Interview With Raquel Schüler, of Brazilian Metal Band, Hydria

Selena Marie Norris, fashion stylist, freelance designer, and Fashion Indie contributor on theyenvy.us recently sat down (across the world via the power of technology) with Raquel Schüler, the beautiful and talented lead singer of the independent Brazilian metal band, Hydria, for an in depth English interview regarding their forthcoming album, their writing process, and what it’s like living in a country full of beautiful people.

{Above: Raquel playing guitar as Hydria opens for Tarja Turunen. Photographer, unknown.}

Selena: So Raquel, tell me what have you been working on lately?

Raquel: That question would be hard to answer. I’m actually working on NOTHING right now (laughs). My work on the album [Poison Paradise] is already done. Now we're waiting for other things to be finished and it takes a long time when you have to do everything on your own, that's why it's taking so long.

Selena: What other things are you waiting on?

Raquel: Mixing, the album art, mastering, etc.

Selena: So how does everyone else feel about the album?

Raquel: :D We're all very excited and working really hard on it. It caused some serious trouble for us ‘til now. Since we have to make it on our own, things can get really difficult sometimes.

Selena: I know a lot of things are still under wraps but what can you (officially) tell me about it?

Raquel: :D I can say the songs in this album are much more mature and much more HYDRIA then ever before- it shows different sides of us.

Selena: OK, so would you say the other songs [on your debut album, Mirror of Tears] are less your style?

Raquel: [Poison Paradise] is a very special album for me 'cause now I think I'm growing as a singer and as a songwriter. I have many different ideas and feelings to show. That's why each song has a different atmosphere, a different "feeling." I must say this album contains the best songs we've ever made since the bands "birth".

But, returning to your last question, the other songs were like a "laboratory" for me and Marcelo [Oliviera, the band originator, lead guitar/grunts] and we still had a deep influence of what we used to listening to at the time. "Mirror of Tears" was the first album we wrote entirely together so our "musical relationship" got stronger and matured over the last 2 years.

{Above: Promotional Images from Mirror of Tears release. Photo by Marcio Freitas.}

Selena: We hear a lot from you and Marcelo [who speak Portuguese & English]. What about the influence from the rest of the band? Has it changed?

Raquel: In this album we started to experience a different way of exploring our creations. We wrote the songs, and then we recorded all the demos before a song was officially "finished." The whole band went to the studio and we all worked together on the arrangements. Mirror of Tears was written and composed by me and Marcelo 'cause we didn't have the whole band at the time.

Selena: So would you say this was more a collaboration?

Raquel: Yes! Marcelo and I are still working more actively on the creative process but we keep opened for the whole band to work with us.

Selena: Will there be any surprises in the new album? Any new sounds? Jazz-infusion or native Brazilian music?

Raquel: Hahaha, not really! We explored different sides of our music, not "jumping out" of our "territory."

Selena: What sort of sound can we expect to hear?

Raquel: Heavy metal :P with strong choruses, good melodies, and different feelings.

Selena: You said this album is more mature. What can you tell me about the lyrics?

Raquel: This is the first time I really jumped into my feelings, ideas, and ideals so deep, and without collaboration. I wrote all the lyrics of the entire album, so it's quite more personal. There are many things I feel and believe. I put it all in these lyrics.

Selena: Wow, so are there any songs that stick out in your mind? Any favorites?

Raquel: The most powerful songs of this album to me, are "Time of My Life (Center of My Universe)" - it's a very personal song to me - and "Sweet Dead Innocence" (this one is not personal but is about something that really gets me disgusted...I can't give many details yet, LOL).

[Author’s Note: It should be noted that prior to beginning this interview she very sweetly taught me the Brazilian LOL is EURI… we used it a lot in this interview, much to our enjoyment, but I translated them for your convenience]

I think the most important thing I can say about the lyrics in this album, about my writing in general [is this]: You'll never see me writing anything that sounds depressive, even when I talk about serious and hard themes.

Selena: Have you ever thrown something out for being too depressing?

Raquel: It sounds more like a “complaint”, or as an outburst [that]:P actually, I can't write depressive things [pauses]. I'll try to explain with my awful English –“complaint” - when you're really worried about something that happens in your country or society and you want to tell the world about it, and you want people to be aware of it and do something about it. I see many people writing about similar themes out there but I live in a place where we have many themes to explore and many problems to share with the world, not only good and beautiful things.

