METAL PULP AND PAPER: Hello Annie. So glad to be catching up with you. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us at Metal Pulp And Paper. We appreciate it. How are you? How has your year been so far with 2017 coming to a close and 2018 almost upon us?
ANNIE TKALYA: Sup guys!!! Really pleased by your attention! I feel great, emotions on the rise!
The whole 2017 was like a continuous fight from the start till the end of the year; there was a lot of pleasant news from the band and already doing something new in 2018!
MPAP: Before we talk about your new release, The Mess Age Inside, and your video for the single from it, "Embryo Hatred", let’s get to know your band first so everyone is on the same page? Blind Ivy is an alternative metal, female fronted band that formed in Krasnodar, Russia in 2011, but originally went by the name Triple Point correct?
ANNIE: Exactly! And it's very nice that you guys are so well prepared. Before I joined BY, it really was called the Triple Point, but in Russian it meant the meaning of an ellipsis, and not like the basketball move as the translation shows, haha.
MPAP: Metal Pulp And Paper is located in the United States, what is something you would want to say to the readers here in hopes to catch their attention and have them want to check out and buy your music?
ANNIE: It is important to understand that by music we can reach each other even if we are so far away, and it is possible to touch quite deeply to the heart or mind, and maybe to someone our music will encourage energy levels in the gym, for someone else to try to conclude on a long term decision, it does not matter the main thing is that it really works for the listener. Well, if readers of Metal Pulp And Paper know such bands like Gojira, Ektomorf and Deftones, then, I think, they will definitely would be glad to check out our efforts.
MPAP: Like mentioned, originally you were called Triple Point? Why the name change? Was there a meaning, or a personal message you wanted to have becoming Blind Ivy?
ANNIE: Yeah I will explain.Few years ago I was very inspired by the film The Village of one of my favorite American directors M. Night Shyamalan. Where the main character of the plot was a blind girl named Ivy, and in order to remind myself of the main things about which I want to sing, and give food for the minds to listeners, I offered to guys this name, is still happy that they all supported me. The name sounds beautiful and interesting in my opinion.
MPAP: Now let’s talk about your new release The Mess Age Inside that hit everyone’s eardrums back on November 30th, 2017? I interpret the name of the album, The Mess Age Inside, to mean a couple things. It could mean, ‘the message inside’; like there is a message inside that reflects in this music and lyrics you will hear on it. It can also refer to talking in time periods, like the Ice age, Stone age, or the Iron age? And what you’re saying is we are in the Mess age? Mankind has created quite the mess in many ways on earth over the years? Am I correct in the interpretation?
ANNIE: Absolutely right, both interpretations are correct! That is why we were saddened by this name when we found out this name. I spent a lot of time trying to find a way to briefly and voluminously describe our message. I am always very glad to be not straightforward, but to give scope for reflection to the listener, because many answers already exist inside everyone, however it sounds trivial, but it's true, you only need to specify directions, and in 90% of cases it is enough for everyone to realize himself. And yes, we living in a crazy, confused century, in a century of fakes and injustice, in a century of invisible war, but tangible pain, in a century in which it's very easy to lose yourself, lose the truth, the purpose, the strength, and the ray of light that indicates how not to get out of your path.
MPAP: What else can you tell us about The Mess Age Inside that everyone needs to know more about? What can they expect to hear in the sound and your vocals?
ANNIE: I would like to say that we have invested a lot of strength and beauty in this album, this can be heard both in lyrics and in the sound of instruments and vocals. And this is exactly those two concepts that help us survive any difficulties, move on and never give up, even if it sometimes seems that this fucking world has already decided everything instead us, hehe!
MPAP: The Mess Age Inside clocks in at just under 35 minutes and some of the songs that will pummel you from it are of course the first single, "Embryo Hatred", along with "Count To 5", "Fake", and "Through Your Mind", among many others. What are some of these songs about?
ANNIE: Well infact, you’ve collected all the songs that are about exactly what I said in the last sentence and these tracks reflect the hopelessness and predetermined nature, and here the brutality with which we come across in our time. For us they decide who we can be, and who we will never be. Most people to be a someone successful throw their identity into the ballot box and just start imitating models, bloggers and pitching from the instagram. After playing with such rules it's easier to be successful and hide the side of a loser in yourself. Damn, soon there will be nothing real on this planet! Of course, this is only a small part. Somebody stop me! Coz I'm ready to talk for hours, but to avoid this I advise you to watch one of my favorite series called The Black Mirror reflecting much of what I can not tell in the interview.
MPAP: What are you hoping the listener walks away with after listening to The Mess Age Inside for the first time? What will satisfy you if they take one thing from it?
ANNIE: The desire to listen again, and again, meeting their needs for shaking head, or doing self-development or anything else.
