Interviews: Arshenic

In this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Rock/Alternative Metal band Arshenic from Poland. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE. 

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

I wanted a deadly and feminine symbol for the name. Arsenic was the poison used usually by women to kill their unfaithful lovers. Arsenic is also a cure. That duality can be easily heard in our songs. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Playing music inspired by such trends as art rock, alternative metal, progressive rock, goth metal, melodic metal, and dark rock is something that comes from all of us. We listen to many different music styles and feel good with the mix of these genres. 3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? Most of the band members were found by the music announcements. Ofilia (vocalist and the lyricist of the band) was the one who formed the band between 2006/2007. The band was a typical students rock band and had much personal rotation back then. In 2014 Ofilia and Bartek (who played together since 2008), met Mark (bass player) who was a friend of a friend. In 2015 Vlad came back to the band, as he left a year before the band was suspended for almost two years. 

4. Each band member favorite band?

Ofilia: In This Moment, Guano Apes

Bartek: Godsmack, In flames, Klone

Vlad: While She Sleeps, Children Of Bodom, Rammstein

Mark: Ministry, Kraftwerk, The Cure; 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

Every member has different inspirations.

Ofilia: Usually boys send me riffs. I pick the ideas which I like and then I compose melodies. We know each other for years now and we spend a lot of time together so we know what others will like. We have a specific sound and tempos. I’m usually inspired by the feelings the song gives me. I'm starting the process with listening to the song and paying attention to emotions it brings and pictures it puts in my head. I start with that impression and just sing without thinking about the words. Usually, there is a sentence or even a few words that pop into my mind and inspire me to write lyrics. 

Vlad: Of course our inspiration is coming from everything that we do and experience in our life. It could be a story, an emotion, a movie, a conclusion about life or music itself. Then, if the need to express is big enough creating new music is very natural. So the key is to explore who we are and what really moves us. 

6. Where was your last gig? 

We had a mini tour in March, which we called Dark Female Festival. We invited two more heavy bands with female front and played 3 concerts across Poland. It was a great opportunity to meet new people and fans, including the concert in Warsaw, where we haven't played for two or three years. 

7. Where would you like to act?

Some big open-air festivals like Graspop, Wacken or Woodstock in Poland. It would be insane!!!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Maybe, Ville Valo.

9. Whom not?

Any Disco polo artist.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

The only way to get rid of stage fright is to perform a lot. People are mostly scared of what they don’t know. After dozens of concerts, you can predict a lot so there is not much to be scared of. If you are well prepared, you know the songs, you trust your band that they give their best, there is no place for stage fright. I guess after all these years we are not scared about the performance itself, we get a lot of adrenaline and fun when we can play for our audience. The only stressful things are those before the concert. Will the club be full? Will it have a good sound system? Things like that. 

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Ofilia: I’m addicted to music I listen to it all the time, I spend my time watching music videos and concert. I can not pick just a few bands. I find inspiration in female singers that are strong, confident, full of talent and vocal skills and there are many of them. 

Vlad: That would be a lot. We are always looking for new inspirations, but for me, at the beginning, it was Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Metallica, Children of Bodom, Korn. But through the years when your style and taste evolve and you love hundreds of songs, it is hard to say who inspired you the most. There always something new. 

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Ofilia: To spit on him when he will be licking my boy's feet during the concert. 

13. What do you think of your fans? 

There is no band without people that support it. We are grateful for every person that shares our music, comes to concerts, listen to us on digital platforms, or buys a CD. We appreciate the fact that people respond to us, that they get what we are about. Metal music fans are usually kind of outsiders. We don’t feel comfortable in the colorful and thoughtless mainstream world, so sometimes it makes us feel lonely. It means a lot to us that there are more people like us and we find each other with our music. 

14. What do you think of our site?

Lots of new interesting bands from many countries. Definitely, it's worth to check them out!!!

15. Something add?

Have an inspiring day and see you at the concerts!!!