“Do you want the bat meme as your article image?”
“Yes”
When approaching Bariann Tuite, founder of Fiadh Productions for an article she was quick to add “We are a very unserious label.” I approached her after hanging out at the Fiadh table for most of NEDS since it hid my bottle of water (which was illegal) and they had wonderful snacks. I was aware of Fiadh for a little bit despite this label seemingly to come out of nowhere and with a great amount of popularity among the DS community. There is a sense of relief which comes to me when talking to people who say they are unserious since I myself am allergic to being professional. When I was doing the Murk Rider preview for Fiadh, the band and Tuite were gracious with me as I kept sending them back misspellings in the copy to comedic proportions, I am sure they thought it was a prank and I was just pretending to be an idiot. I never really thought one of my articles would have this as an image and it makes me laugh each time I see it.
Fiadh Productions began in 2022 after going through iterations of earlier incarnations and names. Tuite, who originally worked as a publicist for Earache, Century Media, and Sony, decided to branch out on a new venture. The first 10 released from Fiadh proper included a swatch of genres including black metal, chiptune, shoegaze, neofolk, medieval ambient, neoclassical, dark ambient, and finally dungeon synth. In a numbingly short time, Fiadh has released 376 albums all with probably the same composition makeup as the first set of releases. Despite not being a proper dungeon synth label, Fiadh has been embraced by the synth community for their openness on sound and their zero tolerance for bullshit.
If I were to guess the success of Fiadh it would be sheer personality. This is not to take away from probably the unseen levels of professionalism and meme folders but everything about Fiadh hinges on an aesthetic of irreverence. In a land where pageantry can become comedic, a label with Bambi with black metal might seem silly to the point of being absurd. Fiadh leans into this by not only offering absurd material but also deeply serious releases that sit alongside each other in perfect harmony. While some labels are meticulous about their releases fitting in an aesthetic framework, Fiadh is more akin to a flea market or bazaar where everything is being sold, and perhaps the weirdest person is offering you a discount. I have also been informed the label owner has a food processing license which for some reason doesn’t surprise me.
Before we leave I wanted to make mention of an album not on the recommended list. I like asking for recs for a chance for the label to express their vision but with Fiadh you could have several iterations out of the 376 releases. I was sitting there with my friend on voice chat and we were just going through Fiadh’s category based on weirdest looking covers (shout out to the MS Paint Stickperson cover). I settled on Soft Celtic Winds — a self released album of traditional Irish bagpipe music by musician Jim Noone. This was a private press record from a famous bagpipe player and family friend. The fact its release is on a vegan anti fascist black metal label alongside trans noise records and also enjoyed by nearly everyone who also stumbles across it is something wonderful. Listening to weird music goes beyond just being kooky for novelty. Once you shake off all preconceptions of what things should be you discover a world of wonder finding things that are delightful, cathartic, and sharing the same emotional spectrum as any serious music. Beyond the land of borders and wall of expectations there is a fantasy realm where you can do whatever the fuck you want and dress up as the person you always wanted to be. Fiadh offers a door into that world and most certainly has a funny sign written in marker.
Interview & More Animal Memes
Was there any catalyst which made you strike out on your own and mine the hills for weirdo gold?
After stepping away from metal & music PR and focusing on animal welfare PR full-time, there was definitely part of my life that was missing. I started an MA program in 2021 right after having my first baby and I was like LET’S MAKE THIS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT. I remember messaging Garry Brents who I had worked with solidly at my previous label and who I consider a good friend an exceptional talent and asking him if it was a good idea to start a label again and I had his full support. If Garry says to do something, you do it, and so the very first Fiadh release (besides River’s Regeneration, which was in the works for a very long time) was technically him and his partner Andrea’s collaboration Lev’myr, a comfy synth tale based on the adventures of a badger that came with a lil storybook. I started contacting folks I had worked with previously and started venturing into the wilds of bandcamp to find new bands! I had also saved up considerably by not buying a single fucking record since 2016.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of working at an independent label versus somewhere bigger like Earache and Century Media?
The benefit is literally doing whatever the fuck I want! Also I’m gonna share all of the silly little memes because the big bad labels won’t. Obviously I don’t have the same financial resources and production connections, as well as just the sheer amount of manpower which also equals time able to be spent on promotion etc, which is the big drawback. Other than lack of resources the benefits are overwhelmingly positive and I have become the entire problem. Pro tips for artists and labels: sign up for Pirate Ship and ask for the simple export rate via customer chat, get a small thermal printer, incorporate as an LLC (relevant to US) and don’t release something if you don’t have the cash on hand to pay for it in full
Fiadh seems like it began in off kilter black metal and is now a mix of genres. Is there anything you look for in new artists or people who solicit your label?