MPAP: Along with the above-mentioned songs, you also cover the song "Diamond Eyes" by the American alternative metal band Deftones? Why did you choose this particular song to be on your first full-length album?
ANNIE: With this cover we wanted to pay tribute to the great Deftones for their influence and inspiration, which gave us the impetus to create our music. Such a thanks in the musical language. Unfortunately, in the same way, we can not thank all the important bands for us, but I hope that we will have the opportunity to personally tell them how much they have given, and this is an immeasurable contribution!
MPAP: How would you say you’ve grown as a singer and as a band since your 2014 debut EP called III? Is there anything you’d change looking back at when you first started singing?
ANNIE: Honestly, I think that not many will notice the difference in my vocals over the past three years, but for me it's a huge chasm between. Sometimes I laugh, and sometimes cry, looking at our old records and video from the concerts. In principle, if you were to ask me in three years time I would most likely say the same thing, hehe. Shortly, we are not going to stand still, because it's as scary as taking a step back. I master new techniques of vocal, my guys also train their hands, we are not going to give much away from our style at any time, but to pump skills – first thing!
MPAP: Have the goals or priorities as a band changed since the beginning now that you have some experience under your belts and your music is reaching endless cities, towns, and states worldwide?
ANNIE: The main priorities for Blind Ivy is to work harder and attract more listeners. Of course, now we are already pleased to receive feedback and invitations from people all over the world, they do not know how difficult it is for us to tour with many countries. What is needed are interested agencies ready to cover at least the cost of the road, and we are ready to go! We are like little kids who are shown candy, when we see messages from listeners from Germany, America and Australia, and many other countries come to look in their town, and now all we can do is be grateful people for what they are waiting for us and work, work, work to be noticed and grab our a chance to present our show around the world!
MPAP: As mentioned earlier, let’s talk about the video "Embryo Hatred"? It was released before The Mess Age Inside came out. Were you reading the social media to see how fans were reacting to the song and of course the video?
ANNIE: Yeah, alas, I do not always have enough time to answer everyone, but I read a lot, search and interested in people's opinions. And I can say that the single and the video received quite a lot of support and positive feedback, it's very nice! Often when I answer comments about our work, I write that “for the sake of such words we do all this”, and this is an absolute truth, the most powerful engine for our band is the support of fans!
MPAP: Tell us about the video that has over 2,500 views so far? Describe the setting and what’s going on in it?
ANNIE: Well, indeed, for many this video was not fully understood. Like I said earlier that I do not like being straightforward. But if give a brief description of the "Embryo Hatred", I would say that in the storyline you can find heroes like Boss - personifying power and system, Doctor - being servant of the system, but at the same time believing that he is not a slave, but on the level with management. And the ordinary man, for whom his future was predetermined, who was deceived by this world, without having the right to go even a step, convinces the doctor through communication that he is the same as the protagonist, and the doctor gives the gun that he was supposed to shoot black-eyed guy and they two go against the boss, means, against the all the things with which we are afraid to fight and humble, because alone it is very difficult. Aaand what? happy ending, weehee!
MPAP: Going back to you covering music by the Deftones, I found a YouTube video from a live 2016 show of yours and you are covering a song by the Brazilian metal band Sepultura, called "Roots Bloody Roots", at The Rock Bar in your hometown? It’s a killer version. Who would you love to collaborate with on a song together?
ANNIE: Hehe yeah man, I think it was terrible! But glad you like it. Sepultura will kill me for this shit Ive done haha. Alright seriously, I believe that after better training the BY would be happy to collaborate with Soulfly, Gojira or Jinjer for example.
MPAP: Some of your musical influences over the years have been Otep, Kittie, Guano Apes, Infected Rain, Butcher Babies, and Jinjer. What from listening to or watching these bands, these other frontwomen, has made you as you are today as a lead singer?
ANNIE: I have always been very impressed by the power of these beautiful women! I can say that I'm learning their confidence on the stage and the feeling of their own unique style. I try not to listen to much of their music anymore after I seriously started promoting my own band, because I do not want to accidentally steal something from their creativity. Therefore, I try to listen to electronic music, or bands with male vocals.
MPAP: One final question before we bring this interview to a close. Tell us about the Krasnodar music scene? What’s it like there in your hometown? Any other hometown bands there you’d like to give a shout out to?
ANNIE: In my hometown, for a long time, the same problem remains as in many other cities. Namely, that the musicians do not want to make their own material and develop it, because this is a big risk, they are sure that it's easier to play only a cover program for already famous bands, and you know what, they are right, because people here fill the halls to the limit coming to cover bands, and not more than 60 people collect teams with quality interesting unique material of their own composition. Thank you Metal Pulp And Paper that through your bussines guys from all over the world metalheads can know about us and bands like the Comma, Hertzian and Greenwich doing their cool music in our far rotten hole heh!
