1. So Laura, like most bands, Tystnaden have went through a line up change. How is the current line up working out?
The current line up is the best thing that could happen to us. The joining of the new drummer (Alberto Lezzi) and the new keyboard player and singer (Lorenzo Frascaroli) has been the starting point of our path, I think. From that time we started to do things really!
I think there's a sort of magic between us (well, even if sometimes we fight for many things and many decisions because we are six, each one with his own strong personality and sometimes it's very difficult to agree with the others¡Kbut like many other bands, I think!)
2. Tystnaden hails from the amazing land of Italy. There are many great bands coming out of Italy right now. How would you say the metal scene is there?
The metal scene here in Italy is very prosperous. I mean there are many bands that play great music, with very good ideas in composing songs¡KBut I have to admit that one of the biggest problems for those bands (and also for us) is the lack of places to play live. In Italy, and especially in the north east of Italy, the place where we live, pubs and discos prefer to let cover bands play live, instead of bands that play their own music¡Kand then, when you introduce your band to some pubs and you talk about metal music¡Kthey look at you like a stranger!
But the Italian people that come to our shows are often hot and involved, this is why playing live is the most beautiful part of playing in a band. We all love live shows, because you can feel the nearest contact with the people and you have to show every time what you are! I always try to give my best on stage.
3. There are many female vocalists fronting metal bands these days who don't even listen to metal. You however are a fan of metal. While it's certainly fine to like other styles of music, do you think it's important to listen to the style of music you play?
Yes, it's important for being in context but not necessary, in my opinion. What you write is what you feel in your hands, in your mind, in your heart, in your mouth¡Kbut not necessary what you listen to. For example I love metal! But I don't like metal bands with female voice and I don't listen to those metal bands¡K
I love the aggressively and the interpretation of some male singers because they transmit to me very much, and this is what I try to do with my way of singing and my compositions.
4. Let's talk about the outstanding album "Sham of Perfection", it has a style all it's own, what do you think is the most unique thing about the album's sound?
I perfectly agree with your opinion¡K thank you! Lots of people found out some similarities with other bands (especially female voice bands)¡Kbut I don't know where they have found these similarities!
I don't know what is the most unique thing about the album sound¡KI can only say that we are Tystnaden and Sham is a natural work, the songs are not a planned commercial stunt. We are very instinctive, we try to communicate only what we are, what we would like to tell with our music. Yes, sure, we wanted to give a certain shape to our songs, with a starting point and an end, and a refrain that could be easily reminded¡K
I mean, Sham of Perfection results from this mix (a sort of ¡§Pride versus Intellect¡¨, isn't it?!)
5. What are your favourite songs from the album and why?
My favourite song is Pride Vs Intellect, because of its music and his lyrics. It speaks about me. This song is me during a difficult period of my life. When we were composing this song, everything reminded me of those feelings I¡¥ve already felt , and I said something like: ¡§now I have to take this pen and I have to write what I felt, I have to look at me with the mind's and the heart's eye¡¨¡Kand the result is Pride Vs Intellect. There's a sort of magic between me and this song.
6. So what can you tell us about the new album your working on?
Well, the next album will be more powerful, more aggressive, with a more direct impact if compared with Sham of Perfection¡K But I don't know yet the final style of our second work ¡¥cause we always try to improve our compositions (the one finished, too) so until the tracks are recorded we don't know the final dress of the songs.
In the next July we ¡¥ll be in studio for the recordings of the second work!
7. You play cello as well as sing. Will you be playing it on the new album at all?
Unfortunately there's a mistake! I did not play cello parts in the album¡KI said unfortunately because cello is my favourite instrument! I tried to learn to play it for three years of my life, but I had to stop (with many regrets!) cause I did not have so much time to dedicate it¡K the cello parts on the album are played by my old cello teacher Massimo Favento.
8. For fans coming to see Tystnaden live what can they expect to see?
They can expect to see a band of six persons that always try to communicate what they are. We try to give our best in every contest, in every location¡KLive shows are a sort of litmus test! You have to kidnap the emotions of someone who has not ever listen to you and seen. And this is very difficult! I think we have reached a great impact in the live shows during this years, anyway.
9. What do you think is most important when giving a live show?
This question is too difficult! ? I think the most important thing is to make a hit with something (I don't know what!)¡Kmaybe with a very good impact. If someone has not ever seen you or listened to you, the most important thing is not the precision in what you're playing, but the aggressively, the power you communicate, I think¡K
10. What does being in this band mean to you?
It means everything. It means my life. Tystnaden and the music makes me grow! I've never written a song and the lyrics for a song before Tystnaden, I've never been on a stage, but, overall, I've never faced my fears with the people before getting on a stage to sing what I wrote¡KAnd maybe without Tystnaden I would have already my degree in medicine and surgery! ?
Well, without joking¡KThis band is my life.
11. What has been your best experience from your time in Tystnaden so far?
My best experiences are so many! For example, the recordings and the realization of Sham of Perfection, some live shows, the possibility of talking about my band with the interviews, the time spent with Tystnaden before some gigs, the composition of certain songs¡K As you could see I am an enthusiastic person! ?
12. What is one thing fans should know about Tystnaden?
Yes! One in particular! We are six simple persons!!! Lots of people tell me that before knowing us they thought we were feeling superior to everyone else but after knowing us they have changed completely their idea, saying that we are very simple and nice people. This is what I would like to tell. Maybe our appearance deceives¡K
13. Who are some of your personal favorite bands and why?
I love System of a down, with their strange compositions, with their mix of influences (from the Armenian themes)¡Kand with the fantastic timbre of voice of Serj Tankian.
I love Nevermore¡Kcause they are only Nevermore!
I loved, overall in past, Dark Tranquillity¡Kcause they made me dreamt!
And many other bands but I have to stop here ¡Kthat is better!
14. In closing, what are your hopes for the rest of 2007 for Tystnaden?
My hopes are to spread again at the best our Sham of Perfection till the realization and the release date of our second full length album¡Kthen we hope in some gigs to make us known by the people all around the world!!!...Well now I started to dream and I would like to go on! ?