Hello Alen, thank you for doing this interview, how are you doing?
Hello to you Ed and a special greeting to all “Cyber Angels” readers.
Thank you for your interest in Loell Duinn and the given opportunity to tell your readers something more about us.
I am doing very well, thank you.
For those who are not familiar with Loell Duinn, can you give a brief introduction to the band?
Loell Duinn is a musical quintet from region of Istra/Istria*, founded by me and Olja sometimes in the spring of 2003. as a result of various musical projects dating from 1995., taking many forms as the times were changing and events took their place.
*(a peninsula in CROATIA, which geographically also belongs to Italy and Slovenia)
Can you briefly explain the band name and tell us why it is the perfect name for Loell Duinn?
“Loell Duinn” is an invented compound consisting of two words whose etymological roots can be found in Gaelic and ancient Aramaic.
The word Loell (pronounced lo-ell) as such does not exist in any modern language. We’ve invented it as a symbol of all that is Divine in physical and spiritual world.
The word Duinn (pronounced d ˆ inn) is a counterbalance for Loell representing the umbrageous side of the existence (being).
We use this name to describe differentiation and duality that surrounds us in all the methods and principles of life and living, and as such symbolizes and describes the beauty of a supreme being whose existence embodies the enchantment of beingness.
Prior to Loell Duinn you and Olja were active in other musical projects, what can you tell about them and did they help shape you as a musician that you are today?
In my early years, as I was still growing as a musician, I was a member of several bands that did not last until the present day. The orientation of these bands was, in the beginning, Gothic Rock but later projects were more similar to, what is now, the music of Loell Duinn.
Olja was, unlike me, a performer for her whole life since she comes from a musical family. Since her early years she sings in choirs and polyphonically performs with her sister and mother a variety of traditional songs from Italian folklore to the Balkan (ex Yugoslavia) and oriental folk songs. All of this makes her musical sensibility and interpretation unique.
What was the reason to start with Loell Duinn together with Olja, did you already had a clear view of the musical direction or has it developed over the years?
When I first asked Olja to sing some of my songs, I discovered that elementary component which they lacked and with which they have become complete and effective, something like a perfect alchemical formula. At this formula we added "time" and "experience" and created a musical template for Loell Duinn.
Obviously you needed more band members to realize your vision because at first you have worked with guest musicians before Goran and Patrik became band members, what is their role in the band and what made you decide to make them band members instead of guest-musicians?
Each person in the community called „the band" contributes to the music with their own spiritual sensibility, experience and skills. Goran and Patrik are persons of boundless positivity and human kindness, experienced and talented musicians. Goran is responsible for the rhythmic parts and percussive "decorations" as Patrick, at his keyboards and samplers, is "replacing" smaller orchestra and forms the basis for Loell Duinn sound.
Recently there is a new member in out “little family”. Her name is Ivona and she is a flutist and wind instruments player. Beside this, she is an exceptional human being, very skilled and talented musician and Olja´s best friend.
How would you call your music yourself, what are the elements used to create a good Loell Duinn song?
I will leave to others to find a correct definition since I am not competent. All I could say is that all of the songs are composed as vocal-instrument parts that are tending to mellow, melancholic melodies connecting ethnic/folk elements with norms of classical music through historical influence of medieval, renaissance and baroque music in a modern performance. These elements, interconnected with ones mentioned in 5. and 6., give life to all Loell Duinn songs.
What made you decide to use modern synths and keyboards instead of many traditional instruments in your sound? What is the role of synths and keyboards in the music of Loell Duinn?
Our keyboards are really samplers filled with orchestral and ethnic sounds/instruments. We use those samples for the lack of musicians and technically, it is the best sounding substitute for real musicians.
Regarding synthetic sounds, we use those very rarely. If so, we use them as “atmospheric” fundaments to evoke some dramatic landscapes.
Can synths and keyboards replace real traditional instruments?
Synthetic sound cannot replace the sound of a traditional instrument but their audio “samples” make them playable trough modern instruments.
There is a VISUAL component of it too: traditional instruments seen on the stage give different impression of the band to the audience, but beware: the essence of sound is revelled trough your ears not your eyes!!!
You are currently working on an album, what can you tell us about it so far?
Well, the album is already done and it has been for a year. The album includes 13 songs as a retrospective of our artistic work from 2003 to 2008.
Our current activities are on promoting it and in the same time, we are working on 12 NEW songs for the second album.
What are your goals for the album, what should it do? Do you already found a label to release it on?
The goal of this album (and all albums to be) is to bring our art closer to the audience worldwide and, by doing so, to give us the chance to explore the reception of the listeners and their reaction to it.
The bizarre story of the LABELS and Loell Duinn we will leave for merrier times and our second interview.
What are your lyrics about? Music can be used to entertain people but also to vent opinions, make people think, how is this for Loell Duinn?
In our lyrics you can find a variety of themes about our perception of life and living trough love, religion, mysticism....and all components of existence (being)both tangible and intangible.
Why do you use different languages in the lyrics?
I find the spoken word extremely interesting in every of its many forms called languages. The melody, rhythm, accents, metrics in every sentence of every language is like an infinite source of inspiration to me (without ever wondering about the meaning and translation). So, using different languages is somehow like using different musical instruments with more or less artistry in doing so!!!
You have performed at last year’s edition of WGT, how do you look back at the show; obviously many people were really impressed and touched by your music?
Amazing festival an organization. We were invited by WGT organizers and it was our first live show after 3 years break. We were performing at Schauspielhaus (23.05.) in front of some 600 people and their appreciation was incredible. Our biggest reward were their applauses and ovations...for that we will keep up performing as much as we can.
What will be next for Loell Duinn?
Loell Duinn is currently working on 12 NEW songs giving them shape and meaning. We are also searching for VIDEO artist to “give life” to our first video clip. In the meantime, we are trying to perform live as much as possible.
Any last words for the readers?
If our Music entered your hearts, please keep it safe like a newborn bird in the mothers nest…and share it only with those who will treasure it like you do.... ...because OUR Music now became YOUR Music and will keep evolving with our mutual effort and safekeeping….with the FLAME of our LOVE for it.
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