Interview with the Machinist-Belorussian electro-noise-industrial webzine
Friday, August 29th, 2008http://www.machinistmusic.net/interviews/elsiane2008.html
vAlien: How would you describe/represent ELSIANE debut album “Hybrid” to people which didn’t hear nothing about your band before?
Stephane: It is a record that takes you on a journey which has many different types of emotions. There are many layers to the music which allows the listener to keep extracting and learning new things every time they listen. It is a record that allows the listener to do some “soul searching”.
vAlien: After first listening to album “Hybrid” I couldn’t believe that band ELSIANE consists only of two persons because you produce very rich, high scaled and organic sound which combines many electronic and acoustic instruments. How long were you working on album “Hybrid” and in what studios?
Stephane: The record took about a year to make, most of the material was pretty much written before we started to record in the studio. We used a couple of different studios to mix and master.
vAlien: Elsieanne, how many languages do you know?
Elsieanne: I speak Spanish, French and English.
vAlien: Did you study vocal in any educational institutions? Did anybody say you after release of “Hybrid” that your voice is fantastic?
Elsieanne: I never really had any type of vocal training, I started singing at an early age and developed my own sound, I studied the violin which has helped me find my own musical style of singing.
vAlien: It seemed to me that sometimes you try to imitate the voices of animals or Nature in the very wide sense. Is it my hallucination or you really find a lot of inspiration in green forests, blue sky and high mountains?
Elsieanne: Yes, people say that sometimes… what I do is really use my voice as a instrument, vocal melodies don’t always have to have lyrics, it could be like making effects with the voice. Nature has always been a great reference of sounds to inspire music.
vAlien: Btw, Elsieanne is quiet a rare female name… At least I never met it before. What does it mean and is it comfortable for you to have such original name (in childhood and now) ?
Elsieanne: I have to say it wasn’t easy growing up in Peru having this name, people were never able to get it right! This name was some creation my mom invented combining her name and my grand mother’s name.
vAlien: Your music is very artistic, creative and fragile. Does it concern only your music or in everyday life you also tend to behave as non ordinary people?
Elsieanne: Our music is a reflection of who we are as people, sometimes I prefer not saying anything and just let people listen for themselves to understand who we are and where we come from.
vAlien: Looking at your photos in Internet I came to decision that you place high emphasis on image of ELSIANE… Is it true? Make-up, dresses, colors, compositions… everything speaks in favour of such supposition.
Elsieanne: For me it’s not really about the image, it’s about creating a surrounding that goes along with the music, it’s kind of showing a perspective of my own world, it could be done through visuals or through a costume.
vAlien: What sense did you put in the title of album “Hybrid”?
Stephane: The title hybrid has a few different meanings for us, one of which is the “hybrid” between two individuals, male and female as one being, also the combination of many different styles of music in one melting pot.
vAlien: What are your favourite songs on that album?
Stephane: “Ecclesia” is one of my favourites.
Elsieanne: For me it’s hard to say which one is my favourite. They all have something very special and their own story… I could say I enjoy singing “Mend”, it’s one of those songs that makes me feel like I’m in an out of body experience.
vAlien: What would you like to change in the today world?
Stephane: I wouldn’t know where to begin.
vAlien: What are your preferences in the area of cinema?
Elsieanne: Some of our favourites films are “Pi”, “Happiness”, “The Ninth Gate”, “Donnie Brasco”, “The Fountain”, “Jacob’s Ladder”.
Stephane: There are some amazing television series such as “Carnivale” and “Six Feet Under” which are just genius.
vAlien: How many people do you have on stage when ELSIANE play live and how do your concerts look like?
Stephane: We have 2 other musicians with us on stage, so 4 in total, we like to create an atmosphere on stage and make it into an experience, we usually play with projections if the venues allow us!
vAlien: What are your favourite human emotion?
Elsieanne: I have to say I enjoy all of human emotions, from anger to joy, sadness etc. I think sometimes going through the most painful emotions are the ones that make you the happiest after words…
vAlien: So did you already played with DELERIUM? If yes, how do you like Bill Leeb and Co on stage and backstage? Maybe he already invited you to sing on next DELERIUM album? Your voice definitely could beautify his future records…
Elsieanne: No I haven’t played with DELERIUM yet, we’re looking forward in being with them on tour. There’s is a possibility of collaborating with Bill for their next record.
vAlien: Was the deal with Nettwerk initiated by label Vega Music or Nettwerk found ELSIANE independently? What new horizons does this deal open for you?
Elsieanne: It was Nettwerk who found us, it’s definitely exciting to enter into a new territory such a the US, we’ve been getting some great response from there, we’re looking forward in playing there for the first time.
vAlien: It would be interesting to hear your comment about music of next bands and artists: PORTISHEAD, MASSIVE ATTACK, BJORK, TRICKY, HOOVERPHONIC, MORCHEEBA, HALOU, THE CRANBERRIES? Just in a few words, please…
Elsieanne: These are all bands that we respect and have been a sources of inspiration.
vAlien: Album “Hybrid” was released in 2007, now is August of 2008… Did you already started to work on second ELSIANE album? Trip-hop as musical style is still interesting for you?
Elsieanne: We’re always working on new material. Our 2nd record is practically written. We still don’t know when it will be scheduled to be recorded but it will be something refreshing with a richer mixture of cultures.
vAlien: Is it difficult to be young band or you don’t consider ELSIANE young band?
Elsieanne: I think we’re still a young band even though we’ve been together for 8 years, we still have allot to live as a band!
