back to Media 07

Back to Media 08

What is your full name and where do you currently reside?

- Lori R. Lewis. Want to know what the R stands for? Too bad, I'm not telling! Currently, I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you discovered music.

- I'm a full-time musician... I'm active in both the classical and rock music spheres. I've been singing since I was five years old. I caught the performing bug when I was a wee thing; I had a short solo in a piece I was singing with a choir and was hooked; no kidding! I love performing. I discovered music through my grandfather. He was a session musician in the late 40's and early 50's for several studios in Los Angeles, CA. He played trombone, sang beautifully and played a mean jazz piano. He and I used to sit for hours at the piano and play old jazz standards and gospel songs. Some of my most cherished memories are of him playing a song and encouraging me to sing. I discovered the symphonic metal genre only about two years ago, when I was approached by John Prassas to sing with Aesma Daeva. I listened to my fair share of metal when I was younger, but in recent years have been so busy with my classical music career that I hadn't realized that this type of music was evolving. Not long after having joined Aesma Daeva, I took the opportunity to sing with Therion as their touring Soprano for the 2007 World Tour. We're about halfway done at this point, with South America, Japan, US, Canada, Mexico and a handful of summer festivals and single dates coming up. In a fantastic twist of fate, Aesma Daeva is going to be supporting Therion on their US leg of the tour this fall.

Can you mention a few people or artists that inspired you and what they meant to you?

- I've a long, eclectic list of favorite artists, but those who have inspired me are usually those who have something either provocative or galvanizing to say. That being said, I'd name Dawn Upshaw, Billie Holiday, Asha Bhosle, Bjork, Tori Amos, Gillian Welch, the Psalters, Smashing Pumpkins, Opeth, Diamanda Galas, Nick Cave, Ani Difranco and Tom Waits. All of the artists I've listed are people who, in my opinion, have been willing to take risks as musicians and writers; they've all definitely done it their own way, which I very much admire.

If you could pick three records to take with you to a desert island, which would they be?

- Brahms' Piano Quartets performed by Domus, In Absentia by Porcupine Tree, and something I could dance with wild abandon to... probably something by the Psalters.

There has been a huge surge, almost a paradigm shift in rock and metal the last few years, in that women are now counted in the hundreds in a field that used to be very much male oriented. Would you like to comment on this?

- Of course! I think the surge of female vocalists is a great breath of fresh air. Not only does it bring rock and metal into the realm of more listeners, it makes those bands who espouse "traditional" lineups more appreciated. In Europe, you can truly see that happening. Progressive and symphonic metal is finding a voice in the mainstream, albeit small. I personally believe that's part of what makes it so lovable by fans; there's a sense that this is truly their music and not for just anyone. I've heard some say that this shift has yet to make its way fully to American shores. I sincerely hope it happens, because the idea that rock and metal can be represented by a female voice is something incredibly exciting to me. This isn't only because I'm involved in the genre; I think for many people it's truly exciting to see a woman tearing it up on stage.

When did you record music for the first time?

- Well, I was four years old... my grandfather, remember. He recorded me singing some nursery song or other. My grandmother still has a copy somewhere. ha ha! Professionally, however, I've been recording for about ten years with various classical groups. My first rock recording came out early this year, with Aesma Daeva.

If you have to pick out a few favourite tunes from your catalogue, which would they be?

- Well, from the Aesma Daeva catalogue, I would pick "In the Bluish Shade" as one of my favorites. It's a hard rocking, operatic feast for the ears. I also really enjoy performing "Artemis" and "The Loon". They're both beautiful pieces of music and the backing vocals are particularly arresting on "The Loon". I'm also excited to say that we're working on reviving some old Aesma Daeva songs from albums past for our upcoming tour; we're dusting off "Stay", "Downvain" and "Lysander". It will be some work to get these pieces performance ready, but we're all committed to keeping pieces that have real merit alive and a part of our performance catalogue.

- As for Therion, I have several favorites. Among the pieces we're performing currently, I really love "Arrow from the Sun", "Rise of Sodom and Gomorrah", "Son of the Sun", "The Perennial Sophia", "Wand of Abaris", and we're doing a special performance this weekend of "Adulruna Rediviva" and "Siren of the Woods" as part of a Therion Goes Classic show for the Miskolc International Opera Festival in Miskolc, Hungary. Pieces that I love, but haven't been part of the performance lineup, are "Kali Yuga, part 1 and 2" (especially part 2... it ROCKS!), "Abraxas" and "Call of Dagon", which are all from the Sirius B/Lemuria double disc set. I also love "Asgard", from Secret of the Runes.

Many seasoned artists still fear that moment right before showtime, how did you learn how to deal with that and how is it for you these days?

- I've learned through countless performances that nerves are actually helpful to me, as long as I'm able to stay focused. Before I go on stage, I spend some minutes relaxing and visualizing myself having a successful, enjoyable performance. I don't get "nervous", per se, but I have to admit that I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I absolutely love the rush of excitement that comes when I step on stage in front of an energetic, attentive audience. There's nothing that can beat that.

What´s the best tour/s you´ve ever been involved in and why?

- Having done both classical and rock tours, I'd have to pick rock any day. It's less regimented and there are more chances to connect with the audience in a meaningful way. In the past few months, I'd have to say that the most memorable show I've done on tour was in Zagreb, Croatia, with Therion. The crowd was incredibly enthusiastic and we spent a good hour signing autographs after the show. Security literally had to throw everyone out after a while, though they let the fans stay quite a bit longer than was usual, I believe. I had a permanent smile on my face during that particular show. A close second would have to go to Krakow, Poland. That was another unbelievably high energy show. I was feeling a bit under the weather, but when I saw how excited the crowd was to see Therion, I couldn't help but be won over by their enthusiasm.

