"L'ame Electrique"

c/o Petro P.O.BOX 4301 10210 Athens Griechenland

Q: First of all congratulations for your new masterpiece!

A: Thank you... -but I am afraid you are exaggerating.

Q: It seems that this one is the counterpart to "Dead Lovers' Sarabande - Face One". I think you have done this in the past before. Could you give us further information and can you explain the need that forces you to complete your work in two parts - and is there any chance to also see a "Face Three" ?

A: Already from the beginning "Dead Lovers' Sarabande" has been conceived (received) as a two-part project, and for a while I was actually playing with the thought of recording it all at once quite seriously. But rather soon I had to realise that it simply would have been far too much for me to bear .... and far too confusing. You have to understand that to me recording an album is like undergoing a specific test, an exam .... it is indeed a very stressful situation .... and just like in school you are awfully nervous, as you are hoping that you are well-prepared enough to master all the questions, that you will remember everything you have learned and you are going to need, etc... -but most of all you are hoping that you have understood it well enough to be able to actually work with even new matter, which in our case often means to be/stay open for the spontaneous gift of "inspiration" ... Though there won't be a third part to "Dead Lovers' Sarabande", it might be important for you to understand that each SOPOR album is always a sequel to the previous one(s) .... and at the same time a (subconscious) preparation for the one(s) to follow.

Q: What has inspired you to choose this title in the first place? - "Dead Lovers' Sarabande".

A: I had to choose it, -or to accept it, to be precise- because "Dead Lovers` Sarabande" simply is the title of it... -it is its name! Just like yours is Petros .... and mine Anna-Varney. A name is always like a description of the essence of a specific thing, of a thought, a person or whoever (or whatever) is carrying it... -it is almost like a definition .... and by changing it, one also denies the truth behind. I do not know where the actual inspiration came from .... and what exactly is inspiration anyway .... where does it generally come from? From the Gods, the spirits ...., do we just find it by chance or is it given to us? I cannot answer these questions to anyone's satisfaction .... and I don't even dare trying, admittedly. Perhaps we should instead approach this strange sensation of the creation art from a different direction. Everything that we see, hear, smell otherwise perceive with our senses, has an influence on our entire life, our attitudes, our behaviour, our emotions .... and therefore, of course, on our (creative) work as well. Whether all this happens consciously or merely on a subconscious level is not really of that much importance. The effect is there! But especially (!) as an artist one should always take a closer (reflective) look at what one is doing ...., feeling .... or even thinking... -because everything has its consequences.

Q: This is a question that stuck on my mind since the release of Face One: why is it called "Face One" and "Face Two" ... and not, let's say, part 1&2 ? Does this have something to do with duality of the human nature and /or nature in general? Are you expressing two different faces of yourself ?

A: I am sorry, but it is not my habit to explain my work .... Call it arrogant, if you wish, but I have the attitude that (true) art should always be capable of explaining itself. Sometimes it is even better not to know everything ...., because once we have understood everything there is to understand.... what will be left of it then? To a certain degree it is the same thing with the sky, a flower or the stars above us..., they are very beautiful, but it is better not to understand them. Their magic lies within the unknown... -a magic that is essential to some of us. Apart from that, it is really of no importance to guess what might have been my exact intention or idea. Well, it is important..., yes, of course, but only for myself (!) and not for anyone else. The listener, or recipient, should always ask himself the question, what a specific piece of art is telling him!!! What and how he feels about it. Questioning the artist about his/her work and/or guessing his/her intention can be a nice game and sometimes be even interesting or informative -admittedly- but it should never be the ultimate criteria. And when it comes to a form of art that is based on very peculiar, even intimated experiences and working-methods most intuitive .... (a form of art that -besides the obvious aspects and effects- is aiming for the subconscious, for the {denied / suppressed ? } darkness within the recipient) ... -then shedding too much light upon it might not only destroy its magic, but can also proof to be a total waste of time. There are some things that simply cannot be understood on an intellectual level...., certain things have to be experienced..., and very often you will discover that finding out an artist's original intention can be awfully disappointing... -even if the artist's ideas might be really brilliant. The disappointment comes from the fact, that everyone lives and breathes in his/her very own reality. Understanding this is a very important thing, because all the hatred and misunderstanding the various societies are suffering from, can (to a certain degree) be traced back to the illusion that we are all alike. Well, we are not. We are all unique, with our very own fears and needs. And true art is based on this individuality, created out of an inner necessity .... and it can be perceived only through the stained glasses of our own individuality. Yes, we might be living on the same planet...., but also in different worlds. Sometimes when I am going to watch a theatre-play or dance-performance I am always making sure that I don't by chance read anything about it, before actually seeing the piece. I am always hoping that I won't come across an article or interview in which the artist actually explains this particular work of his and what he had in mind when creating it...- because this would not only influence my reception totally, but also eliminate any chance for me to experience something about myself by taking a close look at my spontaneous (!) interpretation!

