interview with Echoterra
What is the name of your band? Echoterra
What does the name "Echoterra" stand for? Yan Leviathan: Echoes of The Earth
What made you call the band "Echoterra"? Yan Leviathan: We wanted to come up with a name that would best describe the spirit of our music.
How was the band formed? Yan Leviathan: Jonah and I had a bunch of songs written and we weren’t sure what to do with them. We then discussed how it would be interesting to work with a female singer since neither of us had done so previously. So we put the songs together and searched for a female singer that would bring the songs to life. Suvi Virtanen was our first singer and she sang on our debut, The Law Of One. Since then, we have worked with Melissa Ferlaak and currently our singer is Chelsea Wrathchild. We live in Minneapolis, Minnesota and we’ve known Chelsea from the local music scene plus we did a few shows with her band Hollowstone. When we started working on new material, Melissa informed us that she was leaving the band so we asked Chelsea if she would sing on our new EP; thankfully she said yes!
What made you form the band? Chelsea Wrathchild: For myself, I wanted to expand my singing skills and give myself a challenge. My other band Hollowstone had played a show with Echoterra in 2010 and I’ve admired their musicianship since then. I have a lot of respect for Yan and Jonah.
Can you briefly introduce your band and who you are? My name is Chelsea Wrathchild and I’m a metal-holic. The rest of the band features Jonah W on keyboards and orchestration, Yan Leviathan on guitars, and Cory Scheider on bass.
Where are all bandmembers from?/Who does what in the band? Chelsea Wrathchild: I’m originally from Pennsylvania (east coast U.S.), but moved here to Minnesota (midwest U.S.) in 2004. I am the singer and wrote the majority of the lyrics for the upcoming EP.
What was the ambitions of the band when you started? Yan Leviathan: To create music that people really enjoyed when they listened to it.
Could you explain your music to someone that haven't heard you? Yan Leviathan: No; let the music do the talking!
Where was your first gig? Yan Leviathan: In Minneapolis, Minnesota. We did a show opening up for Epica.
Where was the latest gig? Chelsea Wrathchild: Mine was with my other band Hollowstone opening for Sanctuary. Echoterra’s last gig was as The Flight Of The Valkyries Festival in Baltimore, Maryland in 2012.
Who writes your songs?/ who writes the music who writes lyrics? Chelsea Wrathchild: Yan and Jonah write the music. I wrote most of the lyrics and some vocal melodies this time around.
Who has the best since of humor in the band? Chelsea Wrathchild: Clearly I do. Just kidding. I have a dark sense of humor and often make fun of myself. I find that usually breaks the ice with people.
Do you write your own material or mainly covers? Originals
How old are you?/What got you started in music? Chelsea Wrathchild: I’m 29. I have been singing since I was 5 years old. I was raised on ‘80s hair metal as a child and it developed into a full love of metal when I got older.
At what age did you start playing? Chelsea Wrathchild: I started singing at age 5. I started playing guitar at 12 and played for 10 years.
How old were you guys when you first stood on stage? Chelsea Wrathchild: I was 25.
What year was the band started? 2007
How old were you the first time you saw a liveband play? Chelsea Wrathchild: 6. It was Poison.
How old were you at your first gig?/Best/worst gig you've played? Chelsea Wrathchild: Best gig was opening for Rhapsody of Fire (with Hollowstone). Worst gig was playing in a tiny place called the Barfly in Minneapolis. There were 3 people there and it was a terrible snowstorm. Our van got stuck in the snow and we were falling on the ice trying to push the van out of the alley.
Where have you played from then till now? Chelsea Wrathchild: I’ve personally only played here in Minnesota.
How do you get psyched up for a gig? Chelsea Wrathchild: I don’t have to “psyche myself” up ever! I feel most at home on stage and it is something I absolutely love more than anything.
What are your goals with your music? Chelsea Wrathchild: I want to become a “power” singer like Floor Jansen or Pat Benatar.
When did you decide to go all in for the music? Chelsea Wrathchild: When I was 12 years old. I was really into Skid Row at the time (still love them) and they gave me the “fire” to become a musician.
