OPHELIA SWEET DEMISE
INTERVIEW BY GORDON TAYLOR OF INFECTIOUS UNEASE RADIO
Band Interview
Band: Ophelia Sweet Demise
Band Member:
Daniel Kufahl:
(lead/back up vox, bass).
Rik Gravens:
(guitar,back up vox, programming & engineering),
Katrine DeWinter
( lead/back up vox, keyboards, programming)
Bands Discography:
Absinthe (1998)
Dark Serenade (1999)
Ashes to Lashes (2000)
Bands Web Page:
http://ophelias_demise.tripod.com
Bands email Address:
ophelias_demise@hotmail.com
Bands Snail Mail Address:
544 East Ogden, Suite 700 PMB 120, Milwaukee WI53202-2698 USA
Interviewer:
Gordon Taylor Email Contact@infectiousunease.com WebPages http://www.infectiousunease.com
Interviewee: Dan, Rik & Kat
WHEN DID YOU ALL BECOME INVOLVED IN MUSIC AND HOW DID YOU ALL MEET?
DAN:
I started singing in choirs when I was quite young and at the age of 14 began singing in a rock band (we did covers mainly, heavy metal at the time). The bass guitar came later. I needed an outlet for some very strong emotions. The bass is strongly built enough to handle a lot of hurt. I needed an outlet for heartbreak, writing about the way I felt and playing an instrument to handle my emotional state seemed a healthier alternative to suicide, anger eventually settled to understanding. My lyrical writing became more sensitive and balanced, and was an inspiration for finding sweeter melodies musically; the darkness remains.
RIK:
The answer to this question truly eludes me. We were most likely just being our typical 'social butterfly' selves and just met. The weird thing is none of us really recall this particular event.
KAT:
Even when I was a small child, there was something about music that struck me very deeply, something about it that is endlessly beautiful and encompassing. There was an old organ in my parent's basement and I would play on that, making up melodies and songs, and singing to myself, very quietly as I played on the backyard swing.I really don't recall the very first time I ever met Dan or Rik. They were always there amongst the people we mutually know, and after a while there are certain people you get close to, have things in common with, and they become friends.
WHAT DO YOU ALL DO WHEN YOU'RE NOT WORKING IN THE BAND?
DAN:
I bring the band to work ( in spirit, of course).
RIK:
Between working and the band... there are cafes, clubs and personal time. Mine to speak of is still very musically oriented so I guess social activities and music.
KAT:
Wish I were working in the band! I graduated college last December and am now adjusting to life outside the acedemic realm.
WHAT INSTRUMENTS DO YOU ALL PLAY AND ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR INSTRUMENT YOU ENJOY THE MOST?
DAN:
The bass guitar - I love the way they sound, I love how strongly they're made, and I still break strings. Bass is dark, deep, rich, perfect for a haunting.
RIK:
I play the guitar primarily, but have noticed that drums have a cool draw on me as well.
KAT:
I think I'm more of a writer than a player. The thing about writing, especially the versatility of keyboards, is that the only limitations are technical. It's like having an orchestra at your disposal. Singing is quite the opposite of programming. Whereas there is still a very hands-on, organic way of working with electronics, singing is a sound that is truly your own. It's very immediate; there is no instrument between you and the
music except for your own body.
WHAT CREATIVE PROCESS DO YOU GO THROUGH WHEN COMPOSING YOUR MUSIC?
DAN:
It begins with a feeling arising from experience, generally emotional and often current. Each song is like a chapter in a book. The music and lyrics have a tendency to create a concept, each influencing the other. Sorrow or angst for instance denotes not only what is being played or sung, but also its delivery. To express musically a true story.
RIK:
For me... I usually get inspired by the conflict or reflection of things I have or am currently being emotionally effected by.
KAT:
There's a thing I affectionately refer to as 'noodleing'. For whatever nonsense the term may imply, it's a way of exploring musical possibilities without inhibition or tension. That's more of a method and mindset of directing ideas or inspiration along, freely and improvisationaly playing until a more concrete theme or melody is formed. Other times, it's simply there without question.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU WHEN YOU WRITE YOUR MUSIC?
