April 5, 2019 • 20 mins
In the third episode of Metal Maven Podcast, I’m joined by operatic theatrical metaller, Linda Smouse, the Gothic Prophet and we dive deep into the mystical world of her first studio album.
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Episode Transcript
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Metal Maven (00:02):
Welcome to the Metal Maven Podcast, where we
explore and discover the processand passions of artists in the
metal music and art community.
We have reached the thirdepisode of Metal Maven Podcast
and my guest today is operatictheatrical metaller, Linda
(00:22):
Smouse, and we're going to divedeep into the mystical world of
her first studio album, A DeerIn White.
Thanks so much for joining metoday Linda, how are you?
Linda Smouse (00:30):
I am great.
It is wonderful to be here.
Metal Maven (00:33):
Well, you must be very excited now that you've
released your first music videoand your album comes out May
17th.
It's almost here.
Linda Smouse (00:42):
It's been a long time coming and I'm very excited
about it.
Looking forward to seeing themusic actually all the way out
there and everybody to be ableto actually, you know, hear the
songs in entirety.
Yeah, and get the feedback andsee what everybody thinks.
Metal Maven (01:02):
I'm so happy for you Linda because I know it
takes a lot of work to reachthis point and I'd like to for a
moment talk about you a bitmore.
Who is Linda Smouse?
What is your musical background,and how did you reach the point
where you can now share yourunique visions with the world?
Linda Smouse (01:22):
Wow.
Metal Maven (01:22):
I know that was a lot of questions!
Linda Smouse (01:25):
That's a loaded question right there! Yeah, who
am I?
Well, you know, I've beensinging for quite some time, but
I never actually decided to makea full on presentation to put
out there.
But you go through a lot ofthings in life and, and then
it's like, you know, you seethings and it's like,"I have
(01:49):
this within me and I want to putit out there," and, you know,
get it to people and enrichtheir life in any way that I can
and hopefully that it will touchthem.
And you know, as a friend ofmine quotes, he says,"If you can
reach people and do somethingpositive, it's a beautiful
thing."
Metal Maven (02:07):
That is a beautiful thing, indeed.
Did you ever encounter outsideresistance to how you wanted to
express yourself or make music?
You know, getting to this point,did you have any challenges
along the way for that?
Linda Smouse (02:20):
Oh, absolutely! I mean, when you're a singer, if
you want to stay true toyourself and to what you know is
within you, there's always goingto be people that like what you
are or what you do, but thenthey want to take it and they
want to craft it and mold it andshape it the way that they want
(02:43):
for what their purposes are andtheir agendas are.
You have to stay true toyourself.
And that's part of what thisalbum is really all about.
And when I went throughexperiences that I went through,
yeah, I had some very difficultexperiences with people wanting
(03:05):
to not allow me to do what I do.
And they're kind of like lovingme in the beginning, and then
once, you know, you're in thepicture, it's like,"Oh yeah,
let's change you now." And I'mlike,"Well, you know, that's
just, probably not going tohappen." So yeah, I went through
some experiences like that.
(03:25):
And, you know, sometimes it getsyou really to a place where
you're like,"Wow, can you evermake it?
Can you ever do it?" And that'sanother part of this album
because it's like everythingthat's malignant out there has
always tried to steal everythingfrom you.
But then there's thisoverpowering, benevolent type
thing that's always like,"No,don't give up.
(03:47):
You can always do it.
And everything else that saysyou can't is just a lie." So I
keep pressing forward and, oneday I came across, Dark Passion
Play from Nightwish and Iliterally sat and listened to
that song, the songs on thealbum, mostly"Poet and the
(04:10):
Pendulum" and"Meadows ofHeaven." And I just sat and
listened for, I don't know, 12hours straight.
And every time I listened, Iheard something new.
And I was like,"This is the kindof music I want to do.
Where everything is expressed–soft tones, loud tones, growls–
(04:31):
whatever you needed to put toget the story across." It's made
like a picture, you know, like amovie for the imagination.
And I think that that'swonderful because every person
is a unique individual withtheir own ability to imagine and
create.
And so to trigger all thatwithin a person's soul and allow
(04:54):
them to just create art withintheir own mind is a wonderful
thing.
And to come across that musicand to know like,"Yeah, this is
what I want to do." And then tohave the opportunity to do it–
wow, what a gift and what anopportunity.
