Who is Syrenn?
Syrenn is Angie Maddox (myself), Brittany Bordella and Jaws.
Your label describes Syrenn as being controversial, are you controversial, in what way?
Controversy is a matter of opinion. I wouldn't be able to say if I was or wasn't. I don't find myself to be controversial.
What role did music play in your youth?
Music helped me survive my youth. It played a role in keeping me alive. Without I probably would have turned into a psychopath
Before starting Syrenn you were playing in several other bands, how do you look back at that and what was the turning point that made you decide to start your own band?
I quit every band I ever started or joined because I wasn’t satisfied. I don't work well with others when it comes to composition and I needed something of my own. I couldn't be a face for someone elses ideal. I needed something of my own.
Did you feel you couldn’t express enough of your own ideas or are you just hard to work with?
I felt like I couldn't really do anything with conviction. I was holding back a lot and it really wasn't anyones fault. I had a hard time taking the reigns with something that wasn't my own and I needed to separate myself and create my own world.
In what way is it different for you to be a bandleader compared to being a bandmember? Is there perhaps a difference in motivation and responsibility?
I'd rather be a leader, however we try to keep a group mentality in Syrenn. This started out as my brainchild and my solo work but it's evolved into a group effort and everyone really pulls their own weight in the band.
How do you succeed in being the leader and still have a group mentality, what is the secret in this?
Every functioning group needs a leader of some sort. It doesn't make the rest of the band any less talented or credible than I am. It's not always easy but its a necessary dynamic.
Your voice deviates a lot from whispering to screaming to melodic singing, how do you decide what kind of vocals need to be used where? How do you take care of your voice?
I just do what sounds right when I'm writing a song. I don't do anything special to keep my voice in check... alcohol and cigarettes, haha
You have formed a band for live shows, who are into your live band and how did you got in contact with them?
Brittany Bordella [of Bordellas Prose] plays guitar, and Jaws [of MyParasites] plays keys/synthesizers. My band consists of my best friends. We're kindred.
Your music has a clear dark electro base but in your live line up there are 2 guitarplayers, does this have an effect on the live versions of your music and in what way?
Currently we only have one guitar player. My brother was standing in for some shows but has recently departed. The EP is nothing compared to the live sound. The full length album is going to be as epic as the live sound, for a lot of reasons.
You just released your first ep on machineKUNT records, how did you get in contact with them? Is it a signing for just this ep or can we expect more in the future?
We will be releasing a full length album this year through machineKUNT records. Our EP 'The Kill House' if just a taste of things to come. Expect to be suprised by the full length, haha
What will be the most suprising element, can you give us a hint?
Epic. New. Improved
How did the recording of this ep go, did you do all on your own. Was it a smooth recording process or were you facing many problems?
I wrote and produced everything you hear on the EP. It was mastered professionally but everything else was my work and no, there were no issues. I wrote the EP by myself. They're all very personal songs and I didn't co-create with anybody. It's complicated. We're in a transition right now, as a band.
What do you expected of this album, what should it bring you?
The EP? It is just a small dose of what you may or may not get when you listen to our debut.
You are already working on your full length album. In what way will it deviate from the ep?
It will be available this summer. It will be similar in ways and very different in ways from the EP. It's the end of the world.
Looking at the pictures of your live shows it seems to be pretty intense. Some singers totally change when being on stage, does this happen to you as well, can you describe this?
I'm no where near the same person when you put me in front of a mic also because I don’t usually walk around singing, for one haha
How do you prepare for a liveshow?
10 hours of sleep and 2 beers
When is a live show a good show for you?
When it's fun and there's no serious technical failure
What is the fun of getting tattooed, does every tattoo means something specially for you? Which ones stands out for you?
Ah it’s all relative. I'd get 30 more if I never wanted a job. All of my tattoos mean everything to me. No one in particular.
What will be next for Syrenn?
The full length album, an east coast tour, and world domination, haha
Any last words for our readers?
Give it a shot.
www.syrennmusic.com