At the forefront of Electronic Rock, Canada’s The Birthday Massacre is a band that has captured the imagination of fans worldwide. A unique blend of cinematic elements matched with Synth and Gothic Rock, The Birthday Massacre could be described as a fantastical dream where ’80s New Wave and modern Heavy Rock come together. Initially called Imajica (taking direct inspiration from Clive Barker’s 1991 Dark Fantasy novel of the same title), The Birthday Massacre has successfully built a dedicated following through self-promotion, steady touring, and a genuine caring bond with their listeners.
Together for nearly three decades, the band has released ten studio albums in that time, including their most recent, 2025’s Pathways. Yet another adventure into the dark, yet colorful corners of the mind, Pathways marks yet another monumental achievement for The Birthday Massacre.
Keeping their music enticing and always exciting their fanbase, the best way to describe the band is consistent. Gracious to be a part of the journey for so long, Lead Vocalist/Key Songwriter Sarah “Chibi” Taylor sat down to reflect on The Birthday Massacre, the work put into Pathways, look back on her favorite movies, and more.
Cryptic Rock – You have been working with The Birthday Massacre for a few decades. Finding success and remaining consistent with releasing music and touring, it appears the band is quite hands-on. How would you describe the past three decades with the band?
Chibi – First, I would say it really doesn’t feel like it’s been that long, which is crazy. I think we can all relate to that, with how quickly time goes by. I would say that we’ve been very lucky that we’re still a band after this long and are still able to tour, put out albums, and still make this a viable thing to do. We’ve known many bands that don’t last this long. Also, just grateful because a big part of that is that all of us in the band are so close with each other, like a family. I am very thankful to know such good people, with whom we still want to be around and do things together.
Cryptic Rock – Certainly, that is an excellent point you make right there. Usually, when a group of people start a band, most of the time, they have the same idea of what they want to do. That changes over time, as people’s priorities and desires evolve. It is a testament that the core of the band has stuck together as long as they have. You do not see that very often.
Chibi – It’s very true. We’ve had members come and go. Some people don’t like touring. Some people want to have a family, which is really difficult to do when you’re going away, and things can be so unpredictable. Anyone we’ve had to replace, I prefer not to use the word ‘replace’; we still maintain good relationships with everybody. Like our old bass player, O.E., we still write with him. We’re still friends with everybody. It’s a nice extended family, including past members.
Cryptic Rock – That is great. As you said, a lot of bands have come and gone, but you have been very fortunate to be able to make The Birthday Massacre sustainable. That is also a testament to the passion that each of you put into the band. You could tell that the band is very passionate about what they do, and they are very connected with their fans.
Chibi – Yeah, it’s very true. That’s 100% it too – the audience that we have built and are continuing to build. We’re so lucky and grateful for that. We just got back from tour recently, and we see the crowds getting bigger. There are people that we’ve seen come to shows for a long time, and then new people. It’s pretty incredible, honestly. We’ve really lucked out with this combination of people and the music that we’re making.
Cryptic Rock – Another aspect that contributes to the success of The Birthday Massacre is that you are a pretty unique band. You blend these genres. This has become more common nowadays, but when you first started doing it, it was relatively new. It was something different that you were doing, mixing Metal and Hard Rock with this Dark Gothic Synth type music.
Chibi – Yeah. We always said that we just made the type of music that we wanted to hear. All those genres are things we grew up enjoying, and combining them has been something we’ve continued to do. There are bands now that are doing some really cool stuff. I can hear those elements in there as well. I think it’s awesome. I think it’s cool to hear more music that I like because I don’t like a lot of new music.
Cryptic Rock – That is a whole other story. It seems across all genres, the production quality is all the same. Even with Metal music, it seems it is all produced identically. It takes away the dynamics of it, which is not something The Birthday Massacre is known for. Your music is very dynamic.
Chibi – Right. I feel like every band’s going to do their own thing and have their own sound of what they want to achieve. We’re extremely happy with ours, and they’re equally happy with theirs; it’s all good.
Cryptic Rock – Exactly. There does seem to be a trend, though, where many new recordings are mastered entirely too loudly and at the same level.
Chibi – Yeah, that’s probably got a lot to do with technology and things that are more available at home now. Before, you had to go into a studio, work with a producer, and things like that. Many people can now do things at home. There are a lot of tools that can make your stuff sound super polished.
A lot of musicians are probably perfectionists in a lot of ways. With all these tools that you can use yourself, that temptation to keep tweaking and turning things is just so tempting. Especially if you’re doing it by yourself, or doing it with your people at home, and maybe not having deadlines. For us, if we didn’t have deadlines and work with a producer, we would probably still be tweaking and polishing our first album, because the temptation is there to keep processing, keep working, and keep doing it.
