Fiona Horne is a singer, writer, radio personality, actress, and wiccan. Among her acting credits, she has appeared on the Australian show Celebrity Survivor, Good Morning Australia, and the film Cult, to name a few. Before branching out into her solo musical career she was a member of the Australian band Def FX. She currently resides in Los Angeles, CA and you can stay up-to-date with her via her MySpace page: MySpace.com/FionaHorne or her website: FionaHorne.com.

Q: Witch Web must be a personal highlight in your career and personal life.
How did you feel in the lead-up to its release?

FH: Witch Web is the first studio recording I have made since my band broke up years ago and it was wonderful to be back in the studio and making music, which has always been my first love. To make an album that not only satisfied me creatively but spiritually was very special. It was a lot of fun to record - no pressure to come up with hit songs that could be played on radio! Being a 'concept' album it did not have to be bound to contemporary commercial boundaries, so it was a very relaxed and abundant creative energy that flowed.

Q: You have seen both sides of life, from the excess of being a rock star to the opposition you have faced as a witch and the life you want to lead now. Do you ever look back at the times when you were with DEF FX and wish you were still there?

FH: No, I do not miss Def FX - it was an exciting period but I would never go back there, I am much happier as an individual now, living in Los Angeles and working successfully as an author and TV/radio personality over here. The adrenalin of being onstage with the band was something I missed for a long time, but I have replaced that with skydiving now! I love jumping out of planes! I am, however, very much looking forward to getting back on the road with my solo album and being onstage and singing again and having the opportunity to share that with a live audience.

Q: Witch Web is much more than just a musical CD; how does it make you feel when people are using this as a possible spiritual awakening?

FH: I wrote the album with Paul Searles initially with the only intention being to record the songs that I personally sing in my witchy rituals. Often when doing public rituals I would sing a cappella and people would ask if it was possible to buy a recording of it - now it is! But when Paul and I got in the studio we also realized we were starting to write songs that had a commercial feel and classic song arrangement, so we are happy that the album crosses over and can be enjoyed by people interested in the spiritual side as well as people who just want a chilled listening experience.

Q: Many people often have misconceptions about witchcraft and Wicca, thinking it more belongs to movies with broomsticks and black cats. Could you explain how witchcraft benefits your life and others around you?

FH: I think those misconceptions are rapidly eroding and hardly exist at all now compared to what it was like when I first 'came out of the broom closet' 10 years ago when my first book on witchcraft was released. Modern Witches honor nature as sacred, we recognize a Goddess as well as God and we do spells and rituals to heal and help ourselves and others - it is very rewarding and enriching for men and women (both of whom are called 'Witches' by the way, no Warlocks!)

Q: How do you feel people should approach this album?

FH: The album is great music to chill out and unwind to - the lyrics are positive and can help shift a negative mind set and relax busy overstressed brains! I know Witches and non-Witches alike can enjoy Witch Web. If you want to hear some songs from Witch Web go to www.myspace.com/fionahorne.

Q: What does being a 'witch' in the 21st Century mean to you? Wicca and witchcraft have taken off especially in the past decade, why do you think this is so?

FH: Witchcraft is one of the fastest growing spiritual paths in the western world - the last 3 Australian Census reports attest to this fact, as alternative spiritual paths grow and the mainstream religions are starting to decrease in numbers. Being that Witches honour nature and recognize a feminine as well as masculine principle of divinity, I think this modern expression of the evolving human spirit is very relevant and wise in answering the questions people are asking now.

Having been on the front line of Witchcrafts public face for the last 10 years I can see first hand how the negative misconception are decreasing and the public is more open and positive in their attitude towards this spiritual path. In the last week I have been featured in mainstream USA media on shows like The Tyra Banks Show and E! News, talking about modern Witchcraft and the response is very positive, much more so now than it was 10 years ago.

Q: Does it worry you to see clichés about witchcraft, including recent movie releases, confirming people's suspicions about Wicca?

FH: No, they are not documentaries on Witchcraft, they are entertainment and I have seen many positive depictions of Wicca in these formats - more so than clichés recently.

Q: Where do you see witchcraft going in the future if it is to remain on the international stage and not just a fad or basis for B-grade movies?

FH: Witchcraft will continue to grow and evolve as a valid and enriching spiritual path for many people. Whilst it is not for everyone, it is certainly rewarding for those who are drawn to it

Q: Do you have a black cat and broomstick? (Just had to ask.)

FH: No I am allergic to cats! But I do have a broomstick placed at my front door - Witchy folklore says that only people who love you and treat you well will enter if you place the broomstick there.