Interview with ex-Burning Witches lead vocalist Seraina Telli

INTERVIEW WITH EX-BURNING WITCHES LEAD VOCALIST
Date: September 7, 2023
Interviewer: Olivier
Photos: Courtesy of Metalville Records

SLEAZE ROXX READERS MAY RECOGNIZE THE NAME SERAINA TELLI GIVEN THAT THE FEMALE LEAD VOCALIST FRONTED SWISS HEAVY METAL ROCKERS BURNING WITCHES FROM 2015 TO 2019. IN JUNE 2019, TELLI ELECTED TO LEAVE BURNING WITCHES TO FRONT THE BAND DEAD VENUS. IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, TELLI HAS ALSO RELEASED TWO REALLY GOOD SOLO ALBUMS — ‘SIMPLE TALK’ (2022) AND ‘ADDICTED TO COLOR’ (2023) — WHICH OFFER CATCHY AND POWERFUL HARD ROCK TUNES. SLEAZE ROXX CAUGHT UP WITH TELLI WHO WAS PROMOTING HER SOPHOMORE SOLO ALBUM ‘ADDICTED TO COLOR’ WHICH WAS JUST RELEASED VIA METALVILLE RECORDS ON AUGUST 25, 2023.

Sleaze Roxx: You have a new solo album called ‘Addicted To Color’ which will be released on August 8th. How long did it take you to write the songs and record the album?

Seraina Telli: Yeah. My new album was released on August 25th! It took around six months to put all [the] songs together. I released my first album ’Simple Talk’ in October 2022 and straight after, that I started writing new songs. Then in the beginning of 2023, my producer Rico and me started to work on and finished the first demos for ‘Addicted To Color’.

Sleaze Roxx: I think I can guess the reason for the album title [laughs] but what was the idea or significance behind the new album title?

Seraina Telli: [Laughs] Yeah, one reason of course is my love for colors in general. But it has another background. I am talking openly about the abuse of drugs, medical drugs and alcohol, and how it can destroy your creativity and even your life. So the message is also — Be addicted to colors, music, art and real happiness instead of mind destroying substances.

Sleaze Roxx: How did you come up with the album cover for ‘Addicted To Color’?

Seraina Telli: Well it was clear that my face would be on it, since it’s a confession, so to speak. We wanted to have a strong statement and with that attitude I went to the shoot.

Seraina Telli‘s “Addicted To Color” video (from Addicted To Color album):

Sleaze Roxx: How did you end up working with producer Rico H?

Seraina Telli: We met one day due to a collaboration. He was interested in my work and so we started to talk and produce stuff together. Since we are a great team and are working towards the same goals, it just makes sense that we also produce my solo stuff together.

Sleaze Roxx: What’s the biggest difference in your view between your debut solo record ‘Simple Talk’ and the follow up ‘Addicted To Color’?

Seraina Telli: The production. Rico and I wanted to have a much more natural and rough sound compared to the first album. Also the songwriting is much more grown up and “in your face”. This time, I really knew in which direction it would go and how I wanted it to sound in the end. We are very happy with the outcome although we also still like the first album very much and we also know what we will do differently next time [laughs]. It’s just progress.

Sleaze Roxx: Being only familiar with your work in Burning Witches and Dead Venus, and seeing your blue and green hair on the cover of your new album, I was very surprised when listening to some of the songs off ‘Addicted To Color’ as they are really just straight up and pretty uplifting hard rock tunes. I am definitely guilty of judging a book by its cover and to a certain extent your past musical work. It’s kind of like if people were dressed up like AC/DC in jeans and t-shirts but then the group’s music sounds like pop rock songs. You just wouldn’t expect that. Do you feel that your presentation can lead to confusion for potential new fans, and why?

Seraina Telli: Actually, I don’t really care about that. I look how I like it and my music sounds how I like it. It is just authentic and yeah, maybe unpredictable. That might be the reason why it’s interesting, don’t you think?

Sleaze Roxx: You obviously cover a wide array of musical styles with your various music projects. Was there a certain evolution in that regard? And what genre do you prefer if you could only choose one, and why?

Seraina Telli: Of course, there is some kind of evolution. That is a normal thing or should be normal. I want to develop myself as a musician and songwriter and will never stop doing that. I can’t decide what would be my favorite style of music and thank God I don’t have to.

Video of Seraina Telli covering Judas Priest‘s “Victim of Changes”:

Sleaze Roxx: What led you to leaving Burning Witches and how long had you been contemplating that move? It seems that the band was on the rise just as you were leaving?

Seraina Telli: There is an official statement about that. Thank you.

Sleaze Roxx: What made you decide to form Dead Venus and how did you get Mike and Andre in the band?

Seraina Telli: I formed Dead Venus by becoming a songwriter. It was only me for some years and then I decided to work with a band. So I met Mike through an internet ad and later André because. We already knew him and so just started to work together as a trio.

Sleaze Roxx: Dead Venus have already released two albums. What are the band’s plans for the future?

Seraina Telli: I am working on new songs and I take my time. Since Dead Venus is an artistic project, I don’t want to rush things. Stay tuned for new stuff, and check out the beautiful videos and songs we’ve released so far.

Sleaze Roxx: You seem intent on sending powerful statements with your solo songs and lyrics. What led you to decide to do that and what message do you want to convey?

Seraina Telli: The messages on the new album are very clear with intention and it is just why I’ve become a musician — to make a difference to move people and to talk about things nobody else dares to.

Seraina Telli‘s “Song For The Girls” video (from Addicted To Color album):

Sleaze Roxx: Your website indicates that you are open to collaborations with other people? What kind of collaborations are you interested in and/or looking for, and in what musical genres?

Seraina Telli: That depends on the request. I am very open to different styles of music and what role I should play in it. I’ve participated in collaborations as vocalist — lead or backings, guitarist, pianist, songwriter and lyricist, and I would be open to just play a part in a video too. For me, it just needs a certain touch and creativity and should fit my work.

Sleaze Roxx: You seem to have really focused on videos to get your music out there both for Dead Venus and your solo work. What are some of the inspirations and ideas behind some of your favorite videos that you have released to date?

Seraina Telli: The idea behind a video clip, at least for me, is to show what the song is about or to give a visual context to the lyrics and the feeling of the song. I also want to produce different kinds of videos so my YouTube channel stays vivid and fresh.

Sleaze Roxx: How did you end up hooking up with Metalville Records?

Seraina Telli: Through partnership.com [laughs]. Just joking… Me and my team were looking for a partner to release the first album ‘Simple Talk’. Metalville was just the right partner for that and so we teamed up and are still working together.

Sleaze Roxx: What are your plans for the rest of the year?

Seraina Telli: We have planned a headliner tour through Switzerland starting this month. There are some plans for EU dates too and I am also working on new stuff as well as on an acoustic album. Stay tuned!

Sleaze Roxx: Is there anything that you would like to mention that we have not covered?

Seraina Telli: Thanks to everyone out there who is still listening to true rock and metal music who is coming out to concerts and is buying tickets at the pre-sale! It is more important than ever to support one another. Together we are strong. Keep yourself updated on my social media or on serainatelli.com Stay colorful!

Thank you to Nathan Birk from Metalville Records for facilitating the interview.

Seraina Telli‘s “Hit Shit” video (from Addicted To Color album):

Seraina Telli‘s “Modern Warrior” video (from Simple Talk album):