TWENTY BIG ONES with EMILY HIGHFIELD, SULDUSK

Shane | 30 September 2024 | Reply

TWENTY BIG ONES with EMILY HIGHFIELD, SULDUSK
By Shane Pinnegar

According to their current bio: “Emily Highfield’s one-woman project Suldusk released an award-winning album, Lunar Falls in 2019 (released by Northern Silence Productions – Germany). The album was described as a “killer debut album” (FolkNRock), “executed brilliantly” (Everything Is Noise) and “a success in creating thoroughly entrancing musical experiences through seamless juxtapositions of contrasting musical styles.” (No Clean Singing).

“Weaving acoustic tones of dark folk with elements of atmospheric black metal, doom and post rock, Lunar Falls creates a powerful panoramic of shimmering guitars, affecting melodies and atmospheric density. “Every subsequent listen to Lunar Falls tugs viciously at my heartstrings, as she draws listeners deep into her musical forest.” (Angry Metal Guy).

“After playing a variety of festivals and shows as an acoustic ensemble, Suldusk grew to a bigger sound, recruiting Zebadee Scott (drums), Shane Mulholland (guitar and vocals), Josh Taylor (classical guitar), Daniel Green (bass) and Hayley Anderson (violin). Suldusk has supported Wolves in The Throne Room, Eluveitie, Zeal and Ardor, Psychroptic, Be’lakor, Katatonia, and many more.”

Now Suldusk are set to appear at this weekend’s ELECTRIC EYE HEAVY FEST at Freo Social Saturday 5th October 2024.

EMILY HIGHFIELD tackled TWENTY BIG ONES with 100% ROCK MAGAZINE

1. You’re playing Electric Eye Heavy Fest in Perth! Is it a rare opportunity to get across to WA and play for fans you don’t normally get the chance to be in front of, and how do you best capitalise on a chance like that?

I think the only way to make the most of it is to put on the best show you can from the first note!
Commit 100% to the music and never apologise for bringing everything you have to the stage!

2. Tell us a little about your latest release. Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material that only diehard fans might pick up on?

Our album Anthesis was released in March this year by Napalm Records. Zebadee our drummer did not play on it, but he certainly dominates when we play the album songs live! He gives them his flair.

3. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realised you wanted to be a musician?

The moment was when I first sang in a three-part harmony in year 4 at primary school. I got goosebumps all over my body and music became my special interest.

4. What is it about music that makes you feel passionate?

Music is a way to connect with others.
For someone who always struggled with this, it is really my safest language.

5. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Agalloch – who we just toured with
Trees Of Eternity
Alcest
Fleetwood Mac
All the raw ugly black metal on Soundcloud

6. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

John Haughm from Agalloch.
I just had the pleasure of meeting him this past weekend.
He is a true sound artist. I love his lyricism, guitar tones, soundscape work and general musical sensibilities!

7. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

Dark folk + Blastbeats + Atmospheres.
Thankfully no cringe references yet!

8. What is your favourite activity or hobby outside of music – what do you like to do to unwind?

I am a surfer, gym rat and love long baths!

9. Do you have a best and/or worst performance anecdote you’d like to share, and if things do go awry during a show, how do you try to turn things around?

Best show was last week at Max Watts in Melbourne. The in-ear mix was perfect, the crowd were exactly our demographic, and the band were all attuned to each other. My heroes from Agalloch were also watching and I could not let them down. They ended up dedicating one of their songs to Suldusk later when they were playing. I honestly could’ve died happy right then.

10. What’s the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?

Enjoy the off stage stuff as much as the on stage.

11. Do you follow a process or ritual before a performance to get rid of nerves or performance anxiety?

A shot or two shots of good rum is about right – plus guitar and voice warm up.

12. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

All the members of Agalloch last week.

13. What’s the best thing about being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Being a musician has helped me feel less like an alien. If I wasn’t a musician, I would be some sort of healer.

14. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

We don’t really hang out in that way. We are too busy rehearsing!

15. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep, or you would like to be able to “do over” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Not believing in myself sooner. It is understandable considering I come from a misogynistic culture where women are told to be quiet!

16. If you were made ruler of the world, what would your first orders be?

Anyone who is repeatedly unkind, inhumane and lacking in compassion needs to be executed!

17. What is your favourite rock n’ roll movie, and why?

The Joker – everything about it is rock n’ roll!

18. Talking about songwriting, where do you think the magic comes from?

I am a strong believer in energetic forces, so in some ways the inspiration comes from the collective consciousness of human experience.

19. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

The Mantle by Agalloch. They fused so many elements into one album. They did it effortlessly and inspired a whole new metal sub-genre – blackgaze.

20. What, for you, is the meaning of life??

Love.

Suldusk.com