Cryptic Rock – That is true. It’s a matter of wanting to have the best, and then sometimes you become your own worst enemy.
Chibi – That’s 100% it. If we’re in the studio and I’m doing vocal takes, I’m doing the same bit a couple of times. It’s like, “No, let me do it again. One more time. I can do it better.” Oftentimes, the more you do it, honestly, the worse it probably gets because you’re just becoming so fixated on some level of perfection. It isn’t always necessary. It’s hard to see that when you’re kind of in the moment.
Cryptic Rock – Right. The Birthday Massacre has a new album out, Pathways. This is the second album you released post-COVID lockdowns. When releasing Diamonds in 2020, it was kind of a disappointment for everyone, including yourselves, that you could not tour for it. Everyone felt the strain. What was that time like for the band?
Chibi – Yeah. It was super disappointing. We had the album Diamonds ready to go. We had the tour booked. Literally, a week before we were supposed to leave, we were going, “Oh, God,” because there’s all this stuff in the news. “Should we go into the States? Should we cross the border?” It was so awful. We had everything ready to go. Then they made the decision for us because the borders closed down anyway. It was a massive disappointment. Everybody felt that. That was a really brutal time for the world, wasn’t it?
Cryptic Rock – It certainly was. Especially for working musicians such as yourself, you rely on touring. Touring is essential for musicians to survive in today’s world.
Chibi – Yeah, for sure. We were really happy, though, that once things opened up, we were able to finally tour again. It was a wicked tour. All of our tours since the lockdown have been really awesome. People wanted to get out again after being confined to their homes for so long. Our tours since the lockdown have been a reflection of that.
Cryptic Rock – Absolutely. Pathways was released on April 11, 2025. A very good record, it feels a little bit different than what you have done recently. Some aspects even seem a bit heavier. What was it like putting this album together?
Chibi – There was a lot of stuff that was going on behind the scenes that was emotional stuff. We had some losses of people that we knew. There was a lot of, I don’t want to say sadness, because that sounds so trite. Collectively, having experienced some really awful stuff, then going into the studio and trying to express all of that, maybe in a simpler way or a darker way than our last few albums, maybe that translates a bit through it. It’s so hard to explain.
All I can say is that there was a lot of dark stuff happening. We were processing a lot of those feelings collectively as we were writing. I suppose that must translate in some way.
Cryptic Rock – It certainly does. Sometimes the best way to deal with things is to work them out artistically. Do you find that it was a therapeutic process for you in the band?
Chibi – Absolutely. Also supporting each other. I would probably say that this was not our easiest album to put together. That is because of all the things that were happening, and we were trying to be supportive of one another in ways that maybe we hadn’t before. We’ve always worked collaboratively, especially Mike and I. It’s always been that if one of us is spinning their wheels, someone else steps in and helps each other, depending on how each of us is feeling. That definitely happened this time with a lot of the stuff that was happening, picking each other up, supporting each other, and stepping in if somebody wasn’t feeling great. That was definitely present this time around.
Cryptic Rock – You have been close friends for a long time. When people go through things together and they are for each other, it brings them closer together. There becomes a stronger bond.
Chibi – Yeah, it really does. We’re like a family, obviously. I’m sure they want to throw me out the window half the time. The feeling is very mutual. (Laughs) We’re not without our problems, but we definitely rally together when things are tough. Deadlines don’t wait. Deadlines don’t really care what’s going on in your private life. When you have to meet a deadline and you’re trying to process a lot of feelings, that’s when it really helps to have those bonds with each other.
Cryptic Rock – Understood. People get frustrated. That is just part of being human. Nothing is perfect.
Chibi – 100%.
Cryptic Rock – So, back to Pathways. The album does sound great. Recently completing some touring, how are people responding to the new material?
Chibi – Thanks so much for saying that. Yeah, we were stoked. We released a single or two before the album came out, and people knew it. The album was released one day, and the next day at the show, everyone knew the songs. Everybody was super excited about the album, which only made us more excited about it. It’s always that gratifying feeling when you see people singing along and really liking what you’ve created. That happens with every album, and it definitely happened with this one. Again, we’re just super lucky for that and grateful for it.
Cryptic Rock – Wonderful! Another interesting attribute to talk about with The Birthday Massacre is its longevity. You have released ten records now, toured extensively, and have built a fan base that continues to grow. This is really a grassroots effort because, let’s be honest, the band had significant mainstream support behind them over the years.
