If you haven't heard of the Swiss modern/symphonic metallers Illumishade, you must have heard of the folk metal band Eluveitie. What's the connection? Well, Illumishade was founded by two members of Eluveitie, Fabienne Erni (vocals) and Jonas Wolf (guitars) in 2019. In February, the band, which also consists of Mirjam Skal (keys, orchestration), Yannick Urbanczik (bass) and Marc Friedrich (drums), released its sophomore full-length, Another Side Of You, via Napalm Records. Here, Erni's radiant charisma shines brighter than ever with her crystal-clear vocal delivery. Wolf's guitar work seems as blazing and emotional as ever, while a fresh dose of modern prog brings a cutting edge to the band's elaborate songwriting. Illumishade released its debut album, Eclyptic: Wake Of Shadows, in May 2020, but it took it almost four years to bring another chapter - infectious experimental yet sometimes fragile metal sound with many sonic flavours and colours while staying true to its fruitful combination of celestial soundscapes. Fabienne Erni revealed many things regarding Illumishade, Eluveitie and also herself - and now they are here for you.

Interview with: Fabienne Erni
Conducted by: Tomaz
Edited by: Jerneja

Tomaz: Hello, Fabienne, how are you? The new Illumishade album, Another Side Of You, is still very fresh. How are you satisfied with the final product?
Fabienne: Thank you, I'm good, busy times but good ones. I must say that I'm super happy about it and very proud of everyone involved. I'm happy with the album artwork and the whole promotion, and I think we are in a good way; quite some steps happened from the first to the second album. It's very exciting.

Tomaz: How would you compare the new album with your debut, Eclyptic: Wake Of Shadows, released in 2019?
Fabienne: I think the new album is more versatile because we let more influences from other band members come in. The first album was mainly just Jonas and I. That was now different. We also changed the lyric writing team. For Eclyptic, I was writing lyrics together with two people from outside of the band, but for this album, Yannick wrote a big part of it. Besides being a bass player, he's also a very talented lyricist, and he definitely brought a different touch to it. The lyrics are now more modern - talking about this life, with its ups and downs. 

Tomaz: I guess it was also a big plus for you that you've signed with Napalm Records...
Fabienne: Yeah, we were coming to this point where we were actually ready to partner up with somebody, and they just contacted us at the right time. It's great to have somebody supporting you because there's so much more to it than just having a band and writing music. It's nice to have some support also from the team from the outside.

Tomaz: Let's go back to the past. What was the reason Jonas and you formed Illumishade in the first place? Was Eluveitie not enough of a musical challenge for you?
Fabienne: I think we longed for a band where we could be there from scratch and form everything the way we want. We wanted to let the creativity flow without borders, boxes and categories. We all met at school; we were visiting the same music school. It feels nice when having this white canvas; you paint it the way you want and are there from the very beginning.

Tomaz: But you are also a founding member of Tvinna...
Fabienne: Yes, I was with Tvinna for a short time, and now I'm a guest singer on its new album Wings Of Ember, which is, you won't believe it, out today (23 February). Back then everything became a little bit too much, but now I'm very happy to be its guest singer. I want to say that the Tvinna project came to life because of Laura Fella from Favn. Everything came from her vision, and it still is growing and growing. It's a really cool band.

Tomaz: Illumishade is quite a different band from Eluveitie and Tvinna. There are almost no folk elements. Is this somehow connected with your musical preferences or influences?
Fabienne: Well, yes and no. I love folk music, but I also like music without folk, haha. I'm happy that I can dive into the Celtic and folky road with Eluveitie but also have a big influence from my childhood and teenage years, which is all about big ballads, musical theatre songs, their harmonies, modulations and things like that. I am very happy that I can now live on both sides - together with Illumishade.

Tomaz: OK, let's now return to the new album. What is behind the title, Another Side Of You? 
Fabienne: The title Another Side Of You came from our good friend Adrianne. We showed her some music and artwork ideas, and she said it looked like another side of you. We liked that. On the cover artwork, you see these cranes - one is rather dark, and the other is white. They are facing each other. I think we showed another side of us, musically and lyrically. We are evolving as a band and trying out our other side.

