HMTV Canada Tina Interviews Valerie of Eye Butterfly
http://www.eyebutterfly.ca/
http://www.myspace.com/eyebutterfly
http://www.hollywoodmusic.tv/eyebutterfly
HMTV Canada Tina: 1. Hi Val how are you?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: I’m great! Thanks for asking. J
HMTV Canada Tina: 2. Eye Butterfly is a very unique name? Can you tell us what the origin of that name is?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: I would love to give you the meaning behind the name.
Eye - (1 – beginnings.) The perception and evolution through each trial we endure. (E.g. Love, fear, obsession etc) The window of the soul tells all!
Butterfly - (10 - endings and outcomes.) Defines how we bloom through our love and life experiences, no matter what the outcome. Hopefully you can see your outcome as a positive, even if negative, as we must all learn from our mistakes. The Butterfly will always call for her lesson, eventually we should all bloom.........do you have the time?
A lyric taken from the latest EB single “Broken Wings”
“I wish I, could unleash the Butterfly in me." "I'd send her out to find the one who's right for me, define the one who's right?" Put the two together and you have an adventure!
HMTV Canada Tina: 3. Val when did you begin playing music? Did you attend any Professional Vocal Schools before you started your music career?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: I began performing music in high school; oh yes, I played the trumpet! It was around 1997 I had made a serious decision to pursue music professionally. I began taking guitar lessons writing and composing my own songs; whilst looking for a band to join. I started out in Rock, and after my first band had fallen apart, I decided to seek out vocal training. I ended up finding an amazing teacher by the name of Ray Lyle, formerly known as ‘Ray Lyle and the storm.’ Since then, I’ve worked on music with many talented artists and consider myself – self taught.
HMTV Canada Tina: 4. Can you tell us about Eye Butterfly’s unique style of the music making process?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: The EyeButterfly writing process was fairly unique. The previous programmer would create the instrumentation, and I would come in and lay my vocal ideas down when his part was complete. We never worked together in the writing process aside from me sometimes asking him to add a bridge, some small arrangement ideas, and choosing pre-made samples I thought would fit the EyeButterfly sound/voice. In the future, I hope to work more closely on arrangements with new writers.
HMTV Canada Tina: 5. Val you’re a great song writer. What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: Thank you for the compliment. J
Each song I try to write a special topic for; some are parables and most involve some sort of love theme; whether it centers on a dark or light feel. Take your minds challenges and mix it with fantasy; a nice way of putting frightful, into fun! (And visa versa.) This is something that the songs have developed over time, and has become a staple sound for EyeButterfly. The single I’m working on right now for instance, incorporates a Vampire theme; (Vampire, I do) and Pandora’s Box has a perfect way of voicing how I transform the Greek Mythological story (Pandora’s Box) and turn it into modern love confusion! Perhaps you know the original? Here’s my version. J
Apart from the original tale, I see Pandora as the woman who entices you, the lure the temptress. Could Pandora be the jar/box? Giving her boy toy (haha gotta love the thesaurus!) the key to her heart and sexual desires, she entices him quickly to fall in love. After time all temptations die and love becomes a disaster rather than a celebration. He finds out his captor is dark and unhappy! Pandora doesn’t let him go to easily and tries to trap him; she takes back the key! In conclusion he finds himself with one last bit of hope, and moves on with the vestiges of his heart. J
HMTV Canada Tina: 6. Do you think that these topics will change over time?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: Yes, each topic has its own unique character; although I do tend to lean on the darker side of things; I would like to add more positive love stories. :D
HMTV Canada Tina: 7. Can you tell us about your latest release “Pandora’s Box EP” anything from messages to inspirations?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: Life tends to throw out a plethora of challenges; keep your mind in the positive. We all go through many of the same experiences, and yes the heart will make you feel; something I’d much rather be doing, than not feeling at all. ;)
HMTV Canada Tina: 8.What was your biggest challenges recording, and mixing your latest CD? What kind of recording environment do you have?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: No CD’s were released as of yet; aside from the 4 song EP released on iTunes and few singles since then. J I think the biggest challenges in the studio were budget and the mixing process. All vocals on the tracks, but one (Broken Wings) were recorded in the “basement.”
I guess my main concern about the mixing process of the previous material, is that all the vocals were mixed around the instrumentation. (The instrumentation was therefore locked into one file and the vocals mixed over the single stereo file) This was a fairly unfamiliar process than I was used to; and at the end of the day was more of the outcome of the previous composer. I think it is important for industry people, fans, and those who wanted or want to remix the EP to know this, and to understand this is one of the main reasons why the songs are demo’s and cannot be remixed. I may play these songs live someday, and I am pretty much using the songs you see on the Myspace pages etc., etc. as a catalyst to find new writers/members. J
HMTV Canada Tina: 9. Do you have a record label or are in the market of looking for one?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: Once EyeButterfly has an official lineup or I’ve found enough talent to contribute new songs to an album; a label is definitely a future goal, whether it be just for distribution or on a larger scale. I think the main goal right now is to write a new album or EP and tour/live shows; I would like to include a Manager. J
HMTV Canada Tina: 10. Is Eye Butterfly a member of any music organizations?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: EyeButterfly is a Member of the Canadian Independent Recording Artists’ Association.
