Melandrolia
Melandrolia comes from
the beautiful country of Mexico and before a few months they released their
debut album. If The Gathering were from Mexico, they would definitely sound
like Melandrolia. Read all the interesting things their singer told us...
1. So first of all, congratulations on
your newest album! Since, the band name sounds a little bit exotic, can
you tell me what it means?
Melandrolia is a play with words in Spanish,
created by the bassist: Melancolia & Androide (melancholy & android).
It could be translated more or less as the melancholic android.
2. Can you tell us a few things from the recording
sessions of your latest album "Transicion"?
Sure... well, it was kind of a long term recording,
all in terms of expenses and musical production, as well as arrangements
were done by the band. The nine songs recorded there were the result of
4 years of making all things match: from the band elements to all music
ideas that we had.
3. Why did you choose "Transicion", as the
title of your latest album?
Because that was the word that best fit or
described all things that we went through to get that result, it actually
also fit the concept that we wanted: making a kind of soundtrack of most
inner thoughts & feelings.
4. So do you have a main theme behind the lyrics?
Yes, the main theme deals with the idea of
an anti-main character of a story in which, she is sinking into the deepest
places of consciousness, leading her mind to unconsciousness, obviously.
Or best to say it, to levels of unconsciousness in which ecstasy and passionate
lapses are reached.
5. You have chosen a simple cover. Why?
Ok, first of all, because of our financial
sources!!! Hahaha!!! Talking seriously, because that's the way we've ever
tried to maintain all the band style, speaking in terms of image, music
and everything... we think that the simpler you make things, the more natural
and better they are done. The cover was the drummer's design. We all participate
in molding the concept, but he was the developer.
6. If I am not mistaken, recently you have
supported The Gathering, in your country. How do you feel about this experience?
What did you “earn” from all this?
Oh, yes!!! It was amazing and a great opportunity
for all of us! We had the chance to open their show and also share with
them some time. I met The Gathering last time they came and gave them our
demo CD, which included just 5 songs. Later, Hans Rutten gave us the feedback
through a nice email, saying he liked our work. So, as soon as we found
out about their concert, we contacted the organizer to ask to be the opening
act. So, as for the things we shared... they definitely liked what they
saw and heard, as Marjolein said, so that was really good for us.
7. You come from Mexico; since you live far
away fro us, tell us a few things about the metal scene there.
Oh, that one's good! The metal scene in Mexico
is kind of eclectic, you know, it depends on where you are standing up
in the country. For example, here in Mexico City there is a wide variety
of events and scenes, but most of them mix within obscure themes. Then,
in Queretaro and some central parts of the country, the balance goes down
more for the very tough metal scene, such as grind, black, etc. ?he north
part is more focused on speed, hard, classic, etc. And of course you can
find parts of each scene within the whole territory.
8. So far how are the reactions of the press
and the people concerning your album?
Well, it's been just weird 'cause sometimes
we think things have been too slow, and then someone reacts and gives us
a very good feedback. Most reactions go after the concerts, since we don't
have a manager or a big media contact to spread the word or latest news.
We depend on our own job playing the manager, the publicist, the dealer,
the designer and everything. We really depend, for example, on our website
and other band's and underground organizations' websites.
9. When you started the band, did you believe
that you would have this progress?
Hahaha, actually we were talking about that
last weekend! They started a year before I got a place into the band. They
started it as a hobby or a way of expressing themselves. It was 5 year
ago. We never thought we would get this far, we just wanted to play-sing-create,
and now we're good selling in Europe!!! It's just crazy!
10. What are your music influences?
Ok, as for the influences, we have so very
different influences from each other. But we all are Pink Floyd and King
Crimson fans. Cesar (the bass player) likes the old hard rock school, jazz,
some alternative... Ricardo (guitar) likes alternative... George (the other
guitar) likes the old school as well... the drummer, Daniel, likes metal,
and I listen to goth, obscure things, classic. We all like progressive,
as well as melancholic things.
11. What are your future plans with Melandrolia?
We are planning to record the new songs, but
first as another demo CD, for ourselves, to check what the sound we are
acquiring is and then we could think of recording them for another formal
production with a complete concept. We are also planning going to Europe
for the summer, so we actually are checking out our options there.
12. Have you confirmed any live shows for the
near future?
We had one in Mexico City, for the 1st of
April, but think we shall cancel, as we want to focus on the new recording.
We have a couple for May, abroad the country.
13. If I push the play button in your CD player,
what I will hear?
9 songs and 10 transitions between them...
the story of this character's life minute. Well, you'll hear all the things
that crossed our anti-character's mind and heart between the phone ring
and the decision whether to answer it or not. It’s the soundtrack of that
10 seconds period.
14. So Michele, thank you very much for you
time and close the interview as you want!
Well, first I'd like to thank you and all
people that are starting to believe in our music. I'd also like to say
that cultural enhancement between Latin America & Europe should start
working out much more than for commercial stuff you get there from our
country, there are sooooo many good things, talented people and bands that
need to be known up there! Thanx, to you too for the opportunity &
interest!
Antonis Maglaras
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