August 30, 2019 • 36 mins
In the seventh episode of Metal Maven Podcast, Lisette van den Berg, biologist and lead singer of Dutch Progressive Metal band, Scarlet Stories, joins me to discuss the journey of creating their debut album, Necrologies and how studying Nature informs her musical evolution.
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Episode Transcript
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Metal Maven (00:02):
Welcome to the Metal Maven Podcast, where we
explore and discover the processand passions of artists in the
Metal music and art community.
Scarlet Stories is anexploration of mankind's darkest
emotions and acts, inequity,beauty, and murder.
Music that creates, andencourages a deeper observation
(00:23):
of the world we live in.
In episode seven, I'm joined bylead singer and biologist,
Lisette van den Berg.
Thanks so much for being herewith me Lisette, how are you?
Lisette van den (00:32):
Thank you very much.
I'm doing fine actually.
Yeah, having a bit of a holiday,well, and working, and a bit
tired from the weekend as we dida photo shoot, but how are you?
Metal Maven (00:44):
I'm doing great.
I'm so excited that you'rejoining me today and we're going
to be discussing your debutalbum coming out next month.
Necrologies, it's coming outSeptember 19th, congratulations.
Lisette van den (00:57):
Thank you.
Metal Maven (00:58):
I understand it was quite a journey to get here as
the band is self-funded.
To receive that level of supportfrom fans and achieve the
milestone of publishing afull-length work, how does that
feel?
Lisette van den (01:10):
It feels really, really great and really
awesome.
I'm so happy that we got all thesupport to actually make this
album happen.
So thanks to all the fans, andfriends, and family that were
helping out.
And then, yeah, to havesomething– I mean, we don't have
the physical copy yet, so Idon't get to hold it in my hand
yet, but soon we will and that'sgoing to be really, really
(01:32):
awesome.
So, everything will cometogether– I'm really excited for
everything.
Metal Maven (01:38):
I would be super excited as well.
And I was curious as to theorigin of Scarlet Stories.
How did you get to this momentof releasing Necrologies out
into the world?
Lisette van den (01:50):
Well, actually it started at the Rock Academy.
I studied vocals there and I metBram te Kamp and we decided to
do a project together in ourfirst year.
So you had to make a band orform a project, and we decided
to do an acoustic project makingProgressive Metal music, but
then in an acoustic form,because we both love Progressive
(02:13):
Rock and Metal music.
So that's actually how itstarted out.
And we started writing songs andthat went very well.
And then we recorded our firstacoustic EP.
We also did some performances,like assessments, for the Rock
Academy.
And we felt that some of thesongs, because we were writing
in a pretty dynamic style, thatsome of the songs really needed
(02:35):
more dynamics.
So, then we added the bandmembers and that was really,
really cool to actuallytranslate our acoustic songs to
band and full version songs.
So, that's what we did.
And finally, we also addedMaarten Grimm, and of course,
(02:55):
Carmen Raats, Tim Kuper, and nowalso Sophie Ansems on violin– so
to complete Scarlet Stories inits entirety.
And then, yeah, I met Joost, ofcourse, Joost van den Broek,
through Ayreon.
And, he actually proposed to–like he said,"Okay, so if you're
ready for the next step, thengive me a call or contact me
(03:18):
because I would love to helpyou." And that's what we did.
So yeah.
Metal Maven (03:22):
How was that experience working with him?
Lisette van den (03:25):
Yeah, it's great.
He is really, really dedicatedto music, to his work, to art.
And he is really, really lovelyto work with because he kind of–
he really, really gets into yourmusic and he tries to understand
the style and the stories behindit.
He really thinks along and heactually proposed a lot of
(03:48):
things that I was thinking, butI didn't say it out loud, and
then he was thinking it, and hewas saying it, and I was like,
"Yes, that's exactly what Imeant!" And I really liked that–
to work with him.
So we first did the single topromote our crowdfunding
campaign and he also helped us,giving information on how to–
well, like gave us advice on howto set that up.
(04:10):
And yeah, it was really, reallycool.
And so we had this single and wewere really looking forward to
also record the entire albumwith him.
So yeah.
Metal Maven (04:22):
Well, it's good when you have someone to help
you who wants to keep your voiceand message authentic to you and
not try to change it in any way.
Lisette van den (04:30):
Yeah, exactly.
Metal Maven (04:31):
So you've stated this new album is very personal
for you.
Could you talk more about whatthis new album means to you?
Lisette van den (04:39):
Well, obviously, as I'm writing all
the lyrics and the stories, theyare quite personal.
And also, in these stories,they're sort of an outlet for
me, for the way I think aboutthe world sometimes.
But then I really mix it up withfiction.
So I really love the classicstories, like gothic horror
(05:03):
stories, for example, EdgarAllen Poe and Lovecraft.
And I like the vibes of that.
And I'm also thinking about theworld and about the animals.
I'm very aware of everythingthat's going, especially– well,
it's also one of the reasons Istarted in biology.
And so the lyrics and thestories I write, they come from
(05:24):
personal, well, not personalexperience per se, but from
things I see or I encounter alsoin my work.
So, yeah, in that sense, it'sthe theme of the elements that's
quite personal for me.
Metal Maven (05:36):
Well let's go into your background as a biologist
for a moment, since we're on thesubject.
You have a Master's degree inScience, and did you always want
to be a scientist?
How has this aspect of your lifeand knowledge base informed the
artistry behind the new album?
Lisette van den (05:53):
From a young age, I loved animals and I was
always going out in Nature andplaying there, and climbing
trees, and doing everythingoutside.
And my mom was always sometimesupset with me because I would
tear my clothing and I would getstains, and whatever– knots– but
she was– they always encouragedme to explore that and to do
(06:16):
that.
So I really, really lovedworking with animals.
And I wanted to– initially Iwanted to become a veterinarian,
but it's really hard anddifficult to get in.
And also I didn't want to workin the livestock industry, so I
was also searching for somethingelse.
And then I read the book by JaneGoodall and she's a really,
(06:38):
really famous behavioralbiologist.
She studied chimpanzees inAfrica and I was so inspired by
that.
So from that moment that's all Icould think about.
Like,"I want to do that." And ofcourse, I also already sang
quite a lot, but not as much asI do now.
I started out in a choir forexample, but I never realized
(06:59):
that also was an option toactually explore music further.
So I did that after my Master'sdegree actually– I went to the
Rock Academy then.
But yeah, in biology, as ascientist, I encounter a lot of
situations where things are notyet ideal, or can be improved,
and actually you are working onthings to improve the lives of
(07:20):
animals.
And for example, I spent sometime in Indonesia chasing
orangutans as a behavioralbiologist, so observing their
behavior, and what I got fromthat experience is that the
world is so beautiful and wehumans are destroying it.
We want our palm oil, and wedestroy a lot of the Nature
(07:46):
there, and a lot of the home ofa lot of other creatures, so
that inspired me to writestories as well, and all kinds
of other things– so I can talkabout that for a long time.
But yeah, so for the new album,I also used these inspirations
to make the stories and, ofcourse, pairing them with
(08:11):
fiction, but there's always atruth behind them– and for me
that's very important.
