Doomed Confessionary: Raya, Grant, Kieron & Jade (Birdwitch)
Photo credits: Dobbin Thomas
Hailing from Norwich, UK, Birdwitch are a self described ‘Dream Violence’ band blending elements of doom, shoegaze, post-metal and prog (amongst other influences). Birdwitch offer an emotional, spiritual melting pot of rage, pain and catharsis, introspectively exploring in an attempt to heal, learn and grow in this short life.
Birdwitch have released their debut EP »Bless The Spark That Found Its Home« independently on October 7th, 2025. Produced, mixed and mastered by Grant Mackay. Artwork by Bradley James.
Birdwitch’s line-up currently consists of Raya Iglesias Beattie (vocals), Kieron Larcombe (drums), Grant Mackay (guitar, synth), and Jade Kelly (guitar).
Can you please say a few words about your band?
Raya: Birdwitch are a five piece made up of five wyrdos making doomgaze, post this or that, heavy tunes. Healing old wounds, learning, growing, connecting with other like-minded lovely folk. There’s a lot of spiritualism and magic mixed within, there’s a story, a past in there too. We have contrasting personalities and tastes from one another, and this has allowed us to explore new sounds as we find our way on this path.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Grant: For me it’s been finding what we would all consider “our sound” – we all have quite vast musical tastes, differing ones too – so getting to a sound that we’re all happy with and represents us has been a challenge, but a rewarding one!
What can you be most proud of so far?
Raya: I’m proud that I continue to wake up each and everyday and choose this life. What a privilege it is to become a version of myself I once thought was impossible.
I’m proud of us all too. We’ve grown together naturally, although we’re somewhat quite different from each other, we work as a whole. I’m proud of our ability to explore music and experiment a bit…Over time we’ve gotten quicker at putting these cool ideas together, as well as our consistency to practice regularly. I feel that has only helped us to be able to learn new material at a decent pace.
Kieron: I’m super proud of how far we’ve come in a short period of time, I still look back at footage of our first shows and can see the progress made.
What was your biggest regret?
Raya: I would have been regretful had I not started the band. I would’ve had so many regrets, this outlet has breathed life into me.
I’m reassured even on my dark days, They are still there for me and then we come together to make something special, the music, our little community. It’s been healing. I am grateful. Not regretful.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Jade: My favourite gig would probably be Wild Paths Festival, Norwich in St. Peter Parmentergate church. The acoustics of the church really fit the massive sound we’re going for, and really complemented Raya’s vocals so much. The staff putting it on were so nice and accommodating, and we got to play with some sick bands!! Kulk are one of my favourites from the local scene and I’d been wanting to play a show with them for ages.
Raya: This is really hard, there’ve been quite a few memorable ones…We’ve just recently played our first show in London at the Black Heart, that was pretty wild! We had dreamt of playing there. We were inside a 15th century former church at Wild Paths and at the Waterfront with local legends, Takeda. I joined in with them for a song. That was a special moment. I could go on! Sorry, I had a hard time choosing just one!
Grant: I really enjoyed playing at Club 85 in Hitchin with bands such as Famyne, Praetorian and Gevaudan, in support of a real grassroots venue. Also hometown gigs have been great, seeing a bunch of friendly faces time and again!
Kieron: We’ve been lucky enough to have played with some absolutely incredible bands so far in some fantastic venues. However, if I had to pick one it would be our recent show at the Black Heart, London. I’ve been in and out of bands for a long time and that’s one I have always wanted to play, it was really nice to see so many people come say hello from a city that wasn’t our hometown as well!
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Jade: Coming from a mostly punk/hc music interest, it’s been great to see that metal is similarly inclusive, doom especially I think. We draw in such a diverse crowd and I always feel welcomed both as a performer and as part of the audience. I never knew how many friends I’d make! This is the first gigging band I’ve been in, and what really surprised me is how normal the run up to a gig has become after our first few shows, I never thought I’d get used to it!
Grant: For me it has been quite eye-opening seeing the sheer popularity of doom and post-metal nowadays – the number of bands and the size of the crowds – growing up in the late 90s and 2000s this wasn’t the case, and it’s very much welcome!