What´s the situation for your type of music where you live right now?

- I think that symphonic, progressive metal is still slipping by under the radar in the Midwest for now, and it very well could continue to do so. However, there are many people in Minnesota particularly who are die-hard devoted to not only making this type of music, but also to introduce it to new ears. One group who I believe is doing a particularly good job of this is Sirens of Titan. They're a solid band fronted by an amazingly awesome lady, Felicia, and I love that they're working their asses off right now and making waves.

What are you currently up to?

- Currently, I'm lying on a bed in my suite in Miskolc, Hungary, getting ready for the Therion Goes Classic show this Saturday. That and listening to Tom Waits. I'm sure my hotel neighbors hate me by now...

What´s the best feedback you ever had from a listener?

- A friend of mine who's a fellow performer gave me some invaluable tips on the importance of connecting with your audience, no matter how big or small. It's easy, especially with Aesma Daeva on some of our more introverted songs, to close your eyes and be transported to another world. However, he reminded me that as a performer, one's first and foremost duty is to convey to the audience the meaning of what we're performing.

Do you take a personal interest in your MySpace page and what do you think of this new invention?

- Of course... I handle my page personally. I really like MySpace, seeing as how I've found several old musician friends on there as well as met many new friends and fans. I know many are not "Friends" in the traditional sense, but I really do enjoy getting emails from them just the same. That alone is enough to make it a valuable asset in my life. Secondly, I find that it's easier to discover good music that's on my very doorstep, i.e. local bands, through MySpace.

Do you think the recording industry is out of touch and what would you change if you could?

- I think that the recording industry is in a state of flux right now. The old methods of making a buck off musicians has become significantly more complicated by new technologies. I wouldn't change anything, except to make sure that those who are responsible for signing bands be morally bound to not only making money for themselves, but to be bound to help musicians develop an environment in which the creative process is more organic and fluid. Some labels do this very thing; it would be good to see more labels follow suit.

Do you surf the Internet and if so where do you usually go?

- Eh, sometimes. I occasionally read the news. I usually visit Google News or the New York Times. Oh, and I do have one site I really love for clothing: babygirlboutique.com . They have some of the most kickingest clothes available anywhere online. They sell a couple clothing designers that I particularly like: Stop Staring! and E.C. Star.

Do you have other major interests outside music?

- I love the outdoors, so I'd have to mention cycling, roller blading, camping, hiking, that kind of thing. Also, I love traveling. Whenever I'm in a new city and I have time, I try to get in a long walk around the city to take it in a bit before moving on.

What authors do you like and have you read anything good lately?

- One of my top favorite authors is Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I've read pretty much everything by him and have yet to read something I don't like. I also like Margaret Atwood, Ursula LeGuin, Harlan Ellison, HP Lovecraft (he writes the greatest suspense horror ever,) Italo Calvino and, of course, Tolkein (I can't pass up his fanciful writing.) My most recently read book was "DMT: The Spirit Molecule", by Dr. Rick Strassman.

What favourite actors in film and television do you have, and what do you enjoy to watch?

- I enjoy character actors quite a bit... to name a few, I like Johnny Depp, Steve Buscemi, Cameron Diaz, Parker Posey. I really don't watch much tv, but I do love movies. Favorite genres are horror (the funnier and more grotesque, the better,) and I tend to watch foreign films. However, I just recently saw an American film I really liked called "Off the Map". If you haven't seen it and like movies that take their time telling a story, you might just like this one. Also, this particular movie stars another great character actor: Sam Elliott.

What favourite food do you have?

- LOVE, love love Thai and Japanese food (mmm, sushi!) I'm a vegetarian, but I'm not past having some freshly caught fish every once in a while. So, you might call me a fishatarian. Ha!

I´m sure you´ve heard many bad pickup lines, did you ever actually hear a good one that made you think that this person is perhaps interesting?

- Once, when I asked this guy what he does for a living (yes, I asked that lame-o question... I was young!), he said he was a cock model. I was intrigued. He was kidding. We never spoke again. So, I guess the answer is no, I can't think of a single good one-liner anyone has ever used. I think,

"So, what do you think about anything at all?" is pretty funny, though.
Do you have an interest in the paranormal, the unknown?

- Yes, though I think it's more a function of our minds, or better to call it dis-function. We miss quite a lot of what goes on around us, so why can't there be something there, across the veil, that we can't see? I think it only seems natural.

Have you ever seen a UFO or do you know anybody that has had an experience that they´ve told you about?

- I thought I saw one once when I was young, but it was just gas. Ahem.

What´s your take on that?

- Like I said, I don't see why people can't have experienced something like this... but, I think it's the rare person who genuinely experiences it. I read a book recently called DMT:The Spirit Molecule (written by Dr. Rick Strassman), that goes into quite a bit of detail regarding paranormal phenomena, specifically about human-alien encounters and near-death experiences. It's a very interesting read.

If you could give a piece of advice a younger sister that would like to follow in your footsteps, what would that be?

- Trust your instincts and follow your passion with all your heart and mind.

Would you like to add something to this interview?

- How about thanks? I really enjoyed answering your questions, though it took me forever! Thanks again, Michael.

Atlantis Online