Tomaz: And what about the lyrics? I must admit I haven't read them, but judging from the song and video "Enemy", they must have a powerful message...
Fabienne: Yeah, I mean, the quint of this song is that, usually, the biggest enemy you have is yourself. It's good to be reminded about that sometimes. It often happens that the one who stands in your way is yourself. I take it as a reminder when I sing this song because there is that side that stands in your way and is judging you. That side is actually you.

Tomaz: And what was it like on the set of the video for "Enemy"? I find it pretty fascinating, and it's a complex one with all of the stuff, from make-up to dresses, scenery, and great acting on top of it...
Fabienne: We were super lucky to be working with Mirko Witzki and Kami Zero, the two super-talented guys from Germany. Mirko came up with this visualization of having musicians playing towards themselves. I think it really shows the concept of this song, like fighting with yourself. The looks came from Kami Zero, an amazing make-up artist, stylist and art director. He came up with this costume, and it was insane. We couldn't believe he'd put that wig with white hair on me. It was fantastic to work with them.

Tomaz: We can't forget to mention an important member of Illumishade, Mirjam Skal, a well-known musician in Switzerland. How did you come together?
Fabienne: We also met at the school, at that university that we went to. She was studying back then for film music composition. We didn't really cross paths, but somehow and for some reason, we both had a studio session at the same time. I think I was before her, and there we met. Because I was wearing a Harry Potter scarf, we started talking, haha. I invited her to my bachelor's degree party concert to play the flute and the thin whistle. It happened two years before the formation of Illumishade. When I was starting Illumishade, I thought it would be great to have somebody to bring this kind of film music aspect, orchestration and such soundscapes into it. It was obvious that I'd ask Mirjam for that.

Tomaz: Who is now the main composer of Illumishade?
Fabienne: The essence comes from Jonas and me, but we opened up a lot for the new album. For example, in the first world of the song "Cyclone", we have three sound worlds during the "Cyclone" song, and that one came from Mirjam. It's very different in that sense since more and more is coming from all of the band members, but still, the essence of most of the songs is by Jonas and me.

Tomaz: Is that the reason why "Cyclone" ends in a spectacular Pink Floyd-ish style?
Fabienne: Oh yes, I think so. I don't know who exactly came up with this. I guess Jonas and Yannick created that Pink Floyd atmosphere. I remember that we were all in the mountains at the songwriting camp for a few days, and we went down to the room, started improvising the melody of this last part, and out of that, we maybe just changed two or three notes for the recordings. It's really cool that we improvised it together for this song.

Tomaz: Another thing I like very much is the album cover art. Who designed it, and maybe also share some words about it?
Fabienne: I don't want to interpret too much about it in that sense. The idea of intertwined cranes facing each other was an idea that Jonas came up with some years ago, and now, when we started thinking about the album artwork, we took that idea. The album artwork was done by Vidick, the guitarist of Infected Rain, who is our very good friend. He's so very multi-talented in so many aspects. We were very lucky to be working with him. We told him about our vision, he created some stuff, we gave some feedback, and then he created again, and we ended up having this beautiful artwork. We are all very happy with it.

Tomaz: There are many live appearances, festivals and tours in front of you. What can people expect to get from Illumishade on stage?
Fabienne: We will for sure play a lot of new songs. For many people, I think this will be their first time seeing us. I guess that they will get a living band in that sense. Everybody except Marc sings backing vocals; we are having fun and interacting. There's a little bit of rock 'n' roll at times. With such good musicians, standing together on the stage and playing is pure joy. I can say that the shows will be quite energetic, with a lot of power coming from guitars and bass. I'm looking forward to it.

Tomaz: The road will also take you to North America, with Korpiklani and Visions Of Atlantis. Are you excited about that?
Fabienne: Very much. It's always a joy to tour in North America. I did it twice with Eluveitie, and each time was so very special. I love touring North America, and doing it with Illumishade feels a bit surreal; I am super excited to be a part of this tour. We can't wait to bring our music over the big ocean.

Tomaz: Then, in autumn, a European tour with Visions Of Atlantis will follow, but, unfortunately, I don't see Slovenia on the list...
Fabienne: That's a pity that we'll not play in Slovenia, but I'm also looking forward to this tour. We've already played 12 shows on the Delain tour in Europe, and now it's time to go to some countries that we haven't yet.