Selena: And you work to overcome these things through your music?

Raquel: Yes. I think music is one of the most powerful vehicles to spread messages. That's what I'm all about.

Selena: That's beautiful. Speaking of beautiful, what's it like living in the country known for fashion's biggest names in modeling? Is it intimidating or is beauty part of the culture?

Raquel: HAHAHA, it's a big responsibility. Brazil is a blessed country with beautiful people and beautiful women of course. But I'm not really concerned about being like a top model or something. I'm more concerned about being a good musician. However it's nice to know we have a good reputation out there, LOL! :P I love fashion btw. \o/

[Note: Throughout the duration of our chat, she made use of several emoticons which are new to me, like this “arms up in victory” emoticon which I find quite charming.]

Selena: So metal, specifically symphonic metal, has a very distinct look. Where do you find inspiration for your stage wear?

Raquel: Well I must say I'm still "creating" my style. As I said before, I'm not really concerned about that part of my work (shame on me, hahaha) and I confess I'm not the best person to choose outfits. BTW I try! I take my inspirations from things I find on the internet and lately from "retro" looks.

Selena: QUICK! Name the top 5 best dressed women in metal, in your opinion…in order, LOL.

Raquel:

1- Liv Kristine

2- Tarja Turunen

3- Simone Simons

I really don't like any other's style so you could change to a top 3??? LOL :P

*could you

[Note: She quickly corrects herself. She has already apologized twice for tiny mistakes that even most Americans make when speaking English. Her respect and attention to perfecting her English is so endearing.]

Selena: Ok! What sort of places do you tend to shop for every day clothes? Stage clothes?

Raquel: Well, I really love shopping. If you left [me] with a credit card at a mall, I would probably buy everything, LOL. I don't have a specific place where I find my everyday or stage clothes. But my favorite place for stage clothes is "Désir Essentiel" (a Brazilian brand made for us metal girls) and I especially love the accessories you made me (you can include this comment, with your name on it!).

Selena: Aww. Thanks!

[Author’s Note: She refers to a large group of jewelry, leather accessories, and corset-like waist belts I recently custom designed for her and her (also beautiful) band mate, Luana França. I am proud to say that some of these accessories made their way into Hydria’s upcoming album artwork.]

{Above: Raquel (Left) and Luana, promotional images from Mirror of Tears release. Photo by Marcio Freitas}

Ok one more question or two. When is your new album, Poison Paradise slated to come out?

Raquel: [Not] ‘til the end of 2010.:).

Selena: So we've got a while to wait. Hopefully we'll hear something from you before then. Maybe a sneak peek?

Raquel: Actually I don't really know when accurately, LOL, but we hope Poison Paradise will be released before the end of this year.

Selena: Do you have anything out there to say to fans or potential fans? Record companies?

Raquel: Well the only thing I have to say is that Hydria works and will always work really hard, with all our heart and soul to do a good job, and, of course, make good music for our fans. We have a special relationship with them and we owe our music to them. We love music and we want to share it with you guys! <3

Selena: Thanks so much for the interview. We can't wait for the new album!

[End interview]

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Background information from the Author:

I found this band in 2009 after a Youtube.com search of Epica covers and was instantly impressed by Raquel Schüler's strikingly beautiful voice. Though they are currently unsigned and self-financed, Hydria is a band to watch, for they will only grow in talent and popularity among the metal scene. Their talent is only out shadowed by the intense loyalty they have to their fans. The coupling of these things insures that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years. FYI: Their debut album, Mirror of Tears sells on cdbaby.com for $11 USD and is well worth the price!

For more information about brands mentioned in this article please visit:

Facebook.com/selenamariedesigns and http://desiressentiel.com/

For more information about Hydria please visit:

Their Official (Portuguese only) Brazilian website: www.hydria.com.br

Myspace Official Site (In English): http://www.myspace.com/hydriaofficial

Orkut Official Site: http://www.orkut.com.br/Main#Community.aspx?rl=cpn&cmm=28155782

Last FM Official Site: http://www.lastfm.com.br/music/Hydria

Twitter Official Site: http://www.twitter.com/hydriaofficial

Brazilian Webseries Onda Zero (Soundtrack written, produced, and recorded by Hydria) site: www.2012ondazero.com.br

For Booking Information Contact:

Paulo Sondermann at paulo@hydria.com.br