German-based noise rock project Ivana Orleanska (i.e. ‘Joan of Arc’ in Croatian) is ready to create an
intriguing musical experience with the latest EP ‘Agonizing’. Just like the title suggests, this EP provides an
essence of poignancy along with some violent and energetic vibes. This EP spans around 12 minutes and
offers deep impact with the distorted melodies. Let’s find out what the artist has to say as he shares his
thoughts with us.
DMR: Congratulations on the release of ‘Agonizing’. Tell us something about the creative process behind this project.
Ivana Orleanska : Thank you! I usually write a guitar or bass guitar riff first, sometimes I start with a rhythm programmed on a drum machine and see what does and/or doesn’t work with it. I come up with lyrics while listening to the instrumental once it’s finished.
DMR: You have magnificently utilized a new set of gear for the project. How was the experience?
Ivana Orleanska : Very fun! It was the easiest recording I’ve done in a while, mainly because I decided to record demos first using GarageBand, so I could get to know the songs better and be 100% ready. I started working a day job as security/supervision in a museum two and a half years ago so I could afford all that gear with little to no problems, some of those things are birthday gifts from my immediate family though.
DMR: How did you come up with the name ‘Ivana Orleanska’? Tell us how ‘Joan of Arc’ inspired you.
Ivana Orleanska : I think I first read about her while I was in high school, it was around the time I was fascinated by feminism and started believing in egalitarianism since most of the artists I liked preached stuff like that, so her story intrigued me and thought if I were to start some sort of musical project some day, I’ll call it that, but in Croatian because it sounds cooler. Those who are not small-minded will agree with me when I say that women can be badasses too.
DMR: Living in Germany with Croatian roots, what cultural influence inspired you?
Ivana Orleanska : Aside from the occasional punk/metal shows I go to, Karlsruhe can be a very boring and depressing town with not much to do. In my personal experience, people here are disrespectful, apathetic, vulgar, violent, and my music is a sort of reaction to all that, to everything that happened, is happening and will happen around and to me.
DMR: When did you first discover your love for music? Are you trained from childhood?
Ivana Orleanska : Since my primary school days, I always had good grades in music and art classes but I was never classically trained though, I only recently learned a thing or two about music theory. I was fascinated by almost all kinds of rock music growing up. When I was 14 and moved to Germany, I delved deeper into Nirvana’s discography like I’ve never done with any other band up to that point in my life and have since then viewed them as Gen Z’s Beatles, and through them I discovered the world of punk rock and noise punk with the help of their 1992 split single with The Jesus Lizard: “Puss”/”Oh, the Guilt”. When I was 15, my father bought me some kind of Fender knockoff at a flea market for 20€ and I started learning how to play popular and other times not-so-popular diddies from Depeche Mode to Black Flag.
DMR: Do you find any drawbacks in the modern music industry?
Ivana Orleanska : People nowadays seem to not want to own a physical copy of music that they like anymore. I’d get strange looks from companions when I said I’d like to buy an artist’s CD or vinyl record and they’d ask “Dude, why don’t you just download it?”, people are forgetting that there’s ways to support an artist and streaming has stopped being one of them, because of low revenue. The feeling of being in an actual record store beats the feeling of browsing Spotify, but sometimes if it wasn’t for Spotify, you wouldn’t have any idea the band that makes you want to go buy their cassette existed in the first place. It’s a complicated mess.
DMR: What tips would you like to give to emerging artists in the industry?
Ivana Orleanska : It’s okay to not be 100% perfect at singing or playing whatever instrument you’re playing. Musicians that get attention today get attention because they stand out, and seeking perfection gets in the way of being original and unique. Bottom line is you should make music because you love music. That’s it. Your creation will always live, regardless if 3 or 50 or 70 million people know about it.
DMR: Do you think the subgenres like noise rock or punk rock need more exposure?
Ivana Orleanska : All I can say is that people should be more open-minded about these subgenres despite what they may listen to on a regular basis. You’re bound to find something you like if you’re willing to look for it, but I guess you can say this about all genres.
DMR: What comes first for you? Music or the lyrical approach?
Ivana Orleanska :Music, of course. When I write lyrics, I usually try to translate what the instrumental sounds like into words, but for one certain occasion in the future, I’m thinking about writing music based on some words I recently wrote down are saying because it’s as close as I’ve ever come to actual horror storytelling.
DMR: Is there any upcoming musical project that listeners can expect?
Ivana Orleanska : I have many exciting things planned as a matter of fact! More singles, EPs, albums, forming an actual band, live gigs, merch, videos, etc… I’m excited to see what I can accomplish!
DMR: Would you like to collaborate with other artists in the coming days?
Ivana Orleanska : My business associates Голем Одмор (Golem Odmor, a hardcore punk band from Skopje) and rapper fate.wav/fate76, my cellmate in Alcatraz.
DMR: Is there anything that you want to say to the listeners?
Ivana Orleanska : Thanks for listening, you guys wanna grab a beer or something?
Follow Ivana Orleanska : YouTube//Bandcamp
Song Link :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwgORTcV4AY
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