Before I do anything I have to do my best at a thorough vetting to make sure that, even if apolitical, there’s no sketchiness and if there is we have an honest and frank conversation about it. I also make sure folks aren’t expecting a major-label type deal because (at this point she posts the bat meme which takes up the entire reading pane)
I think a lot of people (especially new artists) are looking for advice on how to present themselves to labels . For Fiadh give me something that would be intriguing if it came across your desk (I know you might not have a desk ) and something that would turn you off (aside from straight sketch)
Whenever someone messages me and is like ’sir’ or ‘man’ or ‘bro’ which happens a lot I know they haven’t even looked at Fiadh for two seconds. This label is so obviously run by a girl it’s an immediate no. I do like when folks mention other bands on the label they enjoy or are inspired by because that also speaks to their inherent values. And it’s always awesome when they mention the animal rights aspect or that they’re also vegan (which isn’t a requirement)!
I know of this label through the DS scene. When did dungeon synth start becoming a part of Fiadh?
The first dungeon synth artist I worked with, which actually was a very early Fiadh release, was Alkilith, and through Zak, who is a kind, patient and talented artist who explained a lot to me, I was introduced to the wider scene. I then realized that a very old and now dear friend, Evergreen, was THE Fogweaver. I had known them as Evergreen Refuge from the 2010s so through them and friendships with two incredible labels and their owners, WereGnome (Nick) & Realm and Ritual (Shawn), I realized how welcoming the community was. I got into black metal via crust punk so I definitely didn’t get to DS in the traditional way. However a lot of the literary themes resonate with me as a lifelong fan of Tolkien, Erikson and fantasy games.
Your table at NEDS had a lot of literature and material related to animal welfare. It also had great vegan cheese. Have you always been involved in animal rights issues?
Yes! Animal rights and welfare has always come before music for me both personally and professionally. I’d like to give a quick shoutout to Jenn Taiga for manning the table while I juggled work, school and caring for two literal babies. Even while I was doing PR in the music industry I was working part time or full time in animal welfare marketing at several national nonprofits – I was at North Shore Animal League as a communications coordinator around the same time as Earache. Currently I work in a social media capacity for one of the largest animal rights orgs so I have even greater access to resources I’m able to share with others. I grew up in a family that rescued wildlife and took in homeless animals so that’s always been a part of my life.
Fiadh’s take on black metal seems unorthodox but also for the times seems to be on brand for heavy music. How do you think the metal community has taken to a black metal label with Bambi as the mascot?
I think there’s an inherent reverence for nature that’s at the core of black metal, and despite that isolation we can still foster a connection to the natural world and the other beings that inhabit this planet. Although punk and crust focuses on the political nature of animal-related issues, such as veganism and autonomy, that hasn’t really been a part of black metal to date. Many artists and fans have companion animals, particularly rescued ones, and a lot of them are vegan, it’s just not a topic that’s discussed as often as it is in other communities. I also think the changing face of black metal has allowed people to reject that binary black and white image of the old guard and embrace their softness, which is what Fiadh embodies. Most of us have faced difficulties and overcome trauma, why do we need to keep punishing ourselves?
Two truths and a lie about upcoming Fiadh releases.
Lust Hag is doing a split with who Rolling Stone calls “the trans Fenriz”
I’ve lined up some guest artists for The Silmarillion book on tape
There’s a five-tape + woven patch boxset for a winter synth favorite who has been featured by you many times.
Give me something that made you laugh this week let’s see if it’s still funny when this article goes out.
3/3/3 (+1) Releases
I don’t know why I asked for 3/3/3 when I usually only ask for 5. Its okay as Fiadh seems varied in their catalog. For this article I asked for 3 metal, 3 synth, and 3 “really fucking weird” records. Its funny how with this label I could have gotten anything. I also got a bonus so well just call that 10.
3 Metal
I remember doing the list for the top metal of 2023 and under genre for Weald and Woe I put “Black / Plate Armor At The Ren Faire.” I’m sharing that since it’s still funny. Weald and Woe is perhaps the perfect place to start with Fiadh productions as this is not only a fun record but also presents black metal just at a medieval beer garden who is telling a great fucking story. For The Goiod of the Realm is triumphant as it is cathartic with tons of great moments that will make you raise some sort of drinking horn high.