HMTV Canada Tina: 11. How is the adventure going with the lustrous new track that you are currently working on?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: The new single is going very well; a fellow by the name of Ivor (front man of the band 8 digital) and I have collaborated on this track. Ivor has provided the instrumentation, and of course myself; vocals and lyrics. I chose a Vampire theme for this single, and we’re recording vocals as we speak. If you like Ann Rice, you may find she has inspired some of my lyrical content in this one; we’re hoping to release this single, early 2008.
HMTV Canada Tina: 12. How does this new track fit perfectly with your previous EP?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: The new single has a great blend of haunting, fantasy, dark, ethereal, yet lush vocals; combine that with fairy tale electro, fun distorted bass lines, danceable groove and stomping bass beats and you have a formula that fits!
HMTV Canada Tina: 13. I understand that you been going through major changes with Eye Butterfly are you still a Electronica Solo Project or are you've with a band?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: Right now Eye Butterfly is a solo project. I may find new permanent members or write enough songs with collaborators, and hire live players in later. For all those who are interested in collaborating or joining, please go to www.eyebutterfly.ca for more information. Thank you J
HMTV Canada Tina: 14. Are you currently working on any new material with new band members or concentrating on any upcoming live shows?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: Now that the New Year (2008) has come, I can seek out more collaborators; right now Ivor and I are preparing to finish “Vampire, I do” the next single release. I would like to get EyeButterfly back on the stages; although, finding solid writers for an album is my main focus.
HMTV Canada Tina: 15. How are your fans reacting to your music currently?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: The fans are wonderful! It’s really nice to see that some of the fans have been inspired to start their own projects. I love seeing the reactions from people all over the world on sites such as Myspace and Vampire Freaks, thanks to them; they have held me up in the darkest of times….
HMTV Canada Tina: 16. Are you affiliated with any dark underground scenes like Vampire Freaks?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: Yes, EyeButterfly has a page set up with Vampire Freaks. VF, has been an awesome catalyst in bringing in new fans for EyeButterfly; I definitely think it’s a great site!
You can find the official EyeButterfly Vampire Freaks page at the link provided below. http://vampirefreaks.com/EyeButterfly
HMTV Canada Tina: 17. Val how has the internet helped your music as a marketing tool?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: To tell you the truth EyeButterfly has done one show in the past; the internet initiated most of our viewers and fans for that night. I would say we had close to a 100 people on a Sunday – All ages; not bad, considering that three of the five bands were from out of town! J I guess you could say “Cyberspace” is responsible for bringing out actual fans; and not just your parents and best friends ;) hehe The internet has helped greatly in reaching large amounts of people in a very short time for EyeButterfly, how cool is that? (Although, I will say, you do have to work the net just like any other promotional tool you may be offered; sweat blood and tears baby!)
HMTV Canada Tina: 18. Do you have any advice for young female musicians that wish to form their own bands?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: I would say, keep grounded in terms of drinking and parties; temptation can kill your connection with band members, yourself, and possible business contacts etc., etc. (Or it can make them! :P) Create a budget, make goals, and keep communicating on all levels. Develop a strong team to help you succeed; write as much as possible! Success won’t happen over night and don’t give up.
HMTV Canada Tina: 19. How do you like our music site at Hollywood Music TV?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: I think the site is great! We are so lucky to have established sites like yours helping out artists with little or no fan base at all! Thanks for that. J
HMTV Canada Tina: 20. Before we close our interview is there any one that you would like to acknowledge, give shout outs to or any last words?
Eye Butterfly Valerie: Shout outs are definitely in order! ;) EyeButterfly thanks the fans first and foremost. For any of you who have helped EyeButterfly to present. To my boys Vic Mendoza and Tommy the Tank; you have been so supportive, and of course you Tina, thanks for this opportunity. Sheesh, I feel like I just won an award! :P
Val, thank you for taking the time to complete our interview; it’s been an honor your music is awesome well mastered filled with different pleasing sounds and great lyrics. Please let me know when your new song is completed I look forward to buying your next EP.
Eye Butterfly Valerie: Thanks so much for your interest in EyeButterfly. It’s an honor to be part of your site and interview! For updates and info please check out the main EyeButterfly site at www.eyebutterfly.ca and thanks for those who are reading. J
Hollywood Music TV Canada Tina
http://www.eyebutterfly.ca/
http://www.myspace.com/eyebutterfly
http://www.hollywoodmusic.tv/eyebutterfly
