Interview with vocalist Margarita Monet of Edge of Paradise. Their music is usually described as music from another world! Margarita has a incredible singing voice with a very wide range. The band is from California, USA. They are very active on social media so find them everywhere.
Your beginnings in music were classical. Why did you not keep pursuing classical music as a career choice?
You know I think It was kind of a evolution I did, I kept playing through college and then I moved to LA and I was focusing more on my theatre stuff. Then when I met Dave I never thought of creating a band and I kinda fell into it. I still love classical music and a lot of it still influences me in some ways maybe subconsciously, like theologies and things I come up with. But honestly I never wanted to pursue classical piano as its different and I always wanted to do something more. Because in classical music your playing other peoples pieces and its very strict in a way. I always wanted something more outside the box.
Your band just finished making a new video for your song BELIEVE. Can you tell us anything about that?
Yes, this is exciting. This is going to be our 6th video from the album, kinda crazy. Originally Believe was going to be one of the singles but we went with Tidal Wave instead as the 5th single just because it is a little more upbeat and Believe is more of a ballad. The song still means a lot to us. So we wanted to tell the story of it visually. Our drummer Jamie knew Nigel Dick who is a really famous director, he did the video for Welcome to the Jungle by Guns’N’Roses. He has worked on a lot of iconic videos and we just teamed up with him and filmed this video. And were actually thinking of doing a remake of Welcome to the Jungle and have him to do a remake of the video as that would be really cool. The video is really different, because their is a band performance, but their is also a story line, I am painting a lot of the story of the song and we also have this girl dancing. Its going to be a different one from what we have had before. The video will be ready either later this month or into December.
As you said this is your 6th video from this album. How important are videos to your band and its fan growth?
I love making videos, I have always been more of a visual person. I love to tell the story of the song. If we had no limit to the budget we would have movies. (laughs). I think its important these days. Its sad actually because you put some much into a video and then people kinda move on to the next thing and deliver another one. It’s almost like a expectation these days, but a lot goes into it and we want to keep making content but we also want to bring a lot of focus on it and that goes into marketing. Making videos is fun, just requires a budget, but I would make videos all day long, its a lot of fun.
As well as lot of bands now you release your albums in special packages. Do you feel this is the best way to get the fans to still purchase physical copies of your music?
Yes, our webstore is pretty crazy, we have a lot of stuff on there like artwork as I make a lot of these resin pigments that you will see in the videos. So we have a lot of unique items and people find it interesting and we’ve been able to keep moving cds and vinyl with artwork and t-shirts. I always try to create a multi dimensional thing around the band. You have the music which is the center of it all but you have everything to support around it, with merch and videos and soon shows.
Your very active on social media. Is that a must for bands in the current times?
Yes, I like it. You get to connect with people. I have always liked that as its rewarding when someone says your music means something special to them. Sometimes its hard because you have to think about keep creating content too.
Do you have any touring plans in place yet?
We just signed with a new manager. There is a lot of touring plans in the works. So I think we will know something more concrete hopefully next month. But I believe in the beginning of the new year we should be doing shows again.
Have you been to Canada yet as a band?
No, we had our tour cancelled. We had 6 shows planned. I have cousins in Canada and we were very excited to tour there. So unfortunately it didn’t happen but plans are in the works. So I hope we will see you there very soon.
Was there any positives you and the band took from the worst part of covid?
Yes, we were just able to focus on making the record and spent the whole year just making music as we couldn’t do anything else really. We were lucky we were able to just write the music. We got to meet the new producers with Howard and Neil joining the team. It was kind of like our silver lining.
What are some current bands your listening to?
There is a lot of great bands out there. I like Within Temptation, Rammstein, Avenged Sevenfold. Symphony X were the first band I discovered. I thought their keyboard solos were crazy. I also like cinematic music and electronic music.
You sell and give away some of your art on your bands website. How long have you been interested in art?
My mom always painted and kind of made me paint with her and I liked it. And then I kinda forgot about it. Then someone suggested I do some artwork for the band I posted it on facebook and someone wanted to buy it so I thought interesting and I started painting more and started incorporating into the band. I think its been 4 years since I got back into it. I painted a lot as a kid but when you go to college you start your life and started a band and your always chasing time. And now its a priority so its cool to do that as well.
Any other hobbies outside of music and art?
I like to travel, so when we tour its like a vacation in a way. I use to dance most of my life. I like to read about science and space. I like to do a lot of stuff, its just finding the time to do it. I like to make clothes, sometimes I make clothes for our videos or buy something and customize it. My mom used to make all my outfits when I performed when I was younger. She would make my dresses from scratch. Go buy fabric and make them.
How do you feel the band has progressed since the debut album back in 2011?
We sound like a different band. I didn’t write any of those songs and just over the years you evolve as a song writer and think with the UNIVERSE we really found our sound. We have found the more industrial cinematic electro rock sound and just evolving. Really focusing on strong choruses and melodies. Universe has really defined us a band. Were a really different band and we hope to continue to move in that direction.
How will your songs transfer from studio recordings to live when you start to tour? Any favourites your looking forward the most to playing live?
We have started to rehearse some songs but its a different feel. When you record the songs its one thing but when you play it live you sort of have to re write it. Obviously you want the songs to be like they are on the album but you have to evolve it for the stage. Its a cool process because you had more energy to it and you might change it up a little. I think DIGITAL PARADISE is a lot of fun and a lot of people in the band like TIDAL WAVE and THE UNKNOWN is one of my favourites as that song means a lot to me. I know Dave likes FALSE IDOLS because there is a guitar solo that is fun to play. Its really hard to say. I will have to tell you after a show. (laughs)
When you come across a negative review of your album or band do you read it?
Yes, its kinda hard not to. Were lucky we don’t get a lot of hate messages. Were still growing our fan base as were not pushed to the masses yet. People that are listening to us are mostly our fans. Its sad sometimes because you will come across a comment that is really off the wall and its almost like a attack. And you look at it and it someone from a band and its just crazy because being a musician you realize how much work is put into it and its hard because I know how much heart and soul goes into your own music. You can’t avoid it, it used to get to me but now I just kind of do my thing and focus on the music.
And the positive reviews and comments are a pleasure to read?
Sure, everything is sort of in front of you. Like when we release a new video and the comments. Whether you want to see it or not its there. And on social media I like responding to people, especially people that comment a lot. It means a lot to us if they took the time to leave a really nice comment. And when they say how much the music means to them. Its kind of why we do this, to bring something positive to people and to their lives hopefully.
What is next for Edge of Paradise?
We don’t do many cover songs but on December 10th we are releasing one of my favourite songs. LOVE REIGN OVER ME by The Who. And were excited for people to hear it.
Thank you Margarita for the interview.
Thank you for having me and hope to see you in Canada next year.
Interview by Blake Mossey