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Photo: Peter Beste

09/07/2026

Fogweaver - The OMN Interview

By MATT HANSEN // Portland fantasy synth artist gives us an exclusive interview while playing Woodland Fortress Fest this past weekend in Pe Ell, Washington

For a few days at the end of summer, the lines between gaming and live music are blurred in the forest of Washington. Formerly called Dungeon Siege West, Woodland Fortress is a fantasy and dungeon synth event that features artists from throughout the PNW and beyond. Portland's own, Fogweaver, pulled double duty this year, not only returning to the fest from last last year but also playing under the project Woodland Spells. Fogweaver's musical works are inspired by the world of Earthsea from the books of Ursula K. Le Guin, making them a uniquely PNW artist to watch in the fantasy synth scene. 

Woodland Spells was chosen as the artist to activate the live action role playing aspect of Woodland Fortress, with live performers appearing during her set and beginning a quest for festival goers directly afterward. OMN was fortunate enough to speak to Woodland Spells during her busy schedule at Woodland Fortress on her record label, pen pals, and nature as an inspiration in her music.

Oregon Music News: Last year you closed out Dungeon Siege West, here at Red Hawk Avalon. And this year you are playing twice at Woodland Fortress Fest, as Fogweaver and as your new project Woodland Spells. How does that feel to be involved with these events in that capacity?

Fogweaver: It was very special to be invited back. This place is magical. They initially asked me to perform whatever I wanted to. And Woodland Spells was not something I had gotten a chance to perform yet. And since it’s outside it’s the perfect place for this. It was also an honor to be brought back as part of the quest objectives for the festival. It’s cool to have that through line from last year and go from finishing the festival to being a part of weaving the story together.

OMN: Are you involved in any other live action roleplaying like the quest here at Woodland Fortress?

FW: No, actually. It’s something that I would love to incorporate more in what I do. And that’s why I wanted to work with Tales From The Old Grove for this. They were a part of the end of my performance as Woodland Spells. Having that sort of visual element to music is something I think is special thing for me. Musically I am not making incredibly visually demanding music, it’s not that interesting to watch me playing what I’m playing. But I always think about wanting the listener to go somewhere in their head or have some visual components to pair with it. Incorporating more live action stuff would be really cool, it’s something I think about a lot.

OMN: What experiences do you have with the forest that have influenced your new project Woodland Spells? Which is a lot more ambient and atmospheric.

FW: I suppose a lot of different experiences, some otherworldly experiences, some dreams in the forest. That sort of what inspires Woodland Spells, trying to emulate the sound that nature channels through me when I’m outside.

OMN: What do you think it is about the forest the inspires so many fantasy/dungeon synth artists in the PNW region?

FW: There is certainly the gloominess and the introspection of a lot of the seasons we have out here. And that informs a lot of fantasy arts and things like that. The nature is magical out here, and something I find so inspiring is that even in the city, if you leave an area alone for a few months, moss starts growing on it, and then ferns, and then flowers are growing. There is something about that resilience that I think is magical be around. For me that certainly informs a lot of what I do and a lot of the ways I think.  

OMN: What would be your dream place to play a show?

FW: Especially thinking about Fogweaver, I think it would be really cool to play along some sort of rocky shoreline. Something along the Oregon/Washington coast, anything outside, but especially along the coast that would be super beautiful.

OMN: Have you connected with artists in other countries?

FW: I keep in touch with a couple artists. One is Ziri, my friend in New Zealand. My friend Vermin from the UK. This scene is special in that way, the way that community crosses boarders so much, and even crosses the borders of genres. And with some of the nuances within this genre, it’s cool to see everyone’s own take on it. There is a lot of people that inspire me out there and a lot of wonderful connections I’ve made with so many people.

OMN: Have you released any cassettes as Woodland Spells?

FW: There is a handful of Woodland Spells releases. All of those live under the banner of larger project I do called Windkey Tapes. And that incorporates a lot of my different projects under one place.

OMN: What is the next release for Fogweaver? And where can we see you play next?

FW: I have a new album coming in November! It’s called Dragonfly. And I’ll be playing Distant at Stronghold in Portland, Maine later this month. But I’d like to a lot more locally with it, we’ll see. I want to do more shows, it’s hard to motivate myself to do it sometimes. I definitely am introspective with what I do, and introverted with what I do.

thefogweaver.bandcamp.com

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