Interview mit Emma Ruth Rundle

Your music is mainly associated with folk and post-rock. Would you say that you personally also have some kind of connection to metal music?
I believe the initial connection to the metal scene stems from being in Red Sparowes. I have been warmly welcomed in my solo career and am grateful and feel very comfortable. While I wouldn’t classify my own music as being metal – I do listen to and tour with heavy and metal bands.

In post-rock, production often plays a big role, in folk, on the other hand, many bands focus more on the nature of the music itself. Where is your position in this matter?
I strive to balance the two. I want production to be a contributor to the sound of an album but hope to maintain the raw honesty of folk music.

What do you think is it that your fans appreciate most about your music?
The personal, emotive and sometimes uncomfortable but hopeful content.

On your new album „On Dark Horses“, as previously announced, you let parts of the guitars being recorded by other people for the first time. What is the reason for this?
I wanted to embrace the chemistry I had developed with my touring band and capture that.

Was this decision also accompanied by changes in your songwriting process?
It changed my process midway through working the album in the moment I firmly decided on the full band vs a solo acoustic thing. I wrote parts knowing a second guitar, drums and bass would be there to propel instrumental sections that would otherwise seems unusually sparse.

Meanwhile you have gathered a whole band around you, so to speak. Do you, however, still perceive yourself to be a solo artist?
Yes.

On „On Dark Horses“ you deal with personal constraints and getting through difficult situations. Why did you choose exactly the „dark horse“ as a symbol for this?
Here is the definition of the term dark horse „A dark horse is a little-known person or thing that emerges to prominence, especially in a competition of some sort, or a contestant that seems unlikely to succeed“.
I thought it seemed fitting for an album I wrote around the eponymous song about overcoming a backstory rife with struggle and following „Marked For Death“.

I guess one can still tell that your roots lie in folk music, but on your new album, for example, there are actually no acoustic guitars being used, are there?
There is a classical guitar overdub in „You Don’t Have To Cry“.

Was this a conscious decision or did it happen rather naturally?
Both.

In which way would you say that you have progressed as a musician?
Mostly in my confidence to claim my space as a musician. I never had much sense of value or ability in anything but these last two years of being on the road have galvanised my being and I feel stronger.

On „Light Song“ one can also hear Evan Patterson as a guest singer. What was the idea behind your collaboration?
After playing on the last Jaye Jayle record, „No Trail And Other Unholy Paths“, specifically on the song „Marry Us“ – it made sense to have my now husband sing on the one love song off the album.

There was also a video released for the song. Why did you choose this particular track? And what was your thought behind the video?
It was the song Danielle Bartley was most drawn to and I like the way it turned out. I think it commemorates a sweet young nostalgic love story that is timeless.

The songs on „On Dark Horses“ have a cohesive tone, but in terms of mood they differ from each other. What do you think is the most emotional song on your new record?
„Control“ or „Darkhorse“.

I have the impression that „On Dark Horses“ sounds warmer and more organic than „Marked For Death“. Would you agree with me on that? And what could be the reason for that?
„Marked For Death“ was written and recorded in a desolate setting. „On Dark Horses“ was recorded in Louisville with a full band and the mind of Kevin Ratterman behind the board. It just has a different feeling.

The artwork looks very DIY-Indie-like. What was the idea behind it?
Well, I guess you could call it DIY in that it really was done at my house. But I also took the photos and did the layout for „Marked For Death“. I think maybe the difference is that „On Dark Horses“ is polaroid and therefor looks more lo-fi.

You are often on tour for quite long periods of time. How do you handle being on the road so much and for such a long time?
It’s very difficult.

Soon you will also go on tour through Europe. What do you expect from this journey?
A lot of hard work rewarded by all the humans who join us in supporting the endeavour.

Would you say that the European audiences are different from the American audiences in some way?
I feel more welcome on European stages and would like to express my gratitude.

Let’s conclude with our traditional Metal1.info brainstorming, where I give you a few words and you tell me what comes to mind:
Therapeutic riding: A van I can lay down in.
Streaming: A river in Oregon.
Achieving society: Wikipedia
Singer-songwriter: A term I wish would go away.
Current favorite album: Cloakroom – „Time Well“
EMMA RUTH RUNDLE in ten years: Painting with a happy dog at my feet.

At this point I want to thank you again for the interview. Would you like to say a few last words to the readers?
Thank you for the thoughtful question and thanks to all who support the arts.
Best, ERR