Some days later the release of Embrace the Storm, Marcela Bovio, the singer of Arjen Luccassen's Stream of Passion project, tells RockLine.it some aspects of their music...
E.B. - Hello Marcela! First of all, congratulations for your debut album Embrace the Storm. Your voice is very beautiful, and I think it fits the sound of the album perfectly. Could you tell us when you started singing and playing the violin and how you improved your voice?
Marcela - Thanks for your comments! I started singing when I was very young, but I’ve been taking it more seriously and taking singing lessons for about 5 or 6 years; it’s really helped me be more comfortable about my performance. I took around 4 years of private violin lessons when I was on my teens; it’s a lovely instrument, and although I’m not the most talented violinist it’s something I really enjoy doing.
E.B. - Why did you choose “Embrace the Storm” as the name for your album?
Marcela - We thought it sums the themes of the songs very well. Throughout the lyrics there’s a lot of gloominess and melancholy, but there are also parts filled with light and happiness. “Embrace the storm” is a metaphor for accepting the difficulties you encounter in life and dealing with them.
E.B. - You created a Progressive Metal album, full of Dark influences. Did you expected to come to this sound? Do you think Elfonia’s music has taken some elements into Stream of Passion’s?
Marcela - Yes, the result is definitely a combination of all of our styles. We didn’t really have a particular vision for the sound when we started composing, things just evolved naturally.
E.B. - I know that you, Arjen and the other members of Stream of Passion worked together via the Internet because you live very far from each other. Can you explain what are the advantages and the drawbacks of this type of composition? When did you first meet all together?
Marcela - Personally I really enjoyed this writing approach, because I had the opportunity to focus on my contributions; I could concentrate on giving the best I could while writing the melodies and lyrics. It has its difficulties of course. You have to ensure you maintain a good communication with the rest of the musicians, and that you are clear in your e-mails and phone calls about what you want and what your opinions are. The first time we all met was for the shooting of the “Passion” video clip and the photo sessions, right at the end of the recordings. It was a wonderful moment; we all got along great, everyone’s really sweet and delighted to be part of this project.
E.B. - Why did you choose to insert so many piano sections? Maybe because it creates special sound effects with your voice?
Marcela - Mainly because Arjen wanted the sound to be very different from Ayreon. He didn’t want to use any synthesisers, and since he’d never recorded with a real piano before he thought it would be a cool idea to use it a lot. I think it worked out wonderfully; the sweet piano sound goes along great with the heavy rhythms and distorted guitars.
E.B. - What do the lyrics of Embrace the Storm talk about? Madness, love and loss? I can hear a romantic and melancholic atmosphere in every song…
Marcela - Yes, the subjects are all basic human emotions. Love, longing, questioning your life and reality. I really enjoy melancholic music, so the melodies and lyrics kind of take the music in that direction.
E.B. - What is your favourite song from Embrace the Storm? Why? How did you compose it?
Marcela - It’s hard for me to choose a favourite track, I’m really fond of all of them! “Nostalgia” is a track I like a lot; the fact that is sung in Spanish is nice, and I’m happy with how the lyrics came out. The song is based on a play by Federico García Lorca called “Doña Rosita la soltera”; it’s about a couple that’s very much in love, and then one day the man has to go away on business. He promises her he’ll be back, but he never returns and she’s left waiting for him her entire life.
E.B. - Did you enjoy making the video of “Passion”?
Marcela - Definitely, it was so much fun! The excitement of the recording was tied together to being as a full band for the first time, so it was a great experience.
E.B. - How will Stream of Passion change their sound in the future? Are you already working on new material or are you going to take a breath?
Marcela - We’re currently working on the arrangements for the live versions of the songs; I guess any talks of new material would come afterwards. I have no idea what direction the music would take, there are so many options!
E.B. - From January 25th you will start your European tour. Do you feel ready to perform on stage with Stream of Passion?
Marcela - Yes, I’m really looking forward to it! I heard rehearsals of the Dutch section of the band are doing very well; it’ll be great to join in and share all that energy with the guys in stage.
E.B. - You sang also in Ayreon’s The Human Equation. Could you describe us some aspects of this experience? Did you enjoy playing with so many important musicians?
Marcela - Of course, it was a huge honour for me to be part of such a big and ambitious project. The experience was very different from everything I had done before; I wasn’t used to singing someone else’s lyrics, or portraying a character while singing. But it was incredibly fun, almost like acting sometimes; I really enjoyed it!
E.B. - I think you’ve a really good relationship with Arjen. How did you start working together?
Marcela - He was looking for vocalists through his website, because he wanted to give an unknown talent the chance to perform in “The Human Equation”. I sent him a recording of my Mexican band Elfonía, and to my surprise a couple of weeks later I got an e-mail from him, telling me he really liked my voice and he wanted me to try out some of the new tracks. Eventually he chose me for that part, it was incredible!
E.B. - Are you going to keep on working in the Ayreon’s project in the future?
Marcela - That’s totally up to Arjen, you’ll have to ask him.
E.B. - What are you main influences? What do you like to listen to?
Marcela - I like to listen to as many different musical styles as I can: rock, prog, jazz, post-rock, world music, classical. I try to keep my ears open.
E.B. - Here in Europe we know only a few bands from your country, Mexico. How is the Rock/Metal scene improving? Could you shortly explain us your experience as a musician/singer in your country’s bands?
Marcela - The scene in Mexico is quite interesting; there are so many different and innovate bands creating wonderful things. The great thing is that styles are really varied, so you have the most extreme and brutal metal to the dark and gothic projects, with everything from prog and experimental in between. From my experience playing here in the country people are very enthusiastic and responsive to the bands. Audiences like to really connect with the performers, they sing and bang their heads along; concerts are very intense experiences.
E.B. - Have you ever been to Italy? On February 9th you’ll play in Brescia: will it be a new experience for you and your band?
Marcela - I’ve never been to Italy before; it’s something I’m really looking forward to since there’s a bit of Italian blood running through my veins!
E.B. - Thanks a lot for your kindness, Marcela. I hope Embrace the Storm will represent the beginning of a new career for you. You can finish the interview as you prefer!
Marcela - On the contrary, thank you for your support! I hope you guys enjoy this album and hopefully we’ll meet on the tour!
