The decision was endorsed not only by all members of IA, but yet Christopher Johnsson, who has been a mentor and friend to IMPERIAL AGE for a long time

And the first part of the dialogue will go with the newest member of IA, Aleksandra Sidorova (vocals).

Good afternoon. Let's start a conversation, could you cast some light on the reasons for the disbandment of Rarog? Have you received an offer to become a permanent member of Imperial Age while working in Rarog or after the disbandment of the band?

Alexander: Good afternoon! Rarog disbanding happened by the personal decision of Alexander "Bumblebee" Shvilyev in January 2014. It was entirely his decision, which I did not agree. A proposal from Aor to become lead singer to Imperial Age I received ten months later - in November. These events are not related.

Have you received offers of cooperation from the other bands after leaving Rarog?

Alexandra: There were interesting invitations from different projects. But, basically, me and my choir SILVER VOICE worked with several bands at the studio and at the concerts, such as ARKONA and ORGY OF SAINTS.

I would like to say that after the disbandment of Rarog I decided to start my own project SKY TOO HIGH together with a wonderful pianist Stanislav Lushnikov. In the summer of 2014 we were working on EP, which was recorded in August and released in October, it is dedicated to my father, Dmitry Sidorov.

 

Is SKY TOO HIGH strictly studio project or have been (and will have) live performances? Would the continuation of this project in the form of new releases or you worked at once and is not expected to repeat?

Alexander: Of course there will be live entertainment, this summer we plan to record the first full-length album. Now the project is in process of writing new material and I can say exactly that it will not sound like any one of those I’ve ever participated.

Was there any casting audition for the position of vocalist in IMPERIAL AGE or it was decided at once?

Alexandra: As far as I know, there was casting by Aor where he was auditioning five singers more in parallel with me. The idea of changing lead singer came to Aor from Christopher Johnsson in a couple of weeks after IA’s supporting Therion concert in St. Petersburg, October 15, after Jonson heard IMPERIAL AGE live for the first time.

When Aor called me on lead vocal position, I agreed immediately, as I was familiar with the IMPERIAL AGE team for a long time. In the very beginning of our acquaintance in 2012, on the recording of the choir for the IA first album "Turn The Sun Off" I appreciated the sense of purpose and freshness of the band sound. Then Aor invited me to record lead vocal for the track "Shine the funeral fire", which later I started to perform in concerts as a guest vocalist to IA.

The decision was endorsed not only by all members of IA, but yet Christopher Johnsson, who has been a mentor and friend to IMPERIAL AGE for a long time.

When you become a competent member and the voice of IA, of course, you had to rehearse the whole repertoire. What were the difficulties in the development of all the material have you change any vocals parts to yourself? How quickly you come to a consensus with Aor in matters of singing the songs from CD "Turn The Sun Off"?

Alexandra: Yes, the huge work was carried out over repertoire! Each song was sung in several ways as the vocal parties were originally written for male vocals. We were recording different versions, listening, choosing “the best”. Sometimes we delayed material until next time to be evaluated as "fresh ears". Since my vocal practice attended the folk vocal, it expanded the boundaries of my vocal capabilities. You can hear a "genre mix" in my performance such as Academy-folk-pop-rock manner. Aor appreciated my ability and used it to work on the material, which took two months. During this time, we had prepared 20 songs.

How can you appreciate the creative freedom in the band? Do you take part to the composing of the new material of IA?

Alexandra: In terms of singing in IMPERIAL AGE I have more freedom than in Rarog. All music in IA composes by Aor. But when work begins on the vocal parts, there are a lot of questions that can be solved by us together.

Did you have any difficulties with the transition to the English lyrics? In general by your opinion, in which language easier to sing?

Alexandra: Honestly, I had difficulties because basically, before IA, I sang songs in Russian. For me, training repertoire of 20 songs in English was a tremendous stimulus! If you teach in a school poetry in English, then this is familiar for you. Every night I taught one new song and retold learned earlier. Not to say that singing in English is not convenient than in Russian. All that matters is how well learned the song lyrics, if you know it, it is convenient to sing in any language.

Which of the IA songs do you particularly pleased to perform?