And I've been extremely blessedwith the ability to be able to
(05:18):
pull this off.
Metal Maven (05:20):
Well, it seems like Nightwish has had a huge impact
on you, but I was alsowondering, were there any other
perhaps non-musical sources orbooks or art that fueled your
creativity as well?
Linda Smouse (05:33):
Oh, yeah, yeah.
I am a huge, huge fan of"TheLord of the Rings."
Metal Maven (05:42):
I thought so! Oh yeah.
I mean, I look at the Elveslike, they got it going on, you
know what I mean?
You want to stay on their goodside– they're perfect, they're
beautiful, you know?
(06:02):
They'll be so wonderful to you,but you just never want to get
on their bad side.
And I look at that as a goodthing to endeavor to be like.
And if I could live with Elvesin Lothlórien or Rivendell I
(06:22):
would be just...
yeah, I'll go live there.
A lot of my characters in themusic are based on the Elves.
I've got a lot of multi-layercharacters throughout all of the
A Deer In White album.
Yeah.
Are there any of thosecharacters you can speak about
today or are you keeping that onthe down low?
Linda Smouse (06:45):
Um, I mean...
Metal Maven (06:48):
Well, I know on your website there's the demon.
Linda Smouse (06:51):
Yeah, absolutely.
Metal Maven (06:52):
And then from the samples, I've heard the name
"Michael."
Linda Smouse (06:57):
Yes, yes.
Yeah.
Metal Maven (06:59):
So I'm not sure.
I'm trying to match it up withthe music video.
So I'm not sure if Michael isthe– kind of your right hand man
who's with you, traveling withyou.
Linda Smouse (07:11):
Um, not exactly.
Metal Maven (07:14):
Okay.
Linda Smouse (07:15):
That's one of those things that like, you
know, I don't want to like, uh–
Metal Maven (07:19):
You don't want to reveal that.
Linda Smouse (07:20):
Yeah.
I don't want to ruin theexperience.
It's like when you play a videogame and you're looking for all
the little– where's this thing?
Where's that thing?
You know?
And part of the fun of it is todiscover it and search for it
and figure it out.
So I don't want to ruin it forthe listening audience.
Metal Maven (07:37):
So what I found interesting is you're inspired
by Nightwish and all of thesemagical stories and then mixed
in with your own experience as asinger and you know, meeting
that potential or, actually,actual resistance to how you
wanted to express yourself.
(07:58):
It feels like all of theseelements together transformed
you into the Gothic Prophet.
So my next question would be,what is a Gothic Prophet, you
know, a noun?
Like if you had a MythicalBestiary description, what would
that be?
Linda Smouse (08:20):
Wow.
That's probably the mostdifficult question that I have
to answer.
Within myself I know exactlywhat and who a Gothic Prophet
is.
But it's such a multi-layeredanswer because an individual can
(08:42):
be a Gothic Prophet, but themessage itself is a Gothic
Prophet.
It's taking all that benevolentvoice that's in the world, and
hearing it, and then doingsomething with it– being led
(09:02):
with it, either in song or inartwork, or in whatever gifting
an individual would have– andshining something truthful and
positive into such a darknessthat it overpowers it and
causes, betterness and changeand something more positive.
(09:28):
And there's specifics within theA Deer In White and the whole
brand of Gothic Prophet.
But it's almost like you have toexperience and start to build a
relationship with the brand inorder to understand it.
You know, because just like ifyou were in a relationship with
(09:51):
a person, there's no way you'regoing to really know that person
until you just spend time withthem and get to experience them.
And then you start to go,"Oh, Iget it.
I see what it's like." And thenit starts to get clearer.
And I think that's the best Ican answer that question at this
time until the album is outthere and everybody can hear it.
Metal Maven (10:15):
Gotcha.
So I would think it's like anadventure in the theater of your
mind, kind of.
Linda Smouse (10:22):
Most definitely!
Metal Maven (10:23):
Most definitely.
What led you to the creation ofthis album?
So, in your timeline, did itbegin further back as just a
small thought in your mind, anunseemingly situation that came
up that procced this idea thatone day came together as a
larger body of work?
How did that begin for you, thatcreative process?
(10:45):
Sometimes people say,"Iremembered something from when I
was younger and I held on tothat moment.
And then I didn't actually thinkabout it again until I was older
and had this other idea.
