Dylan Fraser and Alaska Reid’s unlikely partnership transforms coincidence into indie-rock gold.
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Words: Felicity Newton.
Witch Post’s existence feels like a cosmic joke turned prophecy – two musicians from different Livingstons (one Scottish, one Montanan) colliding in a trans-Atlantic musical partnership that defies probability. Their sound marries American indie rawness with Scottish rock swagger, creating something that transcends mere coincidence.
The seeds were planted during Dylan Fraser’s rail journeys between Edinburgh and London in 2021. “I always used that time to listen to new albums I hadn’t heard before. Alaska’s album ‘Big Bunny’ came up, and it caught me on the first listen, so I decided to send her a message on Instagram.” That digital hello led to an in-person studio session when Alaska Reid landed in London – the first notes in what would become a three-year prelude to Witch Post.
The partnership flourished immediately, yielding multiple collaborations, including a Montana-recorded album. But becoming a fully-fledged band wasn’t a straightforward path. “It just kind of happened. We’d already been making music together for a few years but for different projects, and then, I guess over time, it just started to shift into the band thing,” Dylan reflects. Alaska adds, “We both had alternating resistance to actually going for the band thing. Dylan was the one who basically said to me, ‘Wake up, the world is wanting this at this moment’.” With characteristic directness, she continues, “We’re both stubborn and don’t ever do things to please other people per se, but it feels like something magical is pulling us along the path. Who knows. I’ve strapped into this band rollercoaster, so let’s rock.”
“We’re leaning into our ‘fuck it’ attitude”
alaska reid
Their collaborative output stands distinct from their solo work. “I don’t think it is comparable. It’s a new thing for us, and we enjoy the fact that it’s a new thing. We’ve both been around and are proud of our journeys that brought us to this point, but we want this band to feel like something you’ve discovered for the first time,” Dylan explains. Alaska distils it perfectly: “We’re leaning into our ‘fuck it’ attitude.”
Debut single ‘Chill Out’ emerged from what Dylan describes as “honestly chaotic” sessions, maintaining its essential spirit through countless iterations. Alaska elaborates on choosing it as their introduction: “It didn’t feel too serious or too precious. It felt like a cool expression of how we feel together in the face of the music industry, a bit devilish and riled up.” The track represents liberation from previous constraints – “Partially, it’s us shaking off some of the heaviness of our solo projects, having more fun. I think we felt that new energy when we’d play the song to people. I’ve released a couple of albums and lots of singles, and I’ve never done a simple song like this. It feels fresh for me.”
Their second single, ‘Rust’, showcases another side of their musical personality. “‘Chill Out’ is our punkier, attitude-driven, Laughing Hyenas-y track,” Alaska explains. “‘Rust’ is more introspective, more of a fleshed-out story, a bit dreamier and expansive. We have both of these characteristics in us and our songwriting.”
“Something changed when I saw that witch post”
alaska reid
A witch post, a stolen kiss, and a mysteriously attentive black cat – the tale behind Witch Post’s moniker is a fantastical one. “I went to this strange folk museum and saw a witch post in real life,” Alaska recalls, painting the scene of their band’s christening. “It stuck with me, and when it came time to name whatever Dylan and I were doing, it popped into my head.”
The fateful museum visit took an enchanting turn: “I do think something changed when I saw that witch post. I was so drawn to it, and no one was near me, so I kissed it. After the kiss, a black cat actually started following me as I walked around the museum. I’m a dog girl, so I was very surprised by this cat’s interest.”
But beneath these supernatural whispers lies a refreshingly grounded musical partnership. “I don’t think it’s too big of an aesthetic choice,” Dylan notes of their name’s occult undertones. “We are definitely both drawn to things that feel mysterious. Our favourite bands and artists generally have that appeal to them. We like not knowing too much and wanting more. It keeps it exciting and really makes you listen to the music. We don’t want it to be too on the nose aesthetically, and that doesn’t feel like us.”
This dedication to authenticity carries through to their stage presence. “Our live sound is really close to the recordings because we tracked the bones of the songs live,” Alaska explains. “We’re not adding on tons of extra production, and our self-producing headspace centres around the constant question ‘How is this going to serve the actual song?’” The commitment remains steadfast regardless of crowd size: “As for the show, we put on a show any time we play. Doesn’t matter if it’s two people or two thousand; people are going to get the best we can give that night. I’ve played some intensely difficult shows where it becomes a matter of just playing for yourself and your band members.”
Their creative aspirations pull in complementary directions. “Dylan wants to tour,” Alaska shares. “I want to go crazy in the studio and make a concept album. Something a bit witchy. I’ve just been embracing the fact that I’m a rock chick in my own way, whether I like it or not. I love band music; I think for some of my life, I’ve tried to hide from that. Dylan’s encouraged me and us to embrace it.”
“We are definitely both drawn to things that feel mysterious”
dylan fraser
Between recording sessions, Alaska “hikes and reads, and I’m writing something very special,” though her bandmate maintains an air of mystery – “Dylan’s at the pub right now and says he doesn’t feel like sharing what he gets up to.”
The future remains delightfully uncertain, with Dylan offering only: “I guess we’ll find out together.” Their shared ethos emerges in their approach to songwriting, which Dylan describes as having “different approaches sometimes, but we’re always on the same page in terms of wanting what’s best for a song.” And perhaps most tellingly, when asked what else the world should know about them, their response comes in perfect unison: “We like to howl at the moon.”
Life beyond the studio reveals the delightful contrasts at Witch Post’s core. Dylan lounges in domestic comfort: “I’m eating giant salted pretzels on my sofa, which has been a recent addiction of mine. I wouldn’t go as far to say it’s fun, but it’s keeping me going.” Alaska, meanwhile, serves a perfect foil: “That’s so crazy, Dylan, because right now I’m casting a spell which requires me to draw a giant pretzel shape on the ground in butterfly blood. I’ll let you know how it goes.”
With their inaugural performance at The George Tavern on the horizon, Witch Post are proof that sometimes the most intriguing stories begin with a chance encounter, a mysterious artefact, and the courage to follow wherever the magic leads.
Witch Post’s single ‘Rust’ is out now.
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