Q: But has this anything to do with your need to show off your genitals on a photograph found inside the booklet for your self-depicting song "Va(r)nitas, vanitas..." ? A: No. The images are the visual equivalent, an expression of the lyrics .... of the song. I also wouldn't call it a need....- though it was necessary, ha. Q: On to the musical part: in the past you have also covered songs from other bands. Now it was time for a NICO cover. Why did you choose this artist and what made you pick this specific song ?

A: Oh, I like some of NICO's material very much, and "Abschied" is certainly one of it. But primarily it is not really important who the original artist is (or was), that is not the criteria. It was the song itself, the lyrics, that caught my attention ... -that made my cry. I realised the truth this song carries for me .... and I knew that I just had to perform it .... that it is essential to be included in "Dead Lovers' Sarabande". But don't get me wrong .... NICO's original version is more than brilliant already !!! Listen to it, if you ever come across.

Q: On your new album you have used instruments -once again, but extensive than before- from a classical orchestra. Your music does have a classical taste to it. Who is the man who composes? Which are your inspirations ?

A: Well, we have just talked about inspiration..., so instead, let me try to make you understand how fragile the act of creation can be, how easily influenced: There is a special intention working in secret behind all things as nothing ever happens without a reason or motive. I believe that it is so for all lyrics and music... in a certain moment and position within the continuum of space and time... a special melody or music is already assigned. The consequence arising from this idea is the circumstance of having no real choice regarding the selection, instrumentation and final sound of "our" music, since its appearance is automatically defined by our own individual way of being (i.e. consciousness etc.)... in the very moment of the invocation of the song. Indeed, the artist's interaction with her/his entire (spiritual) environment, and with the lyrics, that is the name of the song or poem, actually seem to create this definition. If one keeps in mind that equal things always attract each other, allow me then to illustrate these thoughts by using the following model: Try to imagine an empty room. At its centre a peculiar source of light is sending out its rays. This source of light shall be the essence of the song upon which we have chosen to focus. Attracted by the characteristically pulsating rhythm of this light, the perhaps strangest, yet still corresponding entities, or energies, (however one prefers to call them) enter the room as they follow our invitation, leaving their traces behind whilst moving through it. Those entities, or energies, are the exact equivalent to the instruments and voices of the song. In fact, they do represent them. If we take a closer look at the resulting scenario after a certain space of time, that is, the room, the traces that have been left behind and the source of light all together as a whole... then from this picture we may perceive a symbolic equivalent of the moment when music and lyrics unite. It is, of course, important to capture the very moment of the highest intensity, in order to be as close as possible to the true essence of the song, and therefore also to the emotion one attempts to express in the first place.

Q: It seems that each new album sounds much more gloomy and pessimistic than the previous one. What is your aim, your ultimate goal?

A: Well, it is my aim to get as close as possible to the essence of a song. Considering all the possible distractions I find this sometimes extremely difficult... -because, you have to understand, that those distraction are coming from the inside as well!

Q: Do you think we are heading for the completion of time?

A: An end of time...? Well..., yes and no, I would say. "Yes" in so far that matter and time are requiring each other ... and the (necessary) incarnation of the human soul onto this planet, in order to learn, experience and spiritually grow, requires both. Without this concept of matter and time, physical experiences (like pain, for example) would not be possible for the soul, at all. So, if we accept the theory that we are here on this planet to work for our enlightenment, to get educated/prepared (or ready) for Nirvana .... and, if furthermore we accept that this so-called state of Nirvana is a state beyond time .... then, yes, one fine day there will be an end of time.... But, if you believe that we are all doomed .... and that there is just no more hope for this planet and the souls living on it ...., then my answer is no!

Q: Lyrically, from where do you draw the enlightenment to write the SOPOR AETERNUS lyrics ?

A: From the inside...

Q: "Nothing in this world can be as immaculate and pure as the love of us Cold Ones for the dead..." - What do you mean by this? To whom are you referring as Cold Ones ?

A: To myself. I am always writing about myself .... exclusively .... since I can only write or sing about things that I know .... and the only thing that I know -at least a little- is me. As I said, I do not talk about my lyrics .... nor do I explain them. But .... maybe as a hint: when is it that someone is actually cold inside, hm? Usually it is a person, who cannot feel love .... or, at least, believe so. The reason for this seemingly lacking emotion is always .... fear. Not because this person is a coward, but because he/she has once been wounded very badly... Try to think about it, if you like. Perhaps it gets a little clearer for you then...

Q: I am also confused about the following excerpt. Please, explain the meaning of this: "...Yet, make-up is my armour, Dear, and I must hide my face..."

