www.facebook.com/spellbookband
Sounds like: Rock
From: Pennsylvania
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound? Who thought of the name "Spellbook" and is there any meaning behind it?
I started out as a drummer for a Black Metal band when I was 13. Eventually a group of musician friends got together to start a 70s rock n roll project called Witch Hazel. Even though I had zero experience, I was asked to join the band as their singer. One demo, one EP and two full length albums, we decided to change the name of the band to SpellBook. Our drummer Nick suggested the name after one of our old Witch Hazel songs. We felt the new name continued on the witchy vibe of the band while paying tribute to our past.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
"Woah, these guys get it!" That within a very niche sub genre of music we are not just a gimmick/aesthetic based band but one that's songs resonate with the listener and can't get out of their heads.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
The best of 70's Hard Rock n Roll but happening right now.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Kiss, Blue Oyster Cult, and Ghost.
5. How has Covid affected what you do?
Well, after recording 'Magick & Mischief' our then guitar player Andy Craven stepped away from the band. That was 2019. The pandemic hit shortly after that. So in a weird way, the world being shut down worked out well for us. It gave us time to rebuild the band and immediately start working on the next album. And even though we didnt get a chance to tour in support of 'Magick & Mischief', we still managed to sell a ton of CDs and completely sell out of vinyl. Our label, Cruz Del Sur Music, was very happy with the albums performance and so were we. 'Magick & Mischief' was a great success in spite of the pandemic and it's looking like 'Deadly Charms' is going to do even better.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Rock?
There will always be good/interesting stuff going on in the underground but rock n roll has been dead in mainstream America for decades.
7. What's the current music scene like there in Pennsylvania?
It's very diverse and very supportive. We play shows with everything from pop punk to stoner doom to hardcore punk to death metal bands. We are all in it together.
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
We never received any royalties from any streaming services. We're suppose to be making money doing this?!
9. What’s next for Spellbook?
An east coast American tour and we hope to break into the festival circuit with our latest album 'Deadly Charms'. We will begin writing the next full length album next year or maybe sooner.
10. Any shoutouts?
Shout out to Enrico at Cruz Del Sur Music, Dean Rispler, Rebecca and Brian Magar in Cultic and all the bands we jam with on a regular basis.
