Alt-Fest

How did you first become interested in fire acts and when did you decide to make it a career?

Dr Embers: "I've always had a passion for the flame, growing up my family gathered around fires and sang and played instruments and when I learned about manipulation arts around 5 years ago, through friends, I thought it would be great fun to learn more about how I can mix fire into a performance art and now here I am, performing at the worlds largest alternative festival with an amazing team of performers from Pyromaniac Fire Arts."

Sakura: "I became interested 12 years ago and started out spinning normal Poi which then progressed to the more danger element side. I decided to make this career move 5 years ago when people told me I should do something with my skills. Before it was just a hobby and when I started getting good reactions from people and being asked if I would mind entertaining I then decided to make my career change."

Obvious question but it has to be asked. A fire act isn't like playing a guitar where if you hit a wrong note it won't hurt. Have you ever got burnt and if so what happened?

Dr Embers: "I have burnt myself a couple of times many moons ago. These days it's mostly just singed hair or a finger burn. Although, there was a time when Sakura and I were rehearsing with fire poi and I had, as you put it, 'hit a wrong note' whilst spinning the flames and unfortunately I wacked myself in the eyeball and quite badly blistered my eye and couldn't see out of it clearly for nearly a week. Thankfully I fully recovered and this hasn't ever happened again. 'Touches wood' Again, I'd recommend attending a fire safety course."

Sakura: "Thankfully I have not been burned apart from the odd surface burn from Body Burning which is normal and goes within a few days but it's not like a burn that scabs and scars and needs medical treatment, it is more just a red mark that then disappears a day or two later."

You have a great team. Do you invite people to join or do they apply to you?

Dr Embers: "Thank you, having a team of very strong performers is definitely something we pride ourselves on. I mainly invite performers to join Pyromaniac Fire Arts although I am always looking for new talent and aspiring performers and I welcome anyone to contact us through our website if you would like to be considered to work with us. There are a few things I look out for in performers and that is a great, open personality, willingness to learn and ability to adapt to stressful situations. Not everyone will know about how hard it actually is to be on the performing circuit and it can be very demanding. A thick skin will get you far.

We're really happy to have you performing at Alt-fest. Will you be using your full repertoire of techniques, mixing it up through the weekend or are you going to be using a set routine?

Dr Embers: "We are all so hyped up about this festival and having the opportunity to perform for you is just so exciting! There will be a choreographed performance but it will show a vast collection of different skills and techniques throughout. I won't say too much about what to expect but you will be seeing lots of different props and performers doing all sorts of weird and wonderful things for your viewing pleasure."

Sakura: "We do plan to mix things up a bit. We have various performing circus skills in our group so be sure to see the many ways we can manipulate fire and light to give an amazing show."

What's the funniest or strangest thing that's happened to you during a show?

Dr Embers: "I do a lot of fire eating, so much so that I swear I have no taste buds left. I was at a charity event in Norfolk and was there as a fire eating entertainer, half way through my body burning/fire eating performance I managed to 'sniff' up the flames into my nostrils before I could put it out. Everybody watching noticed and laughed whilst I was coughing and trying to regain breath. This was actually scary at the time as you can seriously hurt yourself, however, looking back it must have been hilarious to watch."

Sakura: "I would probably have to say a show I did at Club Antichrist for NNYE in January 2014. My show was a little naughty should we say with a fire torch inserted into my orifice during my performance. I enjoyed the reaction from people and a spectator after the set came up to me and said "I am not gay but your performance really aroused me." Also Alix Fox compere for the evening saying "Pyromaniac Fire Arts though after that performance it should be Pyromaniac Fire Farts," that tickled me so much."

Sakura, We know you're a massive Marilyn Manson fan. What song do you most want him to play?

Sakura: "I love this question but hate it too, I really don't think I can pin point to a single song as there are so many but I would love to hear, The Beautiful People, Antichrist Superstar, Slo-mo-tion, Coma White/Black.... I could keep listing but you will prob end up with every song. For me just being there and being in the moment of watching my most favourite artist AGAIN is mind blowing enough for me. I am hoping that I get to meet and shake the guys hand though as that would make Alt-Fest an even more spectacular moment for me on a personal level."

And finally in three words describe what being a part of Alt-Fest means to you?

Dr Embers: "First, Inspiring, Proud. This festival will bring about a lot of firsts for me and I can't wait, it will be such a brilliant time and anyone that's not there is going to be missing out! It really is quite inspiring to see just how amazing the team behind the scenes have done, they've worked so hard and it really shows. I am very proud to be a part of such an amazing event, it's going to be the first of many attendances for me, whether that be as a performer or simply a festival goer. Alt-Fest is definitely something to be proud to be part of."

Sakura: "A-FUCKING-MAZEBALLS hahaha, aside from that Priviledged, Honoured & Excited."