Australian vocalist Fiona Horne has been a dominant presence on the music scene since fronting Def FX before the turn of the century, and in later years has been known as much for her stance as a practicing Witch, writing 14 books on the subject.
She recently joined forces with guitarist Dave “Spiff” Hopkins (from 80s hardcore surf punk outfit Hellmenn) to form Seawitch.
The result is an old-school style rock outfit that takes its inspiration from bands all the way back to MC5 and the glory days of rock. It is a style that has, unfortunately, become less dominant in recent years but on the strength of Seawitch’s first single alone is about to make a stunning comeback!
After introducing the world to Seawitch with their debut single Witches Forever, the band now follow that up on September 29 with their new single Force premiering via HEAVY.
HEAVY shot off a list of questions to Horne to find out about the new track and more.
HEAVY: Seawitch will release your second single, Force this Thursday, September 29. Tell us about the song musically and what you were going for with it.
FIONA HORNE: Musically, Force is plain old simple high energy rock n roll birthed from the roots laid by late Sixties band, MC5. Blend that in with some filthy fuzz from like-minded rock n roll soldiers THEE HYPNOTICS, add some ghost of JIMI HENDRIX, and we are getting close. The video is a mash up of a live Halloween performance we did last year with tasty bits woven in from some of our previous videos, you can see them on our You Tube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/SeawitchTheBand FORCE is trippy and captures the free vibe of the song. Our friends at Simple Ben Films wove it together.
You have been quoted as saying, “Force is a song about the power inside every individual to transform their lives for the better.” Can you elaborate on that?
When I wrote the lyrics, I was trying to capture the idea of that sense of excitement and thrill that comes when you feel ready to try a new adventure in life. When you throw caution to the wind and cry, ‘let’s do this!’ Witches harness this energy when we raise power in our magick ritual circles… so there’s a little bit of that too!
Dave has also made reference to the late 60s band MC5 for the song. That’s a long way in history to go back to find influence!
Musically we are driven by some of the classic raw sounds of the ’60s and 70s like MC5 and Stooges… and Led Zeppelin. Some of the best heaviest rock and most vibing grooves and riffs ever written!
It seems like much of your material draws from those classic days of rock. Your debut single Witches Forever had more of a 70s vibe as well.
Yes, we love that era – a reviewer said that song sounds like Black Sabbath crossed with Heart – a big compliment!
Force and Witches Forever are taken from your debut album, Well Of Spells, which will be out on October 21. Are they a good sonic representation of the whole album?
The album has a lot of texture – 8 tracks all slamming their heavy feels in a variety of ways. Witches Forever and Force certainly span the breadth of tracks but then in the middle there is the freight train, Dark Knight, the chain swinging New Orleans sound of Memento Mori.. and a ballad called Flowers! Lots to listen to!
You are a famously practicing witch and Witches Forever and the album title reference those beliefs. Is the album conceptually based in that way?
It was always intentional to write this album with lyrics drawn from my Book of Shadows (a record of a Witches magickal work). Hence, the title WELL OF SPELLS. We wanted it to be bewitching and entrancing … something different in the rock world and anchored by real magick.
Do you find it easier writing songs and music when they involve something close to your heart like this?
Maybe … but at the same time we have already started demoing songs for our next album and the lyrics have nothing to do with spells! So we shall see!
So I suppose it’s no coincidence that Well Of Spells is scheduled to come out around Halloween?
Yes, that is the dastardly plan! LOL. What else would you want on your turn table at Halloween than an album called Well of Spells by SEAWITCH?
While many music lovers know you from your time with DEF FX, Seawitch is a new project for you. How did it come about?
Dave (Spiff) Hopkins reached out to me during Covid on Instagram. I was living in the Caribbean and flying aeroplanes for a job. Hadn’t done music for a long time. The airline I was flying for was grounded because of Covid, and Dave convinced me to get a repatriation flight and join him in Western Australia to ride out the storm in the world. He said, ‘We can play music together, I’ve got a studio at my house.” I was up for an adventure, and so that’s how it happened. He put a white Stratocaster in my hand and there was no turning back!
Do you still get the same things out of music now as you did back in the 90s?
The ’90s was so wild – such a great era. Huge concerts, huge crowds, huge vibes – every time! Now the scene is so different. So many great bands out there – and we have been there and done that too. So I love the intimacy of the smaller shows we play now. It’s like stripping it back to its raw roots, and it feels real and fresh and even better than before. I still pinch myself that I’m getting to do this again.
Seawitch also have a few Victorian shows coming up, with an appearance at Do The Pop Festival on October 29 and a support slot with US band Stoner, who feature none other than Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri from Kyuss and Queens Of The Stoneage. That sounds like an epic couple of shows.
We are so stoked to be on both line-ups – the promoters, Mick and Andy Simpson are legends putting such an epic weekend of rock over the long weekend. And it’s Seawitch’s first interstate tour! Couldn’t think of a better time to do it! We are hug fans of Stoner and New Christs – spoils all round!
And the following night, on October 31st, you will be launching Well Of Spells with a special show dubbed the Rock ‘N’ Roll Halloween Ball at the legendary Tote. What delights do you have planned for that night?
We will be playing our full album and our special guests are Melbourne rock lords, HOSS – old mates and a banging band, plus we have the sorcery delights of ELECTRIC PURRS, who play unneutered garage punk, and feature legend Deniz Tek’s daughter, Hannah Tek. And my great girlfriend, rock pop historian, and original host of 90s seminal ABC’s Recovery, DJ Jane Gazzo will be spinning spooky rockin tunes between sets. We will also have a sick Witchy Wares merch section featuring t-shirts, totes, badges, stickers and vinyl…all with the epic Well of Spells art by legend artist Sindy Sinn. Dress up if you dare! I will be!!
It’s also important to point out that the following day is a public holiday so there’s no excuses for people not to come out.
Exactly – no excuse at all! Come out and celebrate Halloween with real rock n roll and a real Witch! I may even cast a blessing for good fortune at the races at midnight ! (The Melbourne Cup is the next day!)
What does Seawitch have planned for the remainder of 2022 and beyond?
We are sneaking in a Perth launch of our album on the day it comes out at Perth’s fave rocknroll den, CONVENIENTS Northbridge – 22nd October. Playing with our Cheersquad label mates, power pop slammers, RINEHARTS and psych rock trio, SOLAR JUICE. Getting Halloween all warmed up and pumping!’
After our launch shows, we are doing some recording for our next album with legend Dom Kingdom… we were laying down some demos in our studio last weekend… no spells, but lots of riffs and good times!
Check out the debut single from Seawitch, Witches Forever, below.
