Graveyard Angel emerges with their haunting debut single, “Apathy,” blending dark, intense themes with unique AI-driven visuals. Founders Ana and Mika share insights into their creative journey and ambitious future.
1. First
of all, congratulations on the release of your debut single “Apathy”! Can you
tell us how Graveyard Angel was formed and what inspired you to start this
project?
Ana: “I
sometimes accept people I don’t know, as my Facebook friends. Mika was one of
them. Even if he did not know me, he sent me a song he had written. At that time,
I was busy with my other bands (LAB and Rain Hill), so I had to turn him down.
He, however, sent me another song a bit later. I was still kinda busy but I
fell in love with the song and I knew I had to be the one who sings it, or I
would regret saying “no”, for the rest of my life. We met face to face for the
first time, when we went to East Sound Studios to record our first song. “
2. Ana,
you’re already known for your work with LAB. How has your experience in that
band influenced your approach with Graveyard Angel? Are there any key
differences in your creative process?
My creative
process has always been based on inspiration. I may get completely lost in the
song I am working on. I “watch” the song over and over, with the eyes of my
mind, until I just somehow know what is happening in the song. The music turns
into video-like images in my head. Then, I just write about what I have seen.
This was the same when I was in LAB. So, much has remained the same. There are
some differences, too, in my creative process. The music of Graveyard Angel is rougher
and harder than that of LAB. The riffs are tougher. This has made it easier for
me to write the lyrics. This is, because Graveyard Angel just fits my
dark-toned fantasy and my mind. Inside, I am like a rainy afternoon.
3. Mika,
or should we say “Ground,” you composed and played all the instruments on
“Apathy.” How did the song come together, and what elements were important for
you to include?
Mika: When
I am composing music, it all happens within just a few days. This way I can
capture the feeling of the moment. Arranging the song and making the song
structure takes much more time. All the pieces have fallen into place quite
easily, since Ana and I are on the same wave length.
As tools in
the process I use simply a guitar and a music software. I, then, always build
the song layer by layer. Everything is based on a good riff and a good chorus.
In the music, there must also always be some Black Sabbath. I’m a great fan of
them.
4. Your
single “Apathy” has a dark, intense sound. Can you tell us more about the
themes in the song and what you hope listeners will feel or experience when
they hear it?
Ana: To me your words “dark” and “intense” are definitely compliments. I consider our music to be like big feelings forced into a tiny box. When you listen to it, the feeling should take you over and temporarily change who you feel you are. Music does that to me. I hope I am not alone.
5. The
music video for “Apathy” was created using AI tools, which is very unique. Can
you walk us through how this concept came about and what it was like to
collaborate with AI on the visual side?
Ana: Yes, I believe we are taking the AI to use quite early. I mean, most videos still seem to be traditionally made. It was Mika who saw some AI-videos made by Ari Kuoppa-aho, on the internet. He contacted Ari to feel the air, and before we knew it, we were up to our ears in the project! And what a project it was! We all three share a deep interest towards AI and were totally inspired about the project. Seeing the video come to life was such a thrilling experience, that I already know I will want to use AI tools in the future as well.
6. You
described the video as a mix of “human intelligence and artificial
intelligence.” How do you feel about using AI in art and music, and do you see
it as something you’d continue experimenting with in future projects?
Ana: I
really want to do this again! Working on this video has been extremely
interesting and I have learned a lot about what can be done with AI tools. I
absolutely adore AI as a tool for artists, but only as a tool; a human brain
and a lot of effort is still needed to put things together. I am not a fan of
completely random images that AI, left alone, would create.
7. Ana,
your lyrics and vocals bring a haunting yet powerful presence to the track. Can
you share the inspiration behind the lyrics in “Apathy” and what the
songwriting process was like for you?
Well, I
really fell in love with this song when I first heard it. I just saw this
white, dreamy room in an asylum somewhere, where a woman in white was standing
at the window with an empty gaze.
The word
“Apathy” came to mind, and I just knew that was what the song was about. The
song kept writing itself, as I was just “watching” and “listening”. It was as
if I got the lyrics “given” to me somehow. I know that I am not the only
musician who has experienced things like this.
8. The
style of Graveyard Angel is described as “dark, tough, and delightfully
disturbed.” How do you feel this aesthetic reflects who you are as individuals
and musicians?
Ana: Yes, ehmm... I think I have a bit of a dark mind, and such is also my music taste. I think I am tougher as a musician than I am as an individual. Am I delightfully disturbed?? Absolutely! Hahah!
9. You
were signed to Inverse Records very quickly after releasing “Apathy.” How did
it feel to receive such an enthusiastic response so soon, and what does this
partnership mean for Graveyard Angel’s future?
In fact,
Inverse Records signed us BEFORE “Apathy” came out. I emailed a link to our
video to Inverse Records in the middle of the night. I got a near instant reply
from Joni Kantomäki, saying that he felt the song works, and asking more about
our plans with Graveyard Angel. In less than 24 hours we were signed!
Being
signed so quickly was wonderful, since we knew, based on a recommendation by
Ari Kuoppa-aho, that Inverse Records would be a perfect match for us. I don’t
think anything has ever happened this smoothly!
10.
Mika, as the producer, how did you approach the mixing and overall production
of “Apathy” to achieve the raw, punchy sound that defines the track?
The recipe
of our punchy and raw sound is much based on the attack of sounds and
distortion. I wanted to use Pekka Laine (LAB) to record the vocals, and to mix
and master the song. We completely trust in Pekka’s ability to make our vision
come true. Ana and Pekka have a long history of working together. They also
share a language no-one else would understand. They talk of “slap on the ear”
sounds, they describe sounds with colours and use words they have come up with themselves,
hahaha.
What comes
to vocal sounds, one can say that we were not shy to use distortion!
11. With such a strong start, do you have plans to release more music soon? Can fans look forward to an EP or full album in the near future?
Time will
tell how fast we will be able to bring an EP or an album out. Right now we have
our second video in the making, and the song is already mixed and mastered.
That one will be our second single. Release timetables have not been discussed
yet.
12.
Finally, what message or feeling do you want fans to take away from Graveyard
Angel, both with “Apathy” and with your future releases?
Ana: I hope
our fans will feel thoroughly entertained and feel energised, moved, or pissed
- depending on the song.
Ana Leppälä (@graveyard_angel_official) • Photos et vidéos Instagram
Post a Comment