Exposed Vocals Interviews Afshin from MelancholicA

MelancholicA was founded as a solo project in the summer of 2010 by Afshin Effati. The debut experimental EP, “The Nature Of Winter”, was self-released in 2010. After this release, Farhad Zabolipour joined as a drummer to the project. Finally, Corinna Martin entered the band as a female harsh vocalist in 2011. This was the birth of MelancholicA as a full band.

In March, another female member, Maria Zvyagina – former keyboardist of ‘Wine From Tears’ – joined the band, but shortly after she left due to personal reasons. In October, Safa Heraghi was added as a female mezzo-soprano singer, who also left only after two months.

The band entered into agreement with the Russian label “CVLMINIS” to release their first full-length album “Lamentation For A Deprived Desire” in 2012. The second EP “Dark Fortress” was released through the Ukrainian label “Depressive Illusions Records” in 2013.

The Year 2013 had two significant events for the band: Departure of the band’s drummer, and addition of a new member, Mehdi Salimi (Solomon) for bass, decks, synthesizers, sampler and sound processing. The second full-length album “Suicidal Depression, 24 Hours” was released digitally through the NetLabel “Sombrati Records” from Latin America on February 5th in 2014. This was the band’s first album featuring its current members.

MelancholicA’s music style has changed toward more dark and somber moods over the course of time. The band’s roots lie in the realm of collaborating with musicians around the world, which have resulted in an online music band, based in Iran.

https://soundcloud.com/melancholica

http://sombratirecords.bandcamp.com/album/suicidal-depression-24-hours

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Artist: I grow up in Tehran, Iran. Originally I was going to become a computer engineer and had already been admitted to the Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST) in Tehran. Things turned out rather differently – music became my main career, but a fascination with technical innovations, and with how they could be developed and exploited, was to persist throughout my life.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Artist: I’ve always loved loneliness for as much as the dark light will always be on me, but it’s something I’m learning to live with. So began to sing of melancholy, sorrow, loss and darkness.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Artist: I strongly agree and welcome as our debut experimental EP, “The Nature Of Winter”, was self-released for free in 2010. Absolutely the unknown artists need to be promoted and heard in their first step of professional career in any way to be known and what better way to online music sharing.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Artist: Unfortunately I don’t know any.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Artist: I just try to think as simple and minimal as possible and deeply trust my emotions which my main path is.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Artist: Yes we do http://melancholica.net. Mostly we use SoundCloud and YouTube.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

Artist: I produced the best album of the year which was absolutely nominated in Grammy Awards and actually won it.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Artist: Online music sharing and compromising with the enthusiast labels which is the best option for us from now on.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Artist: Yes! We are still seeking a label interested in releasing our new cover album which is completely ready to release now. So if someone is interested, feel free to contact me through my email [email protected].

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Artist: Definitely being a fashion icon.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Artist: Music is all my responsibilities. Of course I love my family, I have a wonderful life, but music is everything to me…

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

Artist: A new album in a genre which maybe they never expect such style from us.

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