I’m a complete creature of comfort… but I think I’ve earned that. I dive into different subject matter, but I’m still angry, I’m still disappointed, and I’m still searching through my lyrics, but there’s more confidence, more fun, some silliness and sexyness at times. For friends that have heard the CD, they think it’s the natural progression, working with the talented Seb again for the production, the sounds are strong and in your face. There’s more exploration with synth solos, and my one friend described the vibe of many of the electro songs as moody and retro in the lines of Depeche Mode. That is a very flattering complement indeed. The bonus disc? Lots of goodies again such as photos, stickers, buttons, and this time.. something plastic! But we are still working on the details of that.
H
ow was Cuba? Haha! Is this actually an interview question or are you just asking me? Cuba was wonderful. I love the culture there and it was a needed break from everything including technology. Plus warmth! But landing in Santiago De Cuba on the South East Coast was a little depressing. Hurricane Sandy hit that area pretty hard and the damage was clear driving through the country. The resort used to have a restaurant and bar on the beach that was completely destroyed in the hurricane but it was neat watching everyone work together to rebuild what was lost. It was an interview question for sure (laugh). Now, after the «Hunger» 1-track release, we will soon have some more Ayria material hitting your fans. It’s been a while since your last album. Frustrating to see the process being so long I guess? YES! New material, with the new CD “Plastic Makes Perfect” to be released in early 2013, with hopefully another song or two released digitally as a sneak peak before then! It
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was an incredibly slow production process this time around, although when things got moving, they ripped along very quickly. I’ve learned to be patient, and that good things will come eventually. Sometimes things aren’t in your control, and that can be frustrating since I’m a “want it now” kind of person, but my fans have been understanding, patient and I hope they’ll find it worth the wait. I plan to push this release hard. I’m planning touring already for this Summer and hopefully fall. I’m already booked to play the Gothic Cruise this September, which sounds like an incredible experience of getting to hang out with everyone for a solid week AND get a sort of vacation! It’s going to be a good year. I can feel it ;) 13 has always been a lucky number for me… Can you already shed a light on what we can expect on the album and its added bonus disc for the limited edition? Like previous Ayria releases, it’s kind of hard to summarize the overall sound or genre. I feel like I never
write the same song twice on a CD. If a song is the first song released and comes out as the single, everyone’s like “Oh that must be what the new stuff sounds like” and I never think it is! (example, «My Revenge On The World» or the «Gun Song»). To be honest, the first single, is always the track that gets produced and finished first! There’s no deep thought out strategy behind it. I love all my songs equally, so to me, it never matters what song comes out first! This time, it was “Hunger”. On “Plastic Makes Perfect”, there’s an array of genres I’ve explored again, some electro-pop, some harder industrial or EBM, or whatever you want to call it, some guitars, a moody ballad, a genre I felt I didn’t cover on “Hearts For Bullets” unlike the very moody “Flicker”. There’s a song that’s unrecognizable as me singing on it. There is some song writing, and melody progressions that I’m very, very proud of on this CD. Overall, I’m more comfortable with what I do now. I write for myself, not for fitting into a specific genre. I’m sure all bands say that,
electronic music with attitude
As you said, you went into the studio with Sebastian Komor, how was that? Most artists I know try to learn from producers and knowing you are quite a curious kinda of person, I guess the same counts for you? It’s always a neat experience to work with Seb. He just gets me. I learn a lot from him technically. His vocal production is some of the best in the scene. along the lines of mainstream level in my opinion. I think together, we are a really cool combo sonically. Those familiar with Seb’s own work, know it sounds nothing like Ayria but with my songs, he gets to work with my type of structures and melodies inspired by genres and artists that we both love as our production goals! This time, he did an amazing job again. We’ve both had several years to come together with new techniques, skills and songwriting! I’m excited with the outcome. Aesthetics and styling are something that are part of Ayria. You talk about your hair and make-up and so do your fans. I even saw ‘how to make up like Ayria’ video guides on YouTube. Very special fans you have there… Hahaha! I have to admit that the look of Ayria isn’t my normal look. I spend most of my time at home in my pajamas :) I’m a complete crea-
electronic music with attitude
ture of comfort. I prefer function over fashion day to day. But when it comes to Ayria, I love experimenting with fashion and make-up. Thanks to my friends at Plastik Wrap for making me look so good on the road too! I just love their unique clothing. I love colours, and have a strong preference for solid colours and dramatic textures. (Debris was blue, Flicker Green, Hearts For Bullets was pink and Hunger/Plastic Makes Perfect is going with Purple) At the request of my fans, I recorded a make-up tutorial showing them how I do my main pink and purple eyes and red lips look. I prefaced it with the fact that this is my go-to look on tour when I’m stuck with badly lit backstages and cramped spaces, and have to quickly pull off a decent stage look! I thought it was funny since I’m not a makeup pro at all! My main technique is usually just to cake it on until I look like a cartoon character! I paint with my fingers too! No pro-tools that I’d know how to use! My fans then came back and did their own “Ayria Inspired Make-Up Looks” complete with glitter, pink, hearts and stars, and red lips! It was amazing! They are very skilled. I sent the “winners” (a few of my faves) a prize pack for being so creative! It was fun! There’s not a lot of girls in this musical genre, and I happen to be one of them, that happens to have a pretty colourful and feminine aesthetic too. I think my fans find that fun, which is why all the positive feedback to that aesthetic component of my music. Your musical influences come from a wide array of bands, not necessarily from this scene. I suppose it’s the perfect way to stay open minded when it comes to making your music? Definitely! There’s still not enough women in this genre, which I find important for me personally to find inspiration from. I love singing along to women vocal stylings! Hahaha ;) I also love male vocals too of course! It’s always about the melodies, lyrics and song progressions.. I go outside of the scene for vocal inspiration to be honest. I don’t think since I’ve star-
ted writing my music a decade ago that I’ve ever been shy about saying that I’m inspired from anything from early industrial, synth-pop, 80’s, current pop music, anything! I love melodies, I love any song that can make me feel. Goosebumps are preferred. That’s when you know it’s a good song. Anyways, I’m currently putting together a Deezer playlist to promote some of my favourite stuff shortly, mostly unknown female vocals in the sake of promoting more of the ladies. Lots of bands started introducing dubstep in their sound. Did it ever seduce you to do so? Hmm. I’m a song writer and vocalist mainly. Dubstep to me isn’t song writing, it’s a production technique so, to be honest, it’s not really something I think about when I write songs. Although, I hear a band like Nero, a song like “My eyes” and go “Oh my God! What a great song!!” So the style has intrigued me, I love hearing what new production trends can add when incorporated into song structures. On my 2005’s «Flicker» when we produced “It’s Been Fun” we were inspired by the phasing synths of Benny Benassi at the time! It’s more in the production details than song writing I guess. That being said. Seb was working on “Hunger”, he texted me “How do you feel about dubstep?” Me:”ummm... it’s cool, why?” Seb:”Because I just did something to your song”... he was referring to the break down beat of the chorus, in «Hunger» which I loved! I had originally kept it with the driving beat, but he transformed it. I don’t think it’s that dub-steppy, but definitely influenced by it. See that’s what I love, taking styles, trends or new production techniques and using them in moderation, or for effect. It’s weird when bands completely jump on the train 100% and are doing nothing but dubstep.. that’s when a genre gets run into the ground unfortunately. Dubstep is this really cool sound effect in songs.. But I often feel the songs need more structure, hooks.. and of course vocals! ;)
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