Interview With: IPEK Of WYKKED WYTCH

Interviewed by: Stephanie Sacroix

Posted by: Wissam Abboud

Date: 2012-03-19

Wykked Wytch is a female-fronted extreme metal band hailing from South Florida. The band blends a unique mixture of black, death, thrash metal with melody, technicality, and aggression to create their own signature sound which has gained them a strong cult following throughout the world. And here’s a interview with the front woman Ipek…

1. How did the band members first meet and set up the first steps for the birth of Wykked Wytch? And of course, the name, how did you come up with it?

Ipek- I’ve been doing this band for a longtime with several different lineups. The original group was put together through classified ads and the current group of guys I met through friends.  But the newest collaborator Nate Poulson (guitarist/songwriter for (‘The Ultimate Deception’) was found through the Internet on myspace. The best thing about myspace was finding him.
Regarding the name of the group Wykked Wytch was conceived by someone seeing me rehearse and telling me that I was so “Wicked” and then Wykked Wytch was born.

2. What’s interesting is that you founded Perish Music Group. What did you seek to achieve with your label?

Ipek – The sequence of events that led us to form the label is like this. We released 3 albums on the UK label Demolition/Dreamcatcher and our contract was up. After that we briefly signed with Dave Pybus’ (Cradle of Filth) SIXSIXSIX records but the label folded before we were able to record. So we were without a label and decided to release the album “Memories of A Dying Whore” on our own imprint so Perish Music Group was born. No current plans for any other releases under Perish Music Group right now, but maybe in the future we will release some other Wykked Wytch related material like unreleased songs, demos, or dvds.

3. You’ve had you share of Labels’ crap and been through a lot in the past years, if you had the chance to do go back in time, would you do things differently? If yes, what and why?

Ipek - Yes we have gone through some rough paths and of course there are things that you wish you didn’t do or could do differently but it’s already done. You can’t change the past but you can use it as a learning experience. Some of things that I would have done different is like being more selective on choosing some band members and would also budgeted differently. Spent a lot of money on albums and videos that could have been done for less. But what the hell we had fun either way. You live and learn.  

4. Your success in Europe came ahead of your success in your home the US, what was the reason and what is it like to be appreciated by fans across the Atlantic first?

Ipek- Main reason for that in the beginning was that our first album Something Wykked This Way Comes got noticed in Germany and our sound at the time was old school death/thrash that wasn’t popular in the US but Europe appreciated it. Then we signed with UK label with only distribution in Europe so we concentrated all our efforts overseas. Also our sound also evolved to more elements of black and death metal. It was so great being appreciated, loved and playing shows in all these countries. We didn’t abandon USA on purpose just didn’t have the support in our own country that we did overseas. So now for this album we will do some full blown US tours but definitely going back to Europe and more of the world to support this monster.

5. You’ve been in the US scene for a fair amount of time, and you’ve toured in Europe with a lot of well known and big bands; so as a band what was your favorite tour, your favorite festival and your favorite performance?

Ipek – I don’t know if was the best tour for us, it’s tough to pick one.
But my personal favorite tour was Kreator, Sodom, & Destruction “Hell Comes To Your Town” Tour we had an opening slot on this tour with sold out shows every night. That’s a very tough spot to have for any band playing before those three legends. These are bands that were my favorites for years so very honored to take part in the experience.  Favorite festival tour was NO MERCY festivals with Six Feet Under, Nile, and many others in Europe. 2 weeks of shows and some of the best crowds we’ve ever played to. I would have to say one of my favorite performances that was very special to me was RockStation Festival in Ankara Turkey  in 2004 playing two nights and headlining on the first night. This was the first time performing with Wykked Wytch in birthplace/homeland of Turkey and headlining a sold out festival show. 

6. What was the best band you’ve toured with? And how about you share with us some untold funny or maybe interesting touring stories?

