Bewitched And Bedazzled

Pagan folk-rockers Spriggan Mist were virtual unknowns in prog circles. Then came their breakthrough set at HRH Prog, which launched them as one of the most must-see live acts. With the release of their seventh studio album, The Glare, Prog sat down with husband and wife founders Baz and Maxine Cilia to talk faeries, festivals and friendly feuds.

- Alison Reijman

Spriggan Mist’s story could be lifted from one of their own songs. Named after a “well ‘ard Cornish faery” capable of vanishing people in a swirl of mist, the band have built a universe where pagan mysticism collides with driving rock energy and high kicks. To their delight, prog audiences have embraced it wholeheartedly.

“The band started as a bit of a laugh – but it’s got horribly out of control in a good way,” says bassist Baz Cilia when Prog meets up with him and multi-instrumentalist Maxine at their Berkshire home.

As the band’s co-founders, that “bit of a laugh” began 16 years ago: after several personnel changes, the lineup now also comprises vocalist Fay Brotherhood, guitarist Neil Wighton and drummer Ali Soueidan. Despite their ever-expanding diary of live dates, they’ve found time to compose, record and release their seventh studio album, The Glare. Its seven diverse, kaleidoscopic songs are a touchstone for their dynamic, multifaceted sound and fantastical storytelling covering ancient gods, woodland seduction and cosmology, plus the return of their steampunk fire-breathing talisman, Isambard the mechanical dragon.

Baz explains, “This album had its challenges due to personnel changes in the band, but a lot of hard work’s gone into it. We had to record some of it twice because we changed drummer and Ali came with his own ideas.”

Tracked in their back garden studio, it’s very much a family affair: their son Aaron produced and daughter Brianna created the album cover’s graphics.

“I have to say that Aaron’s usually quite calm, but I think we pushed him this time, especially his sanity! As a result, we spent many hours down there in the garden!” adds Baz.

Aaron arranged the sumptuous opener,