Tomaz: How come you didn't play any Celtic harp or mandola for Illumishad as you did for Eluveitie?
Fabienne: No, no. I think it's also cool that I separate it. I play the harp and sing in Eluveitie, and I play piano and sing in Illumishade. I like it this way, and I think it fits better the aesthetics of the bands. But who knows, maybe there will be a crossover with harp in Illumishade, but at this moment is not planned anything like that.

Tomaz: Last year, you were also a guest singer on Mortemia's single/video "Antidote". How was working with Morten Veland?
Fabienne: Oh yeah, that was very cool as well. It was a lot of fun, definitely. He's a very nice guy, very talented and with great ideas. It was really fun to record it and to shoot the video as well. I liked working with Morten, and I think the song turned out really nice.

Tomaz: What about Eluveitie - can we expect a new album any time soon?
Fabienne: Haha, I can't say too much, but I will say it's a calm before the storm. Yes, you can expect something soon for sure.

Tomaz: I guess that doesn't go for Illumishade, but what are your plans for a bit more distant future?
Fabienne: We will definitely work on a third album. It will not take us three or four years this time. The next album is coming, and we were already thinking a little bit about it, so the seed is planted, let's say. This year and next year, we will work on it. Otherwise, we will and want to play, play and play.

Tomaz: Besides music, what are your other interests in life? Any hobbies?
Fabienne: Ohh, I love watching movies, going to the cinema only to dive into a different reality for at least one and a half hours. I love to go for a walk or to hike in the mountains. I like going outside and meeting friends. I would love to cook more in the future because I like it, but I don't do it that often. I like to try new things - just to be creative there, and that's one of my goals this year, haha.

Tomaz: How about skiing, considering you're from Switzerland?
Fabienne: Haha, not anymore, unfortunately. I mean - I was skiing as a kid, and then I started snowboarding, but in the last seven years, I actually haven't had any time or didn't take my time. It was also not my priority anymore to go on the board again. I was thinking about going last year, but now it's too late, and I don't see myself going this year. I always enjoyed going on skiing trips or ski camps in school. Yeah, I should definitely do it again at some point someday.

Tomaz: Which singers and artists are your main influences or inspirations?
Fabienne: Big singers like Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, who I was listening to when I was younger. I also like Eva Cassidy, who was a phenomenal singer and storyteller. She had great technique and influenced me a lot, although I only got to know her in my mid-20s. Yeah, these are vocally my idols in that way.

Tomaz: You come from Switzerland, a country with a long history in metal music: Celtic Frost, Hellhammer, Samael, Sadness, Lacrimosa and other legends... But female vocalists haven't been a thing, like, for example, in the Netherlands, until lately. Does this mean that the metal scene in Switzerland has been growing a lot lately?
Fabienne: Yes and no. We have so many metal and rock festivals here, considering Switzerland is such a small country, so it definitely has a big audience here. I'm not sure if it grows because there are more female singers, but I'm super excited that the amount of bands is growing. The number of female singers and musicians in the bands has been growing a lot lately, and it's really great to see that and to connect with these people. We have Burning Witches, by the way, which is a full-female band. Yes, it's nice the number of Swiss bands is growing that way.

Tomaz: I also wanted to ask where you shot the video for "Hymn" because nature is so very beautiful...
Fabienne: Aaaa, thank you! It was filmed in Flims in Switzerland. Somehow, we found this place. Yannick knew somebody who knew somebody who was the owner of this weird building where we filmed "Elegy". We had a weekend there, and first we filmed the video for "Hymn", and the next day "Elegy". It happened that the place where we were supposed to film a video for "Elegy" had this beautiful area where we were driving around. We were lucky because there was everything, from a waterfall, grass, leafy forest to a lake, so it was just perfect.

Tomaz: Thank you, Fabienne, and is there anything that you would like to say at the end to your fans, future fans and our readers?
Fabienne: Thank you so much for reading this interview, and I hope that at some point, we will come to your beautiful country or see you guys sometime somewhere on the road. Thank you for your support, and I hope you'll enjoy our new music.

Band photos by Victoria Wonka

Illumishade links: Official website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube