Flora Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?

Greetings Occult Black Metal! I’m glad for this opportunity to have a few words with you. Flora was started during the seasonal rainstorms of May 2015. We had to wait almost two years to see the rain once more. During those times I left behind a couple of extreme musical projects that now are in the past. Flora was the decisive step between mediocrity and musicianship. For me, this project is the quintessence of my persona. If you listen to Flora you can hear me somewhere near.

2.In September you had released a new album, musically how does it differ from your previous release?

It has a totally different approach, at the same time, it follows the same pattern. The thing that differed from one album to the other was the amount of time and composition done. The process of composition of “II” was monumental in a way. Lots of evenings riffing and writing, I deleted what now I think were good tracks for the album. At the end it was difficult for me to find the suitable body and form of this album.

3.This is also your first release with this project since 2016, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

A lot happened during the process of recording Flora’s second full length. Firstly, during 2015 I started an English pedagogy career which ended in 2019. Then was the whole family issues thing and other complex situations that made me stronger and of course, more introspective. Of course, at university you learn more about social standards, behaviour and human nature more than academic stuff at any time of your life. Practical knowledge is limitless and during those days I learned and practiced every day according to my main goals. That was the background of the times where Flora became real. 

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with this project?

Most of the lyrics are about pollution, environmental terrorism, ecocide, the strength and force of nature and the insignificance of material existence. 

5.You also mentioned writing some esoteric articles for a fanzine, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

Yes, of course! Since 2017 I have been recompiling some articles and manuscripts I wrote. Some of them are about Resurrection, Non-dual meditation, Alchemy interpretation, Kundalini & Pranayama and more. The fanzine is called Altar del Bosque (Forest Altar). A promise I made during the hardest semester of my life was that when I finished my course of study I would start studying the occult side of life and it’s veiled secrets, thus, immersing myself in the realms of energies and beyond.

My main goal is to promote US/EU bands to the Hispanicamerican community which is starting to grow a lot, even though, most bands sound pretty copycat and mediocre there are some (not so hidden) jewels around. The Metal scene, even though, is a greater character in this story. I bet all my coins to the noise/punk scene here. These beautiful persons know who they are, the city wouldn’t be this funny without them.

6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Flora'?

Flora is the conjunction of nature opposites. The fragile unmerciful and its delicate composition, which at the end is just One Energy of One Source. A mathematical enigma, the coexisting balance between beings and it’s environment.  Flora is the essential part of human existence, without it’s collaboration, life couldn’t exist. I’m just a post-silent warning to a dying world.

7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the album cover?

That tree is from a very special place I was allowed to see. His story is obscure, people used to “hang around” sometimes. In order to seek him, you had to step downwards in an eucalyptus forest, perfect for some introspection, with a great friend Matías whose presence did nothing but improve things around. Never enough thankful for his brotherly support. Together we made Solemnis, sessions of musical experiences with music ranging between electroacoustical music, harsh noise, drone, to other forms of musical experimentation like ritual death, dark ambient along with other aural evileness with almost 19 editions. Best experiences of my life, sharing with so many wonderful people in the community which I met thanks for the music. Pretty hard rockers and tough fuckers! UGH! 

8.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?

Yes, and the main goal is to start rehearsing stronger and in the near future news will be announced. 

9.You also run the fanzine 'Altar de Bosque', can you tell us a little bit more about it?

The idea I had for this zine was to be affordable in Spanish and English. Both editions are different, at least in interviews and articles, at the end will be interchangeable. We should find ourselves time to acquire a second or even third language. As an English Teacher, my duty is to inspire and help others to learn something, and what better to experience some interesting learning than by reading about artists such as Iasos (Greek Angelic New Age,), Invunche (Chilean/Dutch Shamanic Black Punk), Sidereal Fortress/Il Generale Inverno (Italian Dungeon Synth), Silencio Permanente (Argentinian Dungeon Synth/Black Metal), Wrought Records (Illinois Finest’ DS), Billy Moonworshipper, Whispering Mirrors (US), Arthuros (Greek Dungeon New Era!) and more. Along with some articles on questioning the modern system, some interpretations on alchemy and the Splendor Solis, the journey of Jacques de Mahieu, french-argentinian archaeologist and other things. 80 pages both,  

10.The new album was also released on 'Soleminis Records', can you tell us a littlebit more about this label?

