Interviews: Liva
On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Symphonic Power Metal band Liva from Canada. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.
1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, did you plan it or come out just like that?
Liva is my family name. It's an Italian name that comes from my father. I'd seen other bands
when I was young that were named after the leader, like Dio, Bon Jovi, Dokken, Slaughter. It
was then possible in my mind to do so. But I named the band like this also because I saw the
opportunity to create something visual with the name, like a logo.
Even if my father at the time did not want me to use his name... LOL.
2. Why did you want to play this genre?
Metal music comes naturally to me. I've always listened to it, I've always seen a lot of shows, and I've always identified with this culture. But above all, my musical ideas come out easily in this
kind of music. I could say that I did not choose metal, it chose me!
3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?
If we're talking about the band's initial formation in 1997, it was a group of musician friends
(including Céline Dion's current bassman, Yves Labonté), then it was more of a family affair
for the Requiem album in 2002, with my wife our brother-in-law. But if we're talking about
the line-up for the latest album, Ecce Mundus, it's more friends I've known for a long time
who were in my circle of musician friends.
4. Each band member's favorite band?
Everybody loves Iron Maiden.
5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?
Music is inside me. I just have to listen to it.
I think what inspires me most is nature. I grew up and lived in the woods. I learned to listen to
nature and silence. I feel like an intermediary between nature and music.
I’m always inspired by nature, mystical themes, and reflection in poems. I can read a thousand
poems before working on songs. And at the end, only ten or twelve poems remain.
For our new album Ecce mundus, I focused on my principal musical roots: classical music,
opera, and electronica. I’ve tried to push the sound of the band to the next level in relation to
what I used to do. In comparison to the other albums, the vocal lines are developed in a
longer mode, the guitar parts are heavier than ever because of the nine-string guitar's low end,
and the orchestral parts are majestic, more than ever! On the lyrical side, I returned to
ancient poetry from the Middle Ages. I guess this is what the fans expected of Liva’s sound.
I’m a composer who takes his time because old ideas become new ideas. I’ve always worked
with my top ten ideas running around in my head. As an example, for the Samson & Dalila
songs, I had the concept around 2008. It was simmering in my head all these years and it was
only in 2020, when Nadine Guertin joined the band, that I could then gather all the elements
to finish the two songs (Samson & Dalila I and II).
6. Where was your last gig?
In Québec City, last November 15, 2024.
7. Where would you like to act?
In Europe, the United States, South America and Asia. We have fans over there.
8. Whom would you like to feature with?
Steve Roach or Tony Macalpine.
9. Whom not?
Axl Rose.
10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?
My stage fright occurs several weeks or months before an event. But I believe it's all about
physical, mental, and material preparation. When you're well prepared, there's almost no
stress.
11. What bands have inspired you the most?
It is easier for me to mention music styles rather than specific artists because there are so
many of them! My musical inspirations for so many years are classical music, opera,
contemporary music, baroque music, electronica like dub, ambient, IDM, acid jazz, house,
jazz, French music from Europe and from Québec, thrash metal, power metal, death metal, and pop music.
12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?
Sign her belly.
13. What do you think of your fans?
Our fans have always been loyal, so I think they will love any release of the band. I think they
appreciate the originality of our sound and our evolution from one album to another.
14. What do you think of our site?
Very good site and a cool original site!
15. Something to add?
Buy our CD and merch, it helps us!
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