Ahead of their gig at Ironworks Venue in February, Will Crawford of Devil’s Queen chats to IGigs.
After some personnel changes and an appearance in the pipeline in support of COBALT’s EP launch at the Ironworks we caught up with Will Crawford of Devil’s Queen to fill in some gaps as to what’s been happening with the band.
IGigs: You have recently welcomed Ross Holland back to the fold after a two year hiatus and a search for a vocalist which took place last year. Was this one of those things that was just meant to be?
Will: That’s a good way of putting it. Ross left in the June of 2015 and we went on to achieve a lot with Tom at the helm. However when it was time for a change and Ross made us aware that he was available it felt like he was the natural choice. Ross came back and it was like he hadn’t been away yet at the same it was a breath of fresh air.
IGigs: Does Ross’s return change the dynamic of the band and does his influences feed into the way you play?
Will: No, I’d say Ross adds a different feel to the songs; his vocal is the icing on the cake. I would say the addition of Frankie on drums has been the biggest change and influence on our sound. He has made the rest of us raise our game musically.
IGigs: In an interview with us in 2013 prior to your debut gig original drummer Tom Fullerton said “I believe this time next year Devil’s Queen will be very much a significant part of the Highland music scene if we keep accelerating musically”. You’ve not only done that, and maintained that with an evolving line up, but broadened your appeal beyond the Highlands. What do you put that down to?
Will: Focus. Devil’s Queen have always been focussed on being a band that makes it mark and that is a long term project that every member past or present has accepted. Despite every lineup change and various bumps on the road DQ manages to keep pressing on always keeping focussed on the bigger picture.
IGigs: Your facebook page suggested that you were back in the studio again, what are your plans for new recordings? Is 2018 the year of Devil’s Queen?
Will: Yes we are in the process of wrapping up our 11 song debut album. We plan to release the record in July, however there will be singles released prior to that along with new artwork, photoshoots and music videos. So keep your eyes peeled for updates on that as they will be coming thick and fast in the coming weeks.
IGigs: As a band with some experience under your collective belt, what do you see in Cobalt, a relatively new band on the scene, that you felt was worthy of your support at their EP launch?
Will: Cobalt feel like a reflection of Devil’s Queen. They are very focussed on being a big player on the local scene and are doing an amazing job of achieving that goal. I expect to see big things from them over the next couple of years.
IGigs: Do you have anything else to plug at the moment?
Will: I have already mentioned that the album will be out in July and everything else that is involved with that prior to its release. We also have a few shows in Edinburgh coming up on 16th February and 31st of March and will be returning to our old stomping ground the Market Bar on March 30th.
Many thanks to Will for giving us his time to let us know what’s on the horizon for Devil’s Queen.
Black King Cobra plays Cobalt’s Bourbon Nightmares EP launch on the 10th February at the Ironworks in Inverness
Tickets available here
Check out another band on the bill, Airrade;
