Hi Darja and Annette, thank you for this interview, how are you doing?
Hi Ed! Thanks for being that patient. We’re ready to tell you everything now!
What spurred your interest in starting a band?
Darja: Oh, that was Fruity Loops 2 :) Well, to talk seriously, that was my love to music first of all. And to the music I could hear inside of me. One day I just felt that I need to share it.
Emplosia is back but with a new line up. Who is the new synthplayer and where did you meet?
Darja: That’s my new keyboarder, her name is Annette. We met in the Internet just when Julia decided to dedicate herself to her family and I was looking for another part of Emplosia.
Annette: I play keys and support Darja as a back singer, write lyrics and take part in composing music. We’ve known each other for 3 years, and during the last time we’ve been working on the second album unpretentiously named “Album 2”. I’ve got some musical education, and of course I appreciate the same kind of music Darja does.
Can you give a brief introduction to Emplosia?
Annette: A yummy sweet with poison inside of it.
In 2006 you released your debut album, how do you look back at it now, several years later?
Darja: The debut album is a compilation of tracks recorded through the period from 2000 to 2005. I love it so much, it is very sincere and maybe even touched by some teenage naive moods. But yet those ideas were well-produced and nice-framed. For that time and that age it was quite professional. We still play some tracks on shows, people want to hear them.
On your debut album you had lyrics in both English and Russian, why did you choose for this combination of lyrics?
Darja: All the lyrics for the debut was written by my brother Alex who is now the head of www.synpromotion.com booking agency. I guess if these days we could speak German or Norwegian – there probably could have appeared something in these languages tooJ.
Annette: There is a great difference between writing songs in English and in Russian. In English you may not use too many words to express the most fine or ambiguous idea. It is sharp and clear, as if it was created to go together with music. Russian language is like a flow: it is so rich and impetuous, you should restrain it to match with music, as it is very independent. That’s why we often use English for our lyrics.
The sky seemed to be the limit for Emplosia yet after 2007 it became quiet around the band, what happened? Did you put the band on hold?
Darja: Put on hold – nice said! As we’ve already mentioned, in 2007 the former keyboarder left the band for her family life. That was unexpected and definitely knocked me off for a while. But these kinds of things often work out for the best, and that’s what happened to Emplosia. Getting certain life experience we take off our pink shades, throw it out and dive into working on the new album. This all makes the new material very heartful and up-to-date, a bit ironic and somewhere maybe cynical at the same time.
How did you keep your musical integrity throughout these years?
Darja: That wasn’t hard to do. I was working, finding out things about music, writing new material – all these things depend on your aspirations, on what’s inside of you. I grew up as a person and as a musician too. I found out new things to put into music – as well as new influences, and new means of making it. Off course that period wasn’t purely enjoyable, mostly because of various personal circumstances, but I believe that was just another step on my way – sometimes they’re tough but you always move on.
Do you feel Emplosia can pick where they left or do you see it as a new beginning?
Annette: Let’s call it a new chapter. A lot of things are different now, but we still have that background behind us.
We have heard some new songs already, in your own mind, what progress did Emplosia make?
Darja: There’s a progress in everything. We guess that Emplosia has made a terrific boost. The music, the style, the main idea of who we are – everything seems to be clear now, and it’s different from whatever we see in synthpop. We realize we’re special, and what we do is on the boundary of different styles. Though we’ve got plenty of things to work on, the things we say, we feel some people really need them.
What are the ingredients of a good Emplosia song?
Annette: Catchy beat and bassline, nice samples, meaningful and striking lyrics.
What are personal influences in your music that the general public might not be aware of?
Annette: There are such influences, but let them remain behind the scene. These are everything – from people we meet to deeds we make. These emotions are not always positive, because we don’t always act right in our life, everybody has got tough periods, and then music is the best way to convey what you feel. But they also might be easy and positive – for example, meeting somebody or having a good party.
How are the songs of Emplosia being made, do you always work the same way?
Darja: Not really, every song has got its own special story. Sometimes we make up things separately, and then suggest some ideas to each other discussing how to make it better. Some ideas pop into our heads when we are together, and then it’s a big pleasure to see how it brings to life right before our eyes. Situations may change, but in most of the cases we are cooperating.
How do the both of you work on the lyrics? How is for you to sing lyrics that are written by someone else?
Darja: If the lyrics are really outstanding and match the music well, as it happened with ‘Undead’ written by Reagan Johns from Iris, it’s an honour.
Annette: Well, I’m jealous, but Reagan Johns is so great, and ‘Undead’ too :)
When can people expect a new album, how far are you with the recordings?
Darja: There are 11 of pretty fresh tracks almost at the same phase: everything’s ready in music and lyrics, and it’s only needed to record vocals, make some extra arrangement and mastering. And choose a nice cozy label as well.
Darja, you were also active in Nurstress, is that still alive or not?
Darja: Nurstress was a project by Babymax, Inner Conflict and Emplosia, we recorded some tracks and gave some gigs in 2004-2005. There’s a chance that we will meet some day and make something else, ‘cause we’re still all good friends.
What will be next for Emplosia?
Annette: The album’s release, some gigs outside of Russia, incessant musical and personal growth which is surely going to inspire us for the third album.
Any last words for the readers?
Darja: Ed, it was a real pleasure to answer your questions. Thank you so much for your support! Dear readers, we wish you a lot of great music in your life!
Annette: Love each other and don’t give up your dreams.
www.emplosia.com
www.myspace.com