Music Waves Q&A: Fever Blue
learn more about Fever Blue through dipity's monthly music interview spotlights
Introduction
Fever Blue is an experimental musical duo consisting of Semyon Stepanenko and Pavel Barkov. One aspect of their sound is defined by electronic elements, meticulously crafted with a systematic and finely tuned approach. Another aspect explores more humane and imperfect realms, weaving together a tapestry of ambivalent and intricate emotions. Through their artistry, Fever Blue confidently and fearfully manages to maintain a tricky balance between the diverse and contrasting elements of modern expression, leaving listeners spellbound.
Q: What is your name? Where are you located?
Fever Blue and originally, we are from Russia, but currently we are based in Georgia.
Q: What is the backstory behind your artist or band name AND What does the name mean to you or signify?
Semyon: The genesis of our band name, Fever Blue took a very long period of thinking during the evolution of our music. Drawing inspiration from the French syntax, where the noun precedes the adjective, our name encapsulates the intense and somewhat melancholic undertones that define the essence of our music.
Pavel: Indeed, it was quite a demanding job — to come up with not just another decent band name, but a name which can perfectly capture the fleeting essence of our music. It depicts the complex and ambivalent nature of existence.
Q: How did you begin your journey into the world of music? AND How long have you been in the music industry?
Semyon: We are from different parts of the music sphere so I started my way in 2014 playing in some teenage bands and learning different instruments and genres. We met at one of Pavel’s concerts and found some common musical ground and decided to give our duo and different experiences a shot.
Pavel: I started writing and producing music in my early teenage years and have been releasing since 2006. Over the years I was involved in various projects in different genres starting with Electronic Noise Controller (IDM and dark ambient), then Tremulaant (experimental electronica with occasional live touch) and, most recently — Hypnotic Tribe (experimental ethnic psychill).
Q: What inspires you both as artists? Give us some insight into your creative process.
Semyon: The wellspring of inspiration for our music is ever-changing, yet often rooted in the tapestry of real-life experiences. We also find ourselves captivated by romanticized and idealized interpretations of abstract concepts that have long fascinated artists — love, death, sorrow, and dreams. These universal themes serve as a canvas upon which we paint our musical narratives. Our songwriting process usually begins with the creation of a guitar or piano part that serves as the foundation for the song. From this instrumental base, we weave together lyrics and vocals, carefully crafting words and melodies to convey the emotions and messages we wish to impart. Finally, we arrange the various musical elements, adding layers and textures to bring the composition to life in its full glory.
Pavel: My songwriting journey usually begins with finding a core idea (it can be anything, like a catchy synth motif, unusual sounding beat or sample), which is later expanded, developed and mutated further and further. It’s a journey to the unknown, really — that is the most exciting part of it all.
Q: What's your favorite song you've released? Why is it your fave song?
Semyon: Although we have only released two of our songs thus far, our standout favorite is "Pantone Opal Blue." This particular piece holds a special place in our hearts due to its unique origin. Inspired by a vivid dream experienced by myself, the song was born from a narrative intertwined with the color and emotions evoked within that dream. I endeavored to encapsulate the essence of this dream as fully as possible in the song's creation. Beyond its origin, "Pantone Opal Blue" stands out for its rich diversity and intricate composition. Clocking in at nearly six minutes, the song unfolds with distinct sections, blending elements of a traditional songwriting approach with techno influences, culminating in a dynamic and multifaceted finale. This track was our first successful experience of writing a song together and served as a canvas for us to pour our collective creativity and vision, resulting in a musical tapestry that reflects the depth of our artistic exploration.
Pavel: “Pantone Opal Blue” indeed holds a special place in our discography. But I would like to shine a light on another song, which is yet to be released — “Opium Eyes.” It has a very distinguished and intricate arrangement and atmosphere, but it is more concise and focused in the terms of songwriting.
Q: What's an upcoming project or which event(s) are you excited about?
Semyon: We have just started our way of releasing singles and we have a ready album that is called Midnight Bloom which is going to be released after we gain some community on social platforms and streaming services by releasing more and promoting our singles.
Pavel: Yeah, we are very much excited to see our album in the wild!
Q: We love to read and get inspired by lyrics. Share the title of a song and its lyrics (one of your favorite songs you've either written or released).
Patone Opal Blue.
