1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
We’re currently composing new tracks which could be part of our next release. If everything’s alright, we’re entering the studio at the end of 2013.
2-How would you describe the musical sound of the new album ?
There’s not a correct way to describe music with words. If we’d label it as pop-wave-melancholic-crepuscular rock I think it’d be quite pointless: I want to be in the shoes of those readers who’ve never listened to our music. For the benefit of our fans I can say, if we want to compare “Kore” to our previous works, there’s gonna be fewer keyboards and more dark, atmospheric guitars.
Anyway, the piano will always play its usual primary, important role.
3-What are some of lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release ?
Most of our lyrics, with few exceptions, are about moods, feelings, Valeria’s difficulty in relating with people in general. Our next release, “Kore” is no exception, which probably means Valeria’s difficulty hasn’t decreased but probably increased with the passing of time. She rejects cynical, cold people; pushiness and opportunism in relations scare her; she hates submitting to all those social rules which smother and paralyse her energy and naturalness.
4-The album tiltle has a reference to Greek mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in that topic ?
The cult of Kore (Proserpine for the Romans) was massively followed for centuries in our hometown, Enna. She represented the “rebirth” of nature after winter torpor. The climax of the cult was at harvest time. Christianity absorbed Kore and transformed her into the Virgin Mary, patron saint of harvest. Even today, in Enna dialect, we have the stock phrase “Kori, Kori!”, which expresses wonder, exultation, sorrow or astonishment. In one of his travels, Francesco of My Kingdom Music, after spending some days in Enna, was so fascinated by the atmosphere of the town that he thought about evoking it in the album title. We agreed.
5- Has the band been able to play out live or is this a studio project ?
Well, we don’t like using backing tapes and assorted help when gigging, because there’s not that much live in them (actually we don’t use them in the studio, either). So Dperd could play live, provided we can find three musicians at least who want to play with us. Then we should try and organize everybody’s commitments, and Valeria’s difficulty in obeying schedules and times (she’s hyperactive, with very short concentration and attention time spans). We’ve never managed so far; we’ll see…
6- On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music fans of dark wave ?
Lots of people from all ends of the world write to us, even from remote places. They show us their affection and are a very strong stimulus for us to play on. But Dperd are, and will always be, a cult band. We’re too melodic to be fully underground, and there’s too little singing and too may instrumental parts in our tracks to be appreciated by pop music lovers. We like it like this.
7-Are there any other musical project besides this band or is this a full line up ?
We used to play in a gothic rock band of the nineties, called Fear of the Storm. Dperd is our current and exclusive music project now.
8-What direction do you see your music heading into future releases ?
Tracks always take unexpected twists and turns whenever we record and mix them, as if they were alive and with a will of their own. We are arranging the new tracks, they’ll show their real selves with time.
9-what are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays ?
I think we’re influenced by movies soundtracks, especially those from the seventies, then progressive rock and psychedelia. Of course a lot of wave of the eighties, the trip pop of the nineties, and post rock. But I don’t want to speak about styles anymore, I wish all listeners and music critics weren’t conditioned by prejudices and barriers and limits could be broken.
10-Outside of music what are some of your interests ?
I love cinema and reading. Valeria gets bored with a movie (too long and static for a hyperactive type), but she adores reading. We both like drawing, although our styles are different: I love the bold outlines of comics, she likes chiaroscuro and blurred pencilled outlines.
11-Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview ?
We thank all those who’ve been so kind and patient as to read it through.
https://www.facebook.com/dperd/
