PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
Planetmosh reporter Ant May spoke briefly to Tristania singer Mariangela Demurtas shortly before they performed at the Out of the Dark festival at the Islington academy in London on 9th October.
Planetmosh: Your last album, Rubicon came out last year. Have you started work on your next album yet?
Mariangela: Yes we’ve started working on the new album and we’re still on making up the new songs. we have just an idea to be, to do something dark and more related to the older songs, that’s the way it will be, so we’re working on it and I dont know when it will be ready
Planetmosh: Next year?
Mariangela: Maybe – we hope so
Planetmosh: Who writes the songs – is it a group effort or are there one or two main songwriters?
Mariangela: It depends, sometimes it can be one person coming up with an idea then everyone contributing to make it live or give new ideas or try to make the song in the right way. Either sometimes someone can make the entire song then the vocalist can put their ideas, or something can come from a vocal idea, so everybody contributes to the making of the complete song.
Planetmosh: Where do you get the inspiration from for the song titles and lyrics?
Mariangela: It depends because its very subjective. Since we live in different cities we don’t have the time or experience to experiment all together of course, we just try to understand each other and the ideas that everybody has.
Planetmosh: When you joined the band were there any language difficulties as they are from Norway and you’re Italian, or do you all use English?
Mariangela: Of course. Well everyone speaks English but of course I wanted to learn Norwegian because I can talk to them in their language.
Planetmosh: Has it been hard learning Norwegian?
Mariangela: It’s been hard but at the end its been paid by good results
Planetmosh: You’re currently touring as part of the Out of the dark festival with Van Canto, Serenity, Xandria and Amberian Dawn. How are you enjoying the tour?
Mariangela: Yeah we’ve done a lot of dates and more to do. It’s very easy to have a nice experience when the people are nice and cooperative and you don’t have the prima-donnas and you don’t have anybody that sucks.
Planetmosh: On a tour like this do you get time to relax and be tourists or are you constantly travelling, soundchecking and playing?
Mariangela: Yeah we’ve been in Camden, and been in other cities and done things – all I could do actually.
Planetmosh: It sounds like quite a few of the bands have been in Camden today. Were you shopping too?
Mariangela: yeah yeah as always.
Planetmosh: You’re due to play the 70,000 tons of metal cruise in January. Is that something you’re looking forwards to?
Mariangela: Of course, Yes,
Planetmosh: I’m sure its going to be quite different to any other festival
Mariangela: Yeah I think its going to be quite unique, and fun.
Planetmosh: You’ve played quite a few festivals around the world including Wacken and MFVF – which is your favourite?
Mariangela: Every one is so different that I don’t have a favourite.
Planetmosh: What is your favourite type of live show and why – festival, large venue or small venue?
Mariangela: I like to see a lot of people from the stage and I like to play in big stages, but I’ve had very happy experiences sometime playing in small clubs with a few people, it depends on the feelings you have on stage. It doesnt matter where you are, its just a matter of how cool it is to play to them
Planetmosh: What bands do you think have influenced your music?
Mariangela: Many different bands. From PJ Harvey, Tori Amos to bands like Katatonia, porcupine tree, amon amarth, many bands.
Planetmosh: Ok thank you for your time, I’ll let you go and get ready for your show.
Mariangela: Thank you.
