Known for it's shades of grey, the cold, and it's industries, the historic, ex-capital of Italy is home to Carmilla. Their sound reached me about a year ago, here in the great white north, when I clicked on "Lilith" and ever since then, they've been on my top 10 list. Mind you, in some songs I don't know what they're saying because it isn't all in english, but the song just drags me in everytime, and (in fear of sounding cliche) takes me away. So, like every other band that I've fallen in love with, I asked them for an interview. Which is exactly what I got sometime in late November, with Diego Di Chiara. Just a side note, I'm totally in love with that name.
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There are two "main" members, one being Diego (Who handles the Synths, guitars, and programming) and Elena Camusso who's voice (I find) is beautiful. When I had asked who does what in the band, I got a fair list of people. There was a part of me that was somewhat touched, I suppose you could say, when I read it. It wasn't just people who were preforming, but also others such as Giuliano who is in charge of scenography, weldings and I'm assuming also makes sculptures, along with that was also listed Milena and Helena who also do behind the scenes work with graphics and costumes. I'm not sure why I was touched with that, I guess I just liked the fact that while these people aren't playing an instrument or singing, they are still found to be very important people, and I think a lot of bands should learn from Carmilla to include everyone in all aspects of the music. |
What I found to be kind of interesting (and I have no idea if this is common at all, or not) is that Diego samples things from his house, anything that makes a noise, and puts it in the songs. It puts a little "spin" on things, even if it doesn't seem to really be there, or anything, you can hear some original sounds if you listen to some songs over again, on headphones. Or at least that's what I had heard.
When asked to describe their sound, Diego replied, "Our sound is black and violet. We try to play a kind of music (dark electronic) using different 'micro-kinds' of music. From '80 pop to the darkest dance floor to techno-trance. We don't know if it will work...but we like it this way." I was kind of confused when he said black and violet, although, I must admit, it drew me in and made me read a lot faster than usual. They're definately worth the few minutes it takes to go and download one of their songs to listen to.
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The name Carmilla to me, has always been a choice to name one of my daughters that, I don't know what it is about the name, but it just shouts a certain something that I can't really pinpoint. When I asked why they had chosen the name for the band, the response was actually because of a book; "Carmilla is the title of a novel by John Sheridan le Fanu, it's chief character is a lesbian female vampire: 'Carmilla'" And of course, whenever a book is mentioned pretty much anywhere, it gets added to my long list of books to read, and at this point I have bought it, but have yet to read it. Their music reflects their personality, as it should with all musicians. They don't have one solid message to get across, but more of a mixture of common ideas, "l'arbusto nel cemento" (the tree in the conrete) is against war, and Positive Negative is about violance against humans and animals alike. So, while there may be a hidden solid message, they're just trying to share their minds with the world, if only for a 4 minute song. The members, themselves, manage to co-exist through being independent, and different from one another. While they share common ideas, they are still very different people, and that allows a very lyrical (and also musical) uniqueness. A certain "Je ne sais quoi"? |
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Diego summed up the "best part about being in Carmilla" as the success with their fans, and the fact that all their efforts that are put into the live show, finally pays off with a smile on a face from someone in the audience.
I was given a list of jobs and then told to try and match them with members, and while I think I got some of them I still think I'm way off on most. So, I'll just leave it with, their day to day grinds are very different. A musician, an actor, book-seller, ice-cream man/student, graphic designer, cloth seller, pump seller, and a secretary/student, that diverse group of people make up Carmilla. Of course, their dream career would be to take on Carmilla even more full-time. However, if anyone reading this is in the music business, you all know have difficult it is to do it and only that. As for upcoming plans, they're coming out with their first CD entitled "Carmilla" which will contain 12 tracks and a video. As of right now, they're working on two new videos, one for "Lilith" and the other for "Silver Tears" |