On the atmospheric new record Feral Lady Haidée and her co-conspirator, composer Valentine, have produced not one but 10 aural vignettes depicting the strange and sinister world of a little girl raised by animals in the forest. Inspired by the idea of a child who howls like a wolf and eschews all social niceties the record is a mass of twanging guitars, cult-like chanting and whispery vocals depict a world of cobwebs, ghosts, wolves and haunting loneliness. If you live in a wistful, dusty interior landscape, you love Kate Bush and Carlos Santana and didn’t think Bat for Lashes went far enough then you’d better familiarise yourself with the shady Lady and her twisted ditties. You might be touched, spooked or inspired, but you won’t be disappointed. Below the Lady herself elaborates on the mystical process she underwent to produce her first album. . . .

The album Feral has been co-produced with composer Valentine. Is this your first foray into recording music?

I’ve recorded many times before but in very compromised situations. This time I had a little bit of a budget so I was able to achieve more in terms of bringing my vision to life in a much more complete way. I enjoy the recording process as I’m able to evolve my sound very naturally as well as with my composer partner Valentine. We were able to reflect on the sound and vision as I imagined it and then it grew from there.

The music itself as well as the concept conjures up very strong visual images. Where do these images come from? Are they inspired by your surroundings or something internal?

I think and compose visually; whether it be a personal memory, feeling or abstract thoughts. Fairytales have been a strong influence on me ever since a child; I would try and make sense of my world through fairytale picture books; particularly those drawn by Arthur Rackham and Kay Neilsen.

Bearing in mind my last question, can you describe for me the inside of your house?

My home is a an old dilapidated Victorian house; quite David Lean Great Expectations (on a much smaller scale), with high ceilings, an open roaring fireplace which I often dream and reflect upon my day in the evenings by. Two black cats I adopted from the RSPCA wonder in and out as they please. The wooden floor boards are creaky and cobwebs easily grow here! The sunset brings a sunbeam of light in the early evenings.

What inspired the idea of Feral, the child raised by animals in the forest? Is it an idea you carried around for a long time, or one inspired by literature, or real life or something else?

I’ve always had a great affinity with cats as they gave me great comfort growing up as a child as I didn’t have any parents; well my mother was around but not really. So I identified easily with abandoned children and whilst at Central Saint Martins studying Post Grad photography I embarked on quite a lot of reading to inform my conceptual ideas and a book I stumbled upon and got into reading was a book by Michael Newton called ‘Savage Girls and Wild Boys’ which was insightful yet so sad and tragic at the same time. The story about Genie which filled my heart with such sorrow as did all the other ghostly feral children stories; that I wanted to give them a voice and create this album from their perspective almost.

What about musical influences, can you pinpoint any of these for me? What about other sounds (non musical) that you managed to bring to the project?

I’d say ‘Air’ have been a big influence on me; as well the ‘Cocteau Twins’ and ‘Serge Gainsbourg.’ Though there are so many more!! I managed to bring the sound of fire to Feral in my introduction ‘In a Land Far Away’ I recite a little story which is meant to conjure a campfire setting.

In which situations do you envisage people settling down to listen to the album? (If I were to hold a séance or a scary story session I would definitely put this on)

That’s perfect; that’s how I see this album and also my live shows as very visceral and ceremonial. So if you need some other-worldly connection this is perfect listening. Around a campfire or during Halloween or Day of the Dead festival perhaps. Also I would love this to be played in a club setting for people to dance to; so some remixes could be a good idea. I love dancing and I’d love ‘Feral’ to make people dance as it so primal and beautiful and a celebration of being human. I see ‘Feral’ as being perfect festival music for a gathering as it's very atmospheric and a great alternative to drugs. A great way to raise your spiritual connection naturally; a natural high!

I found the music very cinematic . . . do you agree? Is collaboration with the film world something that interests you for the future?

Thank You, Yes, I agree, and that was always my intention; to create an epic cinematic sound and I can’t wait to create some music video ideas for each song in Feral, I am just bursting with Visuals and my songwriting is very visual as I think very visually too.

 

See www.myspace.com/ladyhaidee

By Naomi Attwood

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