Metal Maven (08:20):
Well, it makes me think of my favorite Scarlet
Stories songs, so far, is"Resurrection" and I interpreted
it as the revenge of MotherEarth and all the natural
systems that have been hereforever, outliving man's hubris
and shaking humanity off like abad cold.
So I feel like now that I know–at the time I didn't realize you
(08:43):
were a biologist, when Ilistened to it– I get to look at
it from a different perspective.
And you interwove yourbackground in science with this
mythological story to follow.
Lisette van den (08:57):
Yeah, yeah, indeed.
Yeah, I'm really happy that yougot that out of the story.
I wrote the lyrics for the threesongs, and, of course, Bram and
I wrote the music of two othersongs, and the third one is
"Resurrection." So, it's likethe final scene where the forest
(09:20):
actually takes revenge onhumanity, or everything that's
destroyed and comes back tolife.
Yeah, and then I really likedthat quote also from Jules Verne
that actually reflected that– Ionly read it after this story,
but Jules Verne, he says at acertain point in"Vingt Mille
(09:43):
Lieues Sous Les Mers"– so the"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,"
he says,"Nature's creative poweris far beyond man's
destruction." So saying that,even though we are destroying a
lot of things, Nature willalways come back and well, be
there, although maybe not allthe creatures living in it.
So, yeah.
Metal Maven (10:02):
Well that's what I was also finding interesting
because we're currently livingin the Anthropocene where
there's been lots of massextinction.
So I was wondering if– and Ifeel like it has, had an effect
on your creativity and themessage you want or need people
to hear through Scarlet Stories?
Lisette van den (10:21):
Yeah, so for me that's really personal.
Like I said, I'm never a big fanof really shoving things in
someone else's face and say,"Youare wrong," or,"We are wrong."
So I use a lot of symbolism sopeople could get that out of the
song, but they can also justlisten to the story and me
describing a story, notnecessarily listening to the
(10:44):
deeper meaning or the deepermessage.
I think everyone should doeverything they want, but I
think we should have morerespect for each other as well,
but also for the world around us– so the world we're living in.
And we all have a part, we allplay a role in the destruction
(11:04):
of the world, but we also play arole in building it, and taking
care of it, and we humans canactually think about it and we
can actually care for otheranimals.
So then I think we're obliged todo that and to have more
respect, and that is importantfor me.
But, like I said, I use a lot ofsymbolism to incorporate that
(11:24):
into songs and in the stories,so you can just listen to it and
think,"Oh, this is not really anice or happy song, but this is
a nice mood." But you can also,well, maybe take the personal
message from it, and I like toread and hear that you did that.
And some other people I talkedto also did that, so that's
(11:46):
really nice.
Metal Maven (11:48):
The subtlety is quite powerful in it because
that's the point of making asong– anybody can interpret it
the way they want, even thoughit may be you listen to the
song, you take it at face value,perhaps later on you think about
it a different way.
And I feel like that's what thepower of music can be.
It's evolving and can constantlychange your perception on the
(12:08):
world.
Lisette van den (12:09):
Yeah, I liked that as well.
Metal Maven (12:11):
Well, since we were discussing the Anthropocene and
our place in it, let's dive intoNecrologies a little bit more.
The title essentially means,"obituary" or"a list of those
who died." Why was this namechosen?
Lisette van den (12:28):
Yeah, so I was thinking about the name for the
album and the recurrent themefor all the songs– initially I
was thinking about,"Okay, sowhat kind of songs would be on
the album?" And we were still inthe middle of writing also all
the songs, but a reoccurringtheme in my lyrics at least is
(12:51):
death or suffering of innocentbeings, being that humans or
animals.
So, that was actually the themethat happened.
So it's, for me, it turned outto be like a tribute to all the
creatures, so humans and animals, who suffered and died by the
(13:13):
greed of others.
And that was the overall themeand actually every song on the
album has that theme or islinked to that theme.
Metal Maven (13:23):
Well, I love that you said that because paired
with the artwork, there's thiselement of macabre alluding to
the potential death of humanityor everything.
And I feel like the cover artist– he did an amazing job evoking
a very emotional scene throughthe lens of a classical art
style, which I feel adds a moreominous tone to the work.
(13:45):
It's like a premonition you'reseeing before you even listen.
How did you connect with Jelle?
No, yeah, yeah.
Well, it's Jelle Steenhuisen–he's an incredibly talented
artist.
Everyone should check out hiswork.
I met Jelle through Karmaflow– Isang on the album and also in
(14:05):
the video game as well– and hewas one of the artists working
on Karmaflow, and I really likedhis artwork already.
So when I was looking forsomeone to do the artwork of the
album I was like,"Oh, maybe hecan do that." And he was very
excited to do it and heimmediately started out on some
(14:29):
sketches.
So first for, of course, thesingle, so"Vingt Mille Lieues
Sous Les Mers." And then I wasblown away by his sketches
already.
And then when we selected theone we liked and the amount of
detail and the final piece isjust incredible.
Lisette van den (14:47):
And so the artwork for the album we also
asked him, and he made a sketchof the artwork of the album.
And I was just blown away, itwas so emotional.
And he based the artwork on mylyrics and the theme of the
album, so I did explain somewhatto him and I sent him my lyrics
as well.
(15:07):
And then he combined some of thelyrics of some of the songs in
this picture, and it'sfantastic.
He was inspired also by biblicalartworks, so like old art
pieces.
And then– like the elephant isone of the stories that I'm
(15:29):
writing about, so about theillegal wildlife trade and also
ivory poaching, and stuff likethat.
And the other one is"In Bloodand Limbs and Gore and Clay"
which is song about– it's asymbolism for people fighting
over each other and not takingcare of each other and just
(15:50):
going over dead bodies to reachsomething that isn't really
there.
Metal Maven (15:55):
I love how complex Jelle made everything.
It's just, again, it's playingin subtleties until you hear the
lyrics and then you can reallyget the full meaning of it.
Not only are you drawing onscience, but literature as well.
I know you said you wereinspired by Edgar Allen Poe and
the latest single fromNecrologies,"Vingt Mille Lieues
(16:17):
Sous Les Mers" that's inspiredby 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
I was wondering, was literaturewhere Scarlet Stories began the
exploration of these darkeraspects of humanity?
Is there a commonality in thetype of literature Scarlet
Stories is influenced by?
Lisette van den (16:33):
Yeah, definitely.
Like I said, I love reading theclassics, like Jules Verne, but
so many, many more like The LostWorld, Sherlock Holmes.
I'm also a collector of a lot ofbooks as well, so I love
(16:56):
reading, and I love stories.
But also they have, always quitedark themes.
I really like that atmosphereand mysteriousness about them.
So yeah, I definitely use thatas inspirations for shaping also
the stories.
And so for the story of"VingtMille Lieues Sous Les Mers" I
(17:18):
tried to focus on the characterof Captain Nemo because in the
story it's more narrative ofProfessor Aronnax and you kind
of meet Captain Nemo throughhim, but he's a really
mysterious character.
And he's also fighting an innerbattle, he's very disappointed
in the world.
(17:39):
He created his own world in theNautilus, exploring the seas,
and he really loves Nature, theworld, and all i ts creatures,
but he just really hatessuppression.
