What is your full name?
Autumn Ni Dubhghaill is anm dom
Do you have any aliases?
Not that I am aware of, but I’m sure that people call me all sorts of things
If you had an alias what might it be?
I like my name, I don’t think I need an alias.
What bands are you actively involved with?
Forever Autumn.
What was the first instrument that you played?
Ever? When I was a wee lass, a relative tried to teach me the piano. However, I was a kid and wanted to play outside with my cousins. I suppose that would be the first I played. However, an actual instrument that I practice and become well versed in, would be the drums.
Tell me about one of your first musical memories?
Oh no! I already told this above! In another case, my parents used to bring us to Tanglewood in the Berkshires. The Boston Symphony Orchestra would play. My favourite was the ‘Tanglewood on Parade’ programme because there were bagpipes, and the cannons during the 1812 Overture.
What was the name of the first band you were in?
In high school I formed ‘Suburban Disease’ with some friends. It was just something fun to do. I started drumming there but realized that I wanted to be the frontwoman, so I picked up a guitar and bought a cheap mic. We were awful.
Tell me about the genesis of Forever Autumn.
Forever Autumn began in late 2000. I am from a small town and there were not many like-minded musicians around. So I struck out on my own, with some horrid equipment and an analogue four-track. By 2001 I had my first release. Now it’s 2021, and I’m still at it. Wow! The time goes by!
What inspired the name Forever Autumn?
The name is inspired by the season of death and dying; The fading light and the smell of burning in the air. It comes from the bleak season of grey, bare trees and a low dark sky. Forever Autumn comes from this reflective place.
How long did it take you to write and record Hail the Forest Dark?
It took a little over a year I think. Maybe a year and a half? It was a lot of time, money, energy, and work, but well worth it.
If you could insert yourself into any one band what band would it be and why?
I don’t think that I would. Years ago I may have wanted something like that, but now, it’s not that important. I like my band. If I inserted in another it wouldn’t quite be my band anymore. It would be a lot of fun to have more of a band vibe, but I do as I must.
Yes. I have an olde record by the Pennywhistlers called ‘A Cool Day and Crooked Corn’. They do a version of an olde song from Dalmatia called ‘Vrlicko Kolo’. It’s amazing. I aspire to write something so good.
Who are some of your musical inspirations?
In no particular order, I would list bands like Darkthrone and My Dying Bride, Skepticism and Current 93. Many of my inspirations also come from olde traditional folk songs and dances from the arc of Northern Europe.
What is a non-metal song that you'd like to do a cover of?
I will list a few;
Lady in Black by Uriah Heep
Bela Lugosi’s Dead by Bauhaus
And my own version of the Irish classic Oro Se Do Bheatha Bhaile
What band have you played with that has really impressed you with their live show?
the Spiritual Bat.
Do you have a favorite venue to play at?
So far I would have to say the Greyston Unity in Halifax, England. It’s quite small and I’ve only played there once, but I look forward to going back. Great people there.
Do you have a pre-show ritual?
It’s very strange, I hold rituals for many things, but pre-show I do not. I like to light a stick of incense and leave it outside the venue.
What is your favorite thing about touring?
Bringing my musique to new people and established fans alike. You get to meet a lot of people and I have made some good friends too.
What is your least favorite thing about touring?
The actual travel me thinks. I’m not one for long road-trips, at least not anymore. So extended road tyme can really grate on me, especially when I am stuck driving!
Is there a city that you love to hit while on tour?
I did enjoy Halifax in the UK, as previously stated. Definitely going back there.
What’s the weirdest experience you’ve had on the road?
Well, there was that one time we went to a diner and I asked for food and the guy behind the counter told me to “go %$@# yourself”. That was certainly weird and unprovoked. I am wracking my brain for something super-wyrd, but, sorry… no luck right now.
The year is 2000. Where are you at and what are you listening to?
I am in my parents basement near a running furnace with a cheap 4-track recorder. I am listening to My Dying Bride and Cradle of Filth, and working at the humble beginnings of Forever Autumn.
What advice would you give young musicians that are just starting out in the music business?
I would advise young musicians to stick with it, through thick and thin. It may take a moment to hit it big; it may take twenty years, but if you are truly passionate about the music, you cannot be defeated.
Dating within the band. That is a big no-no, and surely leads to demise.
If you were to start your own music festival what would be the name of that festival and who would be the three headlining bands?
The festival would be called ‘Dead of Winter’. I would love to get My Dying Bride, Darkthrone, and Skepticism to headline. Inserting Forever Autumn in there somewhere too.
What’s the longest time you’ve gone without bathing?
Hmm… I don’t think I have ever kept track. Let’s say about two weeks, with lot’s of incense ;)
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
Where I am from.
Is the Fistful of DOOM show in the top 10 of your favorite music podcasts?
Sorry, no. Is that your show? I am horrible with podcasts. I don’t listen to any and have only recently come to understand what they are after being on a few. I don’t really plan on listening to any either. I have my records and tapes.
Do unicorns sleep standing up?
This is an interesting question. One would imagine that they do, due to being part horse, but I would think that being a magickal beast, they may take ease in a mossy grove or some such area where they may lay in comfort.
You’re driving cross-country and you can only listen to one album the whole time. What album will it be?
Let’s go with Alice in Chains - Unplugged
You are writing a book about your life thus far. What is the title of that book?
Incarnation: Testimonies of a Tired Soul
What is your favorite song by My Dying Bride?
The Crown of Sympathy, I’d say. I did a cover for a Doom-metal.com tribute album in 2016
Adele or Taylor Swift (if you had to choose)?
I choose to go without.
Well, since I already have the latter, the former would be good. Especially since I have chronic pain. It’s a good treatment for such.
Waffles or Pancakes (if you had to pick one)?
I don’t quite care for either, but I would take the pancakes my father makes, as long as I have that home-made maple syrup we’d make.
Star Wars or Star Trek (if you had to choose)?
I have long been an avid Star Wars fan, well...original trilogy. Star Trek was never quite my thing but I have a healthy respect for the original series.
Favorite band t-shirt you own?
The new Forever Autumn t-shirt, of course!
Favorite meal?
Greasy pepperoni pizza
Favorite book?
It’s a tie between Beowulf and the Aeneid
Favorite movie?
I don’t watch many movies… perhaps the Empire Strikes Back?
Favorite album?
Too many to choose! For now, we’ll say Type O Negative - October Rust
Big thanks to Autumn for taking the time to answer my questions. I appreciate it. Be sure to give the new EP Hail the Dark Forest a listen. Don’t forget to light a few candles and turn out the lights first.
~El Pedo Caliente (aka Uncle Jameson host of the Fistful of DOOM show)
https://open.spotify.com/album/1xhQwxh8VjbrDzXgZ8JLGZ?si=0kvmK2_ZT_Sr3K6L0nVXng&dl_branch=1
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