By: Jamie Steinberg
Q) We loved your work with Imperial Age, but how would you describe your sound now as a solo artist?
A) I would describe it as my own sound. With Imperial Age I didn’t compose music or lyrics, I only sang it and performed on stage. That was one of the reasons I started my own band in 2020. I had many ideas and I needed to release them, that’s how my band started. And it sounds like me – different, heavy and nice. [smiles]
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) I discovered Queen when I was twelve years old, and a bit later Scorpions. Then, I found Nightwish, Kamelot, Epica, Within Temptation, Evanescence, Linkin Park and Skillet. They became my favourite bands and when I heard Nightwish for the first time I thought: “That’s the music I want to create with my own band.” I really liked Kamelot and the voice of their first singer Roy Khan and the diversity of their music, too. Also, as I was studying in college in the classical music department as an opera singer, classical music influenced me as well. Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Tchaikovsky – I sang and played their music on piano and I still do it.
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Symphony of Rage.”
A) I am the sort of person who can be really angry about the things that I don’t like or some injustice in the world. When something happens, first I get upset as many people do, but then I become angry and say to myself: “No, I won’t let it stop me, I’ll continue to do what I wanted!” So, for me this anger is a sort of motivation. Maybe it’s not completely healthy, but it works for me and I composed an album about it! I got through some difficult times in my life recently – I can’t change anything about the war thing, it affects me and my musical life as well. Not to mention that it just shouldn’t happen in the 21st Century. I parted ways with Imperial Age and didn’t know if I’d be able to continue my way alone, so it was a big stress, too. I had problems with my health after I got a borrelia from the tick bite in the Netherlands last year, and it was also a big stress and a lot of problems.
I still don’t have a big label or agency who supports me, so I do all the administrative work for the band, too and it’s also about the financial question, which is really hard. I’m not complaining here – I’m telling you how my songs were born: “Poetry Of Despair,” “Symphony Of Rage,” “She-Wolf,” “Reborn” – I got them all when I was overstressed and was thinking about all these things. So, yes, this album was born from suffering, anger, rage, sadness and my thoughts about the future.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) I think it’s about the common things – we all feel frustrated, angry and sad sometimes and we all have to overcome these feelings and to become stronger. That’s what most of my songs are about and people feel a connection with these themes.
Q) What was it about this song that made it perfect for the title of your latest music release?
A) I wanted to make “Symphony Of Rage” a huge symphonic song which would be really great to play with an orchestra one day! I also think it’s a good title which gets people’s attention. And this time it was like that – first I created a title and then composed the song for this title. It happens to me – sometimes an epic song name comes to my mind, I write it down in my phone notes and then I compose the song which will fit the title. [smile]
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) As I mentioned above, sometimes I even have a title first. Most of the time I compose some melody, then an entire song and only after that lyrics. And I never composed lyrics first, at least never before. I don’t restrict myself with any method of composing. I just do how I feel it, so maybe in the future there will be some lyrics that come first.
Q) How much of a band do you have in the production of your music?
A) I compose music myself and Paul, my husband and the guitarist of the band, helps me with the rhythm section arrangements. For the record, I usually ask my Dutch drummer Daan to record drums, Paul records guitars, bass and sometimes harsh vocals and I record vocals and all the choir and back vocals too. For the song “Symphony Of Rage,” for example, I recorded forty vocal tracks for the choir that you hear in the beginning. [smile]
Q) “She Wolf” and “Journey to the Stars” are a couple of my favorite tracks of this project. Which track(s) hold a special place in your heart and what makes them stand out to you?
A) As a creator I like all my creations, you know. [smiles] But the most personal songs on this album are “Reborn” and “Poetry Of Despair.” And, of course, I like “Symphony Of Rage,” too because it’s the first time ever I composed such a huge symphonic part.
Q) You’ve gone on a number of European tours. Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) The Netherlands became my second home! I know many people there, friends, and they help me to book shows and they also are very generous and let me sleep in their houses. [smiles] I like to perform everywhere I get a good response and energy from people! So far, I have performed in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain and the UK. Of course, I’d like to expand tours to other countries, too, but so far it’s all a money question…
Q) Have you been performing any of these songs live and if so, which are some of your favorites for live shows?
A) I already had Symphony Of Rage European shows in May and we played “Blood Of Heroes,” “She-Wolf,” “Excalibur,” “Poetry of Despair,” “Icy Wasteland” and “Symphony Of Rage” there. People liked “Symphony Of Rage” and “Poetry Of Despair” the most.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) I have one really great collaboration in my head and I already sent a potential song to that girl, so let’s see if she responds! In the future I’d like to collaborate with Roy Khan and Tarja, if there’s a possibility of course.
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) I listen to different music. For example, and it may be a surprise for you, but yesterday I listened to the new album of Slaughter To Prevail and I really liked it! I often go back to the old albums of Kamelot and Nightwish and I listen to epic soundtrack music like Two Steps From Hell, for example.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) Just a huge thank you for being with me! I really appreciate your support and I hope that my future work will take place in your hearts, too!