Ελληνικά
Listening to Lucifer will make you check at the calendar and ask yourselves what year is this. No, we are not in 1974 and no, your ears are not playing jokes on you. Joanna Sadonis worships the 70’s sound and she wanted desperetely to extort it and so Lucifer were born. On October 14, they land on Gagarin 205’s scene and the are ready to enchant us with their magic rock.
Hello Joanna, I welcome you to Metal Invader and I’ll cut right to the chase. The name that you chose is obviously a catchy name, but why do bands drawn to all Satan things, I mean even none metal or rock bands. Is he so fetching?
J- Lucifer – the great outcast, is not Satan if you look into it. But yes, in general one can say the devil stands for all the fun things you’re not supposed to do. And isn’t that what Rock and Roll is about?
There is undoubtedly a 70’s and 80’s sound revival. The nostalgia is really everywhere for past decades from music to movies and TV, everything takes us to trips down memory lane. Why is that, is it really because of nostalgia or because there is no new inspiration?
J- When it comes to Rock you can’t really re-invent the wheel. It’s all been done. But it’s been done best in the 70s and only the best is good enough. Those records are timeless and still hold far stronger than all the stuff that came after.
There has been a lineup change since your last album. How did that affect the new material?
J- The first album I wrote with Gaz Jennings and the new album I wrote together with Nicke Andersson. Of course it’s a different chemistry and I would dare to say this change affected Lucifer in the best way possible. Nicke and I share the same vision musically and it took Lucifer a notch up song writing wise but also in all other aspects. I am very proud of ‘Lucifer II’.
Talk to us about this new album. The recording process and how is the feedback so far?
J- The recording process was fantastic. Nicke has his own studio, so we could record whenever we wanted without time pressure. A total luxury. We have a very easy workflow. It’s fun. We really believe in this record, so it was rewarding to see the turnout. The album seems to be very well received.
The new album is called Lucifer IΙ. And a number is present there as in a lot of traditional 70’s rock/heavy bands. After all is this band was created for paying homage to the great heavy rock of 40-50 years ago?
J- Yes, Lucifer pays homage to the great Heavy Rock bands of the 70s but the band also stands for itself.
One term you created for Lucifer’s music was that, of the “magic rock”. Was the occult rock a bit dull for you? What the word magic represents for you?
J- Indeed. We kept being thrown into a box that was labeled occult rock and I really don’t like labels. I’ve always been an outsider and don’t want to mingle. Magic goes beyond the explainable. It comes to me often when I don’t expect it. It’s moments in life that show you a different perspective. You look up. It’s also a tool to steer through life. Magic of course can also be a metaphor. Music is magic!
My next question is going deeper. Are you a spiritual person? The real definition of the concept of spirituality has changed over the years. From what has traditionally been considered purely religious, today it has become ideological-philosophical, psycho-biological and socio-cultural. What is it with you?
J- I come from a rather traditional christian background and was questioning that around the age of 13. I got very fascinated by alternative outlooks on life. You can find truth in all the different religions and especially philosophy but I think the dogmatism to follow just one idea doesn’t make sense. So I draw inspiration for thought from every direction, from experience in life and yes, magic. There is more. I don’t think you can ever get to the bottom of it. It’s a journey.
Let’s now talk about sexism in the music industry. Why the music industry and fans of course see firstly in women artists their physique and secondly their musicianship? Do you think that feminism helps build a more healthy approach to this matter?
J- Yes, it’s an extremely frustrating battle we women have to fight all our life but of course it helps, that sexism is being talked about lately again. Because a lot of people, also women, don’t even realise they are taking part in it. It goes just so deep culturally and socially. We still have a long way to go!
But let’s get back to Lucifer II. Do you get personal when writing music or lyrics?
J- The lyrics are always personal, yes. Music is a great vehicle to work through emotions.
I really love one song particularly from the album “Reaper On Your Heels.” It reeks of melancholy. What are your thoughts on the concept of death?
J- It makes me happy you say that. I love this song and lyrically it’s my take on “Don’t Fear The Reaper” and about my bitter-sweet relationship to death. I have been quite obsessed trying to wrap my head around death since I was a kid. Death the great destroyer that can also bring you comfort and be an escape. I fear death, because I love life, but I also can’t help to stare “him” in the eyes.
You directed the video of ‘California Dream’ is this your first attempt and are you going to try this again? Talk to us about this experience.
J- All of Lucifer’s video are my ideas down to the details, It’s just that I finally took a credit for it ha ha!
How is the tour you’ve embarked so far? Do you like mostly playing live or studio is a more safe place for you?
J- The studio is the greatest place on earth for me but meanwhile I also love playing live. I am very shy by nature so it took me a while to enjoy it.
On the 14th of October you’ll be visiting Greece for the first time. We are demanding as a crowd but yet very enthusiastic and warm. What shall we expect from you and what are the first things you are going to do once in Athens?
J- “Demanding” – talking about pressure ha ha! But in all seriousness, we are extremely excited about playing in Athens, so we will most likely pour our hearts out on stage and hope that sparks will fly!
Because of our tight travel schedule we will probably have to go straight to the venue to set up for the show. Unfortunately!
That is all from me. Thank you very much for this interview and the epilogue is yours. See you at Gagarin 205.
J- Thank you so much! Looking forward to see everyone’s faces while getting tipsy on Greek wine!
