Interview By Erwin Van Dijk

 

An interview with Micaela Cardoso, singer from the Portoguese Thee Orakle. We have catch up Micaela for some question about her and her passions, the band and their latest album, "Metaphortime".

Did you always wanted to become a singer?

I began to sing at the age of 8 years old, at that time I didn’t thought about that so seriously but later yes...now it’s a dream almost come true...I want to put together the actress and singer life!

What do you do to keep your voice in top condition?

I try to have my voice in the best condition but it is not always possible to maintain good form. Sometimes accidents happen ... Anyway I drink ginger tea as much as perpetual purple with honey and warm up at the days of rehearsal or concerts.

Who are your favourite singers and why?

Well I love the voice of Annlouice Loegdlund (Diablo Swing Orchestra) and Anneke van Giersbergen (Aqua de Annique). They have very different voices and because they meet a little of what I like to sing they are the voices that more respect. However the female voices are not my favorite but some male voices of the international spectrum of metal.

To what kind of music do you listen yourself?

I listen to a lot of different music like fado (traditional Portuguese music) rock, pop, metal, Celtic music, alternative, instrumental, classical etc.

How did you became a member of Thee Orakle?

Well, I was a university classmate of ex-guitarist Peter and when the band was looking for a female vocalist he knew that I sang and invited me to go watch a rehearsal, as well as my hometown was near the seat of the rest of the band. So I was watching a rehearsal and they gave me some letters to the hand and gave me a microphone so I could try. I started to improvise and they would not let me miss any more rehearsals! : )

And did you have any other bands before Thee Orakle?

I had a cover band called Neiva Rates. We were all young and full of desire! It was a very good experience. Anyway I've always had music projects of various aspects different!

What are your other passions besides music?

Theatre, photography, all kinds of performing arts and fine arts!

And is it easy to combine the band with your personal life?

So far everything has gone well. As we all reside near each other everything becomes easier. I have a job in my hometown and everything has been clearly reconciled.

What are the highlights for you with Thee Orakle?

I think my highlights in Thee Orakle may have been recording the album "Metaphortime", and some of the concerts that may have been even better than normal!

And did you and the band have any negative experiences with the band?

No, we never had negative experiences because of the band! Only funny ones!!lol

Some questions about the band:

What is the idea behind the name of the band?

The idea behind the name is a small word change written instead of Oracle, orakle and using the archaic English word Thee like we mean it’s a superior treatment! That and the addition of a group of the musicians that joined the band with friendship and really prepared to fight with a purpose. In general we can not translate a name of something literally! 

And how would you describe your music?

I can describe our music as something profound and extreme dedication. We really liked the music even though we are seven people! And my biggest concern is that people who listen to us on CD or live, really enjoy our work as a whole and to avoid the comparisons because today is almost impossible not to feel them! When I listen to Thee Orakle I feel really relaxed and confident.

Who is responsible for the songs and music in Thee Orakle?

We are all responsible for the final outcome of songs, but of course we have on the base of the guitar riffs that start the creation. It takes time and hard but in the end is immense pleasure! The lyrics are my responsibility and Peter’s.

How do you and Pedro Silva divide the vocal parts in Thee Orakle?

The division of voice of each of us is nothing pre-regarded by the musicians in the construction of each song. It's something natural that occurs already in an advanced stage of composition.

The lyrics on "Metaphortime" are in English. Have you considered to use your own native language for the songs?

Sure! But since we speak of a concept album the lyrical part of it also would fit the rest. English is a universal language and yet we also use small fittings in Latin.

Some questions about the album:

Why did you name the album "Metaphortime"?

"Metaphortime" is the combination of two words: metaphor and time. We discussed several options for naming the album for some time and after a few rounds and at the suggestion of friends outside the band, we concluded that this was the best name for the album and encompassed a general theme of it! The metaphor of time as in our story time passes like a metaphor for the immortal life of our main character!

And what are the differences between "Metaphortime" and the previously released EP and demo?

The difference between our EP and this album is that we had plenty of time to create it and also had a new breeze to update the current songs. The songs from the EP were quite old, some band members have changed and it all brings a new look at our music!

Is "Metaphortime" a concept album or are it ten individual songs?

"Metaphortime" is a concept album.

Where did you get the inspiration for the songs and lyrics?

I investigated a lot of time on alchemy and about their origins. I concluded that really is a mystical world of information purposely distorted and misrepresented that fascinated me! With all this mystery was easy to make a story up to this fantastic theme!

And what are your favourite songs on "Metaphortime"?

"White Linen" by being probably the song which highlights my work. But I have other favorite songs on this album such as "Never-Ending Dilemma" or "Quimera Metamorphosis".

One of the special guests on the album was Yossi Sassi Sa'Aron from the Israelites Orphaned Land. How did you get in touch with him and what was his part on the album?

About two years ago Thee Orakle had the opportunity to be the opening band for the two concerts of the Israeli band at Portugal. Quickly we became friends of Yossi and all the musicians of Orphaned Land. We maintained contact over the Internet with Yossi and when he was creating the music for "Awake Alchemy" some of us brought the idea of Yossi playing with the bouzouki at the melodic part, a instrument often used by him in the music of his band. We talked with him and he accepted quickly. He still wanted to come here to record live in the studio but this was not possible and the internet was our salvation!

How did the press received "Metaphortime"?

Judging from the reviews that several webzines and national or international magazine commented, "Metaphortime" exceeded our expectations! However in practical terms for our evolution these words do not had the desired effect. We can’t manage concerts outside Portugal as desirable and that is something we still look forward, as well as a foreign label who can give us a really good opportunity.

What are Thee Orakle’s plans for the future?

Thee Orakle are already creating new songs for an upcoming album that already scheduled for recording in the studio. Travel to Braga in September and probably early 2011 Thee Orakle will have a new album! At concerts, we will on May 1 to make the opening night for our friends Orphaned Land in Lisbon, Portugal and will have the opportunity to play live with Yossi! Great!

And the last question, is there anything the reader should know that I have not asked?

I participated in the debut album of the Portuguese Painted Black which will be available soon so look for this band and their new work!
It was a pleasure to answer all these questions and I hope you can visit the MySpace of my band (links below) and leave us your honest opinion!

 

Links

Micaela Cardoso Official Profile

Thee Orakle Official MySpace

Thee Orakle Official Site

 

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