Atlantis Online will present a growing number of interviews with female artists in music, primarily from the rock and metal field. We present them back to back and this is the tenth page. Enjoy.
- ON THIS PAGE -
Kathrin Elfman/Milo´s Craving - Andrea Lynne Turner/Angels Of Nightfall - Fabienne Shine/Shakin´Street
Kathrin Elfman
What is your full name and where do you currently reside?
- Kathrin Elfman. Germany. Planet earth. The latter might be temporary.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you discovered music.
- I am a passionate person. Libra in sign and high sign. Musician, writer, dancer. In fact, music discovered me, along with literature at a very early age. I happened to be introduced to church music through my father, who conducted the local choir. One day, I strolled around during a rehearsal and got fascinated by the church organ. You guess what happened… My father was embarrassed, but a very kind, grey-haired sporano lady was thrilled and said I had talent and were predestined to get lessons on that majestic instrument. Which I did, from the age of six on. Today I know I have been privileged, as this was a great honour. But back then I was not very thankful, I just wanted to play stuff like the intro of “In a gadda da vida” instead of Bach… (However, learning the chords and melodies of classical church music makes an excellent base for writing progressive rock music of my current band MILO’S CRAVING). At 14 I started playing guitar and sang in my first band, at 16 I got my first sci-fi short story published. After graduating from high school I became a professional writer and musician. Of course that turned out to be wild, weird and adventurous. In fact, 20 years later it still is… But I would not want it any other way. Never.
Can you mention a few people or artists that inspired you and what they meant to you?
- Many different artists and styles. First of all, keyboard player, composer and sound designer Klaus P. Rausch who also happens to be the love of my life. His contribution to my music and MILO’S CRAVING is priceless. Most intellectual inspiration comes from writers, e.g. E.A.Poe, Alexandre Dumas, Ray Bradbury and Philip K. Dick. Musically, rock music of the late 70s and 80s made a big impact on me. Genesis, Kansas, Heart, TOTO, Boston, Lake, ELP… … and “modern” songwriters, like Greg Lake, Neal Morse and Rick Springfield. I think these guys are amazing. Springfield’s lyrics are very inspiring, as I can highly identify with the rage, the craving and passion he puts between his lines. Wild, yet elegant and classy.
If you could pick three records to take with you to a desert island, which would they be?
- Can I have the island instead, please? My favourites change every week. O.k… definitely “Dark Side of the moon”, TOTO’s “Mindfields” or “Through the Looking glass”, and…? something by Rick Springfield of course… Hey, I can swim like a rescue party, does that count???
There has been a huge surge, almost a paradigm shift in rock and metal the last few years, in that women are now counted in the hundreds in a field that used to be very much male oriented. Would you like to comment on this?
- Well, I do not want to disappoint you, but that might be an optical illusion! Behind most female rock artistst there is a guy who pulls the strings. How many women do you know who write and perform their own music? And how many men? It’s still 9:1 for men. The reason may be that they have been raised under the obsolete, yet mighty dogma that every woman needs a guy in their life to “make” her successful. I don’t know why girls still buy into that shit and dwarfen themselves so much! I may sound like a macho here, but though I am a feminist, I prefer working with men in the studio. Male musicians focus on the music, then on the partying, end of story. While most female colleagues I have worked with, were just hooked on the feedback they got from men and gave a shit about the music! I would love to work with women who dare to use their brains more than other body parts. Independent, serious artists like Carly Simon, Kate Bush or Björk are still the big exception.
When did you record music for the first time?
- 1982. It was with a local german punkrock band called “secret wire” (don’t ask), and I am very glad that these tapes melted down in someones glove compartment one summer many many years ago!
If you have to pick out a few favourite tunes from your catalogue, which would they be?
- “Pictures and Voices”, “Wings of Stone” and “Prince of Darkness” from the Milo’s Craving album “The more you know”.
Many seasoned artists still fear that moment right before showtime, how did you learn how to deal with that and how is it for you these days?
- I once used to nearly die of stagefright. Then something amazing happened: Five minutes before an important gig, I suffered from an extreme migraine attack. I cried, I puked against the wall and only wanted to die… but as soon as I put my feet upon the stage, I felt completely calm, healthy, energetic and happy. And this repeated many times. (Not the puking, I mean feeling good!) All migraine, love sickness, flu and other bad stuff magically was cured by stage lights and frequencies. No doctor can explain this, but the stage is a very healthy place for me. Of course I still feel vvvvvvvvvery nervous before gigs, but in a good way. It’s the energy level rising inside my system.
