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While numerous musicians have drawn from epic fantasy, few have truly lived the enchanted lifestyle. Certainly, they might adorn their album covers with monsters, beasts, captive women and muscular warriors, but has any musician ever been forced to find a lost mythical horn from a wintry landscape in the depths of winter? Did a performer taken the time peering in the back of a tour bus, repairing their own armor?

Immersed in the Legend

Formed in 2019, Brooklyn’s Castle Rat have encountered both these scenarios and others as they act out their heroic dreams. From medieval-inspired, memorable songs to breathtaking concerts, costume design, videos and album art, they’re not just a rock act as a complete sensory journey.

“It wasn’t planned to be a outfit with characters,” states vocalist, guitarist, sword-carrier and creative overlord Riley Pinkerton as the band’s tour van speeds from a packed show in a German city to one more in another town – they’re also doing multiple performances in the UK now. “We played two shows and received an offer on a Halloween gig, where I decided spontaneously to wear a costume. It was all highly handmade, but we had an amazing time and the energy was incredible. I realized, ‘Imagine if we could have such enjoyment always?’”

Development of Castle Rat

After that, the band – which features Pinkerton as the “Queen Rat” alongside a medic from history (bassist), aristocratic undead (guitarist) and enigmatic nature priest (percussionist) – continued forward. The Bestiary, the follow-up record, brings to mind of famous rock groups collaborating to fight their path through a mythical painted realm – a epic masterpiece that sets them on the brink of far grander things.

This album was a new experience for Pinkerton in that she opened the floor to her fellow members. “This helped a more powerful project,” she says of the team effort. “I had difficulty at first – I often experienced a particular degree of accomplishment being a woman in music doing everything solo. There’ve been multiple instances where I finished performing and some guy will say, ‘The band create awesome guitar parts!’ and I respond, ‘Listen – I created all that.’”

Artistry and Imagination

As the band’s stature has expanded, so has the scope of their stage presentation. “My philosophy is always that if an effort matters, it’s worth overdoing,” Pinkerton smiles. At first, she had been on track for a fine art degree before balking at the possibility of so much debt. “The exciting part about Castle Rat is there’s so many different ways to express artistic expression,” she says. “From making masks, attire creation, mastering post-production music videos … it’s all stuff I have no experience with, but it’s enjoyable to figure it out in the moment.”

As if building the group’s detailed mythology (“People are encouraging me to write it down because all the ideas are,” Riley says, tapping her head) and sewing costumes wasn’t enough, the vocalist learned on her own how to craft metal mesh – no mean feat, though she admittedly delegated her brand-new reptilian-inspired outfit to a expert from NYC. “It feels like actual armour,” she smiles proudly.

Fan Response and Obstacles

Regarding the fans? They loved the fake blood, toy blades and handmade props with as much gusto as the band. “We had a show in Detroit and it seemed like a historical festival,” recalls Riley fondly. “The whole crowd was in robes, sheepskin, metal wear.”

That’s not to imply, nevertheless, that traveling lifestyle as fantasy adventurers has been smooth. “All our gear is frequently damaged and gets duct-taped together,” Riley says. “Additionally I get numerous thoughts as to how I desire the presentation, but we tour in a van with limited room. It’s a fascinating test to give the sense like a grand epic, then compress it into a small space.”

There have been additional practical issues that would never have plagued legendary fantasy heroes. “We did have an ‘disastrous’ moment when we performed at a music event in Portugal and my suitcase – which had my blade in it – was misplaced,” says Riley. “It was a terrible situation, because there is no an different option of the show where I don’t have a weapon.”

Upcoming Plans

Like a true warrior queen, Riley is eager about the days to come. “I aim to reach to the top – we should play huge arenas,” she says. “The main aspect that’s deeply meaningful to me is keeping the DIY aesthetic, guaranteeing all elements is crafted by us. It’s a component I want to stay authentic to, whatever we grow into. Additionally, I wish to appear on a mythical beast at all performances. Remember how legends use vehicles in concerts? Exactly that, but on a mythical creature.”