And just things begin to link upand then something beautiful is
made from that." So I was justwondering how you got to this
point.
Linda Smouse (11:05):
You know, it's a combination of many events and
just a refusal to let go of whatI know within myself.
And there's an inward presenceof spirit that, if you just stay
(11:29):
true to it, you can do anythingyou set out to do.
You're going to battle, and it'sgoing to be an adventure, but
it's always going to tell youthat you can do what you're
trying to do– but there's alwaysgoing to be that other voice
that's telling you,"You can't."I cannot tell you how many times
(11:54):
throughout this whole processand throughout experiences in my
life where people in situationswould say,"You can't do this.
You can't do this." And your ownthoughts will tell you,"You
can't do this." And yet, if youcan shut all of that out with
the voice that says,"Oh, yes,you can," then you find out that
(12:17):
you can do it.
And I look at this wholeexperience as, I've done it.
So, all of those voices thatsaid,"You can't do it." Well,
you know, something's amissbecause I've done it, and I'm
still doing it.
We're still adventuring here,where every day is still things
(12:38):
to do and I've got things that Ilearn every day in the process
of getting this out.
And discovering the audiencethat is interested in the album–
I've been trying to learn asmuch as I can about the
individuals that I'm coming incontact with and get an idea of
(12:58):
what they're looking for and howI can do what's good for their
interest and make the experienceof a Gothic Prophet in their
life be something wonderful forthem.
So yeah, it's always, wow, it'sa lot.
Metal Maven (13:15):
It is indeed.
I mean, it's this huge messageof positivity.
It's quite an endeavor to havean album that is meant to be
like almost a spiritualexperience and to uplift someone
potentially out of a reallynegative mindset.
How did you balance and maintainambiguity to get this kind of
(13:38):
end result for your music, foryour album?
Linda Smouse (13:42):
Wow.
Yeah, that has been a challenge.
I guess then that's why I'vebeen so I'm quiet about myself
and talking about me.
Because it's really more aboutthe brand and the spirit of the
whole brand.
And by focusing on thatcausative message, on that
(14:03):
spirit of the brand, that'swhat's most important.
It's not about any individual,it's not about me as a singer.
It's about the message andpeople being able to go and
listen to the music, and to themessage, and the whole feel of
(14:25):
it.
Kind of like when you go to amovie, you know, you go into the
movie and you know you're safewithin that movie.
You're sitting in the theater,but you get drawn into the movie
and it's like you feel likeyou're in the movie, And then
you'd come out and then if itwas an action movie, then you're
charged, but if it was a drama,maybe you're in tears, you know,
it moves people.
(14:48):
And that's what I'm trying todo.
So I focus more on that to keepthe ambiguity, as opposed to
focusing on any individualthat's been involved.
And yeah, that's the best way Iknow how to answer that one.
Metal Maven (15:05):
Well, it seems like your live performances of this
are going to be amazing fromwhat this sounds like.
I know you haven't announced anytours yet, but I'm extremely
excited for when you do start totour, because I know you're
based in the US so I should beable to make one of those shows.
I would be honored to go to,especially since the music has
(15:29):
this theatrical feel to it– theperformance and the lighting and
just the sound and the hearingit with you and seeing you sing,
I feel is going to be a greatexperience for people to
actually be there and witnessSpirit instead of, you know, if
they're just listening, that's avery personal experience.
(15:51):
But once you start getting intothe arena of sharing your music
in the community, like with themphysically, that's a whole other
magic that happens.
So I really look forward to whenyou reach that point because I
will definitely be there.
Linda Smouse (16:07):
Oh, well I would love for you to be there.
Yeah, I look forward to that.
Being in a live presentation isprobably my happiest place.
And I think that the energy thatcomes with that, because you
have everyone coming together–your audience, their energy, and
(16:31):
their adrenaline, and what theyfeel from the music, affects the
whole atmosphere.
And it's a wonderful encounterwhen you're sharing what you
have with people and they'resharing what they have with you.
I look forward to that greatlymyself and I'm already working
(16:55):
on more music and this album wasdone in the studio, and I'm
still trying to decide if I wantto do the next one as a studio.
I think what I'd really like todo is start to incorporate
actual band members so that Ican write with them and start to
(17:17):
build that part of the brand.
But initially I did it with thestudio because that was the best
way to accomplish what I wastrying to do, since nobody had
any idea of the brand except formyself.
