Martina Frank - Poison Sun
Interview By Andy Axworthy
What with all the mixture of styles that abound in rock music at the moment it is easy to get carried away looking for the next angle or innovation to set the metal world alight. You can end up being a prisoner of choice without appreciating just why you have that choice in the first place. At times like that you need a band to come along and put down a marker. A band to let you know where you are and not just how you got there, but why you are still on that particular road. A band like Poison Sun. This might be their first album but when you have this much experience, the desire and drive to get out there and make it happen and the songwriting talent to back it up, albums like "Virtual Sin" take on a life and momentum all of their own. Femme Metal caught up with lead singer Martina Frank to find out how it all came together, and where it’s going next.
Hi Martina! A warm welcome from all of us here at Femme Metal. How is life treating you just now?
Thank you all!! Right now, it’s the best time I’ve ever had as a musician; the album is unexpectedly very successful, which is wonderful because we really could only have dreamed of this, and I can’t wait to bring this music onto a stage now.
Thank you all!! Right now, it’s the best time I’ve ever had as a musician; the album is unexpectedly very successful, which is wonderful because we really could only have dreamed of this, and I can’t wait to bring this music onto a stage now.Poison Sun are a new band to us,however you are a bit of a music veteran yourself having previously provided backing vocals for a number of acts.How did you start singing and what have been the stand out moments for you in the run up to the release of "Virtual Sin"?
Poison Sun are a new band to us, however you are a bit of a music veteran yourself having previously provided backing vocals for a number of acts. How did you start singing and what have been the stand out moments for you in the run up to the release of "Virtual Sin"?
I started out as a fourteen year old girl practicing "House of the Rising Sun" on my Dad’s guitar; then a decade later,with my all girl rock band, I won the German Phonoakademie Competition, which was superb. And don’t laugh; as a backing singer, it was great experience working with people like soul music producer Jay Newland on the Soul Record from a guy like Tommy Quasthoff, last year!
A new group then, but one with a lot of previous experience in its line up. Could you introduce us to your fellow band members and give us a bit of insight as to how the band came together?
Yes, sure… I first met Herman (now my husband) several years ago when I got a job as the backing singer on a project he was due to produce. He refused to go for female voices on that particular metal production, but at least the lead singer and my strong rock singing style convinced him I could sing, Ha! Ha! I needed another 7 years – and being his wife was helpful I’m sure – to finally make him allow me to sing on his tunes though. I used to flesh out the ideas for him as he was writing for his different bands and when we both became aware that this could work, we wanted a well-rehearsed team in place as our rhythm section. From the first moment of hearing the demo tapes of Silent Decay I’d really liked their music, and over the 3 records in three years that they’d produced with Herman, we’d become pretty good friends. It is very sad that they split up last year, but it was good for us, because Flo and Stefan have the time and the energy to dedicate to us now and really knew how we both thought!
The album "Virtual Sin" was released in November 2010. How do you personally feel about the finished item and how do you think it has been received by your fans?
I actually normally hate listening to my own singing, but this CD makes me feel really, really satisfied. I think this is due to the way Herman has produced my voice. I think the fans really pay respect to our music, truly!! They realize that Herman and I are being straight forward, and honest with our music and giving our best, and you can’t ask for more than that!
With the exception of "Excited" all songs have been written together by you and Herman. What comes first - the music or the words and where do you get your inspiration for the lyrics? Did you have a central theme on "Virtual Sin"?
No real theme as such…first off are the riffs or a tune; this is Herman’s part. But, as I am a composer too, I just let myself be inspired by the atmosphere of a musical idea. All of Herman’s musical riffs are strong, dark, rocking ideas. So my lyrics deal with the darker side, like standing against evil and stronger forces. Herman also stepped into this too, giving me some of the lyrical hooks in tracks like "Killer" or "Hitman", but most of the time, it’s me telling this story and I think it’s quite different to how he would work.
"Excited" is an interesting choice as a cover version and it breathes new life into the Pointer Sisters track. Where did you get the idea for that and are there any more songs you would consider giving the Poison Sun treatment?
Ha! Ha! Yes, it does have that effect, doesn’t it? I think, when you are getting older, you’re generally more serious about life, because of the experiences you’ve had, and so, you’re craving the simpler things and looking to be happy; it can overwhelm you occasionally. I guess; this is the feeling in "Excited" and it was definitely something we experienced. It’s not so far from Herman’s fresh and uncomplicated character. We both wanted to honour that very good song, showing that, it is a ‘metal theme’, in a way?
Herman handled the recording/production duties on "Virtual Sin" of course. What was it like to work in the studio with your husband behind the desk as well as on guitar duty?
Interesting, I would say!! We had to find a ‘common’ way for the sound, and sometimes we had to compromise and fight for it. I knew his working style from the other productions; like Nikki Puppet or his own solo project “Loyal To None”, but this was a little different. Herman has a very impulsive, wild, clutching guitar style. He wants to make a singer sing like that too. So the singer needs a lot of breathing technique, discipline and emotion. Like Herman, I think this needs hard work, to maybe to touch your limit, and to really get into the heart of the listener.
