Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/866589
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 27 AUGUST 2017 30 This Week How would you describe the reaction to last year's – first – edition of Voices of the Succubi, and how do you hope to build on it with this upcoming edition? We believe that similarly to this year, last year we were able to of- fer a variety which somehow eve- ryone could enjoy. Starting from the varied bands who have indi- vidually contributed with their own unique sounds and perfor- mances, the enticing and sensual performances by the highly ac- claimed burlesque artist Undine La Verve, the enticing food op- tions, the highly defined sound and lighting system, as well as the warm vibe created by our attend- ees who passionately expressed themselves through headbanging and through their involvement with our performers and artists, there was a very positive feel throughout the whole festival. Of course, we had our own fair share of hiccups along the way. However, reactions to the festival were consistently good and peo- ple seemed to have had a great time at the event. Following last year's edition, this year we decided to also have super model Dani Divine presenting and performing at our festival, we also decided to keep the variety of music gen- res, ranging from progressive to Experimental, Symphonic, and Gothic metal and we improved our sound system in order to give our audiences an unforgettable experience throughout the whole event. Finally, we also decided to col- laborate with different sponsors and entities who in different ways helped us to improve the overall layout and organisation of the festival: Namely XFM who helped us to promote the event on radio, Band Aid music shop who helped us with all of our sound requirement and Storm H2O + coffein and Go & Fun, who have financially contributed to our festival. Once again, the event will feature a large number of international acts. What would you say attracts these bands to Malta? This year, Malta has seen an incredible increase in festivals headlined by very well known names in the rock and metal scene. With bands such as Or- phaned Land, Krokus, Mayhem, and now Xandria (to name but a few), we are experiencing our lit- tle Mediterranean marvel. May- be this Mediterranean magic, the warmth of the audience who get so much deeply involved with the performers on stage, togeth- er with the positive experiences that the bands experience when performing on our islands all add up and contribute at making Malta attractive. Another thing worth noting is the fact that through their own hard work, Maltese bands are now managing to actually tour and perform abroad, making themselves known and heard overseas. With bands such as Beheaded, Victims of Crea- tion, Weeping Silence and even through our own tours as Mar- tyrium, different contacts are es- tablished, whereby talks related to the planning and to the re- alisation of exchange of festivals happen. Finally, having popular bands such as Xandria headlining a festival, would always encour- age other bands (both local and foreign) to share the stage and perform in a particular country. What do you hope will be some of the highlights of this year's edition of the festival? What can audiences expect? Apart from the impressive mu- sical skills of the various bands performing at the event, this years' edition will also feature a Battle of the Bands within the festival itself, whereby the com- peting bands will win the chance to perform at FemME festival in Netherlands. As a result, our au- dience can certainly expect pas- sionate performances from both up-and-coming and established bands with a varied selection of music. Dani Divine's presenta- tion of the whole event is also surely not to be missed. Summer is a great time for music festivals in Malta – what would you say Voices of the Succubi brings into that equation that is truly unique? Summer in general is a great time to experience the abra- sive power of the feminine voice through the screams and yells of a neighbouring mother, who forcefully screams her lungs out at the young child or teenager who regularly sleeps in during the hot summer holidays. How many times have we heard this as- sociation with the angry feminine voice? Or how may times have we heard the typical man comment- ing about the 'whining' voice of a female acquaintance? More than any other festival organised local- ly, this festival aims at destroying the stereotypes surrounding the myth of the typical gentle, roman- tic, soft or screeching, witch-like voice. Instead it offers our audi- ences the opportunity to witness the free expression of any desired emotion through the complex and transitioning kaleidoscope of the feminine voice. Finally, what would you say an event like VOTS contributes to the wider metal scene in Malta? VOTS encourages fans from all types of rock and metal scenes, in- cluding Progressive, Gothic, Sym- phonic and so on... to come togeth- er under one roof and one event. Uniting people from more then just one sub-variation. Hopefully, we also aim to inspire more female singers to come forth and fearless- ly express themselves without any pre-conceived ideas of either ridi- cule or rejection. Yes, there's a very good metal scene in Malta, and yes there is indeed a place for anyone who has something to say, even if you're female and even if you need to maybe sometimes express your- self through growls. Bring it on! Could you tell us a little bit about what you've been up to these past couple of years, and how it has all built on the kind of work you've done up that point? I've been slowly easing into group exhibits including ones in London and Bristol, as well as taking part in street art festi- vals, including recently in Bris- tol's 'UpFest' and Copenhagen's 'Meeting Of Styles' last July. I've been transitioning from acrylics to oils the past years. I've spent a lot of time with oil-studying again after 18 years at the time. The process is slower than acryl- ics but the results are everything I wanted and needed. You seem to form part of plenty of subcultures: from illustration to street art, from skateboarding to music. What appeals to you about each of these things, and do you think there's a connecting thread between all of them? When it comes to illustration, I love how style and personality is key. It's the best method to em- phasise points and even inciting moments in story-telling. With street art, what appeals to me is bringing in your own particular art-style; in my case, Following the success of its inaugural edition last year, the female- fronted metal music festival Voices of the Succubi returns for a second helping at Chateau Buskett next week. TEODOR RELJIC speaks to the members of the industrial black metal band Martyrium about the importance of giving the oft- neglected female strand of metal a clear voice in the scene The stereotype-smashing scream Voices of the Succubi will be taking place at Chateau Buskett on September 1 and 2 and will be presented by Dani Divine. Line-up includes: Xandria (Germany), Enemy Of Reality (Greece), Lightless Moor (Italy), Esperoza (Moldova), Wolfsinger (Italy), Blind Saviour (Malta), Elysian Gates (Luxemburg), Viper Soup Complex (Malta) and Weeping Silence (Malta). For more information, log on to: http://www.votsfestival.com/ Tickets: https://goo.gl/1cQd74 Fresh off showcasing his work and mingling with fellow illustrators and mural artists in both Copenhagen and Bristol, Malta- based artist Chris de Souza Jensen (aka Seapuppy) speaks to TEODOR RELJIC about how music and skateboarding play an equally influential role in his creative process, and what it takes to sustain a career as a full-time artist in Malta Remember Martyrium – organisers of Voices of the Succubi and an accomplished metal band in their own right Dani Divine will serve as presenter for the two-day Voices of the Succubi event Chris de Souza Jensen: "The evil emerald wasp is my new obsession"