First of, just want to thank you for participating in this edition of Infidel Interviews. Could you start off by giving a little information about both of you to the audience? Whatever you feel comfortable with, but name, age, what instruments you can play, and where you live would be pretty standard?
The Voice of Horror and Queen of the Pumpkin Patch Venus de Vilo is most honoured to preach her word of Doom and Gloom to the damned souls at Infidel Network.
Whilst the reign of Venus de Vilo is an imminent pandemic threat, Dublin, Ireland is the currently the epicentre of the problem.
Instruments of aural torture include: crayons, scalpels, hideous shrieks, a 666-stringed box made from the wood of a stolen-corpse's coffin,
What would you say are your favorite themes and topics to write about?
Death. Dying. The Dead.
You have a pretty elaborate name and stage presence. What does your artist name mean or where did it come from? And what drew you to the sort of horror inspired imagery present in your persona?
Venus de Vilo: Forever it was, forever it will be. Don't try to fight it. Just lie back and let the rot and despair ruin you even further. And like most Lovecraftian horrors, the origins are best left unknown.
What sort of processes do you go through when making music? Do you have a formula(s) that you follow, or do you feel it out as you go along? Or is it more of a mixture of the two?
The musical madness takes control. Venus has never had a choice in the matter. Just get Her in a straight jacket and throw some crayons at her until the aortal screaming stops.
Would you say that your choice to pursue music has changed your life since you started? Would you say that creativity has evolved you spiritually, emotionally, or logically? What are some of the biggest challenges you have had to overcome in your musical career?
Venus never had a choice in the matter. Did Damien choose to be the Anti-Christ? No. He just stepped up to the plate and did the best damn job at Damnation He could, and he survived. #YouWinNothingNazarene
Is collaboration something that is actively important to you? Do you have any individuals you are particularly successful, or unsuccessful, in collaboration with? Has there been any collaborative based songs that you would say stand out to you?
Venus de Vilo always welcomes the concept of more minions into her creative lair. Dracula had Renfield to help spread the plague during the day-light hours and to un-infected areas not immediately reach-able, Venus must do the same.
Elvis Einstein is currently the fool most abused by Venus. Venus even forced him to assist her in the Frankensteining of "Venus de Vilo Presents: Necrodance - The Elvis Einstein ReMixes". Gothic Dance anthems out of Venus de Vilo's Scream-Along nonsense? Oh the horror!
What sort of unusual or strange music and art influenced you growing up and helped encourage you to peruse what might be called "alternative electronic music"? Are there any experimental artists/bands out there that you would say struck you with the chord that inspired you to peruse your current path of musical aspirations?
The Voice of Horror and Queen of the Pumpkin Patch Venus de Vilo specializes in Acoustic BubbleGlumShock Horror-Rock Scream-Along Anthems with a Vaudeville and Macabre Cabaret Noir twist, with heavy influences from Horror-Punk, Horrorbilly and Metal. Never question what She does or why. Just be a grateful little zombie that you're still standing afterwards.
What would you say would be you short term, and long term, goals for your artistic project? What do you see in the future for your creative output?
World Domination. No one is safe. Start running: NOW.
Playing live shows, recording new tracks, attempting to go live the life that gives you the experiences that inspires it all... it can be difficult to balance the time. Do you have any particular methods that you use to keep yourself focused or balanced in your direction?
A delightful little ditty from an old 70s obscure unheard of horror movie (about a perverse choclatier and his minions murdering children) often runs through my mind when I most need inspiration to carry on and blood, wine and Satannic verse isn't always to hand: I want the world, I want the whole world. I want to rot it right up in my pocket and I want it NOW! Truly rousing.
When it comes to your life show, how would you describe yourself thematically and visually? Are you an energy and audience driven band in the live atmosphere? Or would you consider yourself to be more thematic or presentation oriented?
No one survives a Venus de Vilo live show. There is only so much exploding glitter, fake blood, real blood, feathers and a face (and lap!) full of cries of the dead that mortals can handle.
If you could play any anywhere, with anyone, in the world, dead or alive, who and where would it be?
Hell.
Thank you so much for participating in this episode of Infidel Interview. Any parting words for your fans, or my audience?
You are all doomed. But buy the album now for salvation:
There are five other hideous collections in the Venus de Vilo Bandcamp Bitochgraphy. Only ONE of them will save you soul, but you must buy them all to find out which one. There are also some tremendously depraved comic books up there too - all drawn in blood and crayons with Venus's very own skeletal claw. Toodle-oo.
You can follow Venus on her official Facebook:
Or listen to her music on her Soundcloud: