TURBOWITCH – interview

Introduce your band, and describe your latest release:

We are TurboWitch, a bunch of crazies trying to make good music. Amongst those magical creatures in our coven, there is Merlin, the guitarist and composer. And the Morrigan, she writes the lyrics and melodies. The Nightingale, who sings the vocals, we have a heavy-metal dwarf for all matters regarding bass and beer, and a Giant who demolishes the drums. Last but not least, we work with a very mean sound wizard, recording the songs in his pro-sound cave. What could possibly go wrong.

What’s the hardest part about being a band in this day and age?

Social Media, curse and blessing. We love producing content, it has taught us so much, we learnt video editing etc., something we thought we would never be capable of. But there is this constant pressure to produce daily. Also streaming which verges on legal piracy. People have less money these days, which is easy to notice at live gigs. But let’s not whine about it, let’s not forget why we do this: for the love and obsession with music

When did you realise that your project had the potential to be much more than just a fun idea?

It never was a fun idea. Merlin has always been quite serious about TurboWitch because it has been a long journey and right at the begin of this, he knew this was more than a fun idea. So he set out on this journey and TurboWitch is an old dream manifesting.

Tell us about your latest release, why should we check it out?

Our latest release “Alchemy” is our first after the pandemic. All the fears, hopes, all the darkness and lights during that time was tossed into our magic cauldron. It also is our first record with our new gear and line-up as the TurboWitch coven underwent quite a few changes after the pandemic. It is an emotional ride through Love, Death and rock as its reconciler, facing one’s fears to rise and shine. An emotional mix born out of all those extreme emotions put together into the witch’s cauldron.

Are you ready to be enchanted?

How does a song typically come together for you?

There is like a topic, usually rather emotional, or a feeling. This wants to be manifested, wants to be unleashed. Also there are lots or riffs and melodies. The best ones come to Merlin when he is tired just playing around, or by mistake like hitting the wrong string or note.

That’s the initial spark. Merlin then works on it, presents it to his other wizards. Once a song has matured into a proper track, the Morrigan adds lyrics and melody, which might change things around again, an essential part of the track maturing. By this time, the bassist and drummer join in. Once that has been completed, we hit the studio, our “wizard’s cave”.

How would you describe your sound to an unfamiliar reader?

Oh, good luck with that 😀

We don’t care about music genres, labels, we do not know any boundaries. Merlin and the other magical creatures, witches, and wizards & lizards in this coven put together all styles we like in order to create a unique blend of something wild and free. There has been so much schism already, we bring them pieces back together with lots of rock, grunge, goth, bit of soul, blues, bossa nova and whatever we like.

It’s free, it is different, it combines them all to bring all back together. This is the spellbook of the TurboWitch.

What do you want listeners to take away from listening to your band?

Do you know this feeling when a song resonates with a part of your heart deep, deep inside. A rather dark part, perhaps. When a song gives your heart a voice, could be the silliest of all songs, but still, it is a mouthpiece for your feelings. Something you can never really put into words.

This is how we got into music, this has been fascinating us just as much as it did at the beginning.

For Merlin, this is the magic of music.
This is what we would love to give back to our listeners.

Where would you really like to tour that you haven’t done so yet, and why?

Merlin has recently visited his fav city in the UK: Caerdydd (‘Cardiff’ for English speakers).

There were major acts gigging at Castell Caerdydd (‘Cardiff Castle’). Not just Tom Jones again, but also acts like Slayer. Slayer gigging at a castle with a red dragon. Won’t get better than that!
Performing at Castell Caerdydd would be a dream. Also at Brixton Academy. As a Motörheadbanger, Merlin has many fond memories there (all ending with him waking up injured, but happy). And we would love to return to Japan, we toured there in 2023.

How would you say that the sound of your band has progressed over the years?

It has matured a lot, finding the gear, taking music lessons, gaining experience, all of that can be heard. On bandcamp and youtube, you can have a listen to our 2019 “Violent Muse” and recent “Alchemy”:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@turbowitchmusic

Bandcamp: https://turbowitch.bandcamp.com

How excited are you for 2025, and what can fans expect from you?

We are quite excited, we have finished our latest recordings (now is mixing time) and will start with the Tour Planning for Alchemy for Winter 25/26.