Enige tijd geleden werd ik positief verrast door een optreden van Ioana Iorgu. De tweemansformatie dat draait om Ioana zelf, leunde op backing tracks, maar niet op een manier dat het de muziek dood maakt. Sterker nog, het voegde duidelijk iets toe, en de hoofdingrediënten als zang, gitaar en drums werden live uitgevoerd. Het kopen van een t-shirt en tracks luisteren op Deezer waren het resultaat én het interview hieronder met Ioana. Het is in Engels gelaten om het interview dicht bij de bron te houden.
How would you describe the music of Ioana Iorgu?
Dark, poetic, nostalgic and guts churning.
Do you consider it a band, a project, or are you a solo artist? I hope you understand why I’m a bit confused.
I started producing music when I was 14 (now 25…), and playing guitar and drums has always been a passion since I was a child. I’m a self-taught musician. The writing and production side has always been a solo process. From 2018, I’ve started playing shows in the shape of a duo, always with a drummer, and took care of the merchandise, bookings, marketing, etc. myself. I think calling it a band and project is accurate, except that it doesn’t have an end date nor does it depend on someone else for it to continue. I’ll keep on making music for as long as I live.
Is Ioana Iorgu your real name?
Yes!
I saw you perform live at De Kade in Zaandam. You played with an incredible drummer, is he a steady member both live and in the studio?
Thank you, he’s Sam van Riessen. Yes, he’s a steady member, I’ve been performing with him for more than a year now. I think we’ll hit the studio together as well some time in the future after the release of my upcoming album. I enjoy working with him, we have that musical click.
You play a Fender combo live. Which model is it, and why did you choose that specific model?
I have a Hot Rod Deluxe, it’s a monster! I played on it once at a rehearsal space, and there’s some gear that you know should be yours the moment you play it. That was the case for my amp. What I looked for was an amp that can get gnarly, take my pedals well and sound sparkly clean at the same time. I also use it in my recordings.
Your pedalboard is packed with effects. Can you walk us through which pedals you use and why?
I loove pedals, my pedalboard may be packed but only with essentials. I have 2 reverbs which mostly stay on the whole time (and I tweak them around depending on the song), 2 delays (a classic Boss & Red Panda Particle v2), 1 fuzz (DBA), 1 distortion/fuzz (OBN) and then my bass chain. They’re routed in such a way that I can get a clean guitar tone to get my pedals shine and a beefy bass. I think the effects you use are a reflection of yourself and can say a lot about you as an artist. I personally like to experiment and push limits, there’s a never ending list of options you can play around with and ultimately, sounds that become you.
If you could keep only two pedals, which ones would they be and why?
My Slo and DBA Apocalypse. I’d never trade them for something else, it’s my signature reverb and fuzz, they simply scratch my brain the right way.
You don’t just use pedals in an on/off fashion but in more nuanced ways. Can you explain how?
It comes from experimenting with the pedals at home and in the rehearsal space. I think having a fixed setting/never changing it can be limiting in the sense of excitement and inspiration to create more music. It’s about finding your own sound within the pedal and the curiosity to keep exploring what more you can get out of it, or what you exactly want or don’t want.
What is your approach to writing and recording songs?
There’s not a fixed sequence when it comes to writing and recording. I sometimes come up with a riff, explore it more, then add lyrics and sometimes it’s completely the other way around. When I have a song finished, I step into the recording process with an open mind, flexible to change or add elements. Just like with pedals, experimenting with recordings can be very inspiring and surprising. I often get absorbed in flow state, and don’t move from my computer until it’s done. But of course there’re also songs that take more time and songs you need distance from to hear everything properly or find the missing piece.
I have to say, your live sound is more impressive to me than your recordings (sorry, the songs are great!). Do you agree, or should I watch out for flying pedals?
DBA Fuzz war pedal flying your way – Thank you, this remark feels nice but hurts my heart at the same time?! Haven’t felt this way in a long time haha. I think that hearing bands live adds an extra element to the songs. I see it as an essential aspect to understand them better. I suppose recordings can sound more tame and neat, but that’s the part I love most about performing: you can get wild and spontaneous, I often do things I never thought of doing before. It’s very much influenced by my mood during the gig/particular song/audience. This itch to explore during gigs surely keeps me on my toes.
When can we expect new material?
I’m working on my fourth album, a full-length one. I’m planning new releases for later next year. This is a special album which is getting every bit of me, and that’s also the reason it’s taking a longer time, besides writing and producing it all myself. I’m in a very different time and headspace. It’s been a great journey and I can’t wait to share my next chapters with everyone.
You seem a bit of a gearhead with all your pedals. What’s on your wishlist?
The EQD Rainbow Machine caught my eye for a while now. I need to try it out and see how it is for myself.
You use a tube amp and pedals, while many young musicians go fully digital. Why did you take a different route?
Digital amps can be good, if you have a great mix and PA system. Personally I like my tube amps, it gives the character you can’t compensate with digital. I just don’t think digital fits me overall. I prefer the classic route which also allows me to collect vintage pieces, even though that means more carrying, and more back pain.
Last question: what’s your tip for creating an amazing ambient sound?
Find a reverb pedal that resonates best with you, one to match the sound you imagine when you think of ambience, and don’t be scared to pair it with a nasty fuzz pedal.