Venturia
France wasn’t always an
easy country for metal music. The main fact for every band is to find their
personal way. Venturia comes from France and on their latest album, they
have achieved to create their personal sound. Take your time, listen to
their album and read the interview we made with them.
1. First of all congratulations on your
latest album and since this is our first interview with your band, tell
us a few details from your history.
The band was formed in 2000, I met Diego first
while he was playing with his band zero I thought his playing was great
months after I learned that he moved to France in the same cityIi lived
I went to see him and he really liked the songs we decided to record a
demo but we did it too fast, we didn't want to release it and decided to
work together on new songs and arrangement then we met Thomas James who
was teaching in the same music school as me and we recorded some new stuff
with our first singer but as nothing happened with the band he decided
2 years after to quit the band we already did some recording session s
with Lydie and we used to play in the same cover band we've always liked
her huge talent we were thinking about her to do some backing vocals first
then I was in contact with Lion music to play on their released: "Shawn
Lane remembered" It was a great opportunity for me. They listened to our
demo and Lasse (Lion music boss) said to me he would be interested in hearing
the album. It was the time to record it but we didn't have a singer. We
did some search on the Internet but nothing happened until I met Gustavo
(adagio singer) who made me a CD of his friend Marc Ferreira I really liked
his voice and I was excited to ask him if he would agree to do some recordings
on the demo.
Marc: I know Gus since 2000. We used to play
gigs in Colorado. He showed our demo to Charly When he said that his friend
in France need a singer I just said yes I did't even hear the band. If
Gus said was good. When I heard for the first time. I was amazed!
2. Why did you choose this name for the band?
It was the combination my brother's idea and
mine first I wanted a name with an "I" and the "A" just because of the
sound of it and my brother Cyril proposed to me the English verb "to venture"
I really liked the meaning of it and we just added the I and the "A".
3. Personally I like your stuff because you
have combined difference styles of music and because I believe you have
found your personal style. Do you think that this may "cost" you some die
hard metal fans?
I think if have to play the music we just
want to hear maybe some metal fans won't like the keyboards or the catchy
refrain we have but I think that a lot of metal fans or open minded and
everyone can find something in the Venturia music some people will like
the metal stuff in the band some other will prefers the melodic aspects
with the melodies people who like virtuosity will like the things we play
sometimes and some other will enjoy or progressive side but we try to make
it interesting it won't be good to develop the same idea during 10 minutes
we try to make the whole thing interesting and alive with all the different
influences everybody have.
Marc: I listen to metal since I can remember,
and there's noting else I listen. I think the metal heads won’t mind a
little melodies here and there plus I think there’s a great balance of
both elements Aggressiveness and melody.
4. Which are so far the reactions of the press
and the fans for your album?
So far, it's so good we're very happy about
it and feel very thankful too we have very good comments; we really want
to make the second album and hope that we'll begin the recording in early
2007 it surprised us in a good way the most incredible was in September
when the recording of our 1st album was finished A friend of mine who works
for the french dream theater fanzine proposed to me to put on the mike
portnoy forum one track o the album at this time, there was nothing about
us on the internet we even didn't have a website From this moment, we had
many very good comments about one song (it was the song new kingdom) some
days after we had some contacts with different labels who were interested
in signing us and Intromental management company got in contact with
us and some weeks after we signed a deal with them then we chose Lion music
as our record company. The metal fans are just amazing!
Marc: We are getting a lot of positive Word
to word, mouse to mouse, help of fans and friends. The reviews are doing
very good to II have the feeling that the band is going to that firs up
hill of the rollercoaster
5. Tell me which was the procedure you followed
when you wrote the album?
Most of time I record some demo and I make
it listen to Drummer Diego who always have great and fair opinions about
it then we work together on the arrangements and most of the times we add
some new parts then Bass player Thomas James come to propose his bass lines
or we can jam together and see what happens when it's almost finished we
propose some vocal lines to Marc and Lydie and they put their voice on
it, and if they have new ideas, it's always good Marc wrote some very good
lyrics too we want that everybody bring their talent in the band
6. Marc which things made you write the lyrics?
I'm a big horror movie fan This one it's about
the OMEN trilogy There are showing in theatres now the remake of that movie
Dam We could be on he soundtrack
7. Are you satisfied with the help from your
management and record company?
Definitely I truly think they like the band
they work with cos' thay're metal fans first So far it's all good they
really take care of their band with all the things they can make
8. Do you have plans for live shows in the
near future?
Nothing signed for the moment but we already
have some propositions for touring in france, europe and even US
but as it's really hard and expensive to make it possible we'll see what
will happen but we can't wait to play these songs live!!!
Marc: I want to jam with thgis guys so bad,
It's gonna be great playing those tunes live
9. If someone comes to your live show what
should he expect to see?
A lot of passion, energy and the love we have
for music and we'll share all of it with the audience as we've been waiting
for this moment, it's gonna be some very strong moments
10. Have you already got some new ideas for
the next album?
Sure!! So far I have some demos ready, we're
going to work on it with Dieg and Thomas, then I'll send the songs to Marc
and propose him some vocal lines then we'll work in interaction all together
we'll do the same with Lydie, we have to talk to her about her influences
and we'll try to make some moments where she will be able to put it on
the new songs we're gonna do the same with marc, we'll ask him if he would
agree to do some new stuffs too that's haw the band we'll be enriched by
everybody.
11. If your music was emotions, what would
it be?
So, from my part it would be energy, passion,
melancholy, hope, frustration, libido.... everything that rules the world
transcribed in music.
Marc: Like a big epic movie, I don't know,
I agree with melancholic, energy and passion too.
12. What is your wildest dream for Venturia?
13. If I push the play button on your CD player,
what will I hear?
14. Guys, thank you for your time and I wish
you all the best in the future for Venturia and hope one day to see you
live in Greece.
Antonis Maglaras
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