We hung out with Phoenix Lake after their second appearance at Bloodstock to discuss the band’s continued rise up the metal ranks, their use of visual elements to enhance their material, as well as the story behind their debut album and the benefits of writing a concept album.
The band has gone from strength to strength, having played Bloodstock in 2023, Maid Of Stone last year, and now returning to play again this year at Bloodstock. What do you think that says about you guys as a band over the last two years or so?
Joe: I think it says ambition is high because we came in 2023 off the back of winning a competition with Planet Rock. Whereas this year we’re here on merit, and it feels very heartwarming to see how well we’ve been received. We are trying to level up the stage production, and we’re trying to level up the performances.
Ash: We are trying to reach that next level. And obviously, coming back after two years on an afternoon slot on a Saturday afternoon, we had to bring something special. So that’s why we went all-out on the production.
It was very good, with lots of pyrotechnics So what inspired you, aside from “We need to make sure that this is the next level up”, to bring out fire dancers, smoke machines, etc?
Lana: I think Phoenix Lake just works with the phoenix aspect.
Joe: People love fire!
Lana: We just want to make it exciting for the fans and to make it a show for everyone.
Joe: If you didn’t know about us, you know now.
Lana: Yeah, we’ve got studio recordings and stuff, but a live performance, you want it to be something special for everyone. I think it’s just worth it to put in that extra effort and try to make it special.
Ash: That’s what we wanted: to make a show. We didn’t want to just stand up there and play our songs. We wanted to put on a show.
Joe: Audio and visual spectacular!
Lana: Yeah, so a very visual band as well. Theatrical, definitely.
I was gonna ask, visuals: so, you would consider that quite an important part of Phoenix Lake?
Joe: Yes, 100%.
Lana: I think we are a theatrical band with our music videos, our artwork and stuff. For our upcoming album, we’re putting a lot of effort into it.
Ash: It’s a concept album, so it tells a really big story. So, visual aspects alongside its storytelling, isn’t it, you know?
Lana: A lot of artistic elements are going into our artwork, shows and theatrics.
Joe: Some of my favourite gigs have always had some insane production. Whenever you see Rammstein, pyro galore. If you saw Sleep Token at Download, it was insane. The production that went into that was next level. It must have been such a collaborative effort. I think that’s something we aspire to be like, those kinds of names.
Amazing. Can you tell us what your reaction was when you were offered the chance to come back and play the Sophie Stage?
Ash: We were shocked! It’s just one of them, you know. It’s amazing to even play once. So, to get the chance to come back again two years later. It’s just mind-blowing, isn’t it?
Lana: We’re so excited about it!
Joe: We wanted to repay the faith that the organisers and the festival have shown in us as well by putting us on such a decent slot by making sure we put on a good show.
You have released three singles, one of which is ‘Woven In Time’. Have you had a chance to reflect on and take in the reaction you’ve had to it recently?
Ash: Well, it’s been out for about 6-7 months or something, but it’s been well-received. Again, with it being a concept album, it tells a certain part of the story. So, when the album’s released, you’ll understand where it fits. To release it as a single, each song tells its own story as well, which is the fun thing about it. The songwriting, we tried to keep each song individual, but also so that it fits into the story.
Joe: It’s probably our most radio-friendly song.
Ash: And that’s it, that’s what we want. Personally, I’ve always wanted to write a cheesy love song. Always have, and I feel like we definitely achieved it with “Woven In Time”. But it fits in the story, obviously. It’s radio friendly. It’s a bit more commercial. Each single has just had a bigger reaction.
Lana: Yes, I think you have a bit of variation with our singles. Our next one is going to be a bit heavier. So, it will appeal a bit more to people who like that kind of music. ‘Woven In Time’ is again a love song. A bit cheesy but happy kind of vibes, which I think works well. Our very first one off the album was ‘Fractured Wings’, which again was a bit heavier.
Joe: Bit darker!
Lana: I think you’ve got a bit of a balance. A lot will appeal to people, I think. If you like lighter stuff, there’s a bit on there if you like that kind of thing. A bit heavier as well.
You mentioned your debut album is going to be a concept. Can you elaborate a little bit on the story, or should we wait until you find out?
Joe: What are we allowed to say, guys? Concept album – we’re allowed to say that!
Ash: So it’s a concept album, and basically the whole story it tells the story of an Angel and for reasons-unknown outside of the album, she’s banished to Earth and she has to basically live her life as a human as we all live, and go through all the emotions that we do as humans and things that she’s not used to. So, it tells a bit of a dark story to start with. It goes through depression, anger and hate and all that. But then she falls in love, and she falls in love with a human, and it changes to a bit of a happy vibe for a couple of songs. And then at the end of the album, it all kind of goes a bit wrong, so each song has sort of a different emotion. We tried to do a couple of songs that really delve into depression and the dark, the darkness of the mind and that, and then we’ve gone into love on “Woven In Time” and the power of love and things like that. That’s why each song tells its own story, because each song has a different meaning.