And his family was actuallykilled in a war and suppressed
by other people.
So he feels let down by theworld.
(17:59):
And I u se t hese emotions t hatare described in the book as
inspirations for the music.
And so Bram took these emotionsas well as inspirations for his
music, and he wrote some of theparts and then w e always sit
together and then I'm like,"Oh,I really like this! And maybe
that is a great piece for thatemotion.
(18:21):
And that is a great piece forthat emotion." So together we
really compliment each other inwriting t he songs.
And a t the end, Captain N emogives up his fight, and then he
has an inner battle because heactually killed some innocent
people because he was really,really angry– a loved one was k
illed.
So actually, he turned out tobecome the one he hates.
(18:45):
And then he just gives up and hes ails into the maelstrom– so
that's like a whirlpool.
And t hat's a ctually also theartwork that Jelle described.
So it's the fight of the Kraken,le poulpe, combined with the end
of the story where he sort of steers into a maelstrom and
perhaps killing himself, orthat's something we don't know
(19:09):
from the story at least, butyeah.
Metal Maven (19:12):
Yeah, so it seems like the literature that you're
reading, it's fantastical.
And for"Vingt Mille Lieues SousLes Mers"– the new music video–
I liked how you were, I guessyou were, covered in water and
it was just your face.
I know it's kind of haunting andeverything, but were you trying
to portray one of the charactersin the book?
(19:33):
Or is this just kind of aversion of who you want to be as
the lead singer in ScarletStories?
Lisette van den (19:40):
Yeah, well, the faces in the music video are
actually mine and Carmen Raats,so our guitarist.
It wasn't really a fiction thingbecause there are no sirens, for
example, in the story of JulesVerne, but I imagine that maybe
there were who are narrating thestory.
(20:04):
So that's kind of the ideabehind it.
And we created this scene, doingit in the bathtub of Carmen– so
she actually found the way tomake the water really, really
black, and then we recorded thisourselves, so it was really,
really fun to do as well.
Metal Maven (20:25):
That's actually amazing to hear that it's just
simply just being in a bathtuband recording the music video.
Nobody would ever know that.
Lisette van den (20:33):
No, but now they do! I really like dressing
up, and using makeup and grime,and creating outfits.
I also did that for the newmusic video– I created the whole
outfit of a creature that'sgoing to be portrayed– and I
(20:56):
love to do that– so that'sreally fun to do for me, so I
really like to be involved inthat kind of artistic
development as well.
Metal Maven (21:08):
How much more can you say about the new music
video because I'm prettyinterested?
I really liked the last musicvideo.
So what do you have in store forthis new one, which I believe
you're releasing around the timeof the album coming out?
Lisette van den (21:21):
Yeah, we hope so.
At least we will present ateaser at the album release
show, and we hope to release themusic video of the song
relatively fast after that.
And we have been working againwith Nick Bökkerink, but I also
called in the help of my goodfriend, Sebastiaan Donders who
(21:46):
directed the video because I hadso many ideas, but he is really,
really good at making it morepractical and say,"Okay, so this
can be done like this, or thiscan be done like this, or maybe
we can create something likethat," because we are all
self-funding and we have to payeverything ourselves, of course.
So we have a low budget torecords my really, really
(22:10):
fictionious ideas.
And then, you are in need ofsome creativity.
So we're going to do the song,"In Blood and Limbs and Gore and
Clay" and we actually createdthe mud pool in my own backyard.
Metal Maven (22:30):
Oh, fun.
Lisette van den (22:30):
And yeah.
And we were crawling in it, andcrawling in the bushes, and
wearing white blind lenses so wedidn't see anything in the
middle of the night– so myneighbors must think I'm crazy,
you know?
Metal Maven (22:44):
You're like,"Guys, it's just art.
Don't worry about it.
Go back to sleep.
It's okay."
Lisette van den (22:49):
Exactly, yes! And that was so much fun to do.
So we finished that this weekendand, yeah, it was crazy.
Metal Maven (22:59):
Oh my gosh.
Well, I'm excited to see thatone.
Thank you for inviting me to thealbum release.
I wish that I could make it.
Lisette van den (23:06):
Yeah, I know.
Metal Maven (23:06):
But sending all of the good vibes your way.
I'm sure it's going to be anamazing night.
Thank you.
Well, let's discuss ScarletStories four years ago.
We'll talk about that evolutioncompared to 2015's Resurrection
EP.
How has Scarlet Storiesprogressed in artistry and
sound?
What changes have been made orwhat traits were advantageous to
(23:30):
elevate and adapt your music towhat it is now?
Lisette van den (23:33):
Yeah, actually quite a lot of things.
So for the new album, definitelywhat changed is that we involved
the band even more in also thewriting process.
So, usually Bram and I write thesongs in an acoustic way and
then we interpreted with theband, but now we actually also
(23:57):
started out writing with theband.
So we had some ideas and then wegot together in our weekly
rehearsals, and then we startedplaying around, and we went back
, I re-recorded it and had tolisten to it, and then I placed
everything somewhere and then westarted rehearsing again.
So everyone really had a part inwriting the music.
(24:21):
And also Bram sat together withCarmen as well to write some
songs.
And yeah, so that is somethingthat definitely changed.
Another thing, of course, isthat Joost van den Broek really
helped us, lifting our music toa new level, as our producer.
So he really was also involvedin the production of the album
(24:43):
and, of course, we decided toreally dedicate ourselves to
this album.
So weekly rehearsals, but alsocreating our own world and just
like Captain Nemo almost.
So I really envisioned some– Iwanted to emphasize the vibe of
the songs and the stories moreso everything comes together.
(25:06):
So the looks of the band, thephoto shoots we do, the music
video, the stories behind it–everything came together
actually.
Metal Maven (25:16):
Well it's good.
I mean, for an album release,especially the first
full-length, it's good to haveall that consistency and have
everything in place that way.
There's also new versions ofsongs from the last EP.
Do these songs carry afoundational message of Scarlet
Stories and does the importanceof their meaning give them
(25:37):
precedence on the debut album?
You don't have to specify whichsongs you chose because we can
keep that a secret, but perhapswhat qualities they have that
make them true to the ScarletStories sound.
Lisette van den (25:48):
Well, actually we created a poll after the
crowdfunding campaign.
So everyone who supported us gotto vote for their favorite EP
song because we said,"Okay, sowe want to record one of the
songs at least again withJoost," because we felt that our
EP– we felt that we couldcomplete the stories even
(26:12):
better, and tell them evenbetter.
And also adding a Sophie onviolin to the stories actually
completed them entirely.
So actually, the fans selectedwhich song was definitely on the
album and actually there wassort of a 50/50 voting so we
decided to do another song aswell.
(26:34):
So it's actually fan-based, orthe decision was actually really
made by the fans.
They liked these songs best, butalso one of them, it's really
difficult to not give them aname, but it really also, again,
(26:54):
fits the theme of the album aswell.
Metal Maven (26:58):
I guess everyone's going to have to find out which
ones are on there next month, sohave to stay tuned for that one.
Let's talk about you as anartist as well.