What´s the best tour/s you´ve ever been involved in and why?
- By now, I did many cool gigs but no actual tour, sorry.
What´s the situation for your type of music where you live right now?
- So depressing you would not wanna know, as it would bring you down:-) Serisously, there is no market for progressive music in germany at the moment. We do well in France and Japan though.
What are you currently up to?
- Writing my brains out on new material for the next MILO’S CRAVING album, and proof reading my latest german Sci-Fi-novel “Der tausendjährige fernseher" to be released fall 2008.
What´s the best feedback you ever had from a listener?
- It came from a complete stranger. He said: “Oh my god, that must be my life you wrote about, how come you know my darkest secret? How come you write songs about anyone’s darkest secrets?” I am an empathic, intuitive songwriter. And if someone can identify that much with a song I wrote, which always is totally fictional and autobigraphical at the same time, I feel pretty much synced up with the universe.
Do you take a personal interest in your MySpace page and what do you think of this new invention?
- Myspace is a great thing, I love it! You can find many interesting new artists who succesfully put their music out here without any record company and find an audience. I visit my site and the band websites every day. It’s so cool how easily you can get in touch with both musicians and listeners. Much easier than it used to be! However, some major label ceo might hate myspace, as artists can now communicate directly without paying commission on every word…
Do you think the recording industry is out of touch and what would you change if you could?
- Waaaaaaaaaaaaay out of touch, exactly. A conversation with an A&R guy these days seems like a trip into a parallel universe where overpaid suitguys rule the world and musicians are slaves… no need to change anything though, they will vanish like the dinosaurs did. Meanwhile let’s make some good musik, shall we?
Do you surf the Internet and if so where do you usually go?
- I am no big nerd, but being a writer, for me the internet is very helpful. I also shop online and not waste my time in malls anymore. Plus, I am extremely shy with new people so I find it much easier to contact someone via email than speaking on the phone. Which is better for the singing voice too.
Do you have other major interests outside music?
- Literature, philosophy, nature, dancing, animal rescue. I support two german and one austrian animal shelters. I am also into quantum physics. Not the Hawkings-Bleep-stuff, I am talking actual science.
What authors do you like and have you read anything good lately?
- I have just finished the official biography of Philip K. Dick by Lawrence Sutin. Also read a SciFi-novel from 1972, “The sheep look up” by John Brunner. I once bought it, but never got into it. Now I did. I also love ETA Hoffman. Split personalities, drugs, ghosts, heartbreakes, travels to hell and back, aka my kind of literature! Did you know that in 1799 Hoffmann wrote a musical play named “The Mask”, on which the equally named hollywood movie with Jim Carrey is based? Hoffmann was way ahead of his times.
What favourite actors in film and television do you have, and what do you enjoy to watch?
- I am very much into good Sci-Fi with some philosophical depth. “Vanilla Sky” is one of my favourite movies, also “Pi” by Darren Aronofsky and “Devil’s Advocate” with Al Pacino. Actors? So many… but one I do adore: Sam Neill. His talent is almost supernatural. Have you seen him in “Event Horizon”? Stunning!
What favourite food do you have?
- Pizza, Sushi, and all portuguese food. I would move to Portugal just for the food!!!
Do you have an interest in the paranormal, the unknown?
- Of course I do: The greatest, most intense, dangerous, consuming, fulfilling and yet most unknown supernatural mystery of all is LOVE. And I guess it always be be.
Have you ever seen a UFO or do you know anybody that has had an experience that they´ve told you about?
- No, too boring. UFOs have become ubiquitous. Let’s look beyond them!
What´s your take on that?
- Yawn!
If you could give a piece of advice a younger sister that would like to follow in your footsteps, what would that be?
- Try everything you want to (and I mean EVERYTHING) asap. Including rock’n’roll, sex, drugs, intense soulsearching. Find out what it feels like, and what it means to you. Do not wait until you are “old enough”, time does not exist. Learn piano, guitar and free thought. Read as much as you can. Speak your mind. Bring home your own bacon, without being a diplomat or a whore. Never rely on a man to make your dream come true. Dare to be yourself. And choose your religion.
