This is an archived post from our old website. Please excuse us if it looks a bit off, we are working through old posts and making sure they look tip top!
Aonia’s website will tell you that ‘Aonia’ is the place near Helicon mountain where the muses dwell, adding that “While this image sounds serene, the band’s sound is the polar opposite. Driving, almost thrashy riffs juxtapose against melodic, almost operatic vocals from ‘a soprano with balls’ for a sound that is a blending of the very old and the very new, tempered steel in a velvet glove.” They form part of Saturday evening’s line up at Valkyrian Festival, Bridlington, this weekend.
You’ve added two new members this year alone. How has this shaped the dynamics and output of the band? What overriding changes have these additions wrought to the band?
Well, actually we’ve added three members to the band! It’s shaped the dynamics of the band because more = louder! Just kidding. Having two vocals has really opened up the variety and scope in a synergy of harmonies and other various buzzwords. As for what they bring – a cheaper rehearsal and Tony got a girlfriend…it’s Slick! With the addition of another guitarist, keyboardist and a second vocalist, along with Carrot’s increasing role taking on backing vocals, our sound has expanded and we’ve got the opportunities to experiment with a lot of instrumentation, creating very interesting interplay and harmony. (And Slick has now started talking in Polish.)
You recently supported Kobra & The Lotus (a band discovered by Gene Simmons and signed to Gene Simmons’ label & Spinefarm-Universal). How did that come about and what was it like?
We were invited to play a gig, last minute, at the Corporation in Sheffield with our friends, Epitaph. Having wowed the crowd as well as the management, the booking agent at the Corporation offered us the opening slot with Kobra and the Lotus. What was it like? It went really well – it was an honour and a privilege to support such a well-known and talented band – and we made a lot of new friends (international ones too)!
You’ve played with Ravenage before, which other bands on the line-up are you all looking forward to getting chance to see?
We have always enjoyed playing with Lost Effect! We’re hoping to catch Dakesis’ set as well, though we aren’t on the same day. Old Corpse Road always bring a touch of the unusual to the proceedings and Burn thy Enemy sound fab as well – can’t wait to see them live! We’re looking forward to all of them, actually – because it’s always good to listen to new music!
You made it to the finals of the Bloodstock ‘Metal to the Masses’ competition in 2012, beating out numerous other acts. What was that whole experience like?
It was an invigorating experience – we met so many friendly people who have helped us out along our way since. It was a hectic time but if forced us to really up our game, so that we could put on the best show possible – not just for the Bloodstock judges but for our fans and friends who gave up their whole Sunday to travel down to Birmingham and support us.
Finally, what plans do Aonia have for 2014?
We plan to buy a mansion with eight wings – one for each band member and one for our amazing new manager, Katie. We plan to fund this by taking over the world, starting with a new EP (which we are working on at the moment) and different, more unusual merchandise. We have more than doubled our number of Facebook likes this year – we’d like to do that again in 2014 (since that is the measure of a band’s true worth in this day and age!) We’re developing our stage show and presence. Hopefully by the end of 2014 we’ll have a full pyro rig and an acrobatic trampoline show.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Tim likes cider and whisky. Tony and Mel both like Trooper and JD Tennessee Honey. Jo likes pink wine and Trooper. Slick likes a good bottle of 10 year old red Spanish or Italian wine. Carrot enjoys real ale and Gaz likes bass guitar, bike riding, beer…and alliteration. Katie loves champagne! In all seriousness, we are on Facebook, Twitter and online at www.Aonia.co.uk. We also are on iTunes, Amazon music, Spotify, YouTube (AoniaBand). And Slick is launching his own guitar brand, Druzkowski Guitars, which can also be found on Facebook.
Valkyrian Festival takes place at Shades, Bridlington, over the weekend from 29th November to 1st December.
Organised by Valkyrianmusic.com which covers metal, rock, punk, hardcore, alternative, folk, industrial, pop punk and metalcore, the event will feature 27 bands over the 3 days. A charity event in its 3rd year, funds will go to support Rape Crisis. Weekend ticket £5.
