UK-based trio The Butterfly Wheel unveils their new single/music video, “Dragons,” a song inspired by a mystical experience.
The Butterfly Wheel offers more than just music; they provide a transformative journey into philosophical and esoteric realms. Their unique blend of sound and immersive performance, led by Alice Ancient’s penetrating voice, delves into deep emotions and contemplative themes, forging a powerful emotional connection with their audience.
Inspired by esoteric philosophy, myth, and a desire to connect with the hidden mysteries of life, they weave tapestries of wisdom and compassion through their haunting sound.
Their live performances, often set in sacred spaces with theatrical elements and visuals, awaken the spirit and touch the soul, crossing over into a shamanic experience. Listeners explore profound concepts, foster introspection, and connect with something greater than themselves.
Guitar Girl Magazine spoke with The Butterfly Wheel, talking about their unique sound and how they came by the name The Butterfly Wheel.
How would you describe your own music?
Haunting and ethereal psych folk, both nostalgic and timeless, otherworldly and soul penetrating.
Someone recently told me they had been playing one of our songs on repeat and with each listen she felt its medicine deeper; I like that each song carries its own potency, its own quality unique to itself. We often get referenced as being like The Doors, probably due to my voice being quite deep and Myrrh’s psychedelic keyboard playing but I also like to think it’s because we have similar Shamanic influences.
People often say my voice and our sound, sounds like it is coming from ‘another world’ – this could be due to our interests or just the way our songs and sounds come through us and our intentions when we write them, our inspirations being the mythic and the mysteries.
Other references we’d use are the dark poetics of Nick Cave, driving vibe of Jefferson Airplane, and the Velvet Underground and esoteric undercurrents of Lana del Rey and Kate Bush all of whom we love.
Tell us more about “Dragons.” What’s the story behind the track and the creative process involved in bringing it to life?
‘Dragons’ is inspired by a spiritual experience in Wales, within which I experienced the weaving of energies of the land and spirit, the weaving being felt rainbow and serpentine and later when Myrrh and I were on a ley line in Medicine Festival, the song flowed through, and since we have been on a journey, meeting and collaborating with a storyteller in Snowdonia, uncovering and revisiting and retelling in our way the myths of the dragons and this land and the forces within us.
What’s the significance of the name The Butterfly Wheel?
Before Myrrh and I started making music we were putting on artistic performances, theatre shows; one performance got reviewed as ‘The Mighty Boosh meets Kate Bush on acid;’ one day we asked the audience to name our theatre troop of the time and a man called out ‘butterfly wheels’ and went on to explain the delicacy of the imagination. It stuck and when we transitioned fully into focusing on the music we changed it to The Butterfly Wheel – we like the image and symbolism of both the butterfly and the wheel – the metamorphosis and the center with the ever-moving cycle feel fitting for our inspirations for our songs and the way we create and the journey this creative entity takes us on and where it brings us.
We love the look of your events around the country – talk us through a typical night with The Butterfly Wheel?
A typical night with The Butterfly Wheel, drop any expectations and let yourself be unfolded to the mystery and let us take you on a journey and restore you to remembrance of your soul’s song, your heart’s core, your longing, and your deep peace. We like to go beyond the average ‘entertainment’ and create experiences for our audiences that nourish them on all levels.
Are there any changes you would make to the world of live events and gigs? For example, do you think there should be more focus on “experiences,” like yours?
We started creating our own events based on not enjoying so much the experiences we’ve had being audience members of other shows, the focus on alcohol consumption and selling, often distracting and making people less aware of others. Also being little, it’s always a bit frustrating when you are being barged around or can’t see! We wanted to create an environment and experience that is welcoming for each and every individual and to support them in their journey with us.
Knowing what you know now, what would you do differently if you were to start your music career over again from day one?
Probably get someone to be in charge of marketing and strategy! Thankfully our fellow bandmate Ryan is good at this! We’ve been often known as a best-kept secret due to our focus always being on the artwork and so those who knew by word of mouth or stumbling upon us for various intriguing shows.
Which artists have been inspiring you lately, or that you feel are consistently pushing boundaries and changing the game?
We love DakhaBrakha – we all went to see them for Myth’s Aquarian birthday this year in Bristol and they really inspired us! We love that they are playing from their soul and representing what is happening for them in Ukraine, fusing their traditional singing with their theatrical background and being so vibrant and unique.
What can we expect over the next few years? Are there plans to tour with your events and rituals, any plans for an album?
We shall be releasing our latest album later this year which we shall be touring and will be doing regular ritual and immersive events within which we shall play the album around England whilst we begin to write and record more of our recent tracks and film and release more music videos for each single release.
Based on your own experiences and lessons learned, what guiding principles or words of wisdom would you share with aspiring artists looking to carve out their own path in music?
Keep creating, enjoy the unique alchemy created by you and your fellow bandmates, write and play based on your own experiences, show your vulnerability, be inspired but don’t compare, experiment and explore, and do it because you love it, ask others for support where needed. Love your teammates!
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