Who is Yvy Demina?
Yvy Demina is my "Second Life" name. SL – that’s a virtual platform, a virtual world. Don’t hesitate and meet me there :)). But the name “Yvy” was already my artist name.
To what music did you listen as a kid?
When I was a child I already was music-oriented and I had a large range of favorite groups and solo artists (also from the 60s) I listened to. I love incorruptible, expressive and emotional songs, but also just simple music for rave-up. In the 80s I already was oriented into the more black music scene naturally... I listened to bands like The Cure, Sisters OF Mercy, Anne Clark but also to crazy tunes from bands as of Sigue Sigue Sputnik. I like electronic punk music as well - if guitars and electronic are combined very well.
You started with doing backing vocals for several bands. What was for you the turning point? What made you decide to start your own band?
It’s absolute fun for us to work together with other bands and to let flow his creativity. But doing our own project is more personal, something for one’s own to help to express his own emotions. This finally made me to do it.
Who are role models for you…personally or musically?
I cannot answer that very easily. For me role models are bands and people being faithful to themselves and not listening/being infected to the mainstream. And I definitely don’t like superficialness. There are some Bands and artists who are real heroes for me such as the progressive band Porcupine Tree and their mastermind Steven Wilson. Its unbelievable what this person does express with his lyrics and music – sometimes having songs with a length of 6-15 minutes – and what kind of stage performance his band is achieving. Wow!! And what is worth to be mentioned: Anybody who knows the band Japan from the late 70s/early 80s – the former keyboarder Richard Barbieri is joining Porcupine Tree.
What role does music play in your life? Can we say that music has a huge influence on you as a person…in what way?
When I was a young girl I already was very profound and didn’t really have lots of friends.
But I told myself that that music would be my only most faithful friend and companion. Music affected me the whole lifetime, no matter if private or job-related. The upside is that there is always the suitable music available for each feeling situation. As one heard a specific song many years ago and is rediscovering it if one sifts its records or cartridges - and listening to these sounds - it is simple a beautiful feeling or experience, if you can remember those times and the associated emotions with these tracks. That is comparable with some old photos you’re looking to.
In what way is having your own band different from doing backing vocals? Do you have much more responsibility and so? Is it also different in feeling?
Well, we love it to remix other bands and to add to these remixes sometimes some vocal parts. We only work together with bands we absolutely like. When we bear no relation to the lyrics or song we can’t do it. But with our own songs or own lyrics…that’s a big difference. Each song is like a plant, a pet or a musical baby you have to nurse to cosset and to dress until the beauty unfolds itself in all its glory. Well for this you are automatically do add on more your own “heart’s blood”. I hope that answered your question *smile
In 2007 Per Anders joined you. How did both of you meet and was it hard to get an experienced musician like he is to join a new band?
We became acquainted with ourselves already many years ago via internet over a musical forum and we both do also live in the same city. We knew very quickly that we are tuned to the same wavelength. We simply gave full scope to our ideas and creativity, and we experimented with beats and vocals - finally we created the project “Yvy Demina”.
What is your role in the band and what is Per’s role? How do both of you work together?
Well , I sing and compile the contents of the songs. For the debut EP we worked out the lyrics more clearly and sophisticated with the help of our wellknown friend Cyan (ETERNAL AFFLICT) who worked together with Per the last years. Per is the composer and producer of all songs and does also play all instruments.
You already build some name by being featured on several compilation albums. How important was it for you to present yourself on those albums?
Well through these compilations you have more possibilities to find to find a sympathetic ear, Europe-wide or partly world-wide as well. This large dispersion is marvelous. And that was our main objective. Of course it’s also nice to be into the playlist with other more known bands, which you like to listen as well J .
These days many compilation albums appear. How do you decide on which you want to be featured?
It depends as well of the fame of the Compilation, and of course it is important for us if our music fits together with the style of the other bands on the CD. Those are the most important aspects.
You did sign a contract with Hungry Moon Records. How did you get in contact with them ? Is it a deal just for the E.P. or can we expect more of this collaboration?
Hungry Moon record is our own label, which we hold on ice at the moment, since the expenditure for the label work went sky high. We didn’t have the time for that. Therefore we are in negotiation with the label Danse Macabre at the moment , so that this work can be taken over from other persons.
You just finished the ep “alley of aces”. Can you explain the title?
The title was taken by the same named song , which can be found on our E.P. And the meaning of the song is following: … well who hasn’t dreamed ever to be taken by a prince on his horse and riding together along the alley of the aces who snatched themselves a place there for their perseverance and their combat spirit ... and to leave your own worries and your past behind you. And some day you will ask yourself why this prince did not come to you. Well, you have to take the luck into your own hands predominantly, naturally also with the help of his friends. No matter, how deeply you sank down - there is always a way out of it.
You were aiming to have it released in July 2009 but just finished it. What was causing this delay? How did you deal with the delay? It must have been quite frustrating every now and then?
Yes it has been very frustrating. For a little while we had a creative low and we had to optimize the financing of the production costs. We had to fix these problems at first. Therefore we had the frequent delay of the release. Life is not always easy.
The music is clearly electro but has influences of breakbeat as triphop as well. What is the secret of melting this different influences together into the Yvy Demina sound?
We love different music styles (Drum-N-Bass, Trip-Hop, Punk, Nu Metal etc. ) but we don’t set ourselves in genres. We do simply music and do experiment with sounds and lyrics and to sheath all into a “melodic rope”. Sometimes we do nothing with the working title and the song and leave it for a month or two to work on another idea…but some day when we have the creativity and muse we return to this old music idea again :).
What are your expectations on this E.P.? What should it bring for you to make you happy?
It’s a great feeling to get positive feedback to know if you are on the right way. Lots of people should hear our music. These things do make us really happy. It hasn’t to do with money. But the utmost is when my daughter comes to me and telling:” Mommy, I am your biggest fan and I want to be like you.” :)
On your myspace are several remixes. What is the fun to do a remix? Why do you like doing this?
Well I answered that to another question. It makes fun to work together with other musicians.
You give full scope of your creativity. The newest remix we did for the 80s culture band NO MORE (Suicide Commando), who will release their actuall remix CD „Sunday Mitternacht“ soon. Its a good feeling and we are proud to do a good remix for a well known or fantastic band. But we have some more things to do – but we won’t tell what excactly :)!
Has Yvy Demina already done liveshows or will you do them sometime in the near future?
We didn’t have any live shows. We had the topic but superficially we did our studio work..and we still see us as a studio band. But I won’t exclude that we will have some gigs some day if I want. But at first we want to find out if the people do like us and what we want…that’s our prime concern.
What will be next for Yvy Demina?
Well I play with the idea of doing a bit harder in future… with a real drummer and a guitarist. The style of music should become more freaky, punk-like and nu metal-like but still with enough electronic. We don‘t want to deny our electronical roots *smiles. Like I mentioned before we like to experiment.
We loved this interview :)
www.myspace.com/yvydemina