Viveynne's Myspace Wepage
Viveynne's Offical Webpage
1. We are talking today with Mikki who is the songwriter and vocalist for the gothic influenced rock/classical band Viveynne. So we will start with the obvious question. Where does this kind of talent come from in a 14 year old?
To be honest, I really don't know. I've loved music all my life and never really thought about where it came from. I guess I "discovered" my talents in the 5th grade when I began voice lessons. I never really took piano lessons, I just picked it up when I was eleven and enjoyed playing ever since. Music is a huge part of my life and has always influenced the decisions I make.
2. Age is no judge of talent, as we see with your musical ability. You seem very focused and mature. In your bio there is a statement that says you are influenced by "anything insanely beautiful, or insanely dark" Please tell us more about this.
Ahahaha. Well as cliche as the statement sounds it's actually very true. I am in love with music that's beautiful and also music that's dark (especially when they're together), and i tend to draw inspiration from bands who write with passion and meaning. The bands I enjoy range from the soft and pretty sounds of Imogen Heap and Sarah McLachlan to the bone crushing darkness of Otep and Arch Enemy, then all the way to beautiful rock music such as Within Temptation and Evanescence. I try to mix in a range of different sounds into what I write, which you'll be seeing more of in the new songs to come.
3. Who are some of your favorite vocalists and composers and do you try to pattern your singing style after anyone in particular?
Well as everyone can guess I'm a HUGE fan of Amy Lee from Evanescence. It's pretty much obvious that I enjoy her style of voice and style of writing. Other musicians I take after - that are not as easy to guess - are Sharan den Adel from Within Temptation, Otep Shamaya from Otep, and Emilie Autumn.
4. So your first EP is now available, What can our readers expect from "Becoming Jane Doe"?
"Becoming Jane Doe" was almost like an experiment for me. I wrote all these songs over a year ago and was extremely happy to see them recorded and on an EP. When I wrote these songs I was still struggling to find my sound and who I wanted to become in music. The album reflects this - but in a positive way. This EP, for me, is the start of a journey that will continue throughout my life. It portrays someone entering a new world as a nameless person who's willing to start again on different ground. This EP is special to me because it really reflects the first step on a road I'm sure to walk down.
5. Tell us about the recording of the EP. Was this your first time in the studio?
Actually, no. Recording this EP was a real ordeal because it was re-done at least three times. Everyone we went to just didn't seem right for the music I wanted to produce so we jumped around a lot. After being scammed a great deal of money and feeling completely hopeless we received an e-mail from Chuck Kollatos (lead guitar on the EP) who said he'd record the EP just for the love of my music. I was overjoyed. We got to work right away and after four months it was finished!
6. What is your overall goal for Viveynne?
It's always been my dream to become a musician well known enough to make an impact, simply because it's something I enjoy fully. If I could set a final goal for Viveynne it would be to make it as a significant artist in the industry. I love music, and if I was able to make it my career, life would be complete.
7. So you have the ability to sing in up to 5 different languages. Are there any other languages used on the EP?
Ha! Originally there was a line in The Exiled And Her Oprea House that was in latin but we scrapped the idea.
8. You have competed in various vocal and composition competitions. Are you still taking part in these or is Viveynne your main focus?
I'm pretty sure I'm still going to take part in those competitions at some point, but I enjoy the band MUCH more. Viveynne is definitely my main focus right now and probably will be for a long time.
9. Music is obviously paramount to your life. What does Viveynne mean to you?
Viveynne, for me, is an outlet. It's a place I can go just to let feelings out and have no fear of judgment.
10. Will you be playing any live shows?
Sure will
11. In closing, please leave us with any final comments, and please tell our readers where they can get the EP.
Becoming Jane Doe is available worldwide from my artist website at www.viveynne.com and it is also just going through the processing stage with iTunes worldwide and Amazon and will be available there in the next week or two - probably by June 1 2009 or so.. Well, as a final comment I guess I should just say that looking ahead you can expect a full length CD by early 2010 which I've already started to write.My style is becoming better defined and I'll also going into this with much more experience in song writing and production. I'm really looking forward to spending the summer working on this pretty much full time once school is out ! Thanks for your interest in my music!
~MIKKI~