DAN:
The need to express feelings gained through experience as understanding/balance. Music is an outlet and a therapy to be shared in by the writers and the listeners. The better we can express ourselves in words and music; the closer we are to sharing an experience with our audience.
RIK:
I find heavy amounts of inspiration are most evident by immediate ties to anger, love or similar elements I am experiencing at the time. I am a very emotional person anyway, so that tends to drive it all.
KAT:
We're a very emotional group! That's emotional, not neurotic. Feelings, sensations, impressions of events and other people, or things that are imagined can all be inspiration. That's true in more lyrical sense.
Musically, it's purely sound and the mood or atmosphere it creates.
MANY OF YOUR SONG SEEM TO BE INSPIRED BY LOVE, DESPAIR, DISCOVERY, AND MANY OTHER HUMAN EMOTIONS AND ALSO VAMPIRES. WHAT IS IT ABOUT THESE SUBJECTS THAT INSPIRES YOU WRITE ABOUT THEM. HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT WRITING LYRICS?
DAN:
Love and loss are conceptual mainstays in our writing. Love in its ideal form is eternal and can transcend this physical life. Bram Stoker's Dracula "Love never dies" love seems to be both the catalyst for, and the tragic flaw leading to the vampire's demise.
RIK:
In many cases the lyrics are a combination of real life events, but in cases where we get more fictitious, we simply are trying to build an image of a fantasy and deliver that with as much clarity as we can.
KAT:
They're all very strong emotions, things that can affect you deeply. I think there's a quality about those things that, in a sense, make you feel most alive. I'm not sure I can even explain how I write lyrics - I just
start writing as a release or the need to put something into words.
WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND SUCH SONGS "GLOW" "CONCENTRATION "ELEMENTAL", "STARRY NIGHT"
DAN:
"Glow" is meant to lend inspiration in place of feelings of hopelessness. Despite circumstance or social conditions there is light at the end of the tunnel, recognize it and don't fear it. "Starry Night" is conceptually a love relationship ending; where one is leaving while the other pleads to stay.
KAT:
"Concentration Elemental" has to do with knowing someone or something profoundly, and they have the same knowledge of you. There's both great security and extreme vulnerability in that state.
ARE YOU INFLUENCE BY BOOKS OR MOVIES OR PLAYS.
DAN:
William Shakespeare's Hamlet, the concept of Ophelia being driven mad by love and deception realized. Anne Rice's work has many metaphorical references that I appreciate. David Lynch can capture some very uncomfortable scenarios with film. I subconsciously appreciate having to stretch my "emotional boundaries" without being personally scared by the situations I'm witnessing. It's probably the best purpose of art, to reflect life without hurting you while leaving you with the understanding of experience.
RIK:
In a few cases, yes...movies mainly. Circling mostly around the darker of the movies in content - i.e. "Interview with a Vampire" and "The Sandman" music score, and "Lost Boys".
KAT:
I like well-written biographies. I'm very curious about what other people do and how they experience things.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITE BANDS THAT YOU LIKE LISTENING TO?
DAN:
I'm getting into Silke Bischoff quite a bit (smooth vocally). Also Faith and the Muse's new album and always David Bowie and Peter Murphy.
RIK:
Absolutely! Nine Inch Nails, Sisters of Mercy, David Bowie (older stuff), Depeche Mode and many others.
KAT:
I have to say I always enjoy the Cure. They're so extraordinarily versatile that in nearly any given mood, I could think of one of their songs and say 'Ah, I'd really like to hear that now.' Really it's quite brilliant how they can be both beautifully depressing and tremendously fun! Some other bands I like are Blur, Pulp and Morphine - excellent groups. And no, it's not a prerequisite that the name be one word - I agree that I
groove on Sisters of Mercy too. What I like best are well written, intelligent songs, endowed with character and that indescribable 'je'ne sais quoi'. Ahhh... there are so many good bands - these are particular ones I've been having a taste for lately. And eternal love for Joy Division,
Bauhaus and all they've done since.
