need to be.

12. What bands have inspired you the most?

Katharina: Colour Haze, Black Sabbath, All Them Witches, Heart, 3rd Secret 

Jakob: Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Beatles, The Who, Black Sabbath, Yes 

Fabian: Elder, Colour Haze, All Them Witches, Tigran Hamasyan, Bill Laurence & Michael League. 

Stefan: Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Phil Collins/Genesis, Rush, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Porcupine Tree, Kadavar

13. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Jakob: I always found it weird that no fan has ever asked me anything, at all. 

Stefan: One guy was waiting in the line at our merch, he was looking at our stuff while I sold something to two people before him in the line, then finally it was his turn, he came up to me and asked: Ah, sorry, could you tell me where the toilet is?

14. What do you think of your fans?

Jakob: I think those we have are on the open, quirky side, enjoy sociality around the gigs, like it when the band goes groovy and heavy, but aren't much into hype. Everyone was always friendly, relaxed, and easy.

15. What do you think of our site?

Stefan: In a time of TikTok videos and Instagram influencers, it is still good to have these online blogs where you can discover underground music. When I was like 15 or so, this was the only way to find out about new music. Most of them are one-man project and I can see so much passion for music and the scene in these projects. Keep it going, my friend!

16. Something to add?

That’s all. Thank you for the opportunity!

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