From listening to the newsingle, your voice has developed
more refinement and character,especially dynamically, with
whispers and the contrastbetween honeyed sweetness and
unfurling, raspy chaos.
(27:19):
For me, when I hear you, it'slike the sea– it's terrifying at
moments and life-giving.
But you're also, as we discussedabout the music video, like a
siren and death-bringing.
It's quite a beautiful polarity.
Is your voice and stylesomething that has always been
there or what have you done toreveal and improve your
(27:41):
instrument, your voice?
Lisette van den (27:44):
Yeah, that's a good question.
So I think you are neverfinished with learning, you
always learn and get inspiredmore, and I want to seek out
also new things to do with myvoice.
So I already, when I was a veryyoung girl, realized that I
could sing pretty loud, whichwas something that I had to
(28:08):
develop.
I also really started developingthe sound of my voice because at
the Rock Academy, for example,so one of my vocal coaches, Babz
Verhoeven, she pointed out thatI could do so much more with my
voice in creating, for example,soft and a more lighter sound,
but also choosing which sounds Iwanted to make.
(28:28):
So I really focused on thatduring my time there.
And also I like to have thefreedom to create music without
boundaries.
So just letting the story guidethem and let, especially, my
emotions, guide my voice.
So when I am raged or when I'msad, I want to hear that in my
(28:51):
voice as well.
So I'm really trying toincorporate that into songs.
And luckily, also Joost really,really understood that, and so
he really helped me as well.
And also during the recording hesaid,"Okay, so maybe you can do
it even more sweet, or maybe youcan use that voice, or you can
use that voice." So together, wecreated that for the album as
(29:14):
well.
But live, I really use myemotions for the songs, for the
stories that I write, to guidemy voice.
So when I'm angry on stage, I'mreally angry on stage.
If you get my drift.
Metal Maven (29:30):
They're like,"Stay clear of Lisette, she's angry
right now.
She just needs to her room toget this out."
Lisette van den (29:35):
Yeah, exactly.
Well, it's sort of a– it'sreally therapeutic to do like
that.
Yeah.
Metal Maven (29:42):
It just releases energy so it's not pent up in
your body.
Lisette van den (29:47):
Yeah, well, in a way.
And it's also a way to expressmy songs, I think, so what
people see is real emotion.
It's not fake and it's what Ifeel.
So, and that's, of course, ithelps when the stories are
personal or actually related tomy own feelings in that way.
But I also like to be astoryteller and to get everyone
(30:11):
involved into the story.
And I think a way to do that isreally in captivating your
audience and taking them in thestory and u sing your voice to
do that.
Metal Maven (30:22):
I always am interested in how vocalists
begin singing and progressing towho they are today.
There's going to be things thatchange you and you discover more
and unlock things about yourvoice that you maybe never saw
or heard before.
And sometimes, I mean, I knowyou went to the Rock Academy,
and just having other peoplelisten to you because it can't
(30:44):
be just in your head, judgingyour voice.
When other people encourage orhelp you refine it more, that's
an awesome thing.
Lisette van den (30:52):
Yeah, definitely.
So I started out when I wasreally young, I think five, six,
or something, singing in achurch choir.
I think everyone starts out likethat(almost everyone at least).
Yeah, and so I think, I'm notsure, but only when I was 17 or
so that I realized that actuallyI could take singing lessons to
(31:15):
actually do something with that.
So I did sing, but onlyprivately.
So I locked myself in my roomand was completely isolated so I
could play my music reallyloudly and then could sing.
And, so even my parents couldn'treally hear what I was doing.
Metal Maven (31:37):
What was their reaction the first time they
ever heard you sing?
Were they're like," Lisette, whoare you?
We've never seen this part ofyou!"
Lisette van den (31:45):
No, I mean they already knew because like I
said, I was already singing whenI was five years old, so I was
always singing at a birthday or,I don't know, even like a
funeral.
Maybe that's not a really nice–I mean yeah, it's a really nice
thing to do, but– so then, ofcourse, they knew I was singing
(32:06):
and I had a really musicalupbringing, so I played the
saxophone, for example, andflutes.
So actually, I explored that andI think also that playing the
saxophone, for example, helped,my singing as well.
Because also, for playing asaxophone, you really need a lot
(32:28):
of air and support.
So I got to develop that aswell, and I remember noticing
that when I played saxophone,and then when I started singing,
that I could sing better.
So actually, I started to doboth.
Metal Maven (32:46):
So did it strengthen your lung capacity?
Is that what it was?
The saxophone was a workout formaking your voice stronger?
They're complimentary to eachother?
Lisette van den (32:56):
Yeah, both.
Yeah, so of course, your lungcapacity, but also your support–
the support that you need inyour body to control your voice
and to control the air comingout and coming in, air flex.
(33:16):
So, I think that really helped.
And then I had a classicalsinging teacher as well, and it
was really a lot of fun becausehe was not used to any Pop or
Rock vocals, but he was reallywilling to explore that.
So I had a lot of fun singingwith him, but I never realized
(33:39):
that you could do that as aprofession or something– or, I
mean, that was something thatother people did, for example.
I was really a fan of Queen, forexample, Freddie Mercury he was
just an amazing singer.
But so many, many other singers.
I was a total– yeah, I wasreally a fan of a lot of
(34:00):
singers, but I never realized Icould do that on a professional
level.
And then actually my time inIndonesia, so sitting in a
jungle and thinking abouteverything, I really decided
that I, or I at least noticedthat, I missed making music or
(34:21):
singing.
So then I decided to apply forthe Rock Academy after I
graduated.
And then I got accepted andthat's when actually everything
started so I could develop myvoice.
Metal Maven (34:36):
It took you traveling to Indonesia to
realize that music was also theway you needed to go.
See?
Quiet times in Nature you getall sorts of revelations.
Lisette van den (34:49):
Exactly.
Yeah, that I needed more Rockand Metal my life, I think,
yeah.
Metal Maven (34:53):
Exactly.
Well, my last question for you,Lisette, is if hopes were made
truth, what would the future ofScarlet Stories be?
Lisette van den (35:04):
Yeah, that's a good question.
Well, I really, really hope tobe performing really nice shows.
So actually, what I hope, isthat we always will grow and
we'll reach new things.
So playing in nice venues,touring– I would really love to
(35:25):
do a tour.
Maybe first Europe, but I wouldlike to travel the worlds with
my band as well, playing atextraordinary festivals,
extraordinary venues, meetingnew people, making a new album
after this.
That's the sort of thing Ireally would like, yeah.
Metal Maven (35:48):
Well, I hope that all comes true.
Lisette van den (35:50):
Thanks!
Metal Maven (35:52):
It would be a wonderful thing.
I'll put those good vibes outthere for you guys.
Lisette van den (35:58):
Thank you!
Metal Maven (35:58):
Well, that's all the questions I have for you
today, Lisette.
Thank you so much for joiningme.
Lisette van den (36:03):
Yeah, you're welcome.
Thank you for inviting me.
Metal Maven (36:08):
For more information on Scarlet Stories,
new album, Necrologies, and topurchase tickets for the album
release show on September 19th,visit scarletstories.com.
Visit metalmavenpodcast.com forlinks to Lisette's social
profiles, videos, and read thefull transcript of this
interview.
