“It takes someone who keeps the vision in mind”

How does it feel to come back with a new album after six years?

Fabienne Erni: Good things take time, don't they? (laughs) I think that's exactly how it was with us. There have been a few circumstances in the band and sometimes it just takes time to find each other again and work creatively. But I really think we'll come back after these six years with a very good album and good music.

The first singles are already out and you've already played the first two live. How was the feedback from the fans?

Fabienne: ‘Premonition’ is very emotional. At the beginning I had the feeling that the fans didn't know it yet, but over time they really got into the song. We also played it during the encore, just before ‘Inis Mona’. That was a really special moment.

And ‘The Prodigal Ones’ - hey, it really kicks asses live! We really enjoyed it when we played it for the first time, the way people went wild. It will definitely stay in our set for longer. I'm sure of that!

How does it feel to play songs live before the album is out? How can you imagine that moment of excitement when you look into the faces of the fans?

Fabienne: It's always a very special moment. Especially now, after six years without an album. Sure, we had released songs like ‘Aidus’ or ‘Exile of the Gods’ in between. But a whole album - that's something else again. Live, you can directly see how people react - how they feel it, what the reactions are in their eyes. The feedback on the first two singles was really great.

You've been with Eluveitie for nine years, ‘Ànv’ is your third album with the band. Are you still nervous before a release?

Fabienne: It's always very exciting. Whenever you release something new. Regardless of whether it's an album, a song or a cover. And with Eluveitie it's on a completely different scale. I'm really excited!

You describe the new album as your most profound to date. What does that mean to you personally?

Fabienne: For me, the title track ‘Ànv’ is particularly special. It's a song with just my voice and the choir. The fact that I get to sing it means a lot to me. With Eluveitie, I often see myself as an interpreter of Chrigel's vision and also of Jonas' music - and the fact that this song bears the name of the album makes it very special for me. I think the album sounds a bit different from ‘Ategnatos’. As soon as someone new is more integrated musically, it sounds different - and that's how it should be. Jonas has brought in more than usual and you can hear that. I think the album is really beautiful and I really enjoy the songs. I really hope that it gets across what we want to express with the album. But of course: Haters gonna hate.

Have you also received negative criticism in the past?

Fabienne: Yes, I think that's unavoidable. Especially when I joined the band. When you join such an established band where you have to fill certain shoes, it can be difficult at times. I've generally been very well received - but of course there are always negative comments. But I think that's natural when you're so exposed. But you learn over the years how to deal with it. You can't please everyone. But it was really bad for me at the beginning.

How does the songwriting process generally work for you?

Fabienne: It's an open process. Everyone can contribute their ideas. But of course, with eight people it has to come together somewhere. Chrigel and Jonas are the brains behind it. There are also producers, the label - lots of opinions. That's why it's important that someone keeps an eye on the vision.

Our new violinist Sophie has also brought in a lot of ideas. And I myself love finding harmonies or adapting melodies slightly. So everyone finds their place.

You've already played ‘Ànv’ live. Did the song change a lot during the process?

Fabienne: Yes, totally! We played the song live a year ago, back then with just a drone. Now, on the album, we've added a whole choir. My colleague Mirjam from Illumishade composed the harmonies. The song has changed drastically as a result. It has been given a completely different guise, it's actually a new song.

You joined Eluveitie in your early 20s and Celtic mythology and culture are probably not part of the standard literature of Swiss teenagers and young adults. How did you approach this topic?

Fabienne: I've always been interested in Nordic folk music. I studied in Sweden for a year and learnt a lot about Nordic cultures there. But I only really got into the Celts when I joined Eluveitie. Although we live in Switzerland and therefore have a connection to the Celts, you hardly learn anything about them at school. Fortunately, Chrigel is a walking encyclopaedia - he recommended very good books to me. Since then, I've been totally fascinated by the subject. It was a long and important era, especially in Switzerland.

You can really feel that you've developed a real passion for it.

Fabienne: Yes, absolutely. Especially for the language. I just really love singing in Celtic. It was quite difficult to learn the old songs for the first concert with Eluveitie. I still remember that very clearly. Since then, I've really taken a liking to the language.

Would you describe yourself as a spiritual person?

Fabienne: Yes, definitely. I deal a lot with spiritual topics so that I can be in the here and now. Everything has become so fast-paced that we often forget to live. I've read a lot of Eckhart Tolle. It helps me to go through life more consciously.

You've been on stage for what feels like a year now - last year with Illumishade, the tour with Eluveitie recently came to an end and the next big tour is coming up in autumn. Great for the fans - but also damn exhausting. How do you keep a balance for yourself in this exhausting life as a musician?

Fabienne: To be honest, I've been at home for over a month now - I'd be ready to go on tour again. (laughs) After an intensive tour, of course I'm looking forward to being at home, writing music, having routines. That's exactly what I miss on tour. Getting up early, being creative, going for a walk - that energises me. On tour, I go to bed at 2 or 3 a.m. - it takes time to get back into your regular rhythm. But now we've had a break for almost six months. I'm working on a few different things at the moment and I'd like to do a solo album. I love this variety.

So the next six months are reserved for songwriting for Illumishade?

Fabienne: On the one hand for Illumishade, on the other hand for my solo project. I already have a few songs in the making. I would like to release my solo album at the end of the year. That means: I have to step on the gas! And then there's a studio project with the guitarist from Infected Rain. There's a lot going on.

Are you planning to go down different musical paths on your solo album?

Fabienne: I'm just trying out exactly what I want! It will definitely remain metal, but I want to somehow bring folk and fantasy together - actually a combination of Eluveitie and Illumishade.

You've been in the metal business for almost ten years, in a world that is still heavily male-dominated. How do you see your path as a woman in this world - do you sense a development within the scene?

Fabienne: I've been able to get to know a lot of women in the scene over the past few years - be it on tour, at festivals or on social media. The support within the women's scene in metal is amazing. It has also become stronger, ultimately of course because there are more women in metal. Personally, I've always been lucky and have had very good experiences. But of course I also realise that it can be difficult in other positions, for example in the crew. But the development is there. I think it would be nice if there was a balance on the tour bus too - not just 1-2 women and 20 men.

Thank you very much for the interview, Fabienne!