MPAP: On behalf of myself and Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank you, Annie, for being a part of this interview. We look forward to what Blind Ivy does in 2018 and beyond. Any last words for all the Metal Pulp And Paper readers and your fans out there?
ANNIE: Thank you very much for your attention, I was happy to answer these interesting questions! I hope you also enjoyed reading this interview! I congratulate everyone on the upcoming Christmas and New Year and wish everyone to support their inner light, be kind to each other, appreciate real things and save all negativity for our concerts in 2018,to shaking heads and falling in the hellish mosh!
.png)
©metalpulpandpaper
ANNIE TKALYA: Sup guys!!! Really pleased by your attention! I feel great, emotions on the rise!
The whole 2017 was like a continuous fight from the start till the end of the year; there was a lot of pleasant news from the band and already doing something new in 2018!
MPAP: Before we talk about your new release, The Mess Age Inside, and your video for the single from it, "Embryo Hatred", let’s get to know your band first so everyone is on the same page? Blind Ivy is an alternative metal, female fronted band that formed in Krasnodar, Russia in 2011, but originally went by the name Triple Point correct?
ANNIE: Exactly! And it's very nice that you guys are so well prepared. Before I joined BY, it really was called the Triple Point, but in Russian it meant the meaning of an ellipsis, and not like the basketball move as the translation shows, haha.
MPAP: Metal Pulp And Paper is located in the United States, what is something you would want to say to the readers here in hopes to catch their attention and have them want to check out and buy your music?
ANNIE: It is important to understand that by music we can reach each other even if we are so far away, and it is possible to touch quite deeply to the heart or mind, and maybe to someone our music will encourage energy levels in the gym, for someone else to try to conclude on a long term decision, it does not matter the main thing is that it really works for the listener. Well, if readers of Metal Pulp And Paper know such bands like Gojira, Ektomorf and Deftones, then, I think, they will definitely would be glad to check out our efforts.
MPAP: Like mentioned, originally you were called Triple Point? Why the name change? Was there a meaning, or a personal message you wanted to have becoming Blind Ivy?
ANNIE: Yeah I will explain.Few years ago I was very inspired by the film The Village of one of my favorite American directors M. Night Shyamalan. Where the main character of the plot was a blind girl named Ivy, and in order to remind myself of the main things about which I want to sing, and give food for the minds to listeners, I offered to guys this name, is still happy that they all supported me. The name sounds beautiful and interesting in my opinion.
MPAP: Now let’s talk about your new release The Mess Age Inside that hit everyone’s eardrums back on November 30th, 2017? I interpret the name of the album, The Mess Age Inside, to mean a couple things. It could mean, ‘the message inside’; like there is a message inside that reflects in this music and lyrics you will hear on it. It can also refer to talking in time periods, like the Ice age, Stone age, or the Iron age? And what you’re saying is we are in the Mess age? Mankind has created quite the mess in many ways on earth over the years? Am I correct in the interpretation?
ANNIE: Absolutely right, both interpretations are correct! That is why we were saddened by this name when we found out this name. I spent a lot of time trying to find a way to briefly and voluminously describe our message. I am always very glad to be not straightforward, but to give scope for reflection to the listener, because many answers already exist inside everyone, however it sounds trivial, but it's true, you only need to specify directions, and in 90% of cases it is enough for everyone to realize himself. And yes, we living in a crazy, confused century, in a century of fakes and injustice, in a century of invisible war, but tangible pain, in a century in which it's very easy to lose yourself, lose the truth, the purpose, the strength, and the ray of light that indicates how not to get out of your path.
MPAP: What else can you tell us about The Mess Age Inside that everyone needs to know more about? What can they expect to hear in the sound and your vocals?
ANNIE: I would like to say that we have invested a lot of strength and beauty in this album, this can be heard both in lyrics and in the sound of instruments and vocals. And this is exactly those two concepts that help us survive any difficulties, move on and never give up, even if it sometimes seems that this fucking world has already decided everything instead us, hehe!
MPAP: The Mess Age Inside clocks in at just under 35 minutes and some of the songs that will pummel you from it are of course the first single, "Embryo Hatred", along with "Count To 5", "Fake", and "Through Your Mind", among many others. What are some of these songs about?
ANNIE: Well infact, you’ve collected all the songs that are about exactly what I said in the last sentence and these tracks reflect the hopelessness and predetermined nature, and here the brutality with which we come across in our time. For us they decide who we can be, and who we will never be. Most people to be a someone successful throw their identity into the ballot box and just start imitating models, bloggers and pitching from the instagram. After playing with such rules it's easier to be successful and hide the side of a loser in yourself. Damn, soon there will be nothing real on this planet! Of course, this is only a small part. Somebody stop me! Coz I'm ready to talk for hours, but to avoid this I advise you to watch one of my favorite series called The Black Mirror reflecting much of what I can not tell in the interview.