Alexandra: The most "convenient" song I think "Time of Virginity", and the most beloved is "Turn The Sun Off", perhaps because it was the first song that began my acquaintance with IMPERIAL AGE, when we recorded it with the choir on studio "Giant record" as much as 8 hours!

Was there any thought to involve a band of one or two more singers with different voice timbres for empowerment to perform the compositions?

Alexandra: On the new album, we plan to use all types of vocals. IMPERIAL AGE is still in search of their own sound. The bands like Therion and Amaranthe in this case are good examples of how you can successfully implement the idea of using a large number of singers.

How close do you plan to involve your choir SILVER VOICE to work with IMPERIAL AGE? Would the choir be the seventh "member" of the band? What the singers by themselves do think about the experience of playing with heavy bands?

Alexandra: The choir will be used in full mode, it might even be more than earlier, in general, we wanna squeeze out all possible of the choir. In the new album, we planned to record songs that would sing only the choir. I think that it has considered one of the marks of IMPERIAL AGE for a long time.

Since all singers that I invite to participate in the choir are professional classical musicians mostly from Choir of the Moscow Conservatory, some of them intimidated by atmosphere of rock stage. Any choir singer, first of all, should to hear an ensemble, not to mention himself. And in the concert of heavy band, it is only way to make it possible with in-ear monitors. A couple of times we were performing without them, all it was a big test. Alternatively, for example, is quite difficult for some singers to react to such nuances as the chant of words "Lucifer" during recording. However, in the end, after the successful concert or recording the guys asked to invite them again, since it is rather unusual practice that extends the concepts of classical musicians who are used to perform on the Philharmonic stage.

As you are for years on the club scene, can you list the most favorite concert halls?

Alexandra: "PIPL" club, "Moscow Hall," "Theater" club, "Volta" - all of these halls are almost the same for me. I cannot choose one that would be better for myself, although the "PIPL" club was the first stage for me where I was singing as part of Rarog. It associated with pretty lot of memories, and the "Theater" club was the first platform when I was performing in IMPERIAL AGE. Each hall has its pluses and minuses, but very important thing for each musician is space on the stage, in this case "PIPL" is leader.

And the final, not a serious question. As one famous cat said: "Would I allow to myself to pour vodka to lady? It is absolute alcohol". And what, in ladies opinion, should to offer to them?

Alexandra: I do not know what there is in opinion of "ladies", but I love tea, coffee with milk and two tablespoons of sugar without the slides. So, if you do not have milk, do not offer coffee to me :).

The second part of the interview will focus on the one of the band former, who was standing at the beginning of IA, and has become an integral part of the image of the band - Eugenia Odintsova (keyboards).

Hello, Eugenia. You have been in the band since its foundation. How do you see the development of potential of IMPERIAL AGE during last two and a half years, what would you want to do to correct the band course, and what should you to leave as is?

Eugenia: Initially the band had Napoleonic plans, I always loved it. Not to say that our band changed the course during its existence. Vice versa, we are moving into the same direction, trying different methods of analyzing the errors and correcting tactics (but not course). Different kinds of inconveniences (I do not want to say the word "difficulties", because it is not difficult at all), like changing of the line-up, are extremely positive, just like replacing parts in the mechanism. Because of this, we are working efficiently. If I do not suit, then I would not be here :)

Can you share your musical background before joining the Imperial Age?

Eugenia: It was not at all )

I am pretty long hovered in the musical underground hangout as a spectator. I had many friends playing in the young bands, but I never had an idea to join them. I enrolled in music school because I wanted to play tunes of your favorite songs. I studied for two years on the piano, and then I had lessons from private tutors. Finally, in the summer of 2013 old friends offered to participate in the filming of music videos of IMPERIAL AGE. Actually, since that moment I'm here.

As far as is known, new material is preparing for the second album now, and you will perform a few vocal parts. Can you tell us more about these compositions?

Eugenia: I can say exactly that I will sing in the choir, which is quite a lot expected on the album. At the expense of solo vocal parts - it does not know, everything is possible. Plus there are some instrumental sketches that somehow can be appeared in the album.

Is it possible to reveal the current state of work over the new album? What should the audience to expect?