But after the album is releasedand people are able to hear it,
(17:38):
they'll get a much betterunderstanding of what the brand
is about, so then I canincorporate other individuals
and I hope to actually do that.
And I think when you listen tothe album, you'll see that there
are so many layers of singersand so many characters.
(17:58):
And sometimes you've gotmultiple characters singing the
same words, but yet, they're notmeaning the same thing.
One's saying it from a negativeperspective– one's saying it
from a positive.
So that creates a field where Ican have four or five singers.
(18:19):
And I would love to incorporatehaving a much bigger production.
I have lots of big ideas, butone step at a time.
Metal Maven (18:28):
Exactly.
Little Bites, right?
But I feel like, when I pictureit, especially since you don't
have band members at thismoment, it almost has like a
Sarah Brightman feel to it withhow she comes out, just, you
know, a goddess.
And she just has beautifullighting and I'm excited to see
what you do next.
I know a little bit at a time.
(18:49):
I can imagine though, right?
Linda Smouse (18:51):
I imagine all the time, it's partly how you get it
accomplished.
And Sarah's presentations areamazing, absolutely amazing.
Metal Maven (19:02):
Last question, Linda.
Linda Smouse (19:03):
Okay.
Metal Maven (19:04):
What musical spirit do you want to imbue in your
listeners?
Linda Smouse (19:09):
I think to sum that up in a clear form is
musical spirit I endeavored tobreathe into my listeners is one
of,"I'm still on your side– anunstoppable, prophesying,
benevolent truth– unconditionallove."
Metal Maven (19:27):
I love it.
I needed to have this talk withyou tonight.
It was the perfect night for it.
Linda Smouse (19:33):
Awesome.
Metal Maven (19:34):
And it was just, you know, a good, positive chat
with you, and I'm so happy thatyou're able to join me tonight
and take time out of your day.
Linda Smouse (19:42):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 3 (19:45):
For more information on the enchanted world of Gothic
Prophet and to pre-order ideaand white out May 17th visit
gothic profit.com and visitmetal maven podcast.com for
links to gothic profits, socialprofiles, videos, and read the
full transcript of thisinterview.
Thanks for tuning in and be sureto subscribe to Middle Maven
podcast on Itunes, stitcher,Spotify, and Google play.
(20:09):
Okay.
Welcome to the Metal Maven Podcast, where we
explore and discover the processand passions of artists in the
metal music and art community.
We have reached the thirdepisode of Metal Maven Podcast
and my guest today is operatictheatrical metaller, Linda
(00:22):
Smouse, and we're going to divedeep into the mystical world of
her first studio album, A DeerIn White.
Thanks so much for joining metoday Linda, how are you?
Linda Smouse (00:30):
I am great.
It is wonderful to be here.
Metal Maven (00:33):
Well, you must be very excited now that you've
released your first music videoand your album comes out May
17th.
It's almost here.
Linda Smouse (00:42):
It's been a long time coming and I'm very excited
about it.
Looking forward to seeing themusic actually all the way out
there and everybody to be ableto actually, you know, hear the
songs in entirety.
Yeah, and get the feedback andsee what everybody thinks.
Metal Maven (01:02):
I'm so happy for you Linda because I know it
takes a lot of work to reachthis point and I'd like to for a
moment talk about you a bitmore.
Who is Linda Smouse?
What is your musical background,and how did you reach the point
where you can now share yourunique visions with the world?
Linda Smouse (01:22):
Wow.
Metal Maven (01:22):
I know that was a lot of questions!
Linda Smouse (01:25):
That's a loaded question right there! Yeah, who
am I?
Well, you know, I've beensinging for quite some time, but
I never actually decided to makea full on presentation to put
out there.
But you go through a lot ofthings in life and, and then
it's like, you know, you seethings and it's like,"I have
(01:49):
this within me and I want to putit out there," and, you know,
get it to people and enrichtheir life in any way that I can
and hopefully that it will touchthem.
And you know, as a friend ofmine quotes, he says,"If you can
reach people and do somethingpositive, it's a beautiful
thing."
Metal Maven (02:07):
That is a beautiful thing, indeed.
Did you ever encounter outsideresistance to how you wanted to
express yourself or make music?
You know, getting to this point,did you have any challenges
along the way for that?
