C Music TV Meets British String Quartet Raven.

Disillusioned by the traditional 'background' role of the string quartet, Raven hope to provide the perfect antidote with their debut album; an eclectic set list of entirely original arrangements created by members Natalie Holt & Kirsty Mangan.

All previously students of music academies across Britain, Raven have appeared in concert with artists such as The Gorillaz, Gwen Stefani, Hayley Westenra & Leona Lewis. More recently they performed at the Reading & Leeds festival as part of the London Metropolitan Orchestra & on the BBC 2 programme Maestro as the resident quartet, helping celebrities Alex James & Goldie to conduct.

What projects have you, as individuals, most enjoyed working on?

Kirsty: Mahler's 8th Symphony & Elgar's 2nd Symphony in my final year of the National Youth Orchestra.
Natalie: I enjoyed working on films before the group - I went to the National Film & Television School & then worked for Ilan Eskeri as a production assistant
Stephanie: Freelancing for duos, string quartets & symphony orchestras & travelling all over Europe & to the Middle East. Being resident on BBC Maestro was great too.
Rachel: Recording & performing with folk guitarist John Smith.

Who have been your musical influences throughout your career?

R: My parents. Plus Yo Yo Ma, my teacher Kim Dinitzen & Radiohead.
S: My teachers Maciej Rakowski & Itzhak Perlman have been my greatest musicial influences.
K: Itzhak Perlman & Nigel Kennedy.
N: My mum, who was a music teacher, & the soundtrack to ET, which completely blew me away.

How did you choose the repertoire for the album?

N: The album is a mixture of personal favourites, pieces we played on BBC Maestro & film scores we liked.

Which conductors have you most enjoyed working with?

N: Goldie & the BBC Maestro lot
R: For me it's Sir Colin Davis, Andrew Lytton, Sir Simon Rattle & Roger Norrington
K: Sir Colin Davis & Sir Simon Rattle
S: Andrew Lytton

Which composer & works do you particularly enjoy playing?

R: Shostakovich, Debussy, Rachmaninov & Stravinsky.
N: I really love playing our new arrangement of the Godfather Theme by Nina Rota. We've played it on tour, but have yet to record it.
S: Tchaikovsky. especially 'Souvenier de Florence'. I love romantic music.
K: Elgar's string works ... I've always been a fanatic!

When you're working, what is your average day like?

K: Awesome!
N: Lots of travelling to gigs, playing, having a laugh with the girls & eating sandwiches!!
S: Travelling ... soundcheck ... gig!
K: It's fairly hectic, but very rewarding.

What are your other interest away from music?

N: I enjoy going to the cinema & exploring London, but it's also good to get out & walk my parent's dog in the woods sometimes.
S: Skiing.
R: Food!.
K: Going to gigs in London, cooking & drinking tea!.

Which do you prefer, intimate gigs or larger concerts?

K: I prefer intimate gigs, although sometimes the buzz from larger concerts is brilliant.
N: Both - I just love the opportunity to play to people.
S: Larger concerts, because somehow they are less scary.

What artist(s) would you most like to work with in the future?

N: Apart from Raven?! Yo Yo Ma, Joshua Bell & John Williams.
R: Mark O'Connor, Yo Yo Ma, Thom Yorke from Radiohead & Norwegian cellist Truls Mork.
S: Yo Yo Ma.
N: Thom Yorke.

What music do you listen to to relax?

N: I go through phases with music, but recently I've been into American folk.
S: Michael Jackson.
R: Radiohead, Bjork & Fink.
K: Various unsigned artists, & Muse.

What piece of music has had the biggest impact on you & why?

K: Mahler 8 - I played it in my last ever concert with Sir Simon Rattle at the Royal Albert Hall.
S: Dvorak's New World Symphony because it reminds of playing my first symphony with the NCO aged 13.
R: 'Kol Nidrei' by Brunch - it was the first concerto I performed..
N: I can't answer that without an extra sheet!

Do you enjoy the recording process more than the live performance?

K: We all prefer performing live - recording doesn't have the same buzz.

Mac or PC?

N: Definitely Mac.
S: Either ... I'm bad with both!!
K: I'd love to say Mac, but I can't afford one!
S: PC - I literally can't work a Mac.

24 or Heroes?

N: I don't watch much TV - I always watch films.
S: I don't know?
K: Ask me again when I've watched them!
R: 24, although nothing beats the Sopranos.

Football or Rugby?

N: Football if forced!
R: Neither - I find both interminably dull.
K: Football ... people's faces stay more intact.
S: I'd say Rugby.

Spaghetti Bolognaise or Fish & Chips?

S: Spaghetti every time!!
N: Spag Bol (Steph's mum's).
R: Spaghetti Bolognaise.
K: Generally Spaghetti, but I do like fish and chips as a treat.

James Bond or Harry Potter?

R: James Bond & frankly Daniel Craig.
S: James Bond.
N: James Bond.
K: James Bond - it took me a year to read the first Harry Potter book just so I could go & see the film!

Associated links
Raven Offical Website
Raven Myspace
Bedlam Artists Agency