Wouldn’t you believe I have a friend who would love “black metal with strong union vibes and pro worker sentiments.” I’m sure we all do. Yfel is from Ohio and has joined the small but fervent genre of black metal which deals with historic labor rights and environmental concerns. Beneath The Mountain is a blistering dive into history and contemporary issues and instead of breaking down one’s spirit, Beneath The Mountains Vigil bolsters and inflames the desire for change. .
“This is extreme heavy metal dedicated to the beautiful pissed off princess in us all.” Fuck, I should just let Fiadh do these blurbs that is fresh as hell. Lust Hag is a name you see a lot on the page of Fiadh with releases going back to April of 2023. Lust Hag is from Montana and is in a bevy of projects all with great names like Infinite Ammo, Termagant, and Gun Girl. Through irreverence, anger, and some sick riffs, Lust Hag rips through a house probably trailing dirt in her wake.
3 Synth
I specifically did not review this record when it came out since I have talked about Evergreen’s projects so much across things like Fogweaver and Windkey Tapes, I didn’t want to make it seem like I was being obsessive. Thanks Fiadh. If you are here from dungeon synth you most certainly have heard of either Evergreen, Snowspire, or/or winter synth. If you are familiar with all three, then Lorefrost will be your new favorite thing. For the past few years, Snowspire releases have been late in the year as if some winter tree finally was able to bloom. Though some winter synth can be delightful and magical, Lorefrost resides on the darker side of the spectrum bringing in 20 minute tracks of void driven drone.
For those who are not super dorks, the artwork for this split depicts the two entities associated with the acts. The weeping knight is the avatar for emotional synth artist Hermit Knight (also founder of Werengnome Records) while the deer is the visual representation of Snawfuss. Now that you know this you can impress people at parties. Splits are a wonderful way to introduce yourself to multiple artists. Additionally, at this level, a collaboration was done on similar spiritual and artistic levels leading to a shared pained vision to present to the world. Rendezvous was made ” as a tool for mental health.” Adding a suggestion for listeners to “Give yourself permission to rest, and join us as we all heal together.” It is this type of positive attitude which makes me stay in this community as certain moments are heartwarming.
“Born in brack, baptized in brine, reborn in foam.” I love cryptic Bandcamp pages. “Piano for underwater solace and contemplation.” this actually makes a lot of sense. I enjoy the fact that the three synth records recommended come partially close to what most people think of synth music. November Gale is from a Swedish artist Sjöhäxan and presents emotional near unsynthesized folk piano on an album which sounds like it was recorded on phonograph. One of the tags for this record is “nautical piano” which sounds like you are making up genres to make fun of complicated genres but in all seriousness I want more of this type of music.
3 Weird
You see this is what I was talking about when it comes to weird music. you were expecting abstract noise but here you are listening to romantic heavy metal. With the spirit which guides the majority of new traditional heavy metal, Bergfried takes the best parts of melodic heavy metal and makes an album for all of the tender hearts in Middle Earth. Romantik I precedes an impressive catalog that feels more immense than just two EPs. Perhaps it is the stellar artwork by Haharobin or the fact it sounds like music you would die to while your castle around you burns.
“This isn’t cap’n jazz. obviously. this is like cooler and way more underground/lofi … you wouldnt get it..” Going to be honest up until this moment writing this blurb I thought this was Cap’n Jazz, the legendary emo band from Chicago. This is Captain Jazz, the emoviolence / skramz outfit from Tennessee. At this point you might be asking yourself “but why?” and the answer is “… you wouldn’t get it.” With this type of one shoe on one shoe off presentation, you are prepared for this self titled release with song titles like “The World is a Marketable Place And I Am Afraid To Sell.” If you are not laughing you are doing it wrong. This is a very unserious release on a very unserious label that is really fucking cool.
Book of Sand is a noise / black metal project with the lyrical themes which include “Anarchy, Feminism, Veganism, Anti-fascism, Anti-racism, Nihilism, Occult.” This sounds like the right party to attend. Though there are signposts all over telling you this is unconventional music with abrasive vocals and lyrical themes, Seven Candles For An Empty Altar is surprisingly accessible for anyone familiar with raw, lofi, atmospheric black. I say that and I might just be complety warped from years of this type of music. Lets party.
Bonus
At some points you can look at this record as a drone record with neoclassical vocals. At others you can investigate the wild world of Sean-nós which is traditional mostly unaccompanied Irish folk songs. It is also a sound which makes you look up and say to yourself “how the fuck did I get here?” Fós leans into that otherworldliness with a record that is both haunting and beautiful. Rinne mé iarraidh might be entirely not what you are playing at parties and cooking dinner (maybe) but it is a sound which is visceral and enchanting.