They say music takes us to different places. Well, some music also takes us to different times. Luíra is one of the artists with music that takes the mind on a trip in time, with Viking and Folk elements embedded into her alternative music. Luíra has previously been in a few projects, both Classical and Metal, but 2021 marked her beginning as a solo artist, as she released two songs and is on the verge of releasing her debut solo album.
We had the chance to talk with Luíra and ask her about her music and plans for the future. We hope you enjoy this interview.
Interview
Hello Luíra! How are you doing during these weird times?
Heia! These times are strange and difficult for everyone. But I manage ok luckily.
Good to hear! You’ve had experience in different musical projects. What is special about your most recent solo project?
It’s special because this time I not only composed the music alone, but I also had all the freedom in the world to find my own style, to explore all the secret and hidden paths in songwriting! And the last two years I learned how to produce my own music as well. It was not easy to learn all this, but it was such an interesting and cool journey! My first solo album `Free`, that is going to be released in 2021, is all these things combined, and going to be a really special album for me.
That’s great! You have released your single, ‘Secret Medicine’, a few weeks ago. How are you feeling about the reception it got so far?
I have to say that I am overwhelmed by all the positive responses and that I am really grateful for them!
To get our readers to know you better, I’d like to play a game of imagination. I’ll give you a certain scenario in an alternate universe and you’d have to react to these changes. Ready for my nerdy questions?
Yes of course, haha 🙂
In a universe where you’re a superhero, what would your superpower be?
I would have healing powers. If people would have physical/ mental pain, I could make them more at ease and take a gradation of their pain away (but not the memories).
In a universe where the senses of taste and hearing are mixed up, what would your new music taste like?
It would taste like strong chili chippies dipped in the finest dark chocolate with sparkling colourful sprinkles on top 🙂
Sounds delicious! In a universe where you’re the queen of a kingdom, what interesting law would you make?
I would make a law that everybody is equal, and go back to trading instead of paying with money. Last but not least I would ban plastic from this world.
In a universe where the currency is a person’s sense of humour, how rich would you be?
I would be fine haha 🙂 I think it’s healthy not to take yourself so seriously sometimes.
In a universe where a new planet identical to Earth has been discovered and people can choose to either voyage and colonize the new planet or stay here, what would do?
Then probably I would stay here. I am happy with what I do have in life, I love this earth, her people and there should stay people `behind` to take care of this one.
In a universe where your WiFI password is the first name of your favourite artist, the name of the last song you listened to, and a random cartoon character, what would your password be?
Freddy Leaves of Yggdrasil Totoro
That’s one unhackable password! Thank you for playing, Luíra. You’re a multi-instrumentalist but what I’d like to ask you about is your violin. We don’t get a lot of violin players here. What first drew you to learning and playing the violin?
When my grandfather was too old to play the violin when he was 91 (he taught himself) he gave his violin to me. I was nine years old and the violin was my first instrument. Since that very moment we were inseparable; I even slept with her at night haha. My parents didn’t understand it so much, but they did support me on my journey until I was 20 years old and wanted to play different music styles… But especially my father tried to understand my wish to play heavy- metal in 2006/ 2007 and my untamed curiosity to discover other instruments and singing/ grunting.
That’s wonderful. Have you ever been treated in a sexist way? How would you face sexism and what advice would you give to young people who face any kind of discrimination?
Unfortunately I have. Especially playing heavy- metal and leading my ex-band Adeia, I felt that they don`t take female grunters so seriously sometimes (not like the men) and sometimes I overheard that the men mostly come to see heavy- metal bands with women to look at boobs… I just want to say that this is sad, and don`t understand why people cannot just listen to the music and support the band they love. And it still happens that female fronted bands or female artists are not being paid the same salary for the same kind of concerts as their manly colleagues.
What I would advise other female artists is to focus on your music, that’s the most important thing of all, and believe in yourself. And meanwhile fight for your rights and ignore the sexism behaviour, because these people are not worth your time and energy.
That’s great advice and thank you for sharing your experience. How has the coronavirus pandemic influenced you as an artist?
Mostly it has influenced me as a teacher, because most people are too afraid to come to my private practice unfortunately. And of course playing concerts is impossible and travelling, but for now I am working with the mixing of my album, and the last bass guitar and drums recordings with my dear and awesome colleagues Franc Timmerman (ex- Adeia and Blaudzun) and Matthias Landes (Dark Fortress). So according to my music and release I am still okay and cannot complain 🙂
Hope everything goes back to normal soon. Thank you for the interview Luíra! It has been a pleasure!
Thank you so much, I am so grateful! Thank you for your time and I am very thankful for the people and fans that support me. This year will be better in so many ways, and you can all look forward to my upcoming album, I have a few surprises coming up, I can say!