A: Normally I wouldn't do this... however, since most of the song is written/sung in German, I cannot blame you for your confusion... Generally speaking, I have to admit that writing large parts of an album in a language that only few people do understand, isn't exactly helpful and might not seem like a clever move. But, you see, that is the problem when working in an intuitive way, because most of the time there is only one specific way of doing a song or expressing a certain subject, or emotion..., usually the lyrics work (for me) only in one specific language... -ha, the dictates of self-therapy, I guess. But back to your question: as the song title already suggest "Va(r)nitas, vanitas.... omnia vanitas" deals (amongst other things) with the transitoriness of things .... or of life in general..., vanity etc... Yet in the attempt to reveal the mostly neurotic construction of our reality (or our perception of it), the protagonist gives away his very own neurosis in this excerpt, as he betrays his own inability to follow his own advice and live what he preaches.

Q: Generally speaking, there are many theatrical elements in SOPOR AETERNUS - in the music and in the image. How does this extend, if it extends at all, to your real life?

A: SOPOR is my real life. There is no separation, no dividing line between SOPOR AETERNUS and Anna-Varney... -it is all one. Sorry...

Q: Anyway, which is the world Anna-Varney lives in? How is normal day of Anna-Varney's ?

A: You should know that..., it's all in the music.

Q: There has always been the rumour that SOPOR AETERNUS have something to do with occultism... Do you really have any interest in occultism? How did all this start? Are there any authors / persons that you admire / follow? Do you think that SOPOR AETERNUS is an occult band... and, if not, how would you describe your music?

A: An occult band...? Hm .... I guess that depends on the perspective, doesn't it. What exactly is it that would qualify a band as occult? Is it enough to be just interested in the subject? No, I don't think so..., but it also cannot be the mere sound of the music either, because that would simply result in a good show... -in other words: entertainment. Actually, I have no idea how to define the music of SOPOR .... and why should I confine it to a specific genre. However, if I had to put a label on it for some strange reason, then all I can think of at the moment would be: fragile... - please, handle with care !!!

Q: This time ... the sign of SATURN ... What role has it played in your act ?

A: The role of a loyal friend .... a life-time companion. The same role as always, I suppose.

Q: What kind of music do you listen to? Have you any suggestions for us?

A: Prepare for another disappointment, my dear, because it is simply impossible for me to give you a list of my favourite bands or composers..., because something like a genre, for example, is not the criteria by which I choose the music for myself. I like music (or art in general) that touches a chord within me, that helps me to externalise certain emotions and/or allows me to create a certain atmosphere. I could, of course, name some of the musical pieces that are of great importance to me..., but since my relation to them, the emotion(s) they awake within me, is so very intimate, I do not even dare to give away a single one...

Q: How do you consider yourself? Musician, poet, messenger?

A: If I had to call myself anything at all, I would probably go for .... artist.

Q: If you were not Anna-Varney, which person would you like to be?

A: Actually, I have no desire to be anyone else. This might appear like a strange thing to say, considering the pain, the depression and confusion I have been going through..., but you have to understand that I would not be where I am today, if it wasn't for all the things I was allowed to experience ... and therefore to learn from! Because this is what being incarnated on this planet is all about: to experience, to learn, to accept, to (spiritually) grow... -and to discover the treasure that lies hidden within you.

Q: Is there any incident that has stigmatised your life?

A: Well, my first reaction to this question would be to answer: my birth... -but, I guess, that would be a little too easy, wouldn't it ?!? Of course, there are a handful of ...unpleasant... things that have happened to me. Well, obviously. I mean, just look at me... -merely the fact that I have been depressive since the age of six .... and struggled with my transsexualism should rings one or two bells, huh?!? But I dare say that it is getting a little better each day...

Q: Which is your favourite motto for life / in life ?

A: "It always depends on what you make of it!", because the choice is yours. I know, it sounds very simply .... even obvious ..... and actually, that's exactly what it is. But it is also very essential...

Q: "If loneliness was all..." what would happen then?

A: That is a question you should ask yourself! What would happen then? But .... is it really all...?

Q: What is the Ensemble Of Shadows and what is the reason for your refusal to give live performances? Would it be possible that some day we could see a SOPOR AETERNUS video at least?

A: Darling, anything is possible..., don't you know that by now?!? But I don't like to talk about the Ensemble anymore, at least not in public. In the past I often describe it as a choir of spirits..., but through the years I have discovered they are a lot more than this .... and my connection with them has become far more intimate ever since. That's one reason why it would come rather close to an insult, if I dared to reveal too much about them... -sorry, but they mean too much for me to do something like this. However, right now I cannot imagine bringing SOPOR on stage..., and I am not sure, if it ever will be. It is just too painful. Why should I repeat the entire process of going/living through a song, just that some people (people I don't even know) might be entertained for a little while. But, who knows..., maybe my attitude towards this might chance someday...

Q: Are there any specific persons or elements that have helped you to finalise your latest work?

A: Ha, yes... -the Ensemble of Shadows, of course.

Q: Please, forgive us for this disturbance. Give us a message or sing us a lullaby to end this touch. Hope to meet you sometime, somewhere...

A: Always try to be true... -because whenever you lie, you destroy some part of the world..., as you murder some part of yourself.