Evanescence.gr Blog

14th Annual World Beat Song Nominee

Record Label: Self-Released
Home Base: Brooklyn, NY
Genre: Alternative/Industrial rock, electronica, dark pop, classical, ambient, world…
Categories Entered: World Beat Song
Work Submitted: “Dark Water”
Artists Featured: Amy Lee, Malika Zarra, Dave Eggar, Chuck Palmer
Label: Self-Released

Who are your influences?:
Bjork, Portishead, MIA, Lykke Li, Hans Zimmer, Trent Reznor…

Describe your nominated work:
“Dark Water” is a blending of synthetic and organic instruments, Dark pop fusion with Middle eastern influences.

Did you use any unusual effects or instruments in this recording?:
Using Oud on a song was a first for me, and my favorite was the hammer dulcimer- so eerie and dreamlike.

Were there any happy accidents while in the studio, or did everything go as planned?:
I don’t know about accidents, but the process was very unplanned, and the song was uniquely built. Malika sang, making it up as she went, over a simple drum loop and an Oud strumming just one chord for 20 minutes or so. I heard particular moments I wanted to repeat, accentuate, and rearrange so I took the track home and hacked it to pieces, building the song’s skeleton that way. After that I layered my own vocals, then we added drums, programming, cellos, more vocals, hammer dulcimer, guitar, and whatever else we could think of until it felt complete.

How did you raise the funds for this project? How long do you expect it will take to recoup your out-of-pocket recording expenses?: 
This was one of the songs we wrote for War Story that didn’t end up in the film, which is why I wanted to put out Aftermath- so I could still release all of the best stuff we made. We have recouped! (Fastest that’s ever happened for me, it pays to do it yourself! ha)

What’s your definition of success and how will you know when you’ve achieved it?: 
I believe that artistic success comes from within your own heart. You’re either satisfied with your work or not.

Who’s sitting in your audience and what makes your fans unique?: 
I am constantly surprised by the diversity of my fans. I have met so many different people from all around the world, who come together and find how alike they are in the music. It’s a beautiful thing. I often find that they are particularly compassionate, because they know what it’s like to feel outcast or different.

How do you discover new music? Do you buy music or are you content with streaming?: 
I like subscription streaming services like Spotify. It gives you access to just about everything and although it is a very small amount, the artist does still get paid. But I do still buy if it’s an artist or album I really like, to support it.

How will musicians make a living if fans continue to expect music to be free?: 
Our expectation today is for instant access to everything. If somebody wants to hear a song all they have to do is go to YouTube and click play. But I don’t think the solution is just forcing people to pay for music the old way. We have to think creatively on how to get artists paid so they can afford to continue to make the music we love. I think paid streaming is kind of like cable- you have to think of music in more of a package form, rather than purchasing a la carte. We just need to keep those sites accountable for what they pay the artists vs. what they pay labels, and what they pocket.

What don’t fans/audiences understand about the music industry today?: 
I don’t understand the music industry today!

Are digital singles/EPs vs. full albums the future?: 
I think the future is anything and everything. I think that’s what makes it art, as opposed to fast food or the most efficient smartphone. Singles, full albums, vinyl, music released in App form- who knows, the next cool thing could be somebody releasing their new single in an electric toothbrush and you can only hear it while brushing your teeth.

Finish this sentence: The music industry is…
in a constant state of change.

What do you have in the works for the upcoming year?: 
I just made some cool music with Dave Eggar and Chuck Palmer for Hammerstep’s new live experience and short film project, Indigo Grey. Evanescence will be playing Ozzfest Japan November 21st, and I’m really looking forward to going back there, and performing live again!

URLs where fans can find you and your music:
Follow me on twitter: @AmyLeeEv and @Evanescence and like me on
Facebook.com/AmyLeeOfficial and Facebook.com/Evanescence

Follow Dave Eggar on twitter: @daveeggar Instagram: @daveeggar and like him on https://www.facebook.com/daveeggar daveeggar.com

Follow Chuck Palmer on twitter: @chuckpmusic Instagram: @chuckpalmer and like him on facebook https://www.facebook.com/chuckpalmermusic

Evanescence are making their Ozzfest Japan debut and at present the show is the only scheduled performance for the Amy Lee-led group this year. Lee has spent time on soundtrack work and outside projects over the past year and the return of Evanescence is a welcome one for the band’s fans. The singer also welcomed her first baby, a boy named Jack Lion, in July 2014.

Check Amy's post below:

The wait is over. This is the next big surprise after Will Hunt's Q+A, only for the members of Amy's Army and EvTeam Greece.

Amy Lee Discusses Forthcoming Evanescence Album


Evanescence may be mired in legalities with its former record company, but that's not keeping Amy Lee from plotting the group's fourth album.
Lee tells us that she's coming through leftovers from 2011's "Evanescence" as well as coming up with fresh material for the group:



"I definitely have a lot of songs and ideas and things we haven't shared yet and I still believe in them, so...you may still get your chance to hear all that stuff...I really only get into that mode when I'm home and finally separated from the chaos of a public life."
"Evanescence" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 but sold considerably less than its two predecessors.
Lee recently filed suit against Wind-Up Records for $1.5 million in owed royalties, and the suit also alleges that the label undermined the success of the band's self-titled 2011 album by among other things employing deficient independent promoters to work the set.
Wind-Up recently sold Evanescence's back catalog and no longer lists the group as one of its active artists.

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