ARE YOU DOING ANY SIDE PROJECTS?
RIK:
I have so much of my energy currently dedicated to OSD that the thought of sharing any of it right now seems out of reach.
KAT:
No, we're so busy with OSD and completely focused. Everything we have we give to this.
TO THE READERS WHO MAY HAVE NOT HEARD MUCH OF YOUR MUSIC HOW WOULD YOU
DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND?
DAN:
We are trying to expand our musical pallet to include a variety from ethereal Goth to harder edge industrial. The music represents our individual drives while being tempered through the collective of Kat, Rik and myself (songs such as "Cobalt Blue" and "Disappear" encompass two or more moods within the same track).
RIK:
"In the beginning..." (ha ha) It was a very ethereally dark sound, but now we have moved towards a harder and more technically driven sound, still maintaining a root hold to our dark style.
KAT:
Dark Serenade was a lot more ethereally flavored than the new release, Ashes to Lashes. The new songs have the same darkness, but it's more aggressive and I like to say, 'highly danceable'. Rik's got a razor edged guitar and gorgeous melodies.
HOW HAS THE RESPONSE BEEN WITH "DARK SERENADE"?
DAN:
We've made the new EP available through MP3.com and via our website. We've also included a chat room and would love to hear from you.
KAT:
We've gotten really good responses from it, and have come into contact with a lot of excellent and helpful people from all over the world. We'd like to continue that with 'Ashes'.
WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND DARK SERENADE?
DAN:
Dark Serenade as a body of work is like a completed novel. Each song includes an aspect of love relationships (the before, during and after, if you will). They are poetic metaphors for very real experiences.
KAT:
I think it chronicles a particular time in all of our lives, the same as the new one is now. Each release is a reflection of the influences and situations occurring at the time.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO PRODUCE?
KAT:
It grew over the course of a year. Dark Serenade has some reworkings of songs that appeared on Absinthe (the first EP), and so during the time we lived and worked with those songs they evolved into what could be considered a picture of what the band was at that time.
WHAT HAVE YOU GOT PLANNED FOR THE NEXT ALBUM?
DAN:
Our brand new release Ashes to Lashes is in EP form. The full-length release will include an additional 6 tracks continuing further reaches in musical and vocal dynamics. We're looking forward to releasing the
completed album no later than May of 2000. We are also seeking label backing to assist in greater distribution and promotion.
RIK:
The next album is currently an EP entitled Ashes to Lashes and is a complete reflection of the new direction and energy that has remolded the sound of OSD.
KAT:
We're very pleased with the new directions we're going, and want to release a full length CD this year.
WHERE HAVE YOU TOURED, ARE YOU PLANNING ANY UP AND COMING TOURS?
DAN:
We're currently doing shows in the US Midwest, booking as heavily as our schedules will allow.
RIK:
We haven't toured yet, but are now looking to put a regional tour together in the Midwest here starting in Chicago.
KAT:
We haven't had the opportunity to go on a proper 'tour' yet, but would love to So hopefully this spring/summer we'll be traveling a bit.
WHAT GIGS DID YOU ENJOY THE MOST AND WHAT WAS THE AUDIENCE RESPONSE?
DAN:
Recently, Faith and the Muse with Judith. We did a Blackout A.D. gig in Chicago. Wonderful to share the stage with such excellent musicians.
KAT:
The first night we played with Black Tape for a Blue Girl was really memorable. The audience was absolutely great, the sound was great and we had a wonderful time.
WHAT GIGS DID YOU NOT ENJOY?
DAN:
Big hollow rooms with built in echo could be great for boxing matches, but you get a big heavy thud for music. An unexpected bass beat reflecting off a wall can literally make a song incomprehensible.
RIK:
Our very first show was a very taxing one because of some very difficult technical issues that became quickly evident.
KAT:
Shows with bad sound! Not being able to hear monitors onstage is terrifying, but you get through it. Just not as enjoyable though.
IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIAL INCORPORATED WITHIN YOUR PERFORMANCES?
