#twinterview

Arena Blanca : Is there a shoegaze/dreampop scene in Hawaii, or do you feel like you’re the only shoegazer on the island ?

Blisstonia : I’m not very connected with any scene or other shoegazers in Hawaii though they may be out there. The guitarists I have talked to here don’t even know what shoegaze is! 

Arena Blanca : Is Blisstonia a band or a solo project ?

Blisstonia : Blisstonia is just me right now. I play and record all parts, as well as the mixing and mastering.

Arena Blanca : Why ?

Blisstonia :I like to create each separate part and construct how everything fits together as one. I also love to get deep into the whole recording process. 

Arena Blanca : How did you come to music ? What was your first instrument ?

Blisstonia : When I was 15 I received my first electric guitar. At the time I was interested in different sorts of music like heavy metal and industrial rock. I also liked ambient electronic music which then led me to experimenting with synthesizers. My first recordings were ambient soundscapes with bits of guitar. I drifted towards different genres through the years; Electronic, acoustic guitar, orchestral film scores, and finally this Blisstonia project.

Arena Blanca : This album, “Hidden”, sounds as one very coherent piece. Was it your intention to produce such a cohesive record, or did it come during the creative process?

Blisstonia : It wasn’t my intention at first. I didn’t know I was making an album at the time I made these songs. Though I did have a single goal for each song. I think our potential range of emotion is vast, and some feelings we experience for the first time may come through new music. Finding these new, yet to be experienced emotions was my goal. Creating something new that I had not experienced before. 

Arena Blanca : What are your influences ?

Blisstonia : My biggest influence is the Smashing Pumpkins. They have been my favorite band since I was young. There are lots of soft ethereal moments in their songs I have always been attracted to. That's the kind of music I hope to make. I listen to bands like Cemeteries, DIIV, the Daysleepers, Deftones, Interpol, Glass Vaults, and Pacific UV amongst many others. 

Arena Blanca : Your music, with large sound waves and echo (“Waves”…), reminds me of Brain Eno works. Is it one of your influences ?

Blisstonia : I’m actually not familiar with Brian Eno’s work unfortunately. There are artists I know I am missing out on that I need to explore further! 

Arena Blanca : (if yes) Do you practice Oblique Strategies (the game card made popular by Eno, that helps foster creativity : https://www.oblique-strategies.com/ - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oblique_Strategies )

Blisstonia : I have not tried this but this sounds really interesting and I will explore this!

Arena Blanca : How and where was this album recorded ?

Blisstonia : All of this album was recorded in my home studio.

Over the years I have collected enough gear to create a small home studio where I record everything. I often record several songs at once, moving back and forth between ideas. I mostly start with guitar chords I find interesting, and then build progressions while adding bass and drums. Lyrics are always last and are constantly changed till the last minute. 

Arena Blanca : What is your setup for playing and recording ? What guitar pedals do you use ? 

Blisstonia : I mainly play Fender Jaguar and Jazzmaster guitars but sometimes I play a Gibson Les Paul. For bass I play a bass vi. 

When I record, I skip micing a real amp and just play through a Line 6 Pod amp simulator. It’s easier and I get better results this way. 

I use the Eventide Eclipse unit for guitar effects, in addition to their Space and H9 pedals. If I could only have one pedal it would be the Eventide Space. 

As far as synthesizers go, I use mostly hardware analog keys and some software synths.

I then program drums and record everything into my computer using Logic X Pro.   

Arena Blanca : What gear do you dream to get ?

Blisstonia : I am currently waiting for the new Hologram Electronics pedal called the Microcosm to be released. It’s such a  bizarre pedal that makes sounds I have never heard before. I’m really excited to see how I can use it for new music. Besides that, the holy grail of effects would be the Eventide H9000, but that is unattainable at $7,000! I can still dream. . .

Arena Blanca : Your album has been promoted by shoegazer alive (https://shoegazeralive9.blogspot.com/2019/11/blisstonia-hidden-2019.html )

and WLWH (https://whitelight-whiteheat.com/new-music/wl-wh-weekly-shoegaze-dreampop-psychedelic-indie-tips-46-19/ ). How was this album welcomed in the other media? 

Blisstonia : I was honestly quite surprised and pleased to see that people enjoyed it and that DKFM shoegaze radio was playing it! I initially had no plans to release my music on Bandcamp or Spotify but a very supportive friend has been encouraging me. I didn't have any expectations so the response I have been getting is really nice.

Arena Blanca : Do you plan to promote this album further? By touring? New music videos ?

Blisstonia : I would love to do videos that accompany each song. It’s something I have thought about for a while, but I haven’t figured out the best way to do it yet. Trying to promote my music is a strange thing for me. It’s necessary if you want to share, but I’m not very comfortable with it yet. 

Arena Blanca : Do you have new songs coming?

Blisstonia : I do have maybe 4 or 5 songs that I have been working on. I’d like to make a full album this time. I can’t really say when everything will be finished though. I tend to be a perfectionist and since I take on each step of the process it may take some time. 

Arena Blanca : When one thinks of Hawaii, it’s impossible not to think about surfing ! Do you practice surfing?

Blisstonia : I really wish I could! I love going to the beach and swimming but I’m afraid I’ve not been brave enough to try surfing yet. I do play the ukulele though! 

More

Listen and download : https://blisstonia1.bandcamp.com/releases

Follow and stream: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ILdwZtPM4ejZT1kbQdeyj?si=7dJuLLsRQO2wzQzO0taSIg

Follow :

https://twitter.com/Blisstonia1

https://www.instagram.com/blisstoniamusic/

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOlx9rVY4RzGOf8mIx7hasFt-UcR8LAO4