Would you like to add something to this interview?
- Yes, a big thankyou, as this was fun for me!! Oh, and personally, I would like to know if the interviewed person ever did a very shitty job to pay their rent…. I have worked for 3 weeks as a forklift driver, before I sold my first novel to a publisher...
At MySpace / Kathrin Elfman
Andrea Lynne Turner
What is your full name and where do you currently reside?
- Andrea Lynne Turner, Melbourne,FL USA.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you discovered music.
- I am a free spirit, who believes life is full of dreams and adventures to live and conquer. I am an avid animal lover and supporter, having a special place in my heart for cats. I was brought up in a musical family, and have always loved music since I was very young.
Can you mention a few people or artists that inspired you and what they meant to you?
- Growing up in England, I listened to the Beatles (actually lived down the street from George), and other English artists of that time. Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Moody Blues, Dio. I loved rock with symphonic overtones with lots of melodic phrasing.
If you could pick three records to take with you to a desert island, which would they be?
- Xandria, Amythystium, Angels of Nightfall.
There has been a huge surge, almost a paradigm shift in rock and metal the last few years, in that women are now counted in the hundreds in a field that used to be very much male oriented. Would you like to comment on this?
- I love it...and it's about time!! I love the hard edgy gutteral sounds of metal combined with the female voice, especially the more melodic, operatic, romantic goth vocals. I love to tell a story in a song.
When did you record music for the first time?
- I did some flute and vocals on various local artist projects back in the seventies, eighties.
If you have to pick out a few favourite tunes from your catalogue, which would they be?
- "Neverdie", "Whisper in the Darkness".
Many seasoned artists still fear that moment right before showtime, how did you learn how to deal with that and how is it for you these days?
- Well, I guess I am about to find out., since I have never fronted and sang in a rock band before....this will be my first!! I have played flute at open mic nights here and there and played and sang at a couple of weddings over the years, but never on stage in front of a crowd. I am sure I will be freaking out a little at first, but once I get started and get lost in the music, I am sure I will absolutely be in my element!!
What´s the best tour/s you..ve ever been involved in and why?
- Have not been on tour, as of yet.
What´s the situation for your type of music where you live right now?
- The town I live in is a sleepy little town, with nothing but blues, jazz, and southern rock here and there.
What are you currently up to?
- Do I have to tell you that? Just kidding. The guys and I are getting ready to release a video of the song "Fear", and are ready to release a demo by June/July of this year. We are working on some projects involving our music for film and TV, and have other projects on the back burner.
What´s the best feedback you ever had from a listener?
- On My Space, there was a fan who wanted to use Neverdie as his Eulogy song for his father's funeral. That was so touching and we felt very honored by his request.
Do you take a personal interest in your MySpace page and what do you think of this new invention?
- I love MySpace....it has been a big tool in our networking and fan base. I think we are so blessed to have such an awesome form of communication in this day and age.
Do you think the recording industry is out of touch and what would you change if you could?
- I think that there are so many more independent home studios available nowadays, that you don't have to go to a major studio to put out a great cd, which is another great thing about today's technology.
Do you surf the Internet and if so where do you usually go?
- All the time...it is one of my favourite past times., not to mention....addiction! I have a network of online friends and fans, whom I stay in touch with as much as possible. I have had some seriously deep conversations online and made some really great connections in all parts of the world. Makes me feel like an online traveler!
Do you have other major interests outside music?
- Writing, film, alternative health and spiritual issues, animal activism, green living and environmental issues.
What authors do you like and have you read anything good lately?
- I really like self-help and new age reading. Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, along with other various preventative health authors, pertaining to body, mind and spirit. I also read musician biographies. I love Fantasy, and Dark Goth Fantasy, but would rather see the film than read the book. I read only non-fiction.
What favourite actors in film and television do you have, and what do you enjoy to watch?
- Favorite films: "Braveheart", "Interview With A Vampire", "Underworld", "Resident Evil", "The Crow", "Prey for Rock". Actors/actresses: Robert Deniro, Meryl Streep, Kate Hudson, Kate Beckinsdale. I like alot of independent short films and a few TV series that are seasonal.