Linda Smouse (02:20):
Oh, absolutely! I mean, when you're a singer, if
you want to stay true toyourself and to what you know is
within you, there's always goingto be people that like what you
are or what you do, but thenthey want to take it and they
want to craft it and mold it andshape it the way that they want
(02:43):
for what their purposes are andtheir agendas are.
You have to stay true toyourself.
And that's part of what thisalbum is really all about.
And when I went throughexperiences that I went through,
yeah, I had some very difficultexperiences with people wanting
(03:05):
to not allow me to do what I do.
And they're kind of like lovingme in the beginning, and then
once, you know, you're in thepicture, it's like,"Oh yeah,
let's change you now." And I'mlike,"Well, you know, that's
just, probably not going tohappen." So yeah, I went through
some experiences like that.
(03:25):
And, you know, sometimes it getsyou really to a place where
you're like,"Wow, can you evermake it?
Can you ever do it?" And that'sanother part of this album
because it's like everythingthat's malignant out there has
always tried to steal everythingfrom you.
But then there's thisoverpowering, benevolent type
thing that's always like,"No,don't give up.
(03:47):
You can always do it.
And everything else that saysyou can't is just a lie." So I
keep pressing forward and, oneday I came across, Dark Passion
Play from Nightwish and Iliterally sat and listened to
that song, the songs on thealbum, mostly"Poet and the
(04:10):
Pendulum" and"Meadows ofHeaven." And I just sat and
listened for, I don't know, 12hours straight.
And every time I listened, Iheard something new.
And I was like,"This is the kindof music I want to do.
Where everything is expressed–soft tones, loud tones, growls–
(04:31):
whatever you needed to put toget the story across." It's made
like a picture, you know, like amovie for the imagination.
And I think that that'swonderful because every person
is a unique individual withtheir own ability to imagine and
create.
And so to trigger all thatwithin a person's soul and allow
(04:54):
them to just create art withintheir own mind is a wonderful
thing.
And to come across that musicand to know like,"Yeah, this is
what I want to do." And then tohave the opportunity to do it–
wow, what a gift and what anopportunity.
And I've been extremely blessedwith the ability to be able to
(05:18):
pull this off.
Metal Maven (05:20):
Well, it seems like Nightwish has had a huge impact
on you, but I was alsowondering, were there any other
perhaps non-musical sources orbooks or art that fueled your
creativity as well?
Linda Smouse (05:33):
Oh, yeah, yeah.
I am a huge, huge fan of"TheLord of the Rings."
Metal Maven (05:42):
I thought so! Oh yeah.
I mean, I look at the Elveslike, they got it going on, you
know what I mean?
You want to stay on their goodside– they're perfect, they're
beautiful, you know?
(06:02):
They'll be so wonderful to you,but you just never want to get
on their bad side.
And I look at that as a goodthing to endeavor to be like.
And if I could live with Elvesin Lothlórien or Rivendell I
(06:22):
would be just...
yeah, I'll go live there.
A lot of my characters in themusic are based on the Elves.
I've got a lot of multi-layercharacters throughout all of the
A Deer In White album.
Yeah.
Are there any of thosecharacters you can speak about
today or are you keeping that onthe down low?
Linda Smouse (06:45):
Um, I mean...
Metal Maven (06:48):
Well, I know on your website there's the demon.
Linda Smouse (06:51):
Yeah, absolutely.
Metal Maven (06:52):
And then from the samples, I've heard the name
"Michael."
Linda Smouse (06:57):
Yes, yes.
Yeah.
Metal Maven (06:59):
So I'm not sure.
I'm trying to match it up withthe music video.
So I'm not sure if Michael isthe– kind of your right hand man
who's with you, traveling withyou.
Linda Smouse (07:11):
Um, not exactly.
Metal Maven (07:14):
Okay.
Linda Smouse (07:15):
That's one of those things that like, you
know, I don't want to like, uh–
Metal Maven (07:19):
You don't want to reveal that.
Linda Smouse (07:20):
Yeah.
I don't want to ruin theexperience.
It's like when you play a videogame and you're looking for all
the little– where's this thing?
Where's that thing?
You know?
And part of the fun of it is todiscover it and search for it
and figure it out.
So I don't want to ruin it forthe listening audience.
Metal Maven (07:37):
So what I found interesting is you're inspired
by Nightwish and all of thesemagical stories and then mixed
in with your own experience as asinger and you know, meeting
that potential or, actually,actual resistance to how you
wanted to express yourself.