Solemnis started as a live session. Solemnis means ritual en latin. People commented to me about the great experience they had in between the sets or days after one. Since 2014, the idea was to create a DIY label and distro of experimental music in the small town of Quintero, Valparaíso. Solemnis was developed among the strong portuary suburbia and beyond of the cold chilean streets. From booking bands for the bill to soundwork and other necessities of doing a live show. Nowadays we released the first three tapes (Attached to this email) which contains the very essence of what we want to promote for music, a wide range of music and emotions. Although, curating as best as possible the participants supporting the musical and conceptual communion and the importance of a good label behind it.  

11.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of atmospheric black metal?

It was decent I must say. It was good to find your review. I had never received a public review. A lot of good feedback from my friends and their relatives. Making a new album requires big responsibilities, no doubt about that, sometimes I failed categorically, but that is the essence of living of what you love. Love is the best teacher. I think that it’s atmospheric.  

12.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that you are a part of?

Due to the pandemic, everything went frozen. Nevertheless, there’s a lot going on in the different cultures. Mostly releasing things, cassette is having a major role in this new wave of DIY tapetakes. It’s very interesting how this format provides the best quality, the dirtier one. A lot happening, of course we are just waiting, things are now stable in our country. Lot of injustice happening, a lot of montages and of course, a polarization of society sometimes deserves more attention than music. Thus, music is a network of cooperation, for useful means. Wanted to shoutout Diavol Strain, Sidosis, Pancho Carcinomatoide, Calaka Records, Phantom, Kalkü, 886vg, Thanatoloop, Lux Nigrum, NOLUX Records, Charlie Vásquez/Orquesta Pandroginia, NUEVA BARBARIE, to Afro, Óscar and Bizarro, Ignacio Ihä Fluxa, Capgras and Total Death Propaganda.  A whole lot is missing. But you know that those real special for me reading over there, I salute you.  

13.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

I’m just going forwards. Projecting in my head the image of success. Never surrender. Solemnis Records is already happening. The zine will be announced with a release date. Musically, I’m preparing a lot of things. Experimenting with melody, trance, and other states of mind. Ambient music that can be used for medicinal purposes. And some collaborations with other labels, awaiting as same as everyone I guess to go back to shows.

14.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

This is a hard question. Flora is inspired mainly by Tacoma’s based Atmospheric Black Metal band Alda. At least during the first album composition process, Alda was in the framework. Some other bands that inspired this sound were Panopticon, Addaura and the split between Ash Borer and Fell Voices (trascendental experience). For future compositions I want to bring more Neofolk, Dark Ambient into small interludes or something that connects, the melodious icestorm with the breaking sound of the branches in the march into the unknown. Listening a lot of Arcana, Ildfrost, Cold Meat Industry rooster, as well as some swedish Ancient Records rooster from the almighty Swartadauþuz like Bekëth Nexëhmü and Gnipahålan. Subsequently, I was experiencing some new stuff like Këkht Aräkh, Fallen Forest, Lament In Winter’s Night and Wampyric Rites. Finally, I cannot recommend enough to some chilean acts like: Lux Nigrum, Phantom, Kalkü, Ecologist, Eltun, Athanatos, Thanatos and Henosis. 

15.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts? 

I just want to promote to all readers to trust themselves and never surrender upon anything. We need to keep the zines alive, the DIY aspect of music and art and of course, we need more people to organize shows, gigs and not let those instances to be transformed into dazing and confusing nonsense. We need music to be something important again. If not you, who, If not now, when? Thanks for this opportunity and all my blessings to ye, the contributors and of course to your beloved readers.

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