What favourite food do you have?
- I love all kinds of salads, Indian and Vietnamese food, Italian.
I´m sure you..ve heard many bad pickup lines, did you ever actually hear a good one that made you think that this person is perhaps interesting?
- Never!!
Do you have an interest in the paranormal, the unknown?
- Yes...definitely.
Have you ever seen a UFO or do you know anybody that has had an experience that they´ve told you about?
- I thought I saw one years and years ago....but not sure now whether it was real or just the weed I was partaking of! Seriously, I have had a few "very real moments of wonderment" pertaining to this subject.
What´s your take on that?
- I believe there is life on other planets, as much as I believe in the Earth. I think there are things going on in another plane of existence that we as the public, have no idea about, yet!
If you could give a piece of advice a younger sister that would like to follow in your footsteps, what would that be?
- Follow your heart, but at the same time.....guard it!
Would you like to add something to this interview?
- I feel very honored to have been asked to participate in this interview, and I look forward to sharing our music with others in the very near future!!
At MySpace - Andrea Lynne Turner
Fabienne Shine
When did you record music for the first time?
- WHEN I WAS 16 I HEARD A BAND " PINK FLOYD "DO SOME INSTRUMENTAL, SO I RECORDED IT AND THEN I RECORDED MY VOICE ON THE TOP OF THE MUSIC AND I REMEMBER EVERYBODY LIKED IT AND THEN I MET RICHARD WRIGHT THE KEYBOARD PLAYER OF PINK FLOYD AND HE WAS IMPRESSED.... AND THEN I REALIZED THAT MAYBE I SHOULD HANG IN THERE.
If you have to pick out a few favourite tunes from your catalogue, which would they be?
- MY CATALOGUE?? YOU MEAN MY OWN SONGS ....ALWRIGHT I LOVE SUZIE WONG, I WANT TO BOX YOU, THE TRAIN IS GONE, EVERY WOMWN, EVERY MAN IS A STAR. DANCING FOR ETERNITY. SIX FEET UNDER MY LAST ALBUM IS A FAVORITE, IT GIVES CHILLS.
Many seasoned artists still fear that moment right before showtime, how did you learn how to deal with that and how is it for you these days?
- I USUALLY GET SICK ABOUT ONE HOUR BEFORE, MY STOMACH IS IN MY KNEES, I USUALLY GET DRUNK....HO WELL.
What´s the best tour/s you´ve ever been involved in and why?
- MY FAVORITE TOUR WAS WITH BLACK SABBATH AND BLUE OYSTER CULT, THE BLACK AND BLUE TOUR, IT WAS THE REEL THING!
What´s the situation for your type of music where you live right now?
- I LIVE IN LOS ANGELES SO THE TYPE OF MUSIC IS EXACTLY IT. HARD ROCK, ANY KIND OF ROCK, UNFORTUNATLY
MY BAND IS IN PARIS SO I FEEL FRUSTRATED NOT TO BE WITH , I'D LIKE TO BE CLOSER TO THEM, I LOVE THEM, WE´RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT YOU KNOW.What are you currently up to?
- I JUST FINISHED TO RECORD AN ALBUM WITH SHAKIN'STREET AND I WAS VERY HAPPY DURING THE MAKING OF IT. WE CHANGED OF COURSE BUT SOMEHOW WE KEPT OUR DRAMATIC STYLE OF MUSIC. I HOPE TO MAKE MUSIC WITH THEM FOREVER. WE ARE GONE TO SWEDEN TO A FABULOUS ROCK FESTIVAL WITH MAJOR ARTISTS AND WE ARE KISSING THE EARTH. JUNE 6TH.
What´s the best feedback you ever had from a listener?
- I HEARD JIMMY PAGE SAYING THAT WE WERE A VERY GOOD BAND, SO I ALMOST DROPPED DEAD. ALSO I FOUND OUT THAT SOME KIDS 12 AND 13 YEARS OF AGE ADORED US AND COPYIED US AND ALSO A BAND IN AUSTRALIA IS DOING OUR COVER "SOLID AS A ROCK " I THOUGHT THAT WAS PRETTY SPECIAL.
Do you take a personal interest in your MySpace page and what do you think of this new invention?
