NEMESEA
// Falber Teles
SOURCEWEBZINE - For people who aren't familiar with you yet in the Brazil, how would you describe your sound ?
HENDRIK JAN DE JONG (G) - Nemesea is taking the next step in the Gothic Rock music/style. We combine Gothic/Rock with Electro/ Trance. What it comes down to is that we didn't want to be band Nr. 1.000.000 that uses choir and orchestra…..again…… To us all those bands start to sound the same. Of course you have the "big" bands that started this and we consider them 'the original' but new bands shouldn't copy so much. Our first album was also in the 'traditional gothic style' but now we feel and think it's time for something else.
SOURCEWEBZINE - It must be a pretty exciting time for NEMESEA. The reaction to the new album "In Control" has
been amazing...
HENDRIK JAN DE JONG (G) - Yes, we are very happy with the reactions so far. We are very happy with this album. It was a lot of work and we spend all our time and energy in making the best Nemesea album possible at this moment.
MANDA OPHUIS (V) - We are also very proud of it. This is the new Nemesea!
SOURCEWEBZINE - How was the recording process of the album?
HENDRIK JAN DE JONG (G) - It was great, a lot of work but on a very high and professional level. We learned so much It was great working with Tony Platt, Ronald Prent, Ronald Molendijk and Adam Sieff.
MANDA OPHUIS (V) - They were all so enthusiastic! That was really amazing. They were so willing to get the best out of this band!
SOURCEWEBZINE - You live in Groningen. Don't you find it annoying you always have to travel that far to play?
HENDRIK JAN DE JONG (G) - Honestly? Yes, it's a drag but it's something we can't change at the moment. When the time is right we'll probably move to a "smarter" part of Holland or maybe even live in another country.
SOURCEWEBZINE - A little bit about your music taste. What kind of stuff are you currently listening to?
HENDRIK JAN DE JONG (G) - At the moment I'm listening to a lot of different stuff. I listen a lot to Snow Patrol, Rammstein, Rhianna, Linkin Park (1st and 2nd album I must admit. I'm getting used to their last one, although I like the old stuff better), on my Ipod I have lots of stuff, old and new, doesn't matter, as long as the songs and the playing is good. I listen to the Cubworld album a lot. He's the 2 nd artist that made 50K on Sellaband. It's an awesome album and he has a great voice…..that's the reason we asked him to sing on our album too.
MANDA OPHUIS (V) - It is autumn right now, so that's the time I listen a lot to Loreena McKennitt. But I also enjoy the latest album of Christina Aguilera (Back to Basic) and almost all Rammstein albums. I do listen a lot to pop songs that are in the charts like Rhianna, Pussycat Dolls and Michael Bubble. And of course, don't forget about the Gathering. I'm actually really looking forward to the CD of the new band (Agua de Annique) from Anneke van Giersbergen (Ex-singer of TG).
SOURCEWEBZINE - What is the best part about being a female in the metal scene?
MANDA OPHUIS (V) - Hmmm, difficult question. I don't think it is any different from being in any other kind of band. I just really like to sing and make music. Creating songs and lyrics on your own.
SOURCEWEBZINE - What is the worst part?
Manda - I cannot think of anything.
SOURCEWEBZINE - In Holland the female fronted scene is huge with bands like Within Temptation, After Forever
and Epica. What is it like to be part of this scene now that all the bands are starting to come over to America?
MANDA OPHUIS (V) - That's just great! It makes it easier to go and try it over there as well.
SOURCEWEBZINE - Who is you're single biggest vocal influence (male or female)?
MANDA OPHUIS (V) - Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering). She's the reason I started singing.
SOURCEWEBZINE - How involved were each of you in the songwriting? So when you write your vocal lines, how
does it work?
HENDRIK JAN DE JONG (G) - I do the songwriting, that's something I want to do and it only works for me if I do this alone. For me it's important to have someone around that listens to the music once in a while, to give feedback. Sometimes this is someone in the band but I also used all the co-producers on the album as a feedback "tool". They all helped out to fine tune the songs. I usually come up with a melody combined with harmony. Sometimes I use a riff or beat as a starting point.
The song ' In Control ' started out with a beat, ' Lost Inside ' was based on a drum beat Steven played during rehearsals. Songs like 'Home', 'The Way I Feel' and 'Like the Air' had the melody first. You know, there's no ' one way ' method of writing for me. I pretty much write the stuff on piano or guitar, the real arrangements come later on.
MANDA OPHUIS (V) - I only wrote the lyrics. I trust HJ totally. He really knows my vocal range and knows what's the best vocal line for a song. I also came up with a lot of the backing vocals. That's something I'm really proud of.
SOURCEWEBZINE - You're very involved in Wicca? How did you discover Wicca?
MANDA OPHUIS (V) - Haha…well, I really like the fact that in Wicca all has to do with nature. Balance is the key word for nature and for wicca as well. I read a lot of books about all kinds of religion when I was 16 years old. But wicca made most sense to me.
SOURCEWEBZINE - Do you have other major interests outside music?
HENDRIK JAN DE JONG (G) - Sometimes I'd wish I had but …no, I haven't to be honest. Kinda sad though, ha ha! I'm interested in movies. If I'm fed up with music (that happens sometimes) then I'm watching movies. I'm interested in acting also, not that I do anything with it right now, but those days may come, we'll see.
MANDA OPHUIS (V) - Acting HJ? You never told me hat…haha! Any other major interests outside music for me…Not really. I like reading and cooking, but I LOVE singing and making music.
SOURCEWEBZINE - Thanks for answering my questions. "In Control" is one hell of an album and we wish you continued success!
MANDA OPHUIS (V) - Thank you! And don't forget to download the three songs for free on our sellaband profile!
NEMESEA |
