Seven Potters is primarily made up of Rebecca, a college student who likes to travel and do graphic design and enjoys meeting other HP fans.
I had a chance to interview her a while ago, and now I'm happy to announce that Seven Potters' new album How to Destroy a Horcrux, Part 8 was released just a few hours ago! You can download it for free here. Congratulations on the album release!
How did you get into wizard rock?
I first heard about Harry and the Potters almost six years ago, but didn't take it seriously until they came to my town on their 2006 Reading and Rocking tour. They inspired me to start my own wrock band. They were so freaking awesome, their music led me to the early MySpace "wizard rock!" groups, and they changed my perspective on DIY music forever. Wizard rock is awesome because it is the sole reason I picked up my dad's old guitar and learned to play it. It's the reason I learned how to use Garageband, the reason I learned how to mix a music track. And the best part is, it continually reminds you that anyone, even little old me, can make music.
I had a chance to interview her a while ago, and now I'm happy to announce that Seven Potters' new album How to Destroy a Horcrux, Part 8 was released just a few hours ago! You can download it for free here. Congratulations on the album release!
How did you get into wizard rock?
I first heard about Harry and the Potters almost six years ago, but didn't take it seriously until they came to my town on their 2006 Reading and Rocking tour. They inspired me to start my own wrock band. They were so freaking awesome, their music led me to the early MySpace "wizard rock!" groups, and they changed my perspective on DIY music forever. Wizard rock is awesome because it is the sole reason I picked up my dad's old guitar and learned to play it. It's the reason I learned how to use Garageband, the reason I learned how to mix a music track. And the best part is, it continually reminds you that anyone, even little old me, can make music.
Tell the story behind your band's name.
This is my third wrock band. The first two (Hermione Granger's Band and The Trace) were sort of a learning process, I experimented with solo music and with a friend. This band, Seven Potters, is sort of the fruition of all that learning, and I wanted it to be about the conclusion of the series and all the awesomeness we still celebrate about Harry Potter. Seven Potters seemed very indicative of the last book. The image of seven Harrys standing in the kitchen at Privet Drive always stood out very strongly in my mind.
What characters, topics and themes do you write songs about? Do you have a certain point of view or does it vary?
Seven Potters is primarily concerned with celebrating and studying the end of the series and Book 7 and the future of Harry Potter. Most of my songs so far are either HP nostalgia or songs about the end of the series. But I don't limit myself too much. As far as point of view, anything goes: wizard or Muggle, male or female, human or animal (or inanimate object).
What music genre your music belongs to?
I'd say Seven Potters is folk punk. My main instrument is acoustic guitar, but I wouldn't call it just folk. It has a rock-punk edge infused by the subject matter and lyrics. I don't really intentionally choose my genre... it's just sort of whatever comes out when I sit down with a guitar and a pen.
Have you played live shows?
Not yet, but I hope to in the future!
What makes your band unique?
I'd say the one thing that makes Seven Potters unique is its focus. I'm happy to say that I'm one of those kids who grew up alongside Harry, and this particular band is a celebration of that. It's nostalgic, it's wishful, its anxious, angry and elated, and it reflects on the series in a way in which I hope anyone who felt tied to Harry's fate can relate to. When you close the seventh book after rereading it for the twentieth time – I hope this band covers the sort of emotions you feel right then.
Who are your favorite wrockers?
The Remus Lupins (especially 2006-2008) have made some of the finest music, let alone wrock, that I've ever laid ears on. Harry and the Potters are classic. They started it all, and most of their music is astonishingly, awesomely punk. Truly punk. Ministry of Magic first got me into electronic music, and their production is amazing. The Mudbloods - I would love this band even if they made Muggle music, I love their acoustic style. How Airplanes Fly also has some of the best written, catchiest and truest songs I've ever heard, and my heart will always go out to a simple acoustic guitar. Danny Dementor - I don't like particularly like muggle rap or hip hop or dance, but Danny Dementor's lyrics are SO GOOD.