DAN:
We have additional live percussion as well as lead guitar by Mr. Joe Angel Ramierez III. We are then a 5 piece in concert. We do our best to create a personal interaction with our audience.
RIK:
(Very graphic sexual acts - ha ha) We strive to use lighting and presence to bring life to the songs.
KAT:
I absolutely love playing live, and the special thing about it is the audience, having the opportunity to present this music that you've taken from within yourself, and give that people who have come to hear it.
WHEN YOU HAVE A PERFORMANCE WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR MIND WHEN YOU ARE ON THAT STAGE. WHAT IS IT THAT YOU FEEL? WHAT SORT OF EMOTIONS DO YOU GO THROUGH WHEN THE EYES OF THE AUDIENCE ARE ON YOU?
DAN: In trying to deliver the best musical effort you seek the eyes of the audience to see if you're getting through sound wise and emotionally. My main thought is to please the people who have come out to support us.
RIK:
Exhilaration! To me, it is the ultimate and only high I seek out. The only thoughts running through my mind are to be the absolute definition of passion while playing.
KAT:
Hmmm...it's a strange kind of Zen thing. I don't think words, like in a logical sense, go through my head at all. Just feeling the music, intensity.
WHAT MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES HAVE YOU HAD WHEN TOURING?
RIK:
My memorable road experience comes from my involvement in a previous band, of which I could write a small novel from. So to save space I'll just say that the road is full of an endless number of adventures.
KAT:
We finished a show with Black Tape for a Blue Girl in Madison, WI and were driving the hearse (the OSD-mobile) when all the sudden the bad engine warning lights on the dashboard all started lighting up, one by one. So we pull off the freeway and barely make it to a gas station when the car starts spewing radiator fluid all over. I don't even know where we were exactly, but everything was closed. So we sat in the car for the rest of the night, and had an absolutely great time! We were laughing and joking and scaring each other endlessly. When travelling, good company is the best thing in the world.
IN WHAT COUNTRY ARE YOUR FANS BASED? APART FROM AMERICA WHAT COUNTRIES DO YOU GET THE MOST RESPONSE FROM?
RIK:
Although it seems to be expanding on a regular basis, Australia, Chile, London and Yugoslavia are the places of largest response right now.
KAT:
We've been getting a lot of good response from Europe, the UK and Chile, as well in Australia. It's very exciting, because it would be we'd like to play in as many places as possible.
WHAT IS LIKE TO TOUR WITH THE BANDS "BLACK TAPE FOR A BLUE GIRL" AND THE
"DAMNED", "MY SCARLET LIFE", " JUDITH", AND "VAST"?
DAN:
I learn a lot from people who have wisdom to share. The experiences and stage sound know how that many of the bigger bands have had to learn in hard ways, they can pass to us gems of knowledge.
KAT:
We opened shows for all those bands but not as in a proper tour. Sharing the stage with musicians of that caliber and renown is incredibly exciting and inspiring as well.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
DAN:
We wish to expand our abilities in music, distribution and promotions and performance. We are seeking a special label at this point to assist us in our efforts.
RIK:
Get signed, get famous, get paid and non-stop writing - freedom to explore music and spirituality as a career.
KAT:
We're continuously writing new songs, and we'd like to keep recording and playing out and doing what we do, but more of it! We're insatiable and obsessed (*grin*)
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO THE READERS OUT THERE?
RIK:
If you have this awesome gift of creativity, no matter on what level, don't ignore it. It is you - you are it, so let it be as much a part of you as it is to me. Thank you for supporting us as well!
KAT:
We hope that you enjoy our music, and it gives us great pleasure to share what we do with those who appreciate it. The music of others has meant so much to me and has been so many things, alternately inspiring and consoling and fun and gorgeous, it would be our fondest wish to be able to give that as well as receiving it.
*** please include in interivew:
CD available via MP3.com or email ophelias_demise@hotmail.com
CONTACT OSD:
http://ophelias_demise.tripod.com
ophelias_demise@hotmail.com