Alma: The project was founded by Alma Vomastek (vocals) and Bogdan Mara (drums) before recruiting our previous guitarist, Vlad Negrea. It all started a year after our previous project disbanded. Afterwards we had some line-up changes and now the band consists of the following five people: Alma Vomastek (vocals), Bogdan Mara (drums), Andras Adam (guitars), Ioana Dirva (keys) and Traian Toderean (bass).
Alma: Oh, that’s not so complicated: symphonic metal with gothic/industrial influences. The proportions of these influences differ from song to song. Forget about genres for a second – The Hourglass music sounds like …?
Alma: Old stuff meeting new stuff. A pint of classical, a good chunk of metal, symphonic stuff but also, crazy synths and rhythms.Which sort of mood produces the best songs?
Alma: It depends. I think everything we feel is inspiring and also, everything that surrounds us. Feelings are the driving force of our music, whether they’re negative or positive. Note: negative things are not a lesson of pessimism from our side, but an alarm for people to wake up. Which instrument will surely NEVER be heard on a The Hourglass-album?
Alma: Hehe, never say never, right? We couldn’t say we certainly won’t use something, while crazy stuff always happens. You know there’s an accordion on a Rammstein song and lots of other interesting stuff out there in the music world. We can’t say we really won’t use something, because we might lie. *smile* Nobody knows what the future might bring.
The Fairy-Godmother pops up in front of you and grants you a wish. What do you wish for?
Traian: To grant me another set of wishes or global peace.
Ioana: This was the hardest to answer, particularly because I can’t imagine anyone being able to accomplish my wishes instead of myself. I consider we ourselves are responsible for creating our own reality and all we can dream about can be accomplished with the right attitude and much work.
Alma: Hmmmmm … endless inspiration? Yeah, I’d go with that.
Andras: I would like her to grant me enough willpower for everything I want to achieve.
Andras: Well, Ctrl+Alt+Delete, a shot cocktail with Stroh 80 and Tatratea 60, or Irish Carbomb with Guinness, Baileys and Jameson, or Dead Bastard with rum, whiskey, brandy, gin, bitter, ginger ale, or a good Kentish Ale combined with Havana or … you get the idea *smile*. But I can just sit around and sniff a good spicy black tea or a cup of espresso.
Alma: Since alcohol only gets me more depressed (well … at least, most of times) I definitely don’t drink or socialize when I’m in trouble or in a bad mood. Then, it’s time for kitties and good books/movies.
Ioana: Red wine, it puts me in a very good mood every time.
Traian: Two Paulaners should do the trick.
Andras: When you can place your personal troubles behind someone elses troubles. When you like to share with a person EVERYTHING. If you’re able to tell the most embarrassing little secrets to a person, without feeling ashamed.
Alma: This one’s hard to answer. In my view, a true friend is that person who respects your personal space, the one who doesn’t throw all his/her problems in your back when you’re not strong enough to listen/give advice and also, the person whom you meet after … let’s say, five years and things are still the same, as interaction. Somebody who listens but doesn’t judge and helps without expecting anything in return, without trading his/her kindness for personal interests or goals.
Ioana: Having the same kind of madness like me. *smile*
Traian: Their ability to hold on and to be on my side and support me regardless of the situation.
Who was the hero of your childhood?
Ioana: My father.
Traian: Batman.
Alma: Of course, a chick who kicks arse! That would be Xena. *smile*
Andras: Goku from Dragon Ball. True hearted, tough and always hungry. *smile*
What is the most embarrassing/surprising record in your CD-shelf?
Ioana: I don’t own embarrassing records. For me every record has its own musical and spiritual value and significance.
Traian: I don’t quite have one.
Andras: Don’t have embarrassing CDs but if you looked in my youtube history, you would find a lot of surprising stuff: Ricky Martin, Buena Vista Social Club, Manu Chao, Moloko, Björk, Jay-Z and some Pop hyper super hits. And I don’t feel embarrassed, I can’t help it if I like them.
What’s next? Tour? Studio? Vacation? Something completely different?
Alma: For the moment, I think we’ll stick to working on the new material. Writing new songs, practicing them and slowly preparing for a second album, which will probably be recorded next year. We’ll see. *smile*.
LINKS:
website: www.the-hourglass.com
full album: https://thehourglassro.bandcamp.com/
facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheHourglassRomania
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