What are your top 5 wrock songs?
Do you have a favourite wrock video?
I'm not a big music video person, although I've always enjoyed watching Ministry of Magic's performances of their songs on YouTube.
Would you like to collaborate or play a show with other wizard rockers?
I'd play a show with anyone! Any Pittsburgh wrockers who want to play together, shoot me an email! And I'm open for collaboration too!
What is the funniest experience you've had with wrock?
Wrock Chicago at Terminus, jumping to the Whomping Willows so hard we broke the chandelier in the room underneath us at the hotel and you could just feel the floor flexing (somewhat dangerously).
What is the most emotional experience you've had with wrock?
Every time I see Harry and the Potters and they play The Weapon, its like everyone's wishes that the world was a perfect place are coming true. I mean, a punk band bringing down the house singing about love that way... it doesn't get much better than that.
What is the best moment you've had as a wrock fan?
My favorite wrock show ever was Wrock Chicago at Terminus in 2008. It was the first time I got see a variety of bands in one place, including smaller lesser-known ones, and the five headliners concert that went into the night was the most intense show I've ever been to. Inflatable dragons, hundreds of jumping people, Harry and the Potters in top form - my ears were ringing for a day.
What is the best moment you've had as a wizard rocker?
Definitely my best moment as a wizard rocker so far was with my first band, Hermione Granger's Band. A small clip of one of my songs was used in the Wizard Rockumentary. I went to Terminus that summer and there was a showing of the Rockumentary. I got to meet Megan and Mallory Schuyler, I got to hear my song in there, and by the end everyone in the room was in tears because the film was so awesome.
Do you wish you had more time/money to spend with wrock?
I'm sure once school starts, wizard rock will start to get crowded out, but I'm always playing the guitar and recording music. If I had more money (and more fans) I would love to play shows. Hopefully I'll have enough money to produce some good quality CDs. And better recording software wouldn't be unwelcome.
What future plans do you have with wrock?
Right now, I'm about to finish up my first album and release it this fall. Once it's finished, I hope to make it available online and (optimistically) start playing a few local shows.
Is there anything you want to say to your fans / fellow wrockers?
Thanks for being awesome, every single one of you! As a fellow wrock fan and wrocker, I can honestly say I've never met an uncool wrock fan. So keep being so awesome, keep rocking and keep loving Harry Potter and reading!
This is my third wrock band. The first two (Hermione Granger's Band and The Trace) were sort of a learning process, I experimented with solo music and with a friend. This band, Seven Potters, is sort of the fruition of all that learning, and I wanted it to be about the conclusion of the series and all the awesomeness we still celebrate about Harry Potter. Seven Potters seemed very indicative of the last book. The image of seven Harrys standing in the kitchen at Privet Drive always stood out very strongly in my mind.
What characters, topics and themes do you write songs about? Do you have a certain point of view or does it vary?
Seven Potters is primarily concerned with celebrating and studying the end of the series and Book 7 and the future of Harry Potter. Most of my songs so far are either HP nostalgia or songs about the end of the series. But I don't limit myself too much. As far as point of view, anything goes: wizard or Muggle, male or female, human or animal (or inanimate object).
What music genre your music belongs to?
I'd say Seven Potters is folk punk. My main instrument is acoustic guitar, but I wouldn't call it just folk. It has a rock-punk edge infused by the subject matter and lyrics. I don't really intentionally choose my genre... it's just sort of whatever comes out when I sit down with a guitar and a pen.
Have you played live shows?
Not yet, but I hope to in the future!
What makes your band unique?
I'd say the one thing that makes Seven Potters unique is its focus. I'm happy to say that I'm one of those kids who grew up alongside Harry, and this particular band is a celebration of that. It's nostalgic, it's wishful, its anxious, angry and elated, and it reflects on the series in a way in which I hope anyone who felt tied to Harry's fate can relate to. When you close the seventh book after rereading it for the twentieth time – I hope this band covers the sort of emotions you feel right then.
