Interviews: Kliodna

In this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Symphonic Metal band Kliodna from Belarus. 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?

A: We wanted our band's name to be beautiful, creative, epic, meaningful and a bit unusual. We looked through different words and collections and came across the name Kliodna. What can be more epic than an Irish goddess? 

N: This name came from Celtic mythology, where Kliodna was the goddess of the beauty, the sea, and the afterlife.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

N: I graduated from college where I had been studying opera-singing. Then I was working in the National Grand Opera and Ballet Theater for a while. When I was invited to the band to become a lead singer, I accepted this offer because the genre is rather close to me and it must be an interesting experience. We can experiment and do not limit ourselves. At least, it is an amazing feeling to perform the music which wasn't made by someone some centuries ago, but the music which is being made by me and my friends right now.

A: It is such a great idea to mix the tough metal sound with the wide and classic sound of symphonic instruments, which add special colors and a kind of nobility and sophistication. It allows us to express our feelings and emotions better and more accurately. Nevertheless, we can cut down their presence in any song to perform the real heavy metal. Therefore, it never could have gone in any other way. 

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

A: No, mostly we hadn't known each other before the foundation of the band. Only Natasha and Andrew had met shortly before they came. And Andrew and Nikolay knew each other because they are from the same town.

N: When the band was being formed, the things that were important were the professionalism of the musicians, the desire for development in this sphere and love for this music genre. We have been trying to get a team of like-minded people together, to do our best and now we have a good close-knit team and we are on the right track.

4. Each band member favorite band?

N: I can't say that I can distinguish one particular band, I listen to the music of different genres, but I have a playlist with songs especially dear to my heart, that means a lot to me. These songs can bring me to an alternate reality, to the places where I want to return, at least in my mind.

A: It is really complicated. I listen to rock music from hard rock and glam to melodic death metal and symphonic black. Epic symphonic music as well, a little bit of Celtic, folks and so on. It may be better to speak about bands that have influenced our work in Kliodna.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

N: My life inspires me. Everything that happens around, good and bad events. From good weather to any key moment in my life. Most of all I'm inspired by concerts when I'm on the stage and realize that all the people are on the same wavelength, that we are the one because the music and this crazy energy connect us. For these moments we should work and create.

A: I am often not inspired by things from my daily reality. Nowadays too many people are focused on material assets, wealth, they lose their spirituality and concentrate only on their image. They give up dreaming and thinking about something bigger. I can be inspired by history, ancient legends, books, art or cinema, which tells us about epic battles, courageous heroes, frightful prophecies, mystery ceremonies and things like that. Obviously, the social topic influences on me as well, interpersonal relationships, policy. And of course, the music I listen to.

6. Where was your last gig?

A: Our last gig was in Belarusian town Novopolotsk at the Mass Metal Mania festival. And Novopolotsk is the hometown of one of the bands that participated in the show with us.

N: It was a really cool local festival with quality sound, light, and a great show. Everything was at the top level. 

7. Where would you like to play? 

A: I would like to play everywhere where our fans wait for us. 

N: It would be great to go on a Euro tour. 

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

A: It's quite a difficult question. Recently many really good bands have appeared even on our local stage. It's nice to perform with them or to go to their shows. And there are even more such bands in the world. So, it's hard to choose. Each of us has his own preferences. As for me, they are Fabio Lione, Floor Jansen, Lliv Kristine, Timo Kotipelto, Blackie Lawless. 

9. Have any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

N: The best advice is constant practicing and to be confident in your work and skills. It doesn't matter if you are a singer, a guitar player, a drummer or anybody else. The fear starts at the lack of confidence, that's why you should be 200 percent professional to give 100 percent on the stage. You should perform as often as you can. Put on a Show for your family and friends. First of all, at home, then reach your audiences at work, school, college. Don't be afraid of failure, judgments, not everyone will like you, but you should go on and you will succeed! Don't be afraid to confess to the audience that you are nervous, they will notice it anyway, but sincerity is always appealing.

A: I guess it depends on everybody. I just needed time. The more we played together, the less fear I had. But I'd be lying if I say that I don't have stage fright at all. 

10. What bands have inspired you the most?

A: Many bands. I can name some which opened me the way to our genre. Stratovarius, Rhapsody of fire, Hammerfall, Nightwish, Within Temptation and album “Moment of glory” by Scorpions with an orchestra.

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

A: We haven't chatted closely with our fans yet, so they haven't had an opportunity to ask weird questions. It is usually just “How are you?” or “You are cool, guys!” 

12. What do you think of your fans? 

N: In my opinion, fans are the greatest treasure of any band. A band comes to life either on concerts or when somebody listens to their music with headphones on. Everything else is just a preparatory phase that nobody sees and few know. Recording, rehearsal, management and many other things which are done for our fans, in order to meet them again at our gigs and to include our songs in their players and in their hearts. 

A: I hope we will have many more fans after the release of our new album. I repeat that we are no different from them. I am a fan of metal music like them. We really appreciate our fans and want to say: thank you for inspiring and encouraging us! 

13. Please describe the meaning of the song: “Inside Out” and also the artwork that was chosen to represent the song! 

N: The song is inspired by the book of the prominent Russian author Maksim Gorky. It is based on the legend of a courageous hero Danko, who sacrificed his life and ripped his burning heart out of his chest to illuminate the path to his people and lead them out of the darkness. He turned himself inside out to save them from oppression and slavery.

A: On the cover, you can see a kind of magic society of adepts of evil. The society that oppressed those people. The society's image is rather abstract and vague because the author didn't give the reader accurate information. I guess it's a good point because every viewer can find his own meaning in this artwork.

14. Would you like to add anything else?

A: We are going to record our second album very soon and I hope we'll be able to release one or two music videos. It will definitely be a significant step forward in the quality of our new songs and our live performances. 

Thus, follow the news and you'll hopefully be pleased with our new music. Text us, share your thoughts. It is exciting to see the feedback from you, it is our greatest motivation! 

Thank you so much! The members of KLIODNA