Q&A: Jess Finlayson (Nitocris and Raising Ravens)

By ADAM COOPER

RAISING Ravens have a new single out called “At The Mercy Of The Sky” and a recent EP, In My Room.

Hot Metal: I notice Andrea Dyson from your old mates Nitocris played on the album?

Jess Finlayson: “Yes. Andi played on a couple of tracks off the EP and some of the album. There’s a mixed bag of my favourite musicians on both. We recorded over a period of two years through the pandemic and pretty much just had everyone come in and play. It was loads of fun. Everyone involved did a great job and it was especially cool recording with Andi again after so many years.”

HM: What are the other girls up to? Any projects we should know about?

JF: “All members are still kicking on doing a bunch of different stuff. Kira (Taylor) lives in Queensland and I believe has been doing psychology for quite some time. There have been many different projects from Nitocris members over the years but currently Andi plays in Sandviper and Cousin Betty. Gana (Ancone) has always had a bunch of projects going but at the moment its mainly Boxing with Ghosts and Tiny and the Broken Hearts. Sara (Anderson) and Gana were in the Fangin’ Felines together for a few years as well. I was in The Mis-Made for 10 years which ended in 2019 before i stated up Raising Ravens.”

HM: Had so much fun playing those gigs back in the day, any funny stories you’d like to share?

 JF: “So many stories! I guess the thing I miss the most and have so many great memories from is the touring we used to do. We never stopped. There are millions of funny stories but one that always cracks me up is when we (Nitocris) had been on the road for so long at one point that i think the band and crew had gone slightly nuts. I remember we showed up to a venue, set up the gear, made ourselves comfortable backstage and then were confronted by the manager who informed us we were in the wrong venue!”

HM: So are Raising Ravens doing a bit of a tour to support the new release? Who’s in the line up?

 JF: “Raising Ravens will be doing quite a bit of touring soon. We are in the middle of booking an East Coast tour through November for the next single then next year will be the album tour and a trip overseas which will be loads of fun! The current line-up is myself, Tara Doyle on bass and Scott Bradbury on drum. Both Tara and Scotty play on the album.”

HM: The new single sits somewhere between Hole and PJ Harvey for mine. Is it a little darker perhaps?

JF: “Hmm. I guess so. Both are great artists and definitely an influence but I think some of the songs might be a bit heavier. I mean they’re both pretty dark in their own way.” 

HM: So… serious stuff now… who is your all time desert island fave?

JF:  “If it was taking actual people, I’d probably take my own band members because at least i know i won’t hate them after too long and know who they really are. Lol. In terms of CDs etc i’d probably take stuff that was really long so I would have more to choose from and didn’t get sick of it! I’d probably take Kyuss, Pink Floyd, Sabbath, Patti Smith and as many double albums as I could grab on my way.

HM: Who do you follow in AFL or NRL or your chosen sport? Or maybe you don’t follow at all (heathen)?

JF: “Sorry. I’m full heathen here. Don’t have any interest in either. Hahaha.”