Who are your favorite wrockers?
The Remus Lupins (especially 2006-2008) have made some of the finest music, let alone wrock, that I've ever laid ears on. Harry and the Potters are classic. They started it all, and most of their music is astonishingly, awesomely punk. Truly punk. Ministry of Magic first got me into electronic music, and their production is amazing. The Mudbloods - I would love this band even if they made Muggle music, I love their acoustic style. How Airplanes Fly also has some of the best written, catchiest and truest songs I've ever heard, and my heart will always go out to a simple acoustic guitar. Danny Dementor - I don't like particularly like muggle rap or hip hop or dance, but Danny Dementor's lyrics are SO GOOD.
What are your top 5 wrock songs?
- Song for the Death Eaters by Harry and the Potters. This is the moral of Harry Potter in a song. It's one of those songs you could live by.
- The 7th Horcrux by The Remus Lupins. This song is TRL's at what I think is their height. Musically, it is brilliantly paced and the lyrics are, as ever, unexpected and original. I heard it first live and it was before Deathly Hallows came out, and it just felt like the right way to address the possibilities of the last book.
- For Jo by RiddleTM. This song gives me chills EVERY TIME.
- There's a Face by Alas Earwax! One of the first wrock songs I learned to play on guitar, this song is not only hilarious but a great campfire sing-along song.
- End of an Era (especially the acoustic version) by Oliver Boyd and the Remembralls. This is the kind of song Seven Potters aims for, in spirit. Nostalgic, reflective, celebratory of all that HP has given and inspired. And OBatR is always musically staggering.
Do you have a favourite wrock video?
I'm not a big music video person, although I've always enjoyed watching Ministry of Magic's performances of their songs on YouTube.
Would you like to collaborate or play a show with other wizard rockers?
I'd play a show with anyone! Any Pittsburgh wrockers who want to play together, shoot me an email! And I'm open for collaboration too!
What is the funniest experience you've had with wrock?
Wrock Chicago at Terminus, jumping to the Whomping Willows so hard we broke the chandelier in the room underneath us at the hotel and you could just feel the floor flexing (somewhat dangerously).
What is the most emotional experience you've had with wrock?
Every time I see Harry and the Potters and they play The Weapon, its like everyone's wishes that the world was a perfect place are coming true. I mean, a punk band bringing down the house singing about love that way... it doesn't get much better than that.
What is the best moment you've had as a wrock fan?
My favorite wrock show ever was Wrock Chicago at Terminus in 2008. It was the first time I got see a variety of bands in one place, including smaller lesser-known ones, and the five headliners concert that went into the night was the most intense show I've ever been to. Inflatable dragons, hundreds of jumping people, Harry and the Potters in top form - my ears were ringing for a day.
What is the best moment you've had as a wizard rocker?
Definitely my best moment as a wizard rocker so far was with my first band, Hermione Granger's Band. A small clip of one of my songs was used in the Wizard Rockumentary. I went to Terminus that summer and there was a showing of the Rockumentary. I got to meet Megan and Mallory Schuyler, I got to hear my song in there, and by the end everyone in the room was in tears because the film was so awesome.
Do you wish you had more time/money to spend with wrock?
I'm sure once school starts, wizard rock will start to get crowded out, but I'm always playing the guitar and recording music. If I had more money (and more fans) I would love to play shows. Hopefully I'll have enough money to produce some good quality CDs. And better recording software wouldn't be unwelcome.
What future plans do you have with wrock?
Right now, I'm about to finish up my first album and release it this fall. Once it's finished, I hope to make it available online and (optimistically) start playing a few local shows.
Is there anything you want to say to your fans / fellow wrockers?
Thanks for being awesome, every single one of you! As a fellow wrock fan and wrocker, I can honestly say I've never met an uncool wrock fan. So keep being so awesome, keep rocking and keep loving Harry Potter and reading!