Kieron: I came from a completely different side of music in all of my previous bands, doom is something that is quite new to me. I was incredibly happy to see that it’s a fantastic scene full of incredibly friendly and helpful people.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Jade: I suppose it depends on the definition of heavy! Boris has always been a favourite of mine in that regard. Windhand, Faetooth, Cwfen, and Amenra are some of the doomier bands I listen to. I’m a big fan of everything Chat Pile’s been doing, alongside similar bands like Tunic and Nerver. I always come back to my biggest guitar inspirations from the past though, I’ve been re-listening to a lot of Unwound, Protomartyr, Gang of Four etc. I’m a sucker for a lot of post-punk, post-hardcore, and noise rock. One more recent album that has been on and off repeat since it came out would be »The Lamb As Effigy« by Sprain, it’s brutal, I’m sure it fits the bill of heavy. I suppose you could sum up my music taste by saying anything prefixed with “post-” is good to me.
Raya: King Woman, Cwfen, Faetooth, Forlorn, Coltaine, Prostitute, Witch Club Satan, Gout, The Grey, Pile (the Green and Grey album) to name a few! But most recently and over winter I’ve been listening to a lot of classical and dark jazz like Nala Sinephro or The Dark Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble, 90’s trip hop such as Beth Gibbons/Portishead. She’s been a huge influence of mine since I was a child. My mum would often play the »Dummy« album when I was growing up. Also Underworld – »A Hundred Days Off« (listen to »Sola Sistim«). I usually have phases of genres I listen to throughout the year.
Grant: I’ve been enjoying a lot of dissonant death metal lately, the latest releases from the likes of Imperial Triumphant, Qrixkuor, and Malthusian. Also have been spinning a lot of 90s post-rock, particularly Tortoise and Bark Psychosis.
Kieron: I’ve been listening to a lot of Frontierer, Mirar, Vildhjarta, Conjurer and Psychonaut recently on the heavy side. At the other end of the spectrum I’ve had the latest Moron Police album almost on repeat!
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Raya: Maybe the point is to just do the thing, and derive some small moment of pleasure from it, only for yourself. And it’s just a bonus if other people enjoy it.
Your presence on stage will mean something to someone. It might be the thing that gives them the spark to imagine themself doing it. So even if you can’t do it for yourself, do it for them. ~ Advice given by a dear friend, V.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Jade: Buying new gear! ;( Whether in music or my other interests, there always seems to be something new to try out.
Raya: I’m a twihard. I know how bad those movies are but they’re somewhat comforting and very quotable. (I like other, much cooler vampire movies too I swear!) I love cheese. I fully consider a cheese board with grapes and olives a full meal, it’s like a reward. A wee treat!
Grant: Terrible films, the more predictable a storyline or poorly framed shots the better!
Kieron: I absolutely love horrendous B movies!
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Norwich?
Kieron: Norwich is in a fantastic spot at the moment! All shows are well attended and there’s a really healthy host of unique and great local bands! Healthiest it’s been in a long time!
Raya: The scene is a safe space for many and I have felt so welcomed since starting this journey. Music builds bridges, the scene here is really strong and ever blooming!
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Grant: Norwich, Nottingham, Leeds (Strangeforms Festival!) Brighton, and London! And a few more things we can’t quite talk about just yet! We try to keep our various socials up to date with all our live dates.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Raya: To continue honing and growing our sound, plant seeds, create more beautiful memories together and see how far we can take it? Whatever comes our way will be a most grateful bonus.
Grant: Some more festivals would be great, and perhaps a gig or two in Europe? But yes, recording the album and continuing to write and evolve!
How can people best support your band?
Raya: Honestly, buy our merch! Come to our shows! Those are the two best ways of supporting not just us, but any growing band in this day. The more we can save the more we can do and the higher we’ll fly.
Grant: And spread the word too, tell all your friends!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Raya: Be yourself, it doesn’t matter if people might look at you weird, you have to live this life for you. Stay humble and open, don’t compare your path to anyone else’s – comparison is the thief of joy as they say. Get to know your neighbours, connect with your true friends and keep them close. Go to local shows and support growing bands where you can? I think that covers everything?
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well