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Interview with the Valfreya’s singer, Corinne

• What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

I’ve been singing in choirs since I was a young child. My parents always encouraged me to do what I liked. What got me into music? I think that I simply liked music. I remember telling my parents that I would, one day, be a singer. When I was a teenager, I started to follow private lessons and I had my first band. Several years later, I obtained my college’s degree and my bachelor’s degree in classical singing. During all this time, I was still playing metal shows and never stopped to love this type of music. I am presently doing a master’s degree, writing a thesis about the mechanisms of guttural voices. 

If I wasn’t doing music, I think that I would definitely be doing something related to arts. I also like painting and I’ve been a graphic designer. 

• What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I am doing a master’s degree in musicology. It takes a lot of my time. I also teach singing lessons (clean and guttural singing lessons).  I am part of the Growler’s Choir. I am also a co-owner and a voice actor from The Monsters Factory (we offer a unique expertise in the field of voice-acting destined for many types of virtual monsters and creatures). Everything that I do is related to music or vocology. It helps me to constantly improve myself.  

• How long has your band been around?

I created the project back in 2009. I still remember the date of our first practice (February 2d 2009). Yes…it’s been a while! 

• Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

We are base in Montreal’s area in the province of Quebec (Canada). Quebec folk music has indeed influenced several songs of the group (like Peuple du Nord and some songs from our acoustic albums). Quebec folklore is a set of cultural manifestations: beliefs, rites, legends, festivals, songs, dances. 

• How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

It is simply a mix of two words: Valhalla and Freya. It is simple and efficient. 

• If you could play any show with any lineup who would be on the ticket?

Humm it’s hard, since with already played with Moonsorrow, Korpiklaani and Nekrogoblicon, I think I would definitely say Wintersun. Wintersun fits 100% with the type of music with do: Symphonic, emotional, but aggressive! 

• What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band?

You must be persistent and learn to be resourceful. 

• If you could go back in time and give each other advice, what would it be?

I would tell me: ‘’It’s okay to be patient’’. I also felt like I was running late. 

• Of your songs which one means the most to you and why? 

My Everlasting Star (from our first album Path to Eternity), because it talks about the acceptance of dying and because also it was played at the funeral of my best friend back in 2013. 

• Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Confront immensity. There’s almost always a wall of death followed by a constant mushpit.

• What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

Sometimes, we write music separately, other times we simply go on Facetime altogether to motivate each other and complete each other’s composition. We use the software Guitarpro which is super easy to use. 

• What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

I just want our music to make people feel, no matter what must be felt (nostalgia, anger, sadness, madness…etc.)

• Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

A band is like being in a relationship with 5 other people. It's normal to sometimes disagree. The important thing is to learn how to communicate well.

• What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that's coming up?

There is a new upcoming metal album. We already started the pre-production.