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10 Questions with ... The Veronicas
June 1, 2015
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVeronicas
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/theveronicas
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheVeronicasOnVEVO
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/theveronicasmusic
Audiences worldwide are familiar with the Australian The Veronicas, Jessica & Lisa Origliasso, the identical twin sisters from Australia. Their chart-topping hits include, "4ever" (2005), "Untouched", and "Take Me On The Floor" (2007). Their self-titled, third album, "The Veronicas" features the lead single "You Ruin Me", which is currently out at Hot AC. Their new record experiments with different genres and styles ranging from pop, folk, EDM, rap, and soul. It is symbolic of the Veronicas as artists and women multi-faceted and passionate.
The Veronicas will make their long-awaited return to American stages this June with their "Sanctified Tour" performing in several cities across the US for the first time in over six years.
1) Can you remember the moment when you two decided to become performers? Was there ever a time when you thought about having another career?
Our earliest memories of loving music were as young as we can remember. Being three or four, and dancing, singing, putting on little performances for our parents. We were in a theater company from the age of five. We loved the costumes, creating drama on stage, and telling stories through music. We just loved all aspects of being on stage, and we continued to do it our entire lives! I don't think there was ever a moment we actively wanted to pursue anything else. I do remember my Dad having a conversation with us when we were about 12 or 13, and asking us if wanted to take it seriously, or keep it a hobby. And we said we wanted to take it seriously, in which case, they supported us by paying for private signing lessons, and starting to get us accustomed to what it was like to record music in a real studio!
2) How did you decide on The Veronicas as your band name?
We were taking meetings in the USA with major record labels, and they kept asking our management what our group name was. We didn't have one, but we were huge fans of the film The Heathers' with Winona Ryder, as well as the character Veronica Lodge from Archie Comics. Both were strong willed, brunettes, so we took inspiration from that, and we came up with "The Veronicas."
Everyone really liked it, and in a sense it has helped us to invoke all those strong qualities that we admired in those characters.
3) How do you think your sound/style has changed and matured over the years?
The biggest thing with Lis and I is to remember that we are always going to look for the avenue to challenge ourselves. We don't like to stay comfortable musically for too long. I think as we have developed depth to our souls as people, so does it reflect in the way we write music, sing, and perform.
4) You've worked with some amazing songwriters include Nellee Hooper (Massive Attack, Bjork), Toby Gad (John Legend, Beyonce), Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), Martin Hansen (The Rasmus), Chris Loco (Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis), Emeli Sande , and many others. What relationship has really stood out to you? Who do you think you have learned the most from?
They were all incredible collaborations! Some were purely professional, and some became closer and more intimate. Toby Gad has been there from the very first record we ever made. I remember we didn't actually get along that great when we first met, and didn't think we would collaborate again. Ha! Ha! But then for our second record, we found ourselves back together with him, and within the first week we completely hit it off, and wrote some of our most successful songs: "Untouched" "Take Me On The Floor" and "Revenge is Sweeter Than You Ever Were." Now Toby is a very close friend, and we are all able to create in a way that is reflective of a 10 year relationship.
5) What's it like being in a band with your twin sister? What's something silly that you tend to fight about these days?
Traveling the world with your best friend is UNREAL. We do fight, but honestly, it's never really that silly anymore. We still like to debate a lot. Ha! Ha!
6) It's been 7 years since you released an album. Why did it take so long to put together your latest collection?
We had trouble with our last record label, so we went through lengthy legal proceedings to part ways, all the while continuing to write and work in the studio!
7) I recently watched your incredibly powerful video for "You Ruin Me." Where did the inspiration for the song come from? And how involved were you in the making of the video?
It was a moment in time, captured with lyrics and melodies. A very real and vulnerable moment. The video came to us right away, the ballet made sense metaphorically, as on the outside it may appear so graceful, unless you are very strong, the dance would be an impossible skill to achieve.
8) Who would you love to do a duet with and why them in particular?
Jay Buchanan from Rival Sons because he has the most soulful voice!
9) Along with your music, you two are also known for being vocal about female empowerment, your activism in animal rights protection, or your support in legalizing gay marriage. What's something that you are currently very active with?
When we look at the world and society around us, the theme we cannot ignore is simple: INJUSTICE! Injustice to our fellow humans, injustice to mother earth, and everything in-between. Who would we be to stay quiet when we were blessed in this world with a voice. We, as people, have the power to stand up and be counted when we see something going on that we know in our hearts isn't right.
We live in a world where as children, we are taught about love, acceptance, sharing and trust, yet as we grow older, its becomes painfully obvious that our government structures, society, and culture supports no such thing. Acceptance of love comes with conditions of gender, equality is still held at ransom with deeply ingrained structures, and intolerance that refuse a chance for change, or to educate a higher understanding.
Animals and our planet continue to be pillaged as though it serves no greater purpose than the temporary satisfaction or comfort ability of the present human race. Health is looked at and treated with a detached attitude, and one that has become synonyms with a number, instead of a balanced outlook of complete lifestyle, mind, body, and spirit. Everywhere we are ruled by corrupt government systems that are governed by greedy corporations who profit more from keeping us unconscious, sick, and sad, than they do thriving, healthy communities that are self-sustainable and progressive. And the worst part is that, we, as a human race, are so disconnected from each other, that our minds have been warped by fear and judgment, into killing each other instead of embracing each other, and banding together in a call for change!
So right now you could say we are active in spreading the message of power and unity to ALL people, especially our younger generations. As it is their future we are borrowing from.
10) Is there anything else your fans should know about The Veronicas?
That we love you, we are grateful for your love, and that we are a physical manifestation of your own potential! Now go out, change the world, inspire, and live your dreams! Rebel On!
Bonus Questions
More times than not, influences tend to bleed through. What bands have consistently inspired you two and your music?
Michael Jackson will always be a big one for us with his attitude and ability to stand up and be counted.
Is there anything in particular that you'd like people to take away from listening to your music?
Passion.
*Special thanks to Leah Adams who conducted this interview.
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