Candice Night – An Xperience Interview

Candice Night – An Xperience Interview – by Jason Irwin.

For more than 25 years, Candice Night and Ritchie Blackmore (Rainbow, Deep Purple) have been enchanting audiences around the world with Blackmore’s Night, blending Renaissance-inspired melodies with folk-rock magic. As the band embarks on their 2025 fall tour, including a stop at the Cohoes Music Hall on Sunday, November 23rd, I was able to chat with Candice to find out a little more.

RRX: Your live shows seem to welcome people to step back in time, with fans in costume and all. What’s that atmosphere like from the stage?

CN: It’s incredible. One of my favorite quotes (to paraphrase Shakespeare) is that the “mask is not to conceal but to reveal.” For me, seeing people show the world a side of themselves they usually keep hidden — or step into a totally different role — is fascinating. We’ve seen full knights, monks, queens and kings, jesters, fairies, peasants, gypsies — you name it. It’s like a costume party wherever we go. The great thing is watching people make their costumes their own identity. It’s such a beautiful way to express themselves. You don’t need to dress up, but it makes the event feel that much more special. Often, those who do dress up find like-minded people, trade compliments on their garb, and make lifelong friends. It’s quite a community we’ve built around these shows — and that positive energy is electric.

RRX: Ritchie stepped away from arena rock for this kind of music. What pulled you toward the Renaissance and folk style?

CN: He did. I never heard this type of music before I met him — in the early ’90s, he was listening to Renaissance music all the time. When I moved in with him in 1991, he would play it around the house. Looking out at the falling snow and deer in our garden in our dark Tudor home while that music played felt like being inside a movie soundtrack — the perfect meeting of audio and visual. It became the perfect soundtrack for nature, and that escape from modern stress has held a deep, special place in my heart ever since.

RRX: You play all kinds of medieval instruments — which one’s your favorite?

CN: The pennywhistle or the gemshorn. I love the wind instruments that have a more airy, muted sound, compared to the ones I often play onstage that are loud and bombastic for the full band — like the shawms or rauschpfeifes. Each instrument is so individual and adds a different texture to our songs beyond the typical five-piece band sound.

RRX: If you could make it happen, what film or story do you think Blackmore’s Night’s music would be the perfect soundtrack for?

CN: I see so many period films and TV shows that would suit our music — anything from “The Tudors” to “Outlander,” even witchy Halloween-vibe shows or movies like “Practical Magic 2.” I guess we’re not top of mind for music supervisors yet, but even gaming would work. Open to ideas!

RRX: You always support local animal shelters on tour — why is that cause so important to you, and what kind of response have you seen?

CN: Animals ask so little but give so much in return. The joy and unconditional love they give is immeasurable. The people who work in shelters — healing, helping, saving animals year-round — are angels on earth. Big celebs often pair with national organizations, but when we come to town, we try to bring funds, supplies, and awareness to the local shelters that work so hard and see so much pain. We donate at home year-round and, on the road, try to shine a spotlight where it’s needed. The response is always heartfelt.

RRX: Your lyrics often celebrate nature and simple joys. Do you see your music as an escape from today’s busy world?

CN: Absolutely. Music has always been my escape from stress and pressure. As a teenager who didn’t fit in, I’d go home, put on vinyl or headphones, and connect with songs — that got me through difficult times. I covered notebooks with lyrics, which led to poetry and then song lyrics. Nature is a great healer for me: sunsets, fireflies, shooting stars, feeling the wind, catching snowflakes, the colors of autumn — those small miracles renew mind and spirit.

RRX: If you could bring one modern convenience back to the Renaissance, what would it be — and would you use it on stage?

CN: If we changed conveniences in time, that might mess with the time-space continuum — we wouldn’t be where we are now! But if I lived then, I’d love sanitary conditions, plumbing, and air conditioning. Yes — I’d definitely use air conditioning onstage!

RRX: What’s something about Renaissance culture that’s often misunderstood?

CN: It’s funny — Ritchie is more of a Renaissance purist, and I’m more drawn to the fantasy and romantic imagery. That in itself is a misunderstanding: the romanticized version (ambient lighting, bonfires on hills, maidens waving from castle windows) isn’t the full reality. The era has a very romantic visual in my mind, but people often conflate fantasy with historical reality.

RRX: If Blackmore’s Night really lived in the Renaissance, what role would you play?

CN: I’d probably be a peasant swept off my feet by a wandering minstrel, singing and playing as we travel — much like my role today.

RRX: Despite your intent not to perform songs from Ritchie’s Deep Purple or Rainbow days, have you ever had an audience member go off track and give a shout for “Smoke on the Water”?

CN: Of course — even my son did that when he was six! We were at the Paramount in Long Island; Ritchie spotted him in the balcony and asked, “OK, Rory, what do you want to hear?” He yelled, “Smoke on the Water,” and the audience went crazy — so we obliged. Ritchie will play those songs (he’s done “Street of Dreams,” “Stargazer,” “Temple of the King,” “Hush,” “Man on the Silver Mountain,” “Rainbow Eyes,” “Child in Time,” even a 16th-century “Greensleeves”), but only when he wants to. After decades of playing the same requests, he got tired of being obliged — now he has the freedom to play what he wants when he wants, and that creative freedom is wonderful.

RRX: What’s it really like being in a band with your spouse for over 25 years?

CN: The hardest part is that I wear many hats — I write lyrics, sing, play woodwinds, and also handle fix-it tasks when things go wrong: travel, bandmates, stage sets, dinnertimes, wardrobe. That can be mentally taxing. But stepping on stage with your soulmate and performing music you created together for fans who truly share your path — those couple of hours can be pure magic.

RRX: When you’re not playing medieval music, what’s something surprising on your personal playlist?

CN: With both my children now teenagers, I hear a lot of newer radio music I wouldn’t have otherwise. My playlist is varied — I’m a child of the ’70s and a teen of the ’80s, so I still rock out to hair bands and classic rock in the car — much to my kids’ embarrassment!

RRX: After all these years, what do you hope new listeners take away from a Blackmore’s Night concert?

CN: A couple of hours spent in our fantasy world. My favorite thing is watching generations come to the shows — children, parents, grandparents. Kids dress as princesses or Robin Hood, men are often die-hard Blackmore fans, women enjoy the softer female vocals, and grandparents appreciate melodic music — there’s something for everyone. Our fan base defies genre and generation. Seeing people take the emotional journey the music offers, connect with us, and leave with that after-show glow of positive energy is a blessing every time.

 

 

 

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