Ipek – Best band we toured with is by far Carpathian Forest. Even though they are totally different band than we are we fit in well with them. Craziest and nastiest tour I’ve been a part of and believe most bands would of dropped off or couldn’t handle it Lots of funny and serious stuff going on.   Sex, drugs, groupies, pissing and shitting, band members fighting naked on the bus, members jerking off in public, George Michael blasting on the stereo, no heat on the bus, robberies, and another support band being kicked off the tour in the middle of Spain on a rainy night because fighting with the tour manager. These are only some things that happened don’t have enough time to go into all the details.

7. Here’s a question for the fabulous front-woman, Ipek, are you possessed?! Nah just kidding, you’re one of the few and first extreme female vocalists to peer deeper into the extreme metal path; what was your main reason or inspiration? Was your entourage supportive?

Ipek - Actually I may be possessed by some aliens, because I am not a typical female more like a beast wants to attack all the time. There was no reason the way I act or sing it's naturally I developed within myself.  I never followed anyone’s path or steal their identity if anything I have inspired many other chicks in the scene, unfortunately they do not possess the same qualities as I do to achieve same affect so most of them just mediocre copies and not true to themselves. I’m the real deal.

8. Ipek, during your shows and even in photos you’re discrete about your feminine body part, which is not what every other female artist out there does, I’m pretty sure that there’s a fine reason behind that..

Ipek -Actually you are wrong about that I never hide my feminine side there were pictures from my old shows that I had revealed my legs and little cleavage and that's about it. Not going full blast tits and ass stereo type of clothes are not me. As the music got more extreme I decided that this is extreme metal and supposed to represent ugly and filthy side of society not a pretty sexy girl gimmick. So I wanted to go with a more down and dirty militant look with spike knee boots etc.

9. Bands with extreme female artists seem to be growing slightly in number , are there any bands that has your interest or you find promising knowing that you might ave inspired a lot of women out there?

Ipek –I just do what I do and if I can be an inspiration to a new generations of females that great. There are so many bands out nowadays with female singers that I can’t even keep up with.  I grew up with the old-school metal and don’t really have any new favorite bands with female vocals. Not really searching them out, just doing what I do and if I hear someone that sounds cool I’ll listen to it and support them.

10. Over the years Wykked Wytch had its fair amount of changes in the lineup, why is that? And do you think you’ve reached the perfect combination of needed members in order to keep the band rushing forward with a rock solid lineup?

Ipek - If you want to dedicate your life to extreme metal there will be lineup changes. This ain’t the 70s were 4 guys get together out of high school and stay together forever. I’m sure some people can do that, but when you are not making money doing this you got to have passionate dedicate people or it won’t work out. This is about having a passion for the art. Also since I’ve been the core and founding member I’ve noticed member changes are for several reasons. What the fans never see is the other side of putting together a band. Anyone can play an instrument doesn’t mean that you will work well together. There are personality conflicts, some people have substance abuse problems, jealousy, stage fright, family wife and kids, lack of motivation.. Some people just want a have a hobby for the weekend but don’t want to take it all the way or just looking for the party. Everything that I have mentioned is why there have been lineup changes. Right now I’ve got a good core group for live that we toured with in 2009 and everything went great and Nate Poulson the newest addition guitarist/songwriter is amazing he is who wrote the album with but haven’t toured yet. I hope we can keep this going for as long as we can because I haven’t clicked with someone like this in the past.

11. Wykked Wytch contributed music to Pete Jacelone's movie Psycho Sisters, and Dead Student's Society, how did all that happen and what can you tell us about the movies and songs?

Ipek – We were promoting the band at the Chiller Horror Convention in New Jersey and Pete Jacelone needed some music for his movie Psycho Sisters. This was in the mid 90s so the tracks came from the first album Something Wykked This Way Comes. We also let him use some songs from that album in his other movie Dead Student’s Society. I think they play during kill scenes. Haven’t talked to Pete in years. He is a great guy but makes these really horrible low-budget horror movies. I’m actually an extra in one of the films Titantic 2000. Check it out on imdb.com I’m listed as Demoness Ipek and running around in the background at the end of the movie when the ship is sinking. No music by Wykked Wytch is in the film though.