Lana: Yeah, we tried to do standalone meanings behind each song as well, away from the concept, just for general listening purposes. I think the concept was very fun to do, definitely. As songwriting goes, it was a bit of a challenge.
Ash: It was a challenge, but I think, personally, we pulled it off. There are a couple of interludes in there that sort of explain a little bit about what’s going on in the story.
Lana: I think that the general gist of the album is just to try and capture what it is to be human and experience different human emotions, and each song is something that people can relate to. So that was the main goal, and then we just kind of worked the concept around that. The story has kind of evolved around that.
What was it that inspired you to go for a concept album as your debut?
Ash: Well, I’m a really big fan of Black Veil Brides, and I love ‘Wretched & Divine’ and I love ‘Vale’, and obviously, they are very big in their concept albums. It sort of inspired me personally. When I took it to you guys, run in and say, “You know, I think I really want to write a concept album”. Because I think it shows – not to sound big-headed or anything – the next level of songwriting. To be able to create ten songs that all link up and tell their own stories as well. I think it was a challenge, but it was something that I thought would stand us out from the rest. You know, “These guys are doing a concept album for the first album”. It was a big challenge.
Lana: We really like setting ourselves challenges as well.
Ash: I think that’s a good thing. It’s setting yourself goals and challenges, and it feels better when it pays off.
Joe: We pushed ourselves to the absolute brink to get that kind of level achieved. I think we’re getting there.
You mentioned that there’ve been some challenges with writing a concept record, but you you’ve also found that it’s been a nice framework to work within and help with. So, would you say there would be interest or opportunity for similar releases in the future?
Lana: I think so.
Ash: I think so, we have spoken about it, haven’t we?
Joe: We need a really good idea.
Ash: The thing is, we kind of leave this album on a bit of a cliffhanger!
Joe: Yeah, there’s a potential sequel.
Ash: Yeah, if we feel like revisiting it and finishing the story off.
Lana: I think we’ll see what the reaction is to the concept because I don’t know if people will want to follow the story along with it. And in which case, the next album can always carry on from it.
Ash: It’s like a film. If a film bombs at the box office, you don’t get a sequel for it, but if it goes down well, then I mean, songs have already been written, though, basically for the next one, so we’re on to the second album, sonically, musically. So, it’s just a case of whether we decide to include the lyrics and follow the story. Or we’re gonna wait and see what the reaction is saying.
Do you have any release dates or celebration events planned to mark its release?
Ash: Well, we have not got a release date yet because we’re just waiting to – it’s all finished – we’re just waiting on the final masters just to come back, and then we’re gonna set the release date.
Lana: We’re hoping for this year, but it might go on to next year. Fingers crossed for this year, as it’s been a long process.
Ash: It’s been a long process, and we just want to get it out there now. We’ve been sitting on some of the songs for a long time, but we are planning a special release show for them. A local show in Nottingham – again, I haven’t got dates set, but yeah, there will be one hopefully this year.
Great. When can fans see you guys live again this year?
Lana: We have got a show coming up on the 25th of October, Saturday, in Pontefract, Northern Social. It’s a charity show, raising awareness for glioblastoma.
Joe: It’s an aggressive brain cancer. It’s a fundraiser to raise funds for someone within my family who’s going through treatment.
I’m so sorry.
No, no, it’s fine. So, it is raising awareness. I pulled in a lot of favours from the metal community. We’ve got Kim Jennett coming down, Eddie & The Wolves, and we have a full ladies’ choir. We’ve got some other things that I can’t really talk about yet. Free raffle, silent auction, and it’s all going to go to raising awareness about this particular type of cancer. So, it’s gonna be awesome. So, if anyone can make it, get yourselves down.
And looking ahead to 2026, what’s the goal?
Ash: Tour the album. A tour is in the works.
Lana: Hopefully, the start of the year.
Ash: Hopefully around the start of the year. It’s still in the planning stages, so again, no dates, bookings or anything, but there will be a tour early in the year.
Brilliant – we will look forward to the new album when it drops and the tour next year. Thank you so much for coming and speaking to us – we really appreciate it.
One final question: is there anything that you would like to say to the Devolution readers and to your fans?
Ash: You’re all fucking awesome.
Lana: Thank you so much for your support.
Joe: Yeah, keep your eyes peeled for big things. Big things in 2026!
https://www.facebook.com/PhoenixLakeOfficial
Interview By Lee Carter
Photos By Rebecca Bush – https://www.instagram.com/beckybphoto/