Thanks for tuning in, and besure to subscribe to Metal Maven
(36:29):
Podcast on Apple, Stitcher,Spotify, and Google.
Welcome to the Metal Maven Podcast, where we
explore and discover the processand passions of artists in the
Metal music and art community.
Scarlet Stories is anexploration of mankind's darkest
emotions and acts, inequity,beauty, and murder.
Music that creates, andencourages a deeper observation
(00:23):
of the world we live in.
In episode seven, I'm joined bylead singer and biologist,
Lisette van den Berg.
Thanks so much for being herewith me Lisette, how are you?
Lisette van den (00:32):
Thank you very much.
I'm doing fine actually.
Yeah, having a bit of a holiday,well, and working, and a bit
tired from the weekend as we dida photo shoot, but how are you?
Metal Maven (00:44):
I'm doing great.
I'm so excited that you'rejoining me today and we're going
to be discussing your debutalbum coming out next month.
Necrologies, it's coming outSeptember 19th, congratulations.
Lisette van den (00:57):
Thank you.
Metal Maven (00:58):
I understand it was quite a journey to get here as
the band is self-funded.
To receive that level of supportfrom fans and achieve the
milestone of publishing afull-length work, how does that
feel?
Lisette van den (01:10):
It feels really, really great and really
awesome.
I'm so happy that we got all thesupport to actually make this
album happen.
So thanks to all the fans, andfriends, and family that were
helping out.
And then, yeah, to havesomething– I mean, we don't have
the physical copy yet, so Idon't get to hold it in my hand
yet, but soon we will and that'sgoing to be really, really
(01:32):
awesome.
So, everything will cometogether– I'm really excited for
everything.
Metal Maven (01:38):
I would be super excited as well.
And I was curious as to theorigin of Scarlet Stories.
How did you get to this momentof releasing Necrologies out
into the world?
Lisette van den (01:50):
Well, actually it started at the Rock Academy.
I studied vocals there and I metBram te Kamp and we decided to
do a project together in ourfirst year.
So you had to make a band orform a project, and we decided
to do an acoustic project makingProgressive Metal music, but
then in an acoustic form,because we both love Progressive
(02:13):
Rock and Metal music.
So that's actually how itstarted out.
And we started writing songs andthat went very well.
And then we recorded our firstacoustic EP.
We also did some performances,like assessments, for the Rock
Academy.
And we felt that some of thesongs, because we were writing
in a pretty dynamic style, thatsome of the songs really needed
(02:35):
more dynamics.
So, then we added the bandmembers and that was really,
really cool to actuallytranslate our acoustic songs to
band and full version songs.
So, that's what we did.
And finally, we also addedMaarten Grimm, and of course,
(02:55):
Carmen Raats, Tim Kuper, and nowalso Sophie Ansems on violin– so
to complete Scarlet Stories inits entirety.
And then, yeah, I met Joost, ofcourse, Joost van den Broek,
through Ayreon.
And, he actually proposed to–like he said,"Okay, so if you're
ready for the next step, thengive me a call or contact me
(03:18):
because I would love to helpyou." And that's what we did.
So yeah.
Metal Maven (03:22):
How was that experience working with him?
Lisette van den (03:25):
Yeah, it's great.
He is really, really dedicatedto music, to his work, to art.
And he is really, really lovelyto work with because he kind of–
he really, really gets into yourmusic and he tries to understand
the style and the stories behindit.
He really thinks along and heactually proposed a lot of
(03:48):
things that I was thinking, butI didn't say it out loud, and
then he was thinking it, and hewas saying it, and I was like,
"Yes, that's exactly what Imeant!" And I really liked that–
to work with him.
So we first did the single topromote our crowdfunding
campaign and he also helped us,giving information on how to–
well, like gave us advice on howto set that up.
(04:10):
And yeah, it was really, reallycool.
And so we had this single and wewere really looking forward to
also record the entire albumwith him.
So yeah.
Metal Maven (04:22):
Well, it's good when you have someone to help
you who wants to keep your voiceand message authentic to you and
not try to change it in any way.
Lisette van den (04:30):
Yeah, exactly.
Metal Maven (04:31):
So you've stated this new album is very personal
for you.
Could you talk more about whatthis new album means to you?
Lisette van den (04:39):
Well, obviously, as I'm writing all
the lyrics and the stories, theyare quite personal.
And also, in these stories,they're sort of an outlet for
me, for the way I think aboutthe world sometimes.
But then I really mix it up withfiction.
So I really love the classicstories, like gothic horror
(05:03):
stories, for example, EdgarAllen Poe and Lovecraft.
And I like the vibes of that.
And I'm also thinking about theworld and about the animals.
I'm very aware of everythingthat's going, especially– well,
it's also one of the reasons Istarted in biology.
And so the lyrics and thestories I write, they come from
(05:24):
personal, well, not personalexperience per se, but from
things I see or I encounter alsoin my work.
So, yeah, in that sense, it'sthe theme of the elements that's
quite personal for me.
Metal Maven (05:36):
Well let's go into your background as a biologist
for a moment, since we're on thesubject.
You have a Master's degree inScience, and did you always want
to be a scientist?
How has this aspect of your lifeand knowledge base informed the
artistry behind the new album?
Lisette van den (05:53):
From a young age, I loved animals and I was
always going out in Nature andplaying there, and climbing
trees, and doing everythingoutside.
And my mom was always sometimesupset with me because I would
tear my clothing and I would getstains, and whatever– knots– but
she was– they always encouragedme to explore that and to do
(06:16):
that.
So I really, really lovedworking with animals.
And I wanted to– initially Iwanted to become a veterinarian,
but it's really hard anddifficult to get in.
And also I didn't want to workin the livestock industry, so I
was also searching for somethingelse.
And then I read the book by JaneGoodall and she's a really,
(06:38):
really famous behavioralbiologist.
She studied chimpanzees inAfrica and I was so inspired by
that.
So from that moment that's all Icould think about.
Like,"I want to do that." And ofcourse, I also already sang
quite a lot, but not as much asI do now.
I started out in a choir forexample, but I never realized
(06:59):
that also was an option toactually explore music further.
So I did that after my Master'sdegree actually– I went to the
Rock Academy then.
But yeah, in biology, as ascientist, I encounter a lot of
situations where things are notyet ideal, or can be improved,
and actually you are working onthings to improve the lives of
(07:20):
animals.
And for example, I spent sometime in Indonesia chasing
orangutans as a behavioralbiologist, so observing their
behavior, and what I got fromthat experience is that the
world is so beautiful and wehumans are destroying it.
We want our palm oil, and wedestroy a lot of the Nature
(07:46):
there, and a lot of the home ofa lot of other creatures, so
that inspired me to writestories as well, and all kinds
of other things– so I can talkabout that for a long time.
But yeah, so for the new album,I also used these inspirations
to make the stories and, ofcourse, pairing them with
(08:11):
fiction, but there's always atruth behind them– and for me
that's very important.
Metal Maven (08:20):
Well, it makes me think of my favorite Scarlet
Stories songs, so far, is"Resurrection" and I interpreted
it as the revenge of MotherEarth and all the natural
systems that have been hereforever, outliving man's hubris
and shaking humanity off like abad cold.