Interesting, I would say!! We had to find a ‘common’ way for the sound, and sometimes we had to compromise and fight for it. I knew his working style from the other productions; like Nikki Puppet or his own solo project Loyal To None, but this was a little different. Herman has a very impulsive, wild, clutching guitar style. He wants to make a singer sing like that too. So the singer needs a lot of breathing technique, discipline and emotion. Like Herman, I think this needs hard work, to maybe to touch your limit, and to really get into the heart of the listener.
I understand that the mixing was actually done at your home rather than in the studio. Can you tell us a little about that?
Yes, but it seems to me that some musicians ‘swagger’ and ‘boast’ about how wonderful it is producing a wonderful CD at home? Don’t believe that. It’s hard work to mix a metal production like this and you need a lot of experience to make it sound like the "Virtual Sin" album came out, even at home. Herman had no choice. He was forced to leave his studio three weeks before the CD was finished. It was a horror trip; an August heatwave - 40 degrees centigrade, with all the equipment!
Whatever the process, "Virtual Sin" is as good a slab of classic metal as we are going to hear in a while with tracks like "Voodoo", "Hitman", "Killer" and "Phoebia" putting a fresh edge on a classic rock heritage. What is your favourite track off the album and can you tell us a little about the story behind it?
This is the question I always hate… It’s like, "Which child do you love the most?"I could tell you a story about every song. Maybe it’s "Voodoo" though? The song was actually written about four years ago, for a male singer, who at first didn’t like the song and didn’t want to use it. But me, I liked the hypnotic groove. The guy didn’t finish the lyrics and wasn’t into using it, but Herman came under time pressures; so, I wrote the last of the lyrics and the singer, who did a great job by the way, later told me, that he liked the rest of the words. Today, I think, there was a little bit of his character in it as well as mine!
As a vocalist your powerful, bluesy style has been compared with many singers. Who are your main influences and do you have any particular song or record that you keep getting drawn back to no matter what you are doing or where you are going?
I’m not so sure there’s a particular song, but the music of the old Thin Lizzy with Phil Lynott; Little Feat with Lowell George; Aerosmith, Clawfinger, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bonny Raitt, … It really depends on my actual emotional condition.
The CD artwork features you with wings on your back and lightning in your hands. Are you saying that we all need to walk on the wild side from time to time? That good is great but bad can be better? What is the story behind this?
Wow! Yes, you’re very close to that. Good is great, but bad can be better…? Unfortunately, you must try the bad, to come to appreciate the good. The winged person could be something like the picture of your Guardian Angel, who has been through absolute hell, no?
"Virtual Sin" - the words run riot with the imagination. Is it down to the individual listener to make his or her own interpretation of this or is there a specific meaning to the title that you have in mind?
"Virtual Sin" - the words run riot with the imagination. Is it down to the individual listener to make his or her own interpretation of this or is there a specific meaning to the title that you have in mind?Well, there is one line in the song "Virtual Sin" "... The boys taunt the devil...", and without giving it away too much, there’s something in that? You may risk your life craving adventure we talked about earlier, but sometimes, you have to try it. Such is human character. This is not a sin to me. It’s real. You can’t avoid it. It makes you understand. Sin is mostly a Christian religious definition. And some people need to exceed its limits to comprehend that Christian morality has important meaning to people and is sometimes to the benefit of mankind. It means: you’re not alone and you need others!
Will we get to see Poison Sun on tour in support of the album this year?If so where would you like to play?
Will we get to see Poison Sun on tour in support of the album this year? If so where would you like to play?
Yes, I would be very happy to perform the CD on stage right now; it certainly demands it. And also the next one, which we soon begin working on… But, I think, we better wait for Herman. Accept will be very, very busy this year, so when he’s ready, I hope we can do it!
Stepping back from the microphone for a moment, what do you do to chill out away from the world of metal? Any favourite films, books or other things you can share with us?
Books: something like Roberto Saviano, "Gomorrha" or Tim Weiner: "CIA". Film: "Hotel Ruanda" / "Blood Diamond".
Books: something like Roberto Saviano, "Gomorrha" or Tim Weiner: "CIA". Film: "Hotel Ruanda" / "Blood Diamond".
Finally, given your experiences so far, what advice could you give to our aspiring singers and/or bands looking to dive in to the dark art of the music industry?
Don’t try to be like someone else. Follow the blaze of your own emotion. Do it as much as you can and only deal with others who are full of the same conviction. Besides that, find a second ‘bearable’ way to earn your living, I would say… So that you can never say - if you don’t get famous despite all your efforts – I regret what I did!! If you always try to say, "It was a great time, I will never miss it and I don’t have regrets" then you’ll always enjoy what you’re trying to do… That’s the key I think!
Thanks for taking the time to talk to Femme Metal, Martina. Is there anything else you would like to add before we sign off?
Just, thanks to you for the interview, and thanks to everyone for checking out the record so far… Go onto the homepage of Silent Decay: http://www.silentdecay.com
They deserve the support, and hopefully, we see you in a live arena one day!!
Links
Sharing is caring!
Books: something like Roberto Saviano, "Gomorrha" or Tim Weiner: "CIA". Film: "Hotel Ruanda" / "Blood Diamond".