Chibi – It kind of is, yeah. It’s so wild, isn’t it? I don’t even know how to explain why that’s happened. Coming from Canada, there’s always a huge push from Canadian media featuring Canadian music, known as Can Rock. On Canadian radio stations, they have to play a certain percentage of Canadian music. We’ve never really qualified for that type of thing, which has always confused me. Maybe it’s our genre, or who knows? None of that stuff really matters because people seem to like the music, they come out, and they buy the records. That’s really what it’s all about.
Cryptic Rock – It has been consistently supported by fans, too. That is why it is even more impressive that you have accomplished what you have.
Chibi – That’s because of the audience. We do VIPs at our tours, where we meet and chat with people who want to get that ticket and meet us. We’re always like, “How did you hear about us?” It’s strange because we’ve never really had that mainstream support.
Cryptic Rock – Right. There is a lot to be attracted to. Obviously, the music has a very engaging sound. The most exciting thing about The Birthday Massacre is that you are not getting the same thing over and over. There are ebbs and flows through the songs.
Chibi – I appreciate that. Ten albums in, you start to think, “Oh, God.” I agree with you. I don’t know how we’ve managed it. It doesn’t feel trite to us either. It doesn’t feel boring to us. If people still like it, and we still like it, and it all makes sense, then that’s awesome. Making albums is no small feat.
Cryptic Rock – Certainly not. Additionally, the imagery associated with the band, as well as the music videos you have produced over the years, piques curiosity. Tell about the imagery that you have created with The Birthday Massacre.
Chibi – When we started the band, we really wanted to create a world. We used to have a website that featured different scenes and landscapes, allowing you to click around and explore. We wanted it to feel like you were entering this world we were trying to create. It was harkening back to your childhood, things that spooked you, very sentimental and creepy, but also really sweet. That’s where the rabbit comes from because, on that website, the transition between those pages was a little bunny. We used it as maybe the little rabbit is the messenger of the underworld. All those creative ideas of this little rabbit, or follow the white rabbit, and stuff like that.
Then people started coming to our shows wearing bunny ears. That was not something that we had anticipated happening. The rabbit was kind of the transition. Then the rabbit just took on a whole life of its own. Somehow, that became a thing. Now, the rabbit is kind of our mascot. People latched onto that. People really liked that. When you see people at the shows wearing bunny ears, it’s just the sweetest thing ever.
Cryptic Rock – It happened by accident. It is like Iron Maiden’s mascot, Eddie. The bunny is your mascot.
Chibi – Yeah, exactly. Eddie’s pretty cool, though. I think Eddie could probably kick our bunny’s butt. (Laughs)
Cryptic Rock – That’s funny. (Laughs) Well, the bunny is still cool. This leads us to your live shows, which are always extremely high-energy. The band appears to be having a great time on stage.
Chibi – That’s how live shows should be. A lot of times, people have said that our live performance isn’t what they were expecting. On the album, a lot of times, things are more chill and atmospheric. Then we roll in and we’re jumping around and dancing. Again, as I mentioned earlier, this is the type of music we would want to listen to. That’s the type of show that we would want to go to. Where you can dance, have fun, and just enjoy the night. That’s the type of show I like to go to. We’re trying to put on that kind of show.
Cryptic Rock – That makes sense. You want to create what you like. Obviously, you achieve that. You discussed the entire concept of the website. That was cool and offered an enticing visual. There is such a cinematic quality to The Birthday Massacre. There are the obvious influences, but what are some of the things that influence the band? Do particular movies, books, etc. influence you?
Chibi – Oh, absolutely. Originally, when our band started, we were called Imajica, and that was named after a Clive Barker novel. Going back into, again, that childhood thing of watching movies like Labyrinth (1986), Legend (1985), or Ladyhawke (1985) and combining these really beautiful, kind of dark though, cute, funny elements with dark stuff and movie soundtracks. We actually have a song called “Soundtrack.”
It all goes back to being a kid and watching these really cool movies that scare you, but also comfort you. The music that accompanies that stuff. We all loved Horror movies. We loved Fantasy movies. We wanted to bring elements of that and the music of those things into our songs.
Cryptic Rock – You could see that. As you said, all those Fantasy movies from the ’80s that we grew up loving — Legend, or 1984’s The NeverEnding Story — are dark. There is light in them, but there are some really dark elements. It is always interesting to note how these types of films incorporate some really dark elements, especially in Legend. Legend is probably one of the most underrated Fantasy movies from that era.
Chibi – Agreed. It’s just creepy, but it’s beautiful. You remember watching those movies when you were a kid, and you remember being like, “Ewww,” but also like, “I love this.” I don’t know if they make movies like that for kids anymore. Were those movies even for kids? Was Legend for kids? Kind of?
