KiaRa – Archangel

By starrymag | December 29, 2022

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I would describe it as not typical for symphonic metal. I wanted to make raw sound, pure metal, not that “trendy slick sound” which became common and not interested in the last years, at least for me.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Kamelot, Nightwish, Dimmu Borgir, Tarja and good old Queen and Scorpions.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Last Goodbye.” 

 

A) It’s the story about the inner growth. You need to overcome all the bad experience and to transform it into wisdom and new opportunities. You need to say last goodbye to all bad memories and situations in your life so to become stronger.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) It’s that growth that I described in the last question. People sometimes need a reminder that they are stronger than they think.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) I was running from the shadows of my past, and in the end, I finally found the strength (that was portrayed as an amulet that I found in snow) to overcome it. It’s a symbolism and as a student of the musical theatre institute, I was learning how to use it, and I really like it much more than just a straight image.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

 

A) Yes, I always write music first, but I usually find some images for it before I start to compose. A name of the song just comes to my mind, and I have a special note in my phone when I write everything that comes, because it happens sometimes in unexpected places, such as in public transport, on the road somewhere, on a street, when I’m meeting friends, watching films, etc. So, I already have like forty names for future songs. Then, I try to imagine what this song can be about, based on the title, and then I start to compose it.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) As an independent artist without any label, I do almost everything on my own. I compose music, lyrics, make arrangements for the most instruments. I have a help of my husband in some instrument arrangements because he’s a guitarist and he hears the rhythm section parts better than me, so he helps me with this. Then, we’re making a demo version, working on some parts that sound not as I wanted and then the song is ready for the studio record.

 

Q) What are some themes you explore on your album Archangel?

 

A) Reincarnation and the eternal fight of good and evil.

 

Q) What tracks on the album hold a special significance for you?

 

A) It’s “God of War” because I foresaw Russian-Ukrainian war that started seven months after I wrote the song and “We Are the Stardust” because the lyrics is representing my vision of life.

 

Q) Which song(s) challenged you the most creatively?

 

A) “We Are the Stardust” because it’s more alternative and modern than I usually compose. And the high notes that I sang in low register there are also not that easy. [smiles]

 

Q) You are a part of social media. What songs have fans really reached out to you about and what have they mentioned?

 

A) It’s mostly “Loneliness” and “Viking” from the first album Storyteller. Fans say that they hear the strength in these songs. Regarding the new album Archangel, I don’t know yet because it was released less than two months ago which isn’t enough for the whole picture. But I guess it will be “Heart of Life” and “We Are the Stardust” because I already had a good opinion about them more than about other songs.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from exploring your album Archangel? 

 

A) I hope that they will like that I try different musical directions and they will respect my various composing and vocals ways. I also hope, as every composer, that my music will touch listeners’ souls and will bring some brightness into their lives.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I’d really like to make a duet with Roy Khan!

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) I usually listen to different songs and bands at the same time. Today I was listening to Battlelore, Dimmu Borgir, Kamelot and Lord of The Lost. I try not to stick in the same bands and genres. Sometimes I really like to listen to classical music, for example, Rachmaninov pieces.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) It’s the most approachable way for independent artists nowadays to become recognizable. Also, this is the best way to connect with fans and to learn their opinion about new album/music video/future shows, etc. Some fans think that I have a manager for my social media, but believe me, I do everything myself there! So, when you have an answer on Facebook or Instagram, it’s really me. [smiles]

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank you so much for your support! Sometimes I really can’t believe that I already did two albums based on crowdfunding campaigns! I hope that soon you’ll hear some news about live shows that you would really like to hear! I’m working on it at the moment. [smiles]