Semyon: “Pantone Opal Blue” is heavily inspired by this particular shade of color appearing in Semyon’s (vocalist and lyricist) dream. This dream is fascinating and pleasing, but yet uncomfortable and sick. This is the color of hard moonlight meeting the ocean surface. A tricky thing. A delicate matter. It is one of our earliest tracks together. We started with a more singer-songwriter approach, having only vox and guitar in our demo, then unexpectedly, but very naturally, we drifted towards electronic production and unusual arrangement. As for the song structure, we wanted it to be as unpredictable and fresh as it can be, but still aiming to deliver this unusual and fragile atmosphere. This song is meant to convey an ambivalent mood, to have a part for everyone, artist and audience-wise. As a result, weaving the elements of different genres together, like tapestry, became one of the main definitive components of our style and workflow. Stay away from the beaten path, but always leave a place for a simple beauty.
[Here are the lyrics]:
Pantone opal blue It makes me aloof It stares at us Through the midnight Diffusive morning light Delusive fluid downside And it sounds like pantone opal Blue is crawling around my bed The scent around it is morbid and black (morbid and blue) Downtown people cry Dazed by the starry skies And the moon laughs And cuts my sleep off Blue is crawling around my bed The scent around it is morbid and black (morbid and blue) And it comes, and it comes, and it wants me And it's standing and breathing deeply over me And it loves and it loves and adores me And staring and rooting deeply into me Is it breaking through the curtains Through the midnight All I need is blue It’s over Pantone opal Is it breaking through the curtains Through the midnight All I need is blue It’s over Pantone opal
Q: What are your thoughts about the world of poetry?
Semyon: Nowadays, I am not deeply immersed in the world of literature, but sometimes still I get new insights and perspectives from literature to enrich my thoughts. My focus has shifted towards lyrics in recent years, so I find more joy in crafting intricate images and well-sounding sequences of phonemes within musical compositions, rather than deep meaning or complex structures. Among the exceptional lyricists who have left a lasting impact on me are Matty Healy from The 1975, MGMT, Thom Yorke, and Steven Morrissey. Delving into the realm of poetry, the last layer of it that got me really interested in it was iconic figures of the Beat Generation like Allen Ginsberg with his powerful "Howl," Kerouac's "Desolation Angels," Burroughs, and, their ancestor, William Blake. During my university time, the works of Baudelaire, Francois Villon, and Verlaine resonated deeply with me, shaping my early perceptions of French poetry. And, of course, poetry in your mother tongue is easier to understand and relate to, so I highlight Joseph Brodsky, Peter Vyazemsky, and Alexey Nikonov.
Q: What is one book you’d recommend to others?
Pavel: I would highly recommend reading Yuval Noah Harari’s “Homo Deus” for those who really dare to lift the veil of our possible futures.
Semyon: I would be a little banal maybe, but the book of all times for me is “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac. It is the book that inspired me to do a hitchhiking trip around Europe in my 20s and this experience influenced me a lot. It is a very illustrative example of how to keep making something simple but so precious.
Q: What was the last song you listened to or music video you watched (excluding your own music) that you recommend others listen to)?
Semyon: Song is Lou Reed - Perfect Day. Video is Suki Waterhouse - Good Looking.
Pavel: I guess I’d pick the music video for Atoms for Peace — Before Your Very Eyes. Although the song and the video were released in 2013, it is still an amazing piece of art. The atmosphere and imagery is sublime.
Q: Who are some of your favorite artists and musicians that you listen to?
Pavel: My most profound musical influence would be The Mars Volta (Omar Rodriguez-Lopez & Cedric Bixler-Zavala works in general), they shaped the way I perceive and compose music immensely and irrevocably. Also I would like to mention Aphex Twin & Akira Yamaoka, who influenced my early works. I am a long time fan of Moderat and Radiohead (and all of Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood’s projects). Downy is another example of a relatively obscure, but amazing band. They are from Japan and have a quite unique sound and approach to music, so they definitely deserve a shout-out.
Semyon: The 1975 is a 100% favourite band of mine. I like them for being so sophisticated and different, and simultaneously pop and recognizable. The lyrics that Matty Healy makes are role models for me as I am not a native English speaker, so I am trying my best to reach the level. MGMT’s album’s Oracular Spectacular and Little Dark Age — are so deep in my heart and skin, so I made a tattoo with the second one. Radiohead — the best songwriting ever existed. Mac DeMarco, Fontaines D.C., MorMor, The Doors, Daughter, there are so many bands I want to add to the list, but let’s stop it here!
To Check Out More of Fever Blue’s Music Visit:
Instagram: @feverblueofficial
Follow and listen to more on Spotify [Here]
Subscribe to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FeverBlueOfficial
Bandcamp: https://feverblue.bandcamp.com/community
Any other thoughts, comments, or shares after listening and reading the interview?
[Interview Processed By VFORROW]
Thank you so much, Fever Blue, for sharing and submitting to Dipity Lit Mag! ~ Jazz Marie Kaur (Vevna Forrow).
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