So I feel like now that I know–at the time I didn't realize you
(08:43):
were a biologist, when Ilistened to it– I get to look at
it from a different perspective.
And you interwove yourbackground in science with this
mythological story to follow.
Lisette van den (08:57):
Yeah, yeah, indeed.
Yeah, I'm really happy that yougot that out of the story.
I wrote the lyrics for the threesongs, and, of course, Bram and
I wrote the music of two othersongs, and the third one is
"Resurrection." So, it's likethe final scene where the forest
(09:20):
actually takes revenge onhumanity, or everything that's
destroyed and comes back tolife.
Yeah, and then I really likedthat quote also from Jules Verne
that actually reflected that– Ionly read it after this story,
but Jules Verne, he says at acertain point in"Vingt Mille
(09:43):
Lieues Sous Les Mers"– so the"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,"
he says,"Nature's creative poweris far beyond man's
destruction." So saying that,even though we are destroying a
lot of things, Nature willalways come back and well, be
there, although maybe not allthe creatures living in it.
So, yeah.
Metal Maven (10:02):
Well that's what I was also finding interesting
because we're currently livingin the Anthropocene where
there's been lots of massextinction.
So I was wondering if– and Ifeel like it has, had an effect
on your creativity and themessage you want or need people
to hear through Scarlet Stories?
Lisette van den (10:21):
Yeah, so for me that's really personal.
Like I said, I'm never a big fanof really shoving things in
someone else's face and say,"Youare wrong," or,"We are wrong."
So I use a lot of symbolism sopeople could get that out of the
song, but they can also justlisten to the story and me
describing a story, notnecessarily listening to the
(10:44):
deeper meaning or the deepermessage.
I think everyone should doeverything they want, but I
think we should have morerespect for each other as well,
but also for the world around us– so the world we're living in.
And we all have a part, we allplay a role in the destruction
(11:04):
of the world, but we also play arole in building it, and taking
care of it, and we humans canactually think about it and we
can actually care for otheranimals.
So then I think we're obliged todo that and to have more
respect, and that is importantfor me.
But, like I said, I use a lot ofsymbolism to incorporate that
(11:24):
into songs and in the stories,so you can just listen to it and
think,"Oh, this is not really anice or happy song, but this is
a nice mood." But you can also,well, maybe take the personal
message from it, and I like toread and hear that you did that.
And some other people I talkedto also did that, so that's
(11:46):
really nice.
Metal Maven (11:48):
The subtlety is quite powerful in it because
that's the point of making asong– anybody can interpret it
the way they want, even thoughit may be you listen to the
song, you take it at face value,perhaps later on you think about
it a different way.
And I feel like that's what thepower of music can be.
It's evolving and can constantlychange your perception on the
(12:08):
world.
Lisette van den (12:09):
Yeah, I liked that as well.
Metal Maven (12:11):
Well, since we were discussing the Anthropocene and
our place in it, let's dive intoNecrologies a little bit more.
The title essentially means,"obituary" or"a list of those
who died." Why was this namechosen?
Lisette van den (12:28):
Yeah, so I was thinking about the name for the
album and the recurrent themefor all the songs– initially I
was thinking about,"Okay, sowhat kind of songs would be on
the album?" And we were still inthe middle of writing also all
the songs, but a reoccurringtheme in my lyrics at least is
(12:51):
death or suffering of innocentbeings, being that humans or
animals.
So, that was actually the themethat happened.
So it's, for me, it turned outto be like a tribute to all the
creatures, so humans and animals, who suffered and died by the
(13:13):
greed of others.
And that was the overall themeand actually every song on the
album has that theme or islinked to that theme.
Metal Maven (13:23):
Well, I love that you said that because paired
with the artwork, there's thiselement of macabre alluding to
the potential death of humanityor everything.
And I feel like the cover artist– he did an amazing job evoking
a very emotional scene throughthe lens of a classical art
style, which I feel adds a moreominous tone to the work.
(13:45):
It's like a premonition you'reseeing before you even listen.
How did you connect with Jelle?
No, yeah, yeah.
Well, it's Jelle Steenhuisen–he's an incredibly talented
artist.
Everyone should check out hiswork.
I met Jelle through Karmaflow– Isang on the album and also in
(14:05):
the video game as well– and hewas one of the artists working
on Karmaflow, and I really likedhis artwork already.
So when I was looking forsomeone to do the artwork of the
album I was like,"Oh, maybe hecan do that." And he was very
excited to do it and heimmediately started out on some
(14:29):
sketches.
So first for, of course, thesingle, so"Vingt Mille Lieues
Sous Les Mers." And then I wasblown away by his sketches
already.
And then when we selected theone we liked and the amount of
detail and the final piece isjust incredible.
Lisette van den (14:47):
And so the artwork for the album we also
asked him, and he made a sketchof the artwork of the album.
And I was just blown away, itwas so emotional.
And he based the artwork on mylyrics and the theme of the
album, so I did explain somewhatto him and I sent him my lyrics
as well.
(15:07):
And then he combined some of thelyrics of some of the songs in
this picture, and it'sfantastic.
He was inspired also by biblicalartworks, so like old art
pieces.
And then– like the elephant isone of the stories that I'm
(15:29):
writing about, so about theillegal wildlife trade and also
ivory poaching, and stuff likethat.
And the other one is"In Bloodand Limbs and Gore and Clay"
which is song about– it's asymbolism for people fighting
over each other and not takingcare of each other and just
(15:50):
going over dead bodies to reachsomething that isn't really
there.
Metal Maven (15:55):
I love how complex Jelle made everything.
It's just, again, it's playingin subtleties until you hear the
lyrics and then you can reallyget the full meaning of it.
Not only are you drawing onscience, but literature as well.
I know you said you wereinspired by Edgar Allen Poe and
the latest single fromNecrologies,"Vingt Mille Lieues
(16:17):
Sous Les Mers" that's inspiredby 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
I was wondering, was literaturewhere Scarlet Stories began the
exploration of these darkeraspects of humanity?
Is there a commonality in thetype of literature Scarlet
Stories is influenced by?
Lisette van den (16:33):
Yeah, definitely.
Like I said, I love reading theclassics, like Jules Verne, but
so many, many more like The LostWorld, Sherlock Holmes.
I'm also a collector of a lot ofbooks as well, so I love
(16:56):
reading, and I love stories.
But also they have, always quitedark themes.
I really like that atmosphereand mysteriousness about them.
So yeah, I definitely use thatas inspirations for shaping also
the stories.
And so for the story of"VingtMille Lieues Sous Les Mers" I
(17:18):
tried to focus on the characterof Captain Nemo because in the
story it's more narrative ofProfessor Aronnax and you kind
of meet Captain Nemo throughhim, but he's a really
mysterious character.
And he's also fighting an innerbattle, he's very disappointed
in the world.
(17:39):
He created his own world in theNautilus, exploring the seas,
and he really loves Nature, theworld, and all i ts creatures,
but he just really hatessuppression.
And his family was actuallykilled in a war and suppressed
by other people.
So he feels let down by theworld.
