Arwen is
a new band. As their name indicates what they are trying to do is offer
us their interpretation in beauty and how it can be presented musically.
Having a word with their drummer Nacho Arriaga, we learnt many interesting
things regarding the band, their aim, their past and future and many many
more. Why don't you take a look?
1.GIVE US IN A FEW LINES THE BAND'S
HISTORY. WHO ARE THE FOUNDERS? HOW MANY DEMOS HAVE YOU RELEASED BEFORE
THIS DEBUT ALBUM?
Arwen started in the middle of 1996
by Jose A. Garrido (guitar) and Luis M. Hernández (bass) , following
the idea to play modern & technical Heavy Metal. In 1997 Nacho Ruiz
joined the band as guitar/singer, later he was dedicated exclusively to
the vocals. Mamen Castaño joined the band as female singer ´cos
the band need a sweet female voice for the backing vocals. In 1999 Nacho
Arriaga (Drums), Rosalva Alonso (Keyboards) & Alberto Avilés
(Guitar) were the new members in Arwen. With this line-up, the band started
to develop their own sound . Arwen´s line-up is completed with the
second keyboard player Jonathan Zapatero. This unusual line - up in a Heavy
Metal band (8 members) is due to the band´s intention to play all
parts included in their songs ´cos Arwen don´t agree to play
live with samples. Arwen signed a deal with Arise Records in 2001, ``Memories
Of A Dream´´ is their debut album which was recorded in May
2002.
2.YOUR NAME BRINGS TO MY MIND TOLKIEN
AND FANTASY THEMES IN GENERAL. AM I RIGHT? HOW DID YOU CHOOSE THIS NAME?
DOES IT HAVE A SPECIAL MEANING FOR YOU?
You are right because this name its
from Lord of the ring´s book.When we decided the name about 1996
year we loved it (and yet we love it) Tolkien´s world.Although the
book was very well known it hasn´t rise actual level and ARWEN´s
name was unknown.We thought to change it but we felt very identified with
the name and its meaning:beauty, nature.
3.THE TITLE OF YOUR DEBUT ALBUM IS
"MEMORIES OF A DREAM". WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TELL WITH THIS TITLE? IS YOUR
ALBUM A CONCEPT?
It´s not a concept album in itself,
the title ³Memories Of A Dream² means that we want to express
a dream or a nightmare in every song of the album. We express doubts, fantasy,
preocupations, love... Every song is different! In the other hand,
the recording of the album is a dream come true for us, its something that
we have ever desired.
4.YOU ARE A NEW BAND. TELL US WHICH
ARE YOUR TARGETS AS A BAND.
At the moment our principal target
is introducing ourselves and take our music to many possible places and
, as sales go on in certain places we would like to play live in the most
of them and meet many people.Our objective
as musicians is to develop our own style more each day.
5.YOUR COMPOSITIONS ARE A LITTLE COMPLICATED
AND HAVE A LONG DURATION. DID YOU DO THAT ON PURPOSE OR WAS IT NATURAL?
AREN'T YOU AFRAID THAT YOU MIGHT TIRE THE LISTENER?
We aren´t scared that we might
bore people , we try to make our compositions in order to each part was
different of previous and each song was different from one another.We want
to get an style´s fussion but without to seek necessarily the complication.
6.I THINK THAT YOU HAVE 2 WOMEN IN
THE BAND. WHICH IS YOUR OPINION ABOUT WOMEN AND HEAVY METAL? DO YOU
THINK THEY CAN PLAY A LEADING ROLE TO THIS MUSIC?
I think this question doesn¹t
need an answer because nowadays a woman and a man are capable of doing
the same things, if somebody wants to make anything he can obtain it either
being a man or a woman.In relation to female voice I think it gets softer
and sweeter tones than a man makes and we want to create more melodic atmostpheres
and sounds.Personally we like the thing that women start to have a front
role in heavy bands and this way break the myth that in metal there are
just men.
7.YOU'LL TAKE PART TO THE HELLOWEEN
TRIBUTE ALBUM WITH THE SONG "MARCH OF TIME". WHAT NEW WILL YOU ADD TO THIS
SONG? WHICH IS YOUR OPINION ON TRIBUTE ALBUMS?
³March Of Time² is the song
that we´ve recorded. Of course we had to choose among the songs that
hadn't already been done in the first part of the tribute, however, we
are very happy at having chosen this song because we always liked it, we've
grown up with it and now we've been able to add our own personal touch.
We think that Helloween has been a great influence in the whole Europe.
Specially we love the way Michael Kiske performed every songs of Helloween.
