Featuring Velvet Shadow /from Sonic Introversion Interview by Ruud Dreessen aka ebm-industrial.nl 05-03-2010
01- For the first question will be - Thanks SONIC INTROVERSION that you have found time to give answers to these questions. How are you doing?
Velvet: Hi there, and thanks for having me! I am doing very well thank you.
02-Hello SONIC INTROVERSION what noise do you make in SONIC INTROVERSION?
Velvet: My project Sonic Introversion mixes seductive vocals with crunchy beats and bouncy synth lines... at least thats the goal anyway.
03-How's the start of 2010 been for you thus far?
Velvet: It's been great. I started Sonic Introversion in late 2009, and by February 2010 I'd learnt that Alfa Matrix had chosen one of my very first tracks to be on their compilation album Endzeit Bunkertracks [act V}. It was a pleasant surprise, and made me realise I must be doing something right.
04-do you know the netherland?
Velvet: Yes I know where the Netherlands is, however I'm afraid I have yet to visit. The closest I've been as a tourist is Belgium, but I've always wanted to visit. I think I shall have to in the future.
05-For a lot of people, this is probably going to be their first full introduction to SONIC INTROVERSION so how about you tell us a little bit about how you guys know each other and how the band came together?
Velvet: Well Sonic Introversion is a solo project, so the members include myself :) I've known myself for a very long time and we get along great! :) Eventually when I start doing shows in the future I will probably sort out some live members, but I'm not looking at that yet until I have enough material to do a live show. The lyrics, music and madness is all me.
06- Do you follow the electronic music / Industrial / Gothic / Electro, do you have any other favourite bands?
Velvet: Of course, I think most musicians get into music because of the music they listen to themselves. They will hear something and be inspired, and I guess these are the things we list as our influences. I have quite a varied musical taste, I like things such as Depeche Mode, Aesthetic Perfection, Rotersand, Paradise Lost, Deviant UK, Erasure... and also lots of Classical music.
07-How is your relationship with other electronic bands?
Velvet: Well at the moment I don't have a relationship with any other electronic bands as my project is so new.. but hopefully that will change in the future.
08- Can you give us a brief run-through of SONIC INTROVERSION story so far?
Velvet: Right, story so far. I started the concept of the project in 2009, uploaded my first track 'Please Yourself' late 2009, had that track put on a compilation album, and I am currently writing new material...
09- How did you start to make music and what is Gothic for you?
Velvet: I've been making music for years, ever since I got a copy of my first music sequencing program in the 90s, and since then the software just keeps getting better and better. No longer is the creation of music left to individuals who have enough money and space to store all the analog equipment needed. The invention of virtual instruments and sequencers is a Godsend... What is Gothic? I guess that's the cliché question in this scene, and the truth is I don't know. My other music projects are labelled Gothic because I guess its the Gothic scene who enjoy listening to it... so is the music itself defined by the listener... or the artist?
10-What did you guys do for a living before SONIC INTROVERSION?
Velvet: Not a lot has changed before or after the project's creation. I think very few musicians these days can afford to make a living from their music... almost all of the musicians I personally know have primary jobs, and their music projects are their pleasure/obsession, and if they make any sort of money out of them, its a welcomed bonus. I was (and still am) a student at univeristy, and I'm stufying Music Software Development, which comes in handy...
11- When did you form SONIC INTROVERSION? What inspired you to make music together?
Velvet: Well as I've previously stated, this is a solo project, but I was inspired to do Sonic Introversion, as my other projects are more Gothic and Rock based, and I wanted to branch off into a new genre and try something new. I didn't want the fans of my other work to expect the same sound, so I envisioned a different project alltogether to create this new sound.
12- What are your top ten favorite cd's?
Velvet: In no particular order the following:
Necessary Response: Blood Spills Not Far From The Wound
Rotersand: Random Is Resistance
Aesthetic Perfection: A Violent Emotion
Deviant UK: Barbed Wire Star
Paradise Lost: Symbol Of Life
The Last Dance: Whispers In Rage
Wolfsheim: Casting Shadows
Depeche Mode: The Best Of Vol 1
VNV Nation: Empires
Tangerine Dream: Legend OST
13- What are the future plans for SONIC INTROVERSION?
Velvet: Well at the moment I am writing new material, then I will consider playing live in the future... if I can sort out a live lineup.
14- Do you have a record label? Are you a member of any other bands?
Velvet: Sonic Introversion is an unsigned project, so I do not have a record label. I am also a member of the band Sapphire Solace (Gothic/Rock) which has a lineup of myself and the guitarist/producer Rick Joyce from Californian band The Last Dance.
15-What are you currently listening to on your MP3 player?
Velvet: 'Erasure - Always' after playing a rather addictive online game that has that song as its soundtrack haha...
16- By the way do you like my questions? tell me what you think about it! ;-)
Velvet: They are ok... but many of them! :)
17- What is the main idea, the message you want to leave to people who listens to you? What is your motto?
Velvet: Go ahead and Please Yourself... :)
18- What’s the name of your band? where did the name come from? or what's the story behind the band name?
Velvet: Sonic Introversion came when I tried to find a phrase that literally explained the concept of my project... telling people my internal contemplations musically... therefore I came up with Sonic Introversion...
19-If people don't know what you and your music are about, how would you describe SONIC INTROVERSION?
Velvet: Sonic Introversion is a mix of seductive female vocals, crunchy beats and synths...
20- Some quick fire questions: Do you prefer guitar or synthesizer?
Velvet: I like both, but personally I prefer synthesizer because its easier to work with... it takes greater skill to make a guitar sound awesome.
21-Do you prefer being in a band or solo?
Velvet: I think I would have to try both in a live situation to make a decision there. On one hand being a solo project gives you greater control over your musical idea, but then again you are also all alone to defend your music. Being in a band can be a great experience - having people to share the journey with, and the input from others can make the sound evolve.
22-How is the current promotional tour going for supporting this album?
Velvet: Well there is no album as of yet - haven't written enough material yet, but when I have it all sorted, then I will get round to the promotion. The best kind of promotion is when you get magazines and interviews asking you for info - word of mouth is still the best form of promotion these days.
23- What do you think of a modern Gothic and about Industrial / Gothic / Electro scene?
Velvet: In my opinion the Alternative scene in general seems to be at a small level, and not growing anytime fast in the UK. The only major Gothic event in the UK is the yearly Whitby Gothic Weekend, and I think the only well known Insutrial/Electro club is Slimelight. I know that in the Netherlands you have Summer Darkness... and I think we need something like that over here too.
24-Tell me about your number 'Please Yourself' on Endzeit Bunkertracks V (Alfa Matrix) compilation...
Velvet: That track is the first song I officially uploaded onto MySpace, and the first reflection of what Sonic Introversion was going to be about. I was interested to see how people would react to that song, and to see whether venturing out into another genre would be a good idea. It's a song which can be taken quite literally, or is also open to interpretation... I'm not going to give you the entire picture, it's nice to think your own viewpoint of what it means...
25-Our usual question - what is music for you?
Velvet: Music has, and always is part of who I am... I grew up learning a musical instrument, and I found that the discipline needed to concentrate and practice was a skill that would carry over into other areas of life. Being able to listen and interpret music enables you to listen and read between the lines with people too... putting on that track to explain how you feel, without actually having to say a word is priceless.
It has been a pleasure to interview you on your musical activity,Well,any last words to your ebm-industrial fans?
Velvet: Stay tuned for more tracks, and thanks again for all your positive comments :)
How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
Any last words?
Velvet: Thanks a lot for having me, and great website!
