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Opion Somnium (Dark Ambient)

Neozine: Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about yourself outside of your recording project.

Opion Somnium: I myself often go by the name of Brandon. I am an art student and am currently living in New Mexico.

Neozine: How did you choose the name Opion Somnium?

Opion Somnium: I guess at the time, the name came to me as something I was pursuing and everything that oriented around the music was conducive to dreaming- it was the result of trying to convey the feeling of being fast asleep in a field of poppies.

Neozine: How would you classify your recording style?

Opion Somnium: I think it's really hard to do just that. There are so many projects in Opion Somnium with different 'styles' that it's hard to put it in one category.

Neozine: Describe to the Neo-Fans what they would hear on an Opion Somnium recording.

Opion Somnium: Well again, that really depends on which recording one might pick up, but they usually have a melancholic yet grandiose feel to them. They are always instrumental, pretty slow, regardless of the presence of a rhythm. They typically have many layered instruments such as: cello, violin, bowed guitar, organ, piano, accordion, trumpet, harp, occasional percussion...etc. Most always a soft, or lush dreamy quality. I try and make sure there is nothing harsh, annoying or unlistenable on the recordings. It's usually something one can listen to while falling asleep- or the cause there of.

Neozine: Where did you get the name for your recent release?

Opion Somnium: The name came from a photo project I was working on which involved ravens and the use of black linen cloth. I spent much time with a group of ravens and it was sort of an 'ode' to this bird. All the Opion releases have something to do with the remnants of bird feathers. The 'Lenin' was just a play on words to emphasize a bleaker image.

Neozine: Where do you get the ideas / inspiration for your recordings?

Opion Somnium: Much of the inspiration comes from sleeping; excessive
sleeping and dreaming, but also from a lack of sleep, many days of self
deprivation and solitude.

Neozine: How do you set the tonne for your recordings?

Opion Somnium: The tone setting really depends on the mood or frame of mind
at that moment, but it usually follows in the
same direction.

Neozine: Is it important to get in any frame of mind or emotional status to write / record your music?

Opion Somnium: Yes. It seems I am continually in this frame of mind but additional conditions often play a part such as hunger, sleep deprivation, fevers and sickness, despair....

Neozine: Are your recordings improved or pre-planned?

Opion Somnium: There are a number of songs that have a basic pre-planned melody, but nothing more than that, and the song will just build upon itself. With other songs I will just sort of visualize, or hear in my head, and try to get it down as best I can, but they never turn out as beautifully as I hear them. As for this recent release on Kolorform, it was all based on improvisation. In all, no actual writing occurs.

Neozine: How are your sounds created?

Opion Somnium: All sounds are created organically using live instruments whether or not they are treated later with various effects. I like to come from a natural background rather than from some synthetic source. I would like to claim the same a Leonardo, that I take tools (or musical instruments) and create art out of nothing.

Neozine: Your recording style is subtle. Is that intentional? Are there any plans for a thicker or more bold sound?

Opion Somnium: Yes, subtleties are intentional, especially with this last project, but is does vary. As for the future, there is a very dramatic and intense project in the making. I would have to say it will definitely be a 'thicker' sound.

Neozine: Would you recommend we listen to your material at a lower or wouder volume?

Opion Somnium: I would only recommend whatever is comfortable for the listener. It shouldn't be painful nor should it be a strain. I do however recommned the use of headphones.

Neozine: What kinds of mental or visual images would best accompany your recordings optimally?

Opion Somnium: Acually, I think the listener would do well to just sit alone in a dark room and use the imagination.

Neozine: Your songs are lengthy. Is that important in order to convey your themes or is there another motivation for the lenght?

Opion Somnium: I don't think that the songs are lenghty, or short. They may be long for those in the pop world who want instant gratification, but on the other hand, compared to most classical music, the songs can be seen as rather short movements. I guess the main thing is for listeners to break out of any frame of mind ruled by the clock and move into a sense of timelessness. Being able to make this move should take longer than the average three minutes or a transient moment at a supermarket checkout line. I guess the length just depends on how long I feel a piece needs to be in order to convey a certain idea or feeling, being something more conplex, it takes more time and effort from the listener, but I would hope that the rewards would be greater.

Neozine: Tell us about your association with Kolorform.

Opion Somnium: Well, I became interested in the label when reading about some of the projects involved with them and some of the live shows accociated with them. Their concepts and tastes seemded similar to mine. After completing some material which didn't seem to fit anywhere, it inevitably ended up at Kolorform and immediatly they connected with it. Soon after that the album was released, and they have been working with Drone Records in Germany to get a wide distributing range which has been great. I'm fairly neew there, but is has been good working with them.

Neozine: Anything else you would like to talk about...open forum...

Opion Somnium: I would just like to point out that if anybody be further interested after reading this, there are several Opion Somnium releases available from places such as Kolorform Records, Drone Records mail order, and Zenapolae Records. That is all.

Neozine: Thank you for the interview.

Opion Somnium: Thank you-