Interview with BAD MARILYN
!!!HEAVY/POWER METAL FROM SWITZERLAND!!!
We had a conversation with Andrea Raffaela (Vocals). Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Can you share some details about BAD MARILYN? (Members, Starting Year, etc.)
Bad Marilyn was founded last year, in 2023 in Switzerland. We're all passionate musicians with a strong desire to spread happiness through our sound and live performances to as many people as possible.
You're gearing up to release your album, "Eye of the Snake." Could you tell us a bit about this project?
"Eye of the Snake" marks the beginning of a new journey for us! It's a hook-loaded album that embodies the power and joy we aim to express through our music. We've teamed up with producer Dennis Ward (known for his work with Helloween, Firewind, Gotthard, etc.), who has added that special touch to our songs with his expertise.
Label or DIY, and why?
Currently, we're going the indie (DIY) route. In today's landscape, it makes sense to take the initial steps independently and leverage our own know-how. This approach allows us to build a fanbase and become more attractive to labels. However, in the long run, collaborating with a label makes sense if the deal is right, as it opens up opportunities that may be difficult to access alone.
Any funny or peculiar stories from recordings or live shows you'd like to share?
We always have a blast together, so there are plenty of stories to tell, but here's a memorable one for me from the studio. There was a dog who occasionally visited the studio, a rather large one. This dog had to stay in the owner's office because he was hostile towards women. Now, I happen to be a woman, so I was cautious! During a recording break, as I went to get coffee, he kept scratching at the door. Eventually, the door creaked open just as I stood in front of the stairs. I barely had time to set down my coffee as he leaped towards me, pushing my face to the ground and giving me a thorough licking. Shock, surprise, a big dog – I was on the floor, completely slobbered on. Initially repulsed, I couldn't help but laugh and realized I was the first unfamiliar woman he didn't antagonize! What an honour! With that feeling, I continued recording the songs.
Vinyl, Tape, CD, or Digital Format – which do you prefer and why?
Visually, I prefer vinyl, but I still have plenty of CDs in my collection. Digital is convenient for on-the-go listening.
Your music style is Heavy/Power Metal. Who are your main influences (Favorite Artists/Bands, etc.)?
Helloween, Iron Maiden, Stratovarius, Battle Beast, Arch Enemy.
What do you believe a band should sacrifice to succeed? Have you sacrificed anything for your band's future?
I believe if you truly want success, you dedicate everything to it. Whether "sacrifice" is the right word, I'm not sure, because when driven by passion, you allocate time to what truly matters and willingly forgo things that don't fulfil you as much.
Describe your ideal live show as a performing band. Have you experienced it yet?
Bad Marilyn is relatively new, so we've only played a few shows yet. Our ideal performance is when the audience leaves the concert with smiles on their faces.
Photo Credit: Friedmann Kopp - Metalinside.ch
Photo Credit: Friedmann Kopp - Metalinside.ch
What attributes should a new Heavy/Power Metal Band have to establish identity and uniqueness?
Good music, motivation, fan engagement, openness, and the willingness to go the extra mile.
Do you believe digital platforms assist new Heavy/Power Metal bands? What's the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Yes, mastering social media gives bands a significant advantage. Music promotion primarily occurs online, especially through platforms and streaming services like Spotify. However, live concerts remain the most potent promotional tool.
Can you tell us about the New Underground Metal Scene in Switzerland (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs, etc.)?
Switzerland's metal scene is tight-knit and active. We have numerous webzines, web radios, and some fanzines. There are several metal clubs, although, like elsewhere, some are unfortunately closing down. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of opportunities for live shows and enjoying good music.
Are you familiar with the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Greece boasts countless talented metal musicians and bands like Gus G., Vicky Psarakis, Rotting Christ, Septicflesh, and has a vibrant metal scene. Our guitarist, Sammy, had the honour of performing with his former band Godiva as an opening act for Scorpions on Greece's biggest stages and remains impressed by Greece and its audience.
Photo Credit: Friedmann Kopp - Metalinside.ch
How have the past four years' global challenges affected you?
I can only speak for myself since the band formed after these events. Crisis are tough but make us stronger. I'm a creative individual who doesn't get bored easily, so even during the pandemic, the negatives didn't overwhelm me. While there were unpleasant and sad moments, I remained inherently positive, seeing opportunities rather than problems.
What are your future plans?
1. Greenfield Festival
2. Wacken Open Air
3. Rock in Rio
4. Wembley Stadium.
Thank you for your time, and keep up the great work! The closing words are yours.
Thank you for the insightful questions. If you enjoyed this interview, we'd love for you to follow us on our social channels and grab our album from our website, www.bad-marilyn.com, so maybe we'll see you next year or the year after at Wacken!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/badmarilyn
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bad_marilyn
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@badmarilyn
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@badmarilyn
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
PS. Many thanks to Markus (https://www.facebook.com/MetalMessage.Global) for this interview (Cheers mate!).
