Interview with Paul Shields of Chosen

I want to start this interview by saying thank you. I haven't had the opportunity to interview a band from Ireland so I know next to nothing about the Irish metal scene.


If you’re interested in the Irish metal scene there are two great websites you can check out:


www.metalireland.com and http://irish-metal.blogspot.ie/


AU     You moved to Vancouver for a year and then back to Ireland. Was that just to record this album or was there more to it?


DM: We came back to Ireland for two main reasons: to record our debut album but also because we knew our stay in Canada was limited to just 12 months based on the type of visas we had. So, from the outset we knew we had a year to make the most of our stay.


AU    Have you ever thought about adding another member to the band or do you think it would take away from what you have built sound-wise?

PS: Given all the various line-up changes we experienced and the set-backs they sometimes cause, to take on another member yet again could see history repeating itself. Perhaps, this band was just meant for the two of us, as we work extremely well together and are on the same page, musically, as well as in personality, outlook and aspirations. So, yes, I think to take on any other members would invite potential problems down the line.


AU    I noticed there were a lot of quiet intros to songs, what were some of the instruments used on this album that were out of the ordinary?

DM: We utilised a number of different instruments to try and enrich the overall soundscape. While they’re not too out of the ordinary, we recorded a fiddle, as well as some synths and other sound samples.


AU     Would you ever move to Canada again or are you going to try your chances in Europe?

PS: We’re quite happy here in Ireland to be honest. While we thoroughly enjoyed our time living in Vancouver, there is no reason for us to move back there or to move to any other part of the world for that matter. One of the main reasons we relocated to Canada was because we couldn’t find a stable line-up in our own country. But now that we have that matter permanently taken care of, it makes little sense to uproot our lives once again just to live in another city, especially when you consider the fact that music can be accessed from virtually anywhere in the world. With the internet being 24/7, the promotion of music is no longer subject to location like it once was.


AU     What's something special you can tell us about your hometown?

DM: I come from a town called Drogheda (pronounced, draw-heada) which is over 800 years old and is situated in an area full of archaeological buildings. Quite a number of historic events have taken place here throughout the centuries. There is also the preserved severed head of Saint Oliver Plunkett which has been on public display in one of the town’s churches for almost 100 years. It’s creepy looking.


AU     This is an album you're releasing yourself, is that something you want to continue even if it does really well?

PS: Self-releasing is something we have pretty much done since the outset and while lots of bands still aspire to sign to a record label, even in the age of the internet, it’s not something we are pursuing. The reasons are to do with wanting to have full control over our music, image, touring commitments, etc., but also because of 360 deals becoming the norm. It’s hard to see what a label could hope to offer a niche band such as ourselves in exchange for a massive chunk of the profits. I get why people equate success to being signed but all it really amounts to is a bank loan with lots of terms and conditions, all of which rests on the probability of becoming commercially successful.


AU    What are your plans for the rest of your day?

DM: Right after this, I will be getting back to studying for my upcoming Irish Law exam, which is part of a Social Care course I’m currently doing.



Michael F. Carnage

http://www.chosen.ie/