(07:58):
It feels like all of theseelements together transformed
you into the Gothic Prophet.
So my next question would be,what is a Gothic Prophet, you
know, a noun?
Like if you had a MythicalBestiary description, what would
that be?
Linda Smouse (08:20):
Wow.
That's probably the mostdifficult question that I have
to answer.
Within myself I know exactlywhat and who a Gothic Prophet
is.
But it's such a multi-layeredanswer because an individual can
(08:42):
be a Gothic Prophet, but themessage itself is a Gothic
Prophet.
It's taking all that benevolentvoice that's in the world, and
hearing it, and then doingsomething with it– being led
(09:02):
with it, either in song or inartwork, or in whatever gifting
an individual would have– andshining something truthful and
positive into such a darknessthat it overpowers it and
causes, betterness and changeand something more positive.
(09:28):
And there's specifics within theA Deer In White and the whole
brand of Gothic Prophet.
But it's almost like you have toexperience and start to build a
relationship with the brand inorder to understand it.
You know, because just like ifyou were in a relationship with
(09:51):
a person, there's no way you'regoing to really know that person
until you just spend time withthem and get to experience them.
And then you start to go,"Oh, Iget it.
I see what it's like." And thenit starts to get clearer.
And I think that's the best Ican answer that question at this
time until the album is outthere and everybody can hear it.
Metal Maven (10:15):
Gotcha.
So I would think it's like anadventure in the theater of your
mind, kind of.
Linda Smouse (10:22):
Most definitely!
Metal Maven (10:23):
Most definitely.
What led you to the creation ofthis album?
So, in your timeline, did itbegin further back as just a
small thought in your mind, anunseemingly situation that came
up that procced this idea thatone day came together as a
larger body of work?
How did that begin for you, thatcreative process?
(10:45):
Sometimes people say,"Iremembered something from when I
was younger and I held on tothat moment.
And then I didn't actually thinkabout it again until I was older
and had this other idea.
And just things begin to link upand then something beautiful is
made from that." So I was justwondering how you got to this
point.
Linda Smouse (11:05):
You know, it's a combination of many events and
just a refusal to let go of whatI know within myself.
And there's an inward presenceof spirit that, if you just stay
(11:29):
true to it, you can do anythingyou set out to do.
You're going to battle, and it'sgoing to be an adventure, but
it's always going to tell youthat you can do what you're
trying to do– but there's alwaysgoing to be that other voice
that's telling you,"You can't."I cannot tell you how many times
(11:54):
throughout this whole processand throughout experiences in my
life where people in situationswould say,"You can't do this.
You can't do this." And your ownthoughts will tell you,"You
can't do this." And yet, if youcan shut all of that out with
the voice that says,"Oh, yes,you can," then you find out that
(12:17):
you can do it.
And I look at this wholeexperience as, I've done it.
So, all of those voices thatsaid,"You can't do it." Well,
you know, something's amissbecause I've done it, and I'm
still doing it.
We're still adventuring here,where every day is still things
(12:38):
to do and I've got things that Ilearn every day in the process
of getting this out.
And discovering the audiencethat is interested in the album–
I've been trying to learn asmuch as I can about the
individuals that I'm coming incontact with and get an idea of
(12:58):
what they're looking for and howI can do what's good for their
interest and make the experienceof a Gothic Prophet in their
life be something wonderful forthem.
So yeah, it's always, wow, it'sa lot.
Metal Maven (13:15):
It is indeed.
I mean, it's this huge messageof positivity.
It's quite an endeavor to havean album that is meant to be
like almost a spiritualexperience and to uplift someone
potentially out of a reallynegative mindset.
How did you balance and maintainambiguity to get this kind of
(13:38):
end result for your music, foryour album?
Linda Smouse (13:42):
Wow.
Yeah, that has been a challenge.
I guess then that's why I'vebeen so I'm quiet about myself
and talking about me.
Because it's really more aboutthe brand and the spirit of the
whole brand.
And by focusing on thatcausative message, on that
(14:03):
spirit of the brand, that'swhat's most important.
It's not about any individual,it's not about me as a singer.
It's about the message andpeople being able to go and
listen to the music, and to themessage, and the whole feel of
(14:25):
it.
Kind of like when you go to amovie, you know, you go into the
movie and you know you're safewithin that movie.
