Wizard Rock Casts Its Spell on O-Town
By Tanisha GabrielTuesday, July 14, 2009
Just in time for the release of the latest Harry Potter flick, I had a chance to chat with Erin Pyne of the Orlando-based band House of Black. The band falls under a genre of music called 'wizard rock,' which is inspired by Harry Potter.
So what is wizard rock exactly? Read on to find out!
OTownStyle.com: What is Wizard Rock?
Erin Pyne: Wizard Rock is music based on the Harry Potter series. 'Wrock' bands range from full rock n' roll bands to electronic and techno to a girl with a glockenspiel. There are hundreds of Wizard Rock bands all around the world, but most of them are in the United States. Hundreds of Wrock concerts are held throughout the year in nearly all 50 states. The bands sing about the storylines, characters, and themes of the Harry Potter books from Snape to Quidditch to the message of love. "The Weapon We Have is Love" is an anthem in the Wizard Rock community from the band Harry and the Potters.
OTS.com: Can you tell me more about your band, House of Black?
EP: My band is electronica/dance music --"Wizardtronic" -- and I have performed in six different states and I am even playing a show in England this year! I have two albums, both available on iTunes [Family Tree and Beyond the Veil]. I write the lyrics, the beats, and record in my home. Wizard Rock as a whole is a very indie, DIY type of music. Draco and the Malfoys are evil Wizard Rock, so the House of Black is sexy Wizard Rock!
OTS.com: Where have you performed and where are you going to perform?
EP: I have performed at different Harry Potter events in Florida, Chicago, Missouri, North Carolina, San Antonio, New Orleans, Boston, New York -- and even on a Wizard Rock cruise to Mexico!
OTS.com: How does the crowd respond to you?
EP: Before my shows I usually give out glow sticks to the crowd and during my show I encourage everyone to dance. The crowds have fun jumping, dancing, and singing along. Sometimes I bring people from the crowd up on stage to dance with me. Everyone is so nice! Even if someone isn't into the type of music I am playing, they still love Harry Potter and will support me and other Wrockers.
OTS.com: When and why did you start doing wizard rock?
EP: I was involved in the Harry Potter fandom, running the Harry Potter club in Orlando and attending and presenting at Cons [conventions]. I was inspired by the music of other Wizard Rockers to start my own band, just as hundreds of other have been inspired.
OTS.com: Can you tell me about the Bella and Edward [from the film Twilight] performances?
EP: I also perform in a band called the Twilighters with Fred Mergenthaler from the Wrock band Fred Lives. We dress up as Edward and Bella and sing about the Twilight series at Twilight events including AccioCon, EyeCon, and Salute to Twilight. Fred looks so similar to Robert Pattinson [the actor who plays Edward in the films] that fans stand in line to take pictures and he is mistaken for Pattinson on a daily basis! We sing from the characters' point of view playing acoustic guitar and sometimes I mix beats played off the iPod.
OTS.com: What do you like best about wizard rock?
EP: The community of Wizard Rockers and Harry Potter fans is a close-knit community brought together through the themes of love in the books. Being a part of this loving, giving, and supportive community is the best thing about Wizard Rock. Oh, and the music is great!
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