(17:59):
And I u se t hese emotions t hatare described in the book as
inspirations for the music.
And so Bram took these emotionsas well as inspirations for his
music, and he wrote some of theparts and then w e always sit
together and then I'm like,"Oh,I really like this! And maybe
that is a great piece for thatemotion.
(18:21):
And that is a great piece forthat emotion." So together we
really compliment each other inwriting t he songs.
And a t the end, Captain N emogives up his fight, and then he
has an inner battle because heactually killed some innocent
people because he was really,really angry– a loved one was k
illed.
So actually, he turned out tobecome the one he hates.
(18:45):
And then he just gives up and hes ails into the maelstrom– so
that's like a whirlpool.
And t hat's a ctually also theartwork that Jelle described.
So it's the fight of the Kraken,le poulpe, combined with the end
of the story where he sort of steers into a maelstrom and
perhaps killing himself, orthat's something we don't know
(19:09):
from the story at least, butyeah.
Metal Maven (19:12):
Yeah, so it seems like the literature that you're
reading, it's fantastical.
And for"Vingt Mille Lieues SousLes Mers"– the new music video–
I liked how you were, I guessyou were, covered in water and
it was just your face.
I know it's kind of haunting andeverything, but were you trying
to portray one of the charactersin the book?
(19:33):
Or is this just kind of aversion of who you want to be as
the lead singer in ScarletStories?
Lisette van den (19:40):
Yeah, well, the faces in the music video are
actually mine and Carmen Raats,so our guitarist.
It wasn't really a fiction thingbecause there are no sirens, for
example, in the story of JulesVerne, but I imagine that maybe
there were who are narrating thestory.
(20:04):
So that's kind of the ideabehind it.
And we created this scene, doingit in the bathtub of Carmen– so
she actually found the way tomake the water really, really
black, and then we recorded thisourselves, so it was really,
really fun to do as well.
Metal Maven (20:25):
That's actually amazing to hear that it's just
simply just being in a bathtuband recording the music video.
Nobody would ever know that.
Lisette van den (20:33):
No, but now they do! I really like dressing
up, and using makeup and grime,and creating outfits.
I also did that for the newmusic video– I created the whole
outfit of a creature that'sgoing to be portrayed– and I
(20:56):
love to do that– so that'sreally fun to do for me, so I
really like to be involved inthat kind of artistic
development as well.
Metal Maven (21:08):
How much more can you say about the new music
video because I'm prettyinterested?
I really liked the last musicvideo.
So what do you have in store forthis new one, which I believe
you're releasing around the timeof the album coming out?
Lisette van den (21:21):
Yeah, we hope so.
At least we will present ateaser at the album release
show, and we hope to release themusic video of the song
relatively fast after that.
And we have been working againwith Nick Bökkerink, but I also
called in the help of my goodfriend, Sebastiaan Donders who
(21:46):
directed the video because I hadso many ideas, but he is really,
really good at making it morepractical and say,"Okay, so this
can be done like this, or thiscan be done like this, or maybe
we can create something likethat," because we are all
self-funding and we have to payeverything ourselves, of course.
So we have a low budget torecords my really, really
(22:10):
fictionious ideas.
And then, you are in need ofsome creativity.
So we're going to do the song,"In Blood and Limbs and Gore and
Clay" and we actually createdthe mud pool in my own backyard.
Metal Maven (22:30):
Oh, fun.
Lisette van den (22:30):
And yeah.
And we were crawling in it, andcrawling in the bushes, and
wearing white blind lenses so wedidn't see anything in the
middle of the night– so myneighbors must think I'm crazy,
you know?
Metal Maven (22:44):
You're like,"Guys, it's just art.
Don't worry about it.
Go back to sleep.
It's okay."
Lisette van den (22:49):
Exactly, yes! And that was so much fun to do.
So we finished that this weekendand, yeah, it was crazy.
Metal Maven (22:59):
Oh my gosh.
Well, I'm excited to see thatone.
Thank you for inviting me to thealbum release.
I wish that I could make it.
Lisette van den (23:06):
Yeah, I know.
Metal Maven (23:06):
But sending all of the good vibes your way.
I'm sure it's going to be anamazing night.
Thank you.
Well, let's discuss ScarletStories four years ago.
We'll talk about that evolutioncompared to 2015's Resurrection
EP.
How has Scarlet Storiesprogressed in artistry and
sound?
What changes have been made orwhat traits were advantageous to
(23:30):
elevate and adapt your music towhat it is now?
Lisette van den (23:33):
Yeah, actually quite a lot of things.
So for the new album, definitelywhat changed is that we involved
the band even more in also thewriting process.
So, usually Bram and I write thesongs in an acoustic way and
then we interpreted with theband, but now we actually also
(23:57):
started out writing with theband.
So we had some ideas and then wegot together in our weekly
rehearsals, and then we startedplaying around, and we went back
, I re-recorded it and had tolisten to it, and then I placed
everything somewhere and then westarted rehearsing again.
So everyone really had a part inwriting the music.
(24:21):
And also Bram sat together withCarmen as well to write some
songs.
And yeah, so that is somethingthat definitely changed.
Another thing, of course, isthat Joost van den Broek really
helped us, lifting our music toa new level, as our producer.
So he really was also involvedin the production of the album
(24:43):
and, of course, we decided toreally dedicate ourselves to
this album.
So weekly rehearsals, but alsocreating our own world and just
like Captain Nemo almost.
So I really envisioned some– Iwanted to emphasize the vibe of
the songs and the stories moreso everything comes together.
(25:06):
So the looks of the band, thephoto shoots we do, the music
video, the stories behind it–everything came together
actually.
Metal Maven (25:16):
Well it's good.
I mean, for an album release,especially the first
full-length, it's good to haveall that consistency and have
everything in place that way.
There's also new versions ofsongs from the last EP.
Do these songs carry afoundational message of Scarlet
Stories and does the importanceof their meaning give them
(25:37):
precedence on the debut album?
You don't have to specify whichsongs you chose because we can
keep that a secret, but perhapswhat qualities they have that
make them true to the ScarletStories sound.
Lisette van den (25:48):
Well, actually we created a poll after the
crowdfunding campaign.
So everyone who supported us gotto vote for their favorite EP
song because we said,"Okay, sowe want to record one of the
songs at least again withJoost," because we felt that our
EP– we felt that we couldcomplete the stories even
(26:12):
better, and tell them evenbetter.
And also adding a Sophie onviolin to the stories actually
completed them entirely.
So actually, the fans selectedwhich song was definitely on the
album and actually there wassort of a 50/50 voting so we
decided to do another song aswell.
(26:34):
So it's actually fan-based, orthe decision was actually really
made by the fans.
They liked these songs best, butalso one of them, it's really
difficult to not give them aname, but it really also, again,
(26:54):
fits the theme of the album aswell.
Metal Maven (26:58):
I guess everyone's going to have to find out which
ones are on there next month, sohave to stay tuned for that one.
Let's talk about you as anartist as well.
From listening to the newsingle, your voice has developed
more refinement and character,especially dynamically, with
whispers and the contrastbetween honeyed sweetness and
unfurling, raspy chaos.
(27:19):
For me, when I hear you, it'slike the sea– it's terrifying at
moments and life-giving.