Is it easier to get your inspiration from older bands or from bands more modern? Chelsea Wrathchild: Older, for sure. Though I’m glad the modern material from Europe is “old school” sounding!
What are your sources of inspiration? Chelsea Wrathchild: Love, death, and nature.
How do you feel about the downloading of music instead of buying albums? Chelsea Wrathchild: I’ve been against downloading since the beginning. I still buy CDs. There’s just something special about having the booklet/pictures to look at. You can’t replicate that with downloading. It means less to you.
What would be your dreams for the band? Chelsea Wrathchild: I think there’s still some unexplored territory for both the band and myself. I hope to be a fresh perspective on the band’s sound. I just want to take it all to the next level. Growing as a band is where the real magic happens!
Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to? Chelsea Wrathchild: Only metal. Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Nightwish, Iced Earth, Symphony X, and Queensryche are some of my favorites.
What do you hold most dear? Chelsea Wrathchild: My mom, my boyfriend, my pets (two birds and a rat). And of course, metal.
When you are on stage, what do you fear most then? Chelsea Wrathchild: I’m my own worst critic, so the inner doubts and fears can wreak havoc. That’s where the whiskey helps. I perform at my best when I just let go.
Have you been part of any other projects? Chelsea Wrathchild: Yes, I am still with my band Hollowstone. Yan Leviathan: I have my power metal band Avian; our first album, From The Depths Of Time, featured David Ellefson from Megadeth on bass. Jonah is also in Pyramaze and Structure Of Inhumanity.
Have you been in any other bands? Chelsea Wrathchild: Hollowstone.
What do you work with outside of the band and the music? Chelsea Wrathchild: My background is in recording, though right now I do tech support for web sites and mobile apps.
What would you do if there was no music? Chelsea Wrathchild: Life without music isn’t worth living.
How important are your fans? Chelsea Wrathchild: They’re pretty much the lifeblood of any musician.
What's the funniest/most memorable thing a fan has done for you? Chelsea Wrathchild: A girl asked me to sign her breasts one time! I did it, of course. My bass player was very jealous and insisted he sign her other breast. I hope she didn’t get them tattooed. She was rather drunk.
How often do you rehearse? Chelsea Wrathchild: I practice singing about 3 times a week.
Where do you rehearse? Chelsea Wrathchild: In Yan’s cold basement where his cats are just waiting to come out and kill us all.
What do you feel is the best liveband you've seen? Chelsea Wrathchild: Alice Cooper. Band with the best energy is Anthrax.
What drives a band that isn't all that famous and renowned to try to make a living on their music and to keep playing? Chelsea Wrathchild: I think the act of creating music is something that musicians HAVE to do. It’s as essential as breathing or eating. If we stop making music, we might as well die.
Do you have any webpages?
www.BlindingForceRecordings.com
How do you view the music industry of today? Chelsea Wrathchild: I’m saddened by the state of music in the U.S., especially for metal. Pop and rap have taken over and metal does not get the respect or popularity it deserves over here.
What advice would you like to give other bands? Chelsea Wrathchild: Practice, practice, practice! And don’t get an ego because there are always a hundred better musicians than you out here.
What are the biggest obstacles for a band? Chelsea Wrathchild: Getting along is a huge one! I’ve also found it’s a difficult balance for some bands to keep the business end going. You HAVE to keep the business side in mind or else you’ll go nowhere.
What is best/worst with playing the clubs? Chelsea Wrathchild: Worst: Loading gear in the winter. Best: everything else!
How would you describe your sound in one sentence Chelsea Wrathchild: Epic. That’s only one word. Oh well.
What is your favorite crappy instrument? Chelsea Wrathchild: This the greatest question ever! Well I first learned to play guitar on a Fender Squire and a tiny Crate amp, both of which are very crappy, but I loved them.
Whats your Pre-show ritual? Chelsea Wrathchild: Usually a ginger ale and whiskey (or two). Helps with my nerves and whiskey is great for your voice.
What Won't you spend money on? Chelsea Wrathchild: I’m great at spending money. A little too great.
What do you feel a band/muscian should spend their money on? Chelsea Wrathchild: Good gear, good recording studio/engineer, nice rehearsal space, and nice stage clothes.