Eugenia: As far as I know, basis for multiple tracks is ready now. The compositions were obtained very different: with a predominance of folk elements, and vice versa, more tough and rhythmic. There are fully choral songs. The album concept is planned as a rock opera with a common plot. The plot is the awakening of the memory of past lives. The action takes place in the Middle Ages and in the time of Atlantis. There are different options involved to singing: Choir, female, male (one or more). There is a chance to hear guest musicians from other bands. Generally, look forward )

Your synthesizer has sticker "Death metal". Is it your desire for IMPERIAL AGE to turn to this genre or something personal?

Eugenia: Neither one nor the other. Sticker is still there, but it’s no way to express my taste in music or the desire to change the style of IMPERIAL AGE. Rather - it's infantile wish to paste over my things with funny labels. By this way, they (things) acquire individuality. If I would had other stickers, they would flaunted on the synthesizer already for a long time (well, within reason ... pink bunnies, of course, would not pass face control).

Have you got any wish to change your stage role, to take a small part of the show to yourself? And generally, how your scenic image reveals to your real "I"? Can you tell us about your stage nickname?

Eugenia: For more activity on the stage, perhaps, I need to change shoes to more sustainable ones :)
My stage image was not created especially, I just can't behave and look different way. At least not yet. It's difficult to say how much I differ when I am on the stage from myself in everyday life.
My nickname (never thought that this word can be called so) is the result of a school drunkenness). But I like it more than my real name. The only problem arises when communicating with people in English. I have to pronounce my real name, which did not work in series of phrases: "Hello, you corn" :) As for the rest - a wonderful word.

And back to the question of stage roles and behavior on stage. Can you name the band in your opinion with the most optimal ratio of show elements and exciting musical material?

Eugenia: Two bands are coming to mind now: Arkona and Therion. In the case of Arkona, lead singer Maria so gives herself to the music and lay herself out that hells flow of energy goes from the stage! What about dynamics and emotions - so I do not say more.
In the case of Therion, action on stage creates byVikströmand his daughter. A lead singer (which changes periodically) just great sings. And, apparently, nothing happens on the stage (not that Alice Cooper show, for example), but looks very good.

What concert of Imperial Age would you call the most striking, what was the most successful, the most unfortunate?

Eugenia: The most impressive for me was our first concert, because it was my first concert. Generally I have not had the experience of a pioneer-fests, at once solo concert. Preparing to concert and performance itself - a lot of impressions.

The most successful ... probably the last solo performances in Moscow and St. Petersburg., Incidentally, this is very good that the recent concerts are the most successful. This means that we are growing, working on our skills and moving forward. Note that I do not appreciate the degree of concert success in the number of spectators in the hall. Measure for me is a quality of product that we issue. A quality product will always find its audience.

Now about Hell… I remember two concerts: Kazan and supporting Epic in Moscow. In Kazan, everything was excellent (great audience, fellow musicians, the city itself). But on the way I have managed to poison, and as a result my only desire throughout the entire concert was to finish show more quickly. It was hard to stand, impossible to play.

Supporting Epic was a good experience in overcoming of ASS (with a capital letters). At this concert was all wrong. It was in "Moscow" concert hall, and there is a wildly vibrating floor beneath the drums. As a result, my laptop fell from the stand from the vibrations, his cord disconnected and turned off the entire orchestra and click. In the middle of the song! There was a complete Hell. To top of it, I remember, we have not yet played "To Mega Therion", for which we specifically brought the choir. There many conclusions were made, much as ocean.

Incidentally, speaking of the pioneer bands and "pioneer-fest". What, in your opinion, is better for beginners band: hard to fight their way by solo concerts, even if it’s a long and expensive way, will form the core of the band fans, or participate in various bands concerts and fests where is a risk that listener simply do not notice a band among a lot of identical bands?

Eugenia: It depends on the purpose. If the goal is to conquer the world, both options are wrong. Look for huge festivals. However, in fact, it is the same hodgepodge, but hodgepodge is overseas. If the goal is to play for fun (for many, oddly enough, the band - it's a hobby), the pioneer-fest is quite good.

Incidentally, they can be used as a "rehearsal on the stage" before more serious event.

What is the most memorable concert you attended as a spectator last time?

Eugenia: Sadly, I was not in a normal concert a thousand years due to lack of time or sky-high ticket price (Scorpions, for example).