Mystic-enriched Symphonic Metal musician, Apolinara, has recently released her new album “Shadows and Signs”. We had the chance to talk with Apolinara, getting to know her better and asking her about her new release and music in general. Enjoy this interview with the Metal Warrior of Light!
Hello, Apolinara. It’s really wonderful to talk with you. How are you doing today?
Hi Mirk. Thank you for having me!
You have recently released your debut album “Shadows and Signs”. How are you feeling about the way your fans have received this album?
Yes, you are right – my first full-length musical baby is out! And it’s exciting in many ways. I’m just growing my following base. That’s why the relationships with my listeners are quite personal. Most of them have been by my side since the first single release in 2019. They supported me during the recording process, and I feel very grateful.
How would you describe your music to our readers who are yet to check your album or songs out?
For a while I tried to boil it down and highlight the essence. At the moment I’m calling my genre “Mystical Melodic Metal”. And the potential listener, who feels intrigued about it, can visit my web page for free music downloads. Take my songs for a “test drive”, and see if they grow on you!
In order to get to know you better, and to have some fun, also because I’m a nerd, how about we play a nerdy game? I will set up some alternative universes and give you a scenario and a question about it. Are you ready?
No, but we shall proceed anyway 😉
😂😂 In a universe where you find yourself the queen of a kingdom, what would be the first legislation you’d make?
Don’t wake up the queen before 9 am!
In a universe where you can choose a superpower to possess, would you rather have the ability to teleport from one place to another, or the ability to read minds?
Easy choice – teleportation. I already can read minds anyways.
In a universe where you’re the statue of liberty, what object would you be holding instead of a torch?
Hahaha, I won’t hold anything: liberation is an absolute so no symbols are needed.
How rich would you be considered in a universe where you pay for things you purchase by telling jokes?
It’s a good thing I’m not a “shopaholic”.
In a universe where the sense of taste and sense of hearing got somehow mixed up in the human body, what food would you imagine your music would taste like?
Steak (medium raw), red wine, grilled veggies – main course, heavy tracks.. Vanilla ice cream and black coffee without sugar for desert – unplugged tracks.
In a universe where a zombie apocalypse happened, would you most likely be hiding in a safe house, outside fighting the zombies, or already turned into a zombie?
Zombie apocalypse is already happening in Ukraine, the country I was born and raised in. I’m fighting this war any way I can from here, the US. Many musicians who recorded an album with me are in Ukraine, fighting those zombies. Sorry, it’s a sensitive topic. I have never believed in zombies but what I see and hear from my friends and relatives can’t be done by humans. They are zombies, monsters who are trying to wipe out the Ukrainian nation. But they will fail.
That’s a brilliant answer. Hope Ukraine will soon be safe from all terror. Thank you for playing along, Apolinara! Hope you enjoyed this! Do you remember the first time you performed in front of a live audience? How did it feel?
I have played piano in front of an audience since I was 6. Solo singing happened during teen age. I always feel a bit nervous but in the right amount, you know, nervous enough to stay alert but not lose control.
As a feminist website, we like to learn and have our readers learn, from the experience of other women. So have you ever faced sexism? How do you deal with it and what advice would you give to young people facing any form of discrimination?
Great question, thank you! Yes, I faced it, and unfortunately keep facing it, even from my friends. Of course, they have the best intentions but the people who tried to talk me out of this solo Apolinara journey were my friends. Because that’s the way society expresses care. They say you need “a male” partner. Or you could run solo in metal music if you’re a guy. So many theories I heard over the last 3 years. And I’m only growing at the point, nothing to be parading about but I feel good about the process. Life is the Process that we need to learn from and enjoy. And that’s what my solo project is to me.
I’m 35 years old. I have tried to enter show business since I was 17. I heard all sorts of stories about how this business works… I lived in several countries with different cultures where women have “no right to an opinion”. I’ve seen sexism, believe me. I learned to cope without betraying my true self. Advice to young people? Don’t let anyone ruin this unique personality of yours. Other advice is for parents – make sure that your child knows how much you love them so they will always feel protected and ready to survive whatever unfair cruelty the world may hold.
Thank you for the interview, Apolinara. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Only the lines from my album title song “Shadows and Signs”: follow the path “to the Light through a Darkness, to a Dream through a Misery”.