12. Music is a passion and a mission, but well we all have to pay bills right? Is your music being enough to be called a one and only food providing career?

Ipek- haha, you must be a dreamer not even close maybe 20 years ago we could have made some money but last 10 years I invested all my income into my music. If I didn’t spend all my money on music I could have probably could of retired by now.  Just like many other musicians I have to work a lot to support this passion. Since fans are free downloading rather than buying your music this is the way its gonna be. I guess it's better to spend your money into great art and love than drugs..lol

13. Let’s talk a bit about the occult, there is a question mark about it, so where do you stand on that matters? Interested or practice of witchcraft or have any other philosophical view about it?

Ipek – I don’t practice any type of occult or religion. I see the occult and witchcraft as something that makes good stories and movies. It’s a good fantasy but I rather stay spiritual.

14. The album artwork of your new album was designed by Marcelo, an artist from Brazil; can you tell us a little more about him and his work?

Ipek – I was searching the Internet for album artwork and came across Marcelo’s myspace site. Usually I have all my artwork custom made through the artist from my own idea which is a concept related to all females. But I saw this awesome artwork that he had available for sale and I knew this is was my album cover so I purchased it and it became ‘The Ultimate Deception’. He had the vision that I was looking for.

15. Now how about a little peak to what’s before the recording/performing phase, I mean do you have any kind of preparation with your voice like singing classes? How and who writes the lyrics….? And there must be tons of funny stories during the recording of your latest album that we’re dying to hear about!

Ipek- First of all I graduated from vocal – opera school training many years ago. This itself is a great tool for any singer to utilize and having those skills. I didn’t know I would be singing metal when I was a kid. So it was great that I had this knowledge base. I know how to use my vocals and my limitations.  Every singer should do vocal exercise and breathing techniques before going in studio or tour. If not prepared you will run out of fuel and develop nodules in your vocal chords.  There were no funny stories as far doing the album maybe because we were very serious and prepared since we had a limited time in the studio. Actually I was smoking and drinking most of the time before singing so it wasn’t  the best exercises, but it all came out great. I write all the lyrics and had them all prepared before entering the studio. Sometimes I write some basic lyric ideas before hearing the song, but I can’t finish writing the exact lyrics till I have the music. I know there were a couple of  parts on the album where we changed it in the studio and we had to do multiple takes for a long time which sucked. Usually we take first second or third take when I go in the vocal booth. No time to waste when you’re paying in the studio.

16. I’m a spices freak so I can’t help asking about Ipek’s Wykked Hot Sauce! Where did that all come from and what’s so special about it?

Ipek – IPEK’s WYKKED HOT is my special Hot Sauce that can be purchased from my site. I’m addicted to hot sauces and spices. I’m always looking for something hotter. I was approached by a company that produces hot sauce to lend my image and produce my own brand of sauce. So I went for it. Right now only 1 flavor is available which is a cayenne based Louisiana type hot sauce, but I’ll be adding hotter flavors like Habanero & Jalapeno soon, so look out.

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Thanks For The Interview and all my fans can check us out on all our online sites: Please go out and purchase our New album and Support the Band” THE ULTIMATE DECEPTION which was released in USA on February 14,2012 and will be released In Europe and the worldwide on March 23^rd.Below sites on line or your local record stores.

 

Amazon, Itunes, FYE,Barnes and Nobles, BestBuy,and Our label Goombamusic.

www.wykkedwytch - www.facebook.com/wykkedwytch - www.youtube.com/wykkedwytch and my radio show which airs every Thursday night at 9pm – 11pm EST – Ipek’s Wytching Hour on www.metalmessiahradio.com

Thanx Again

IPEK