But you're also, as we discussedabout the music video, like a
siren and death-bringing.
It's quite a beautiful polarity.
Is your voice and stylesomething that has always been
there or what have you done toreveal and improve your
(27:41):
instrument, your voice?
Lisette van den (27:44):
Yeah, that's a good question.
So I think you are neverfinished with learning, you
always learn and get inspiredmore, and I want to seek out
also new things to do with myvoice.
So I already, when I was a veryyoung girl, realized that I
could sing pretty loud, whichwas something that I had to
(28:08):
develop.
I also really started developingthe sound of my voice because at
the Rock Academy, for example,so one of my vocal coaches, Babz
Verhoeven, she pointed out thatI could do so much more with my
voice in creating, for example,soft and a more lighter sound,
but also choosing which sounds Iwanted to make.
(28:28):
So I really focused on thatduring my time there.
And also I like to have thefreedom to create music without
boundaries.
So just letting the story guidethem and let, especially, my
emotions, guide my voice.
So when I am raged or when I'msad, I want to hear that in my
(28:51):
voice as well.
So I'm really trying toincorporate that into songs.
And luckily, also Joost really,really understood that, and so
he really helped me as well.
And also during the recording hesaid,"Okay, so maybe you can do
it even more sweet, or maybe youcan use that voice, or you can
use that voice." So together, wecreated that for the album as
(29:14):
well.
But live, I really use myemotions for the songs, for the
stories that I write, to guidemy voice.
So when I'm angry on stage, I'mreally angry on stage.
If you get my drift.
Metal Maven (29:30):
They're like,"Stay clear of Lisette, she's angry
right now.
She just needs to her room toget this out."
Lisette van den (29:35):
Yeah, exactly.
Well, it's sort of a– it'sreally therapeutic to do like
that.
Yeah.
Metal Maven (29:42):
It just releases energy so it's not pent up in
your body.
Lisette van den (29:47):
Yeah, well, in a way.
And it's also a way to expressmy songs, I think, so what
people see is real emotion.
It's not fake and it's what Ifeel.
So, and that's, of course, ithelps when the stories are
personal or actually related tomy own feelings in that way.
But I also like to be astoryteller and to get everyone
(30:11):
involved into the story.
And I think a way to do that isreally in captivating your
audience and taking them in thestory and u sing your voice to
do that.
Metal Maven (30:22):
I always am interested in how vocalists
begin singing and progressing towho they are today.
There's going to be things thatchange you and you discover more
and unlock things about yourvoice that you maybe never saw
or heard before.
And sometimes, I mean, I knowyou went to the Rock Academy,
and just having other peoplelisten to you because it can't
(30:44):
be just in your head, judgingyour voice.
When other people encourage orhelp you refine it more, that's
an awesome thing.
Lisette van den (30:52):
Yeah, definitely.
So I started out when I wasreally young, I think five, six,
or something, singing in achurch choir.
I think everyone starts out likethat(almost everyone at least).
Yeah, and so I think, I'm notsure, but only when I was 17 or
so that I realized that actuallyI could take singing lessons to
(31:15):
actually do something with that.
So I did sing, but onlyprivately.
So I locked myself in my roomand was completely isolated so I
could play my music reallyloudly and then could sing.
And, so even my parents couldn'treally hear what I was doing.
Metal Maven (31:37):
What was their reaction the first time they
ever heard you sing?
Were they're like," Lisette, whoare you?
We've never seen this part ofyou!"
Lisette van den (31:45):
No, I mean they already knew because like I
said, I was already singing whenI was five years old, so I was
always singing at a birthday or,I don't know, even like a
funeral.
Maybe that's not a really nice–I mean yeah, it's a really nice
thing to do, but– so then, ofcourse, they knew I was singing
(32:06):
and I had a really musicalupbringing, so I played the
saxophone, for example, andflutes.
So actually, I explored that andI think also that playing the
saxophone, for example, helped,my singing as well.
Because also, for playing asaxophone, you really need a lot
(32:28):
of air and support.
So I got to develop that aswell, and I remember noticing
that when I played saxophone,and then when I started singing,
that I could sing better.
So actually, I started to doboth.
Metal Maven (32:46):
So did it strengthen your lung capacity?
Is that what it was?
The saxophone was a workout formaking your voice stronger?
They're complimentary to eachother?
Lisette van den (32:56):
Yeah, both.
Yeah, so of course, your lungcapacity, but also your support–
the support that you need inyour body to control your voice
and to control the air comingout and coming in, air flex.
(33:16):
So, I think that really helped.
And then I had a classicalsinging teacher as well, and it
was really a lot of fun becausehe was not used to any Pop or
Rock vocals, but he was reallywilling to explore that.
So I had a lot of fun singingwith him, but I never realized
(33:39):
that you could do that as aprofession or something– or, I
mean, that was something thatother people did, for example.
I was really a fan of Queen, forexample, Freddie Mercury he was
just an amazing singer.
But so many, many other singers.
I was a total– yeah, I wasreally a fan of a lot of
(34:00):
singers, but I never realized Icould do that on a professional
level.
And then actually my time inIndonesia, so sitting in a
jungle and thinking abouteverything, I really decided
that I, or I at least noticedthat, I missed making music or
(34:21):
singing.
So then I decided to apply forthe Rock Academy after I
graduated.
And then I got accepted andthat's when actually everything
started so I could develop myvoice.
Metal Maven (34:36):
It took you traveling to Indonesia to
realize that music was also theway you needed to go.
See?
Quiet times in Nature you getall sorts of revelations.
Lisette van den (34:49):
Exactly.
Yeah, that I needed more Rockand Metal my life, I think,
yeah.
Metal Maven (34:53):
Exactly.
Well, my last question for you,Lisette, is if hopes were made
truth, what would the future ofScarlet Stories be?
Lisette van den (35:04):
Yeah, that's a good question.
Well, I really, really hope tobe performing really nice shows.
So actually, what I hope, isthat we always will grow and
we'll reach new things.
So playing in nice venues,touring– I would really love to
(35:25):
do a tour.
Maybe first Europe, but I wouldlike to travel the worlds with
my band as well, playing atextraordinary festivals,
extraordinary venues, meetingnew people, making a new album
after this.
That's the sort of thing Ireally would like, yeah.
Metal Maven (35:48):
Well, I hope that all comes true.
Lisette van den (35:50):
Thanks!
Metal Maven (35:52):
It would be a wonderful thing.
I'll put those good vibes outthere for you guys.
Lisette van den (35:58):
Thank you!
Metal Maven (35:58):
Well, that's all the questions I have for you
today, Lisette.
Thank you so much for joiningme.
Lisette van den (36:03):
Yeah, you're welcome.
Thank you for inviting me.
Metal Maven (36:08):
For more information on Scarlet Stories,
new album, Necrologies, and topurchase tickets for the album
release show on September 19th,visit scarletstories.com.
Visit metalmavenpodcast.com forlinks to Lisette's social
profiles, videos, and read thefull transcript of this
interview.
Thanks for tuning in, and besure to subscribe to Metal Maven
(36:29):
Podcast on Apple, Stitcher,Spotify, and Google.
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