Cryptic Rock – Probably not! They rated Legend PG. That is strange because there is some really dark content in that.
Chibi – Yeah. Remember back when they used puppets, all the little goblins, and it was terrifying, it was real, as opposed to now.
Cryptic Rock – It was fantastic, though. It’s true; it’s terrifying. In The NeverEnding Story, when the horse (Artax) is sinking into the swamp of sadness, that is not for children!
Chibi – I know. Everybody remembers that scene. Do you remember the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)? Do you remember when they were putting that little shoe into ‘the dip’?
Cryptic Rock – Of course! The poor thing is crying, and it just melts away.
Chibi – That scene with the shoe and ‘the dip,’ and the horse scene in The NeverEnding Story absolutely ruined me. Way too young.
Cryptic Rock – Two very different scenes. Talking about Who Framed Roger Rabbit. One of the final scenes, when Christopher Lloyd’s Judge Doom reveals himself as a toon and his eyes bug out of his head, is one of the most terrifying things. (Laughs)
Chibi – That whole movie is messed up. I haven’t watched it in a long time, so I’m not sure if it would hold up. There’s a lot in that movie that I probably saw when I was way too young. It’s like, “Oh, it’s got a rabbit in it. Let’s all go as a family and watch this movie.” “Okay, great.”
Cryptic Rock – Yes. (Laughs) A lot of those movies were like that. It was a different era.
Chibi – It’s all that combination of, “This is really cute. This is really beautiful. This is also really terrifying.” Somehow, it becomes your comfort movie when you’re older.
Cryptic Rock – Right. Another movie that was somewhat geared towards kids, but not entirely, was 1987’s The Monster Squad.
Chibi – I haven’t thought about that movie in years. There used to be so many good movies. They don’t make movies like that anymore. If they do, they certainly don’t show them to kids. Maybe we need to do spooky goblin puppets. Maybe that’s something kids need to do.
Cryptic Rock – To that point, since The Birthday Massacre is so cinematic and makes some really wonderful music videos, have you ever considered doing your own movie? Even if it is a short film?
Chibi – I wouldn’t even know where to begin with that. Michael Falcore, our guitarist, works in film and has put together some Horror shorts and other projects. He actually co-directed our “In The Dark” video. That’s his wheelhouse. I have tons of ideas, but I wouldn’t know how to put them into practice. I’m not a filmmaker.
Cryptic Rock – It is something to consider. It would be fascinating because The Birthday Massacre has explored many interesting ideas in their music and videos over the years.
Chibi – That is true. Maybe we should do that. Maybe we should make a movie. Maybe we should make another music video. Who knows? So many things that we’d like to do, but focusing on touring is so all-consuming, and then writing albums. That’s where we devote our energy, I guess.
Cryptic Rock – Understood. We all like to have a place we call home, but some of us live to be on the road. With the touring that you have done through the years, you clearly enjoy it. However, is that wearing?
Chibi – Touring is incredible because you get to go to all these places around the world that you never thought you’d get to go to, which is really awesome. You get to do it with people that you care about. You get to play shows. It’s just such a wild thing.
It’s very grueling. It’s very exhausting, but it’s good. It’s satisfying. It can be awful, and it can be really fun. A lot of bad things can happen. Then you come back with these war stories, things you can’t believe would ever happen to you in this Wild West, traveling around in a little bus with your friends. It’s bizarre. It’s physically taxing, absolutely.
I’ve been to Paris four times and I’ve never seen the Eiffel Tower. You go to all these places, but you’re there to work. It’s not a vacation. We’ve seen a lot of basement bars around the world. We’ve seen a lot of green rooms, a lot of stages, and a lot of people coming out to the shows.
It’s a really strange thing. We’ve played in Belarus. Where is Belarus? Here I am with my friends doing something really cool. Then you’re exhausted, so there’s that.
Cryptic Rock – It has its pluses and minuses. With being around the world like you have, what would you think some of the unifying things you have learned from just meeting people? What do you think most people share in common?
Chibi – I think that most people that we’ve encountered, and especially because we’re there to play shows, music speaks to people universally. Everywhere you go, people are mostly super nice. If people like a band, the unity that you feel in the audience and in the room when you’re playing is so consistently wonderful for us when we’re doing these shows, no matter where you go.
We were in Brazil, having a beautiful show with beautiful people. We were in Chicago last month, and it’s the same beautiful vibe in that room. If people love music, it brings something out in them that is consistent across all the places that we’ve been in. It’s an incredible feeling.
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