elsiane’s blog

Here are some images from our show in anaheim on tour with Delerium

check out the interview elsiane did with Matthiew Ginn in Portland
http://www.trilliummediaservices.com/nwcancon/?p=396

http://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!

This week MTAF will be doing some live painting at Foufounes electriques as part of UnderPressure, 87 STE-CATHERINE EST. MTL.
they’ll be painting over the big wall starting sunday august 10th. you’re welcome to come check it out!

We would like to let you know that our friends from MTAF will be exhibiting one of their works at the Vernissage “Color me bad” today Wednesday August 6th from 6pm-9pm
Galerie Yves Laroche
4 St.Paul E. montreal
yveslaroche.com
free admission

We wanted to let everybody know that one of our favorite artists, Chet Zar has posted a new limited edition print, “When Worlds Collide”, done by his father, artist James Zar. It is a portrait of both of them. The edition is limited to 50 and signed and numbered by James himself. You can check it HERE. http://www.chetzar.com/oil_paintings/BUY.html for more details

This past month of July i’ve been spending sometime in LA recording for some side projects, it’s been quiet an amazing experience working with producer Carmen Rizzo.
I was very fortunate to catch an amazing show by the band Volto! and got to experience a live painting show by Alex Grey NYC along with other amazing artists such as • Allyson Grey NYC • Guy Aitchison & Michele Wortman OH • Saber Chet Zar • Wendy Klein • Jarrett DeMartino • Eder and kajiah 1 , there was a presentation and a panel of discussion on Visionary ARt and Creativity. It was incredible to see these painters perform their art live, i was blown away by the intensity of their art pieces, especially Alex Grey and Chet Zar. here’s a link where you can get a glimpse of that night, go to the section “COSM BLOG” and go down to July 18th ” LA Visionary Art Party” http://www.cosm.org/subscribe.html
also…check out some great LA artists i got to meet during my stay: http://www.myspace.com/sean_luhring http://www.myspace.com/artistdm
i’m looking forward in going back ….
EC

We would like to invite you to discover the new paintings of Montreal artist Eric Dufour from Artcyniq. We hope you can join us this friday the 13th of june to this special event.

Artcyniq, 2233 Rosemont east, Montreal 8pm
<http://www.artcyniq.com>

cheers!
elsiane

This Saturday (June 7th) is the two year anniversary party of Headquarters Gallery + Boutique! We would like to let you know our friends from MTAF (www.mtaf.ca) we’ll be showing one of their recent paintings. also you’ll be able to check out the works by other artists such as:  Garrett Van Winkles, Aya Kakeda, Chrissy Chung, Aaron McConomy, oscar nominee James Braithwaite, Jen Storey, James Kerr & Neil Doshi, all of The YPF Mimi Traillette, The Parnell Collective, Natalie Reis, Rupert Bottenberg, Angie Mason, Ray Fenwick.
We would like to invite our fans to join us and discover some great Montreal artists! the event will last from 6pm-11pm, music will be provided by DJ Garry Vickers,

• 1649 rue. Amherst, between Maisonneuve & Robin
• Metro Berri-UQAM, exit at Maisonneuve
• www.HQgalerieboutique.com

Hope to see you there,
cheers!
elsiane

KC:How would you describe your genre?
E. Caplette: we prefer not to categorize or place it in one genre, it’s a rich mixture of different styles and cultures from classical , electronic, jazz and world music.

KC:Can you give us a little background about you?
E. Caplette: i was born in canada but raised in Peru, i come from a very musical family, most of them are all musicians. i started singing at the age of 6 and later on studied the violin as a main instrument.  i moved to montreal in 1999 and met stephane, we started the project in 2000 and since then we’ve been working on developing songs and polishing our sound.

KC:Describe your music
E. Caplette: i like to call it “epic emotional music”, it’s music that is honest and comes from the heart

KC:What made you decide making music your career? And when?
S. Sotto: music has always been something that came very naturally for us ,  we never really decided on doing this as a career, The musical road ended up choosing us , it is what we do the best.

KC:Is the creative process spontaneous for you or do you have an idea before you start composing—such as you might hear someone say something?

E. Caplette:the process of creating a song has many different steps,  there’s always something to meditate on before starting to compose, thanks to that meditative idea a whole song could unravel and then the process begins…the melody always comes before anything else.  i think it’s important to let your heart speak out first, then your mind. once there’s a solid connection with a melody then i could start applying the words which give importance  to the piece. the hardest  part is to express  you’re feelings using words, sometimes there are no words that could fit a melody or emotion.

KC:Is composing therapeutic for you?

E. Caplette: Yes, it’s probably the best therapy!  music is what helps us heal, it’s something that could save lives.  we hope to be helping people through our music.

KC:What role can music play in bringing people together?

S. Sotto: Music always has a tremendous role in bringing people together. The power of music allows us to feel as though we are not the only ones going through our owns personal issues, each style of music can make us feel like we belong to something greater than ourselves.

KC:Do you feel your music carries a message? If so, what is it?

E. Caplette: the goal of our music is to allow people to open up and provoke certain emotions,  these days people have a hard time expressing  their feelings and being in touch with their human side. Our music is about acknowledging those emotions that might have been repressed or ignored, which is not something that most people enjoy doing, however once those emotions are brought up, then the healing process could begin.

 
KC:Who or what is your main source of inspiration?
E. Caplette: there’s so many elements that serve as inspiration , it’s not always just music there is art, nature, life experiences, film, travelling , experiencing different cultures and of course everyday life which is  probably the biggest inspiration, the everyday emotional  struggles and  different episodes that life presents us with.

KC:What new music projects are you working on now?

E. Caplette :at the moment we’re  working on new material for our next record  and have been composing some orchestral pieces for some side projects,  also we’re working on releasing our record in the US for this fall.

KC:Who is your favorite musician?
E. Caplette: Alex Acuna, Yma sumac, Maynard J Keenan

Do you have a favorite song?
E. Caplette: “seekers who are lovers” by Cocteau twins