- - - - - -

Aesma Daeva Interview


Aesma Daeva Interview
By: John Wolff
With: John Prassas 

Interview Info
By: John Wolff
With: John Prassas 
Guitar, keyboards, and composer of Aesma Daeva 



SC:  Where do the roots of the name Aesma Daeva come from?

JP:  It is originally from Persian mythology. I, when younger, was into groups such as Nephalim, and Aesma Daeva is basically a fallen angel - or a member of the Nephalim.

SC:  How exactly do you figure out which beautiful vocalist will perform on which track?  The newest release offers the sounds of 3 different female vocalists.

JP:  Well, when writing there are so many things to consider.  Basically everyone has a different range and a different sound.  Many singers have a week note, which you have to find ways to avoid. So basically it was who ever fit best for the part.

SC:  What can you tell us about the Russian released Aesma Daeva cd?

JP:  It contains some different tracks with a different version of Lysander, and crazy remix of introit2.

SC:  What do you want to improve on or do differently ;with the next release?

JP:  Hopefully the next album will be a combination of real and electronic drums. Also I took a couple of risks and learned a lot on this album so now I have more confidence in what I can do for the next album.

SC:  How do you feel the AD sound is unique from other bands?

JP:  Well, I am not really going to compare my self to other bands but what I go for is to write music that sounds like Aesma Daeva because of the instruments, but also because of the way it is written. A goal is for it to sound like me on paper, as well as when recorded.  I think if anything Aesma Daeva seems to get the "Originality" rating from reviewers. I don't think it is just because we have different instruments in a metal band. I think it is also how the instruments are used.

Melissa Ferlaak

SC:  How do you feel about the popular and the underground metal scene in general?

JP:  There is a good bit of talent in the underground metal scene, but I have really had to search out for bands that I like and enjoy.  I guess my personal opinion on it is that, if you are an underground band there is no reason you can't take some risks. A lot of bands are very formula based, which is fine. I just think that it has gotten to a point though where there are a lot of Ann. Metal Bands. Especially some of these popular metal bands, I think they should just call themselves "Metal Band."  I realize genre's are a way to make money, but I think a lot of bands are committing what I would call musical suicide by subscribing to them.  Here is an example progressive music does not mean progressive any more. It means sounds like dream theatre. What's progressive about that?

SC:  Why did you choose this title for the album? What does it mean to you personally?

JP:  The title to me personally is about desiring things, or goals that seem far beyond achievement. I suppose I think of it as things which cause strife in my life.  In many ways I want to be able to write music that can stand along side the great musicians of our time. There are also plenty of girls that I wish would give me the time of day.  Stuff like that : )

SC:  Why do you have the quote in your album "He Who Hides His Mad Man Dies Voiceless?"

JP:  Most of the texts are dealing with strife, and jealousy, and many of my texts are from Ann. Poets. Some of the texts I add to but still the basic idea was that these ann. Poets are living by writing and creating.


Adena Brumer

SC:  How did you find your currently record deals with Irond Russia, and Root Of All Evil America?

P:  I have known Andy at Irond for a while. It was not until now that I finally got to a point where I was able to work with him. Overall it really has been a good experience. I hope to be able to work with him more in the future. Really it is a good way to make your music available and affordable to the Russian people. Our first album was pirated like mad in Russia, but to expect people to be able to buy the import version of the cd, is ridiculous. So this was a good alternative. Earl at ROE I have know for a while as well. He has one of the coolest stores I have ever been in called RootCellar records where he sells all vinyl. He also has a separate metal store called the Dungeon. He really helped me get my stuff out to America, which up until about 2 years wanted very little to do with me.

SC:  Who are most of these guest musicians how did you find them, what do they do?

JP:  I think one of my strengths as a composer is my resourcefulness. I knew that I wanted to do a very big album, and I knew all sorts of people who seemed interested in what I was doing. So I thought maybe I should take the opportunity to write for them. So Kim the trumpeter was one of the first people I wrote parts for.

SC:  How is the response of the album from people? Do you keep in contact with supporters of the music etc? 

JP:  So far the cds are moving rather well especially considering that we have not sent out more than 10 promo cds. So hopefully it will continue by word of mouth and the internet. We do have plans for promoting it, but that wont be until May.

Sara Williamson

SC:  Are there things other than music that you are inspired by?

JP:  I enjoy making correlations between the arts. So I really enjoy architecture especially when it comes to the form of a piece. I tend to design pieces after buildings. Otherwise I enjoy Independent films a lot. I am a person who really enjoys having my expectations broken which is probably a reason why formula based music does not appeal to me.

SC:  Do you have any heroes?

JP:  Oh I have plenty of heroes, some of them just for the fact that they keep going no matter what the critics say. Charles Ives is a hero.  John Zorn is a hero the guy gets ripped apart by reviewers and keeps going, but from what I have read of him he also seems like someone who can laugh at himself. Otherwise composers such as George Crumb - this guy has very few pieces because he refuses to repeat himself.  There are of course plenty of metal, and a few industrial bands, that I will always hold close to my heart, but I don't know that they are necessarily hero's for me.

SC:  What are your future plans?

JP:  We have some potential shows coming up - but nothing is set in stone yet. At the moment I am working on a new album, and I am also doing some remixes of this album which I should have done and available soon.

Sonic Cathedral sincerely appreciates the opportunity for this exclusive interview with Aesma Daeva.  All Aesma Daeva material is available in our store.  Thanks again, Aesma Daeva!