Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Tina Papadimitriou – Vocals
Rafael Katigbak – Guitars
Natalie Bellio – Keyboards
Glenn Treasure – Bass
Nick James - Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Scorching Winter? How long has the band been around?
SW Rafael Katigbak: We have all been in other bands and music groups previously but nothing serious or worth mentioning. Scorching Winter is the first serious attempt at making music professionally for all of us. Nick (drummer) and I started the band 4 years ago.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
SW Rafael Katigbak: We wanted a name that is ironic because our music and our artworks are somewhat like that. It is heavy music with melodic female vocals, beautiful and evil, brutal and elegant.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
SW Rafael Katigbak: Our songs normally start out as instrumentals which I write and send a demo out to the other guys. The singer then writes the lyrics and vocal melody for it. With our previous releases, the singer have normally written songs about personal experiences but on this upcoming album, we started out with a main storyline, the music was written around that storyline and subsequently, the lyrics.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
SW Rafael Katigbak: Apart from my main influences like Dream Theater, Metallica and Iron Maiden. I’ve also been listening to Opeth, Porcupine Tree, and other bands as well so our new album is a little proggier than our last.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
SW Rafael Katigbak: For me it was Dream Theater.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
SW Rafael Katigbak: Absolutely. I always make sure my fingers are properly warmed up. My finger exercises goes through complex chord changes, left hand right hand coordination, and ofcourse speed.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
SW Rafael Katigbak: I think and hope that the best is yet to come for us.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
SW Rafael Katigbak: Probably Metallica and Iron Maiden, we are big fans of these bands. The atmosphere at their shows is electrifying and who wouldn’t like to play a stadium sized gig?
Is there anything else you would like to add?
SW Rafael Katigbak: Please watch out for our new album set to be released at the end of October with pre-order available from the 18th of Sep. It's an 8-song concept album and it's darker, heavier and more complex than our previous release. We are quite proud of it. Follow us on facebook for updates.