- MY DRUMMER JEAN-LOU IS TAKING CARE OF THAT, I LOVE IT IT'S MAGIC TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE THROUGH A SCREEN IT'S 21ST CENTURY LOVE CHANNEL.
Do you think the recording industry is out of touch and what would you change if you could?
- THE RECORDING INDUSTRY IS OUT! YEAH OUT. BUT WE ARE NOT OUT WE WILL ALWAYS BE HERE BECAUSE IS A NATURAL EXPRESSION AND I WOULD LOVE TO STOP PEOPLE TO DOWN LOAD MUSIC, I WOULD LIKE MUSIC TO COST LESS, IT;S TOO EXPENSIVE TO BUY AT THE STORE, IT SHOULD BE CHEAPER BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE FREE.
Do you surf the Internet and if so where do you usually go?
- U-TUBE, GOOGLE.
Do you have other major interests outside music?
- I LOVE DRAMA, MOVIES ESPECIALLY CLASSICS BLACK AND WHITE, PHOTOGRAPHY, I AM A VISIONNAIRE, I LIKE TO CREATE SETS. I LOVE ANIMALS AND TO HELP THEM .
What authors do you like and have you read anything good lately?
- THE OTHER LIFE OF BRIAN BY GRAHAM PARKER. I GOT THAT FOR CHRISTMAS, MY NEPHIEW GAVE IT TO ME
AND ALSO I AM READING THE LIFE OF THE ACTOR PIERRE CLEMENTI BY JEANNE HOFFSTETTER, VERY ROMANTIC. I LIKE STEPHEN KING VERY MUCH "GREEN MILES ".What favourite actors in film and television do you have, and what do you enjoy to watch?
- I LIKE ANYTHING UNDERGROUND, DAVID LINCH, VIM VANDERS, IN THE STATES WE HAVE A FABULOUS CHANNEL "SUNDANCE" ALL DAY LONG WE HAVE MASTERPIECES OF UNDERGROUND MOVIE DIRECTORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, IT'S LIKE BEEING HIGH ALL DAY, IT'S INDEPENDANT FILM CHANNEL.
What favourite food do you have?
- SEA-FOOD IN CALIFORNIA, MY FAVORITE FOOD, CRAB, SHRIMPS,WHITE FISH AND ALL THE GREENS SO GOOD FOR YOU AND OF COURSE HERE WE HAVE FRUIT JUICES TO DIE FOR, PINNAPLE, MANGO, COCONUT, PAPAYA, ORANGE AND BANANA, YOU CAN'T GET SICK. AT EVERY CORNER OF THE STREET YOU HAVE MEXICANS SELLING FRESH FRUIT ALREADY PEALED.
Do you have an interest in the paranormal, the unknown?
- I WAS RAISED IN IT MY MOTHER ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT IT LIKE IF IT IS PART OF LIFE. SHE WAS RIGHT. YEAH I WOULD BE BORED IF IT DIDN'T EXIST.
Have you ever seen a UFO or do you know anybody that has had an experience that they´ve told you about?
- YES I HAVE SEEN A UFO AND I SHAT IN MY PENCE I GOT SO SCARED I RUN AWAY FROM IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
NIGHT IN LOST HILL CALIFORNIA AND I GOT TO A LITTLE TOWN I SAW 3 CARS STOPPED TAKING PICTURES OF IT, SO I WAS HAPPY THAT I WAS NOT CRAZY. IT WAS GREEN AND VERY BIG IN THE SKY AND THEY WERE FOLLOWING ME I THINK THEY WANTED ME. I SWEAR IT'S THE TRUTH.What´s your take on that?
- I WOULD BE SO BORED IF IT DIDN'T EXIST, I FEEL BETTER KNOWING THAT THIS WORLD HAS ANOTHER WORLD.
If you could give a piece of advice a younger sister that would like to follow in your footsteps, what would that be?
- BE CAREFUL.
Would you like to add something to this interview?
- I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A JOURNALIST AND INTERWIEW MY FAVORITE PEOPLE, POLITIC, MOVIE, LITERATURE, MUSIC OF COURSE BECAUSE I LIKE TO FIND OUT ABOUT PEOPLE I WILL NEVER MEET OTHERWISE.
At MySpace / Fabienne Shine
Interviews made by Mike Eriksson (february-april 2008).
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