He´s a great singer! We are proud to have taken part in this
tribute, not only because of the bands that take part, but also because
of the musical significance of Helloween for us. We have put all our heart
in ³March Of Time² theme. We think tributes are a great idea
to recognize a many bands by his work during this years and to bring back
them the favour for all their influences about us as listeners and musicians.
8.WHILE PROMOTING YOUR ALBUM YOU HAVE
TO MAKE AS MANY INTERVIEWS AS POSSIBLE. DON'T YOU THINK THIS MIGHT TURN
YOU INTO MERCHANTS AND SOMEHOW LOSE YOUR ARTISTIC IDENTITY?
I think interviews and reviews(if they
are good!!) are the best promotion possible,because this music goes on
especially by the press. Furthermore I don¹t think we lose our artistic
identity by becoming more known. You evolve and audience can either
like your evolution or not but above all we are musicians and as long as
we play music I think we won't lose our identity.
9.NAME 5 RELEASES OF THIS YEAR THAT
YOU LISTENED AND LIKED A LOT AND ONE THAT DISAPPOINTED YOU OR YOU DIDN'T
LIKE.
In our opinion, one of the new best
discs is that from ARK ³Burn The Sun², it is great for all that
technical development in all senses: production, voice, musicians. -IN
FLAMES ³Reroute To Remain². We have been surprised by it because
despite its long path, it is a band that knows how to renovate and
risk.
-SYMPHONY X ³Live On The Edge².
We think it is one of the best bands nowadays and overall it demonstrates
it in each of its lives.
-SHAMAN ³Ritual². It is a
good disc and what we like most is how they have fused elements from other
musical styles as ethnic music.
-B.S.O. ³Lord Of The Rings².
We love B.S.O. overall from composers such as John Williams, James
Horner. This is one of the best that have come into this year.
10.WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WEREN'T
ABLE TO COMPOSE MUSIC?
Well , when you are clogged in the
composition it doesn't last forever, simply you need to have a break ,
ideas come up by themselves and you can have it day by day.If you have
a bad day relax yourself have a rest and you will have a good idea in other
moment.
11.WHAT ARE YOUR LYRICS TALKING ABOUT?
WHAT INSPIRES YOU IN WRITING LYRICS AND WHAT TAKES AWAY THE INSPIRATION
FROM YOU?
We express the ideas, doubts and dreams
that we have everyday and impregnate them in our songs, always maintaining
a relationship with the music. We believe that the compositions are not
only made up of music, the lyrics make up a small part of them too. But
it all depends on the listener. We like to be able to listen to a song
and at the same time capture the message in the lyrics. That way
you feel it more. The lyrics make reference to the title of the album,
each song is like one of our dreams moulded in music and words. They talk
about spiritual searches in other worlds, of feelings, of fantasy (but
compared to the real world), of doubts, of wishes but always with a semblance
of happiness. We find the inspiration in the life:our experiences , our
deeds , our desires.But we ever want to give a positive touch and changing
ever to better things.
12.WHICH DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST PART
IN YOUR MUSIC AND WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU NEED FURTHER DEVELOPMENT?
I think the better part of our music
is the richness in composition,or at least we try to do this.The fact of
be eight people contributing with ideas and its musical working ,makes
our music more rich with different styles sounding different.I think we
have a lot of learning in many fields and especially much technical support
in future recordings with better resources and more time.
13.IF SOMEDAY YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO
MEET THE CREATURE THAT CREATED THE UNIVERSE, WHICH WOULD YOUR BIGGEST QUESTION
BE?
I will ask him why and what for we
are in the world? And how is possible from a simple thing has changed into
something so complicated as the universe is?
14.IF TIME TRAVEL WAS POSSIBLE, WHICH
HISTORICAL PERIOD WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT AND WHY? WHAT WOULD YOU MISS
THE MOST FROM OUR TIME?
Could be to visit egypt empire in its
highest climax.I love history and architecture in old age.I think it was
a very rich culture in all the aspects, besides its similar to the greek
culture and it's very interesting for me too.But I think I'd miss
to open a kinky and the water flow-hehehe.And also cold beer!!!!
15.WHAT PROLOGUE AND TITLE WOULD YOU
LIKE THIS INTERVIEW TO HAVE?
I would like prologue it or title :Arwen
the beginning of a dream.
16.THANK YOU!HAVE I FORGOTTEN TO ASK
YOU ANYTHING AND YOU'D LIKE TO MENTION?
Thanks to you for your support and
interest, it is an honour for us. To the people who like melodic music
with powerful and technical parts simultaneously, we´ d say we think
the disc will turn out to be very interesting, at least we want to think
so. Thank you very much and a big hug to all the readers of BEHIND THE
VEIL. Good luck with your magazine. Regards!!!