You're sitting in the theater,but you get drawn into the movie
and it's like you feel likeyou're in the movie, And then
you'd come out and then if itwas an action movie, then you're
charged, but if it was a drama,maybe you're in tears, you know,
it moves people.
(14:48):
And that's what I'm trying todo.
So I focus more on that to keepthe ambiguity, as opposed to
focusing on any individualthat's been involved.
And yeah, that's the best way Iknow how to answer that one.
Metal Maven (15:05):
Well, it seems like your live performances of this
are going to be amazing fromwhat this sounds like.
I know you haven't announced anytours yet, but I'm extremely
excited for when you do start totour, because I know you're
based in the US so I should beable to make one of those shows.
I would be honored to go to,especially since the music has
(15:29):
this theatrical feel to it– theperformance and the lighting and
just the sound and the hearingit with you and seeing you sing,
I feel is going to be a greatexperience for people to
actually be there and witnessSpirit instead of, you know, if
they're just listening, that's avery personal experience.
(15:51):
But once you start getting intothe arena of sharing your music
in the community, like with themphysically, that's a whole other
magic that happens.
So I really look forward to whenyou reach that point because I
will definitely be there.
Linda Smouse (16:07):
Oh, well I would love for you to be there.
Yeah, I look forward to that.
Being in a live presentation isprobably my happiest place.
And I think that the energy thatcomes with that, because you
have everyone coming together–your audience, their energy, and
(16:31):
their adrenaline, and what theyfeel from the music, affects the
whole atmosphere.
And it's a wonderful encounterwhen you're sharing what you
have with people and they'resharing what they have with you.
I look forward to that greatlymyself and I'm already working
(16:55):
on more music and this album wasdone in the studio, and I'm
still trying to decide if I wantto do the next one as a studio.
I think what I'd really like todo is start to incorporate
actual band members so that Ican write with them and start to
(17:17):
build that part of the brand.
But initially I did it with thestudio because that was the best
way to accomplish what I wastrying to do, since nobody had
any idea of the brand except formyself.
But after the album is releasedand people are able to hear it,
(17:38):
they'll get a much betterunderstanding of what the brand
is about, so then I canincorporate other individuals
and I hope to actually do that.
And I think when you listen tothe album, you'll see that there
are so many layers of singersand so many characters.
(17:58):
And sometimes you've gotmultiple characters singing the
same words, but yet, they're notmeaning the same thing.
One's saying it from a negativeperspective– one's saying it
from a positive.
So that creates a field where Ican have four or five singers.
(18:19):
And I would love to incorporatehaving a much bigger production.
I have lots of big ideas, butone step at a time.
Metal Maven (18:28):
Exactly.
Little Bites, right?
But I feel like, when I pictureit, especially since you don't
have band members at thismoment, it almost has like a
Sarah Brightman feel to it withhow she comes out, just, you
know, a goddess.
And she just has beautifullighting and I'm excited to see
what you do next.
I know a little bit at a time.
(18:49):
I can imagine though, right?
Linda Smouse (18:51):
I imagine all the time, it's partly how you get it
accomplished.
And Sarah's presentations areamazing, absolutely amazing.
Metal Maven (19:02):
Last question, Linda.
Linda Smouse (19:03):
Okay.
Metal Maven (19:04):
What musical spirit do you want to imbue in your
listeners?
Linda Smouse (19:09):
I think to sum that up in a clear form is
musical spirit I endeavored tobreathe into my listeners is one
of,"I'm still on your side– anunstoppable, prophesying,
benevolent truth– unconditionallove."
Metal Maven (19:27):
I love it.
I needed to have this talk withyou tonight.
It was the perfect night for it.
Linda Smouse (19:33):
Awesome.
Metal Maven (19:34):
And it was just, you know, a good, positive chat
with you, and I'm so happy thatyou're able to join me tonight
and take time out of your day.
Linda Smouse (19:42):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 3 (19:45):
For more information on the enchanted world of Gothic
Prophet and to pre-order ideaand white out May 17th visit
gothic profit.com and visitmetal maven podcast.com for
links to gothic profits, socialprofiles, videos, and read the
full transcript of thisinterview.
Thanks for tuning in and be sureto subscribe to Middle Maven
podcast on Itunes, stitcher,Spotify, and Google play.
(20:09):
Okay.
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