Interview- Tara Vanflower (of Lycia)

Grave Concerns: (GC) : What is the name of your band and Who are the current members?

Lycia:The name of my band is Lycia. We are mostly "retired" now and working on solo albums. Mike Vanportfleet has a solo album called 'Beyond the Horizon Line' on Silber records and I (tara vanflower) will begin working on my next solo release in the next few months.

GC: How did you become connected to make music?

Lycia: I wrote Mike a fan letter. He was already releasing albums under the Lycia moniker.

GC: What are your musical influences?

Lycia: Mostly the world around me and life experiences influence me, but bands I admire and respect are: Swans (and related projects), The Cure, Daisy Chainsaw, Death in June, Stone Breath, Faith and the Muse etc.

GC: What is your live show like?

Lycia: Nonexistant now! But we used to use a lot of fog and dark swirling lights. Very minimal and very atmospheric.

GC: Tell us about your own unique style of music?

Lycia: That's not an easy question to answer. We use a lot of fx but try very hard to have an almost organic feel to the music. The music is atmospheric and emotionally heavy at times.

GC: What serparates your band from all the other bands out there?

Lycia:Um, I don't really think of our music in terms like that. We do what we do. I don't like comparing what we do to what others do as it's not a competition.

GC: How do you go about writing songs?

Lycia: Generally I start with one sound and build upon it.

GC:Pick one of your latest song and talk about everything from writing it, meanings, the challenges of recording it?

The last song I worked on was from our album 'Tripping Back into the Broken Days'. It was called "Asleep in the River" and it's based on the river I grew up by in Ohio as well as going through a very emotionally painful period. Mike recorded the music first and then I came in to work on vocal melodies and lyrics. It was a painful experience, probably the most difficult thing I've ever worked on. I had never really had a hard time struggling with words/melodies before. I would sit and agonize over the song for hours and give up on it and come back later and try again. Finally it clicked and I think it's probably the best song I've ever been a part of.

GC: What is your latest news with the band?

Lycia: Mike's first solo album coming out.

GC: Where do you hope to be in 5 years with your band?

Lycia: Hopefully still recording.

GC: How are people currently reacting to your music?

Lycia: The same as always. For the most part we get a positive response, though there are occasional bad reviews just like every other band gets.

GC: What would be the top 3 reasons for listening to your music? It's honest. It's good to relax to. We are who and what we are and we don't try to put on any fake persona.

GC: What is your best experience as a band?

Lycia: Probably playing some of the bigger shows we played and the comradery of touring.

GC: What is your worst experience as a band?

Lycia: Dealing with people who were difficult to deal with. Opening a few shows in front of some pretty brutal crowds. Getting fucked over.

GC: What is most important to you in your band?

Lycia: To be true to who we are and to express ourselves honestly.

GC: Do you have a personal favorite song?

Lycia: That's like trying to pick a favorite child.

GC: What was the hardest song to write and why?

Lycia: See question #8 ;)

GC: What do you think of the current gothic/ EBM/ Industrial/ noise/ synthpop etc scence today?

Lycia: I don't really think much about it at all. I don't think it's as strong as it was in the mid 90's though.

GC: What music do you currently listen to?

Lycia:Steve Roach, Stone Breath, Death in June, Numina, Type O Negative etc.

GC: How do you keep changing your music from album to album or plan to change it?

Lycia: There's never a conscious effort to change or do anything when recording. Things just naturally evolve the way they do.

GC: What kind of recording environment do you have?

Lycia: Very sparse.

GC: How long did you spend on your latest effort?

Lycia:I believe Mike spent about 3 months on his solo release.

GC: What is the hardest thing about being in a band for this genre?

Lycia: I'm not sure how to answer this question as I don't think we've ever particularly fit into this genre.....so maybe that's my answer?

GC: Feel free to do any shameless self promotion here of you band, now is your turn to talk about anything you want about your band, ideas, or life in the band.

Lycia:Feel free to check out Mike's latest release at https://www.silbermedia.com there is an mp3 available for download there. We also have a number of unreleased tracks available for download at https://www.lyciummusic.com

GC: What is most rewarding when it comes to your band?

Lycia:Finishing an album and finally having it in your hands and having it be exactly what you wanted it to be. Performing in front of a good crowd was also very rewarding.

GC: What are some of your highlights as a band?

Lycia:Playing Irving Plaza was a definite standout. As well as headlining the Limelight in NYC on the Fourth of July back in 1995. Also playing The Roseland Ballroom in NYC opening for Type O Negative.

GC: What are you looking forward to most right now as a band?

Lycia:Working on my next solo release.

GC: Are you with a label working on finding one if so.. how are is it to be accepting or what was it like being accepting?

We are on Silber currently. We enjoy working with Brian John Mitchell as he understands the angle we're coming from.

GC: Compilation experiences good or bad and why?

Lycia: It can be both. Sometimes you get the final product and realize it wasn't very well put together. I view it as a positive thing always though because it's another way to spread your music and to be a part of a cd with other (possibly) cool bands.