MPAP: What are you hoping the listener walks away with after listening to The Mess Age Inside for the first time? What will satisfy you if they take one thing from it?
ANNIE: The desire to listen again, and again, meeting their needs for shaking head, or doing self-development or anything else.
MPAP: Along with the above-mentioned songs, you also cover the song "Diamond Eyes" by the American alternative metal band Deftones? Why did you choose this particular song to be on your first full-length album?
ANNIE: With this cover we wanted to pay tribute to the great Deftones for their influence and inspiration, which gave us the impetus to create our music. Such a thanks in the musical language. Unfortunately, in the same way, we can not thank all the important bands for us, but I hope that we will have the opportunity to personally tell them how much they have given, and this is an immeasurable contribution!
MPAP: How would you say you’ve grown as a singer and as a band since your 2014 debut EP called III? Is there anything you’d change looking back at when you first started singing?
ANNIE: Honestly, I think that not many will notice the difference in my vocals over the past three years, but for me it's a huge chasm between. Sometimes I laugh, and sometimes cry, looking at our old records and video from the concerts. In principle, if you were to ask me in three years time I would most likely say the same thing, hehe. Shortly, we are not going to stand still, because it's as scary as taking a step back. I master new techniques of vocal, my guys also train their hands, we are not going to give much away from our style at any time, but to pump skills – first thing!
MPAP: Have the goals or priorities as a band changed since the beginning now that you have some experience under your belts and your music is reaching endless cities, towns, and states worldwide?
ANNIE: The main priorities for Blind Ivy is to work harder and attract more listeners. Of course, now we are already pleased to receive feedback and invitations from people all over the world, they do not know how difficult it is for us to tour with many countries. What is needed are interested agencies ready to cover at least the cost of the road, and we are ready to go! We are like little kids who are shown candy, when we see messages from listeners from Germany, America and Australia, and many other countries come to look in their town, and now all we can do is be grateful people for what they are waiting for us and work, work, work to be noticed and grab our a chance to present our show around the world!
MPAP: As mentioned earlier, let’s talk about the video "Embryo Hatred"? It was released before The Mess Age Inside came out. Were you reading the social media to see how fans were reacting to the song and of course the video?
ANNIE: Yeah, alas, I do not always have enough time to answer everyone, but I read a lot, search and interested in people's opinions. And I can say that the single and the video received quite a lot of support and positive feedback, it's very nice! Often when I answer comments about our work, I write that “for the sake of such words we do all this”, and this is an absolute truth, the most powerful engine for our band is the support of fans!
MPAP: Tell us about the video that has over 2,500 views so far? Describe the setting and what’s going on in it?
ANNIE: Well, indeed, for many this video was not fully understood. Like I said earlier that I do not like being straightforward. But if give a brief description of the "Embryo Hatred", I would say that in the storyline you can find heroes like Boss - personifying power and system, Doctor - being servant of the system, but at the same time believing that he is not a slave, but on the level with management. And the ordinary man, for whom his future was predetermined, who was deceived by this world, without having the right to go even a step, convinces the doctor through communication that he is the same as the protagonist, and the doctor gives the gun that he was supposed to shoot black-eyed guy and they two go against the boss, means, against the all the things with which we are afraid to fight and humble, because alone it is very difficult. Aaand what? happy ending, weehee!
MPAP: Going back to you covering music by the Deftones, I found a YouTube video from a live 2016 show of yours and you are covering a song by the Brazilian metal band Sepultura, called "Roots Bloody Roots", at The Rock Bar in your hometown? It’s a killer version. Who would you love to collaborate with on a song together?
ANNIE: Hehe yeah man, I think it was terrible! But glad you like it. Sepultura will kill me for this shit Ive done haha. Alright seriously, I believe that after better training the BY would be happy to collaborate with Soulfly, Gojira or Jinjer for example.
MPAP: Some of your musical influences over the years have been Otep, Kittie, Guano Apes, Infected Rain, Butcher Babies, and Jinjer. What from listening to or watching these bands, these other frontwomen, has made you as you are today as a lead singer?
ANNIE: I have always been very impressed by the power of these beautiful women! I can say that I'm learning their confidence on the stage and the feeling of their own unique style. I try not to listen to much of their music anymore after I seriously started promoting my own band, because I do not want to accidentally steal something from their creativity. Therefore, I try to listen to electronic music, or bands with male vocals.
MPAP: One final question before we bring this interview to a close. Tell us about the Krasnodar music scene? What’s it like there in your hometown? Any other hometown bands there you’d like to give a shout out to?
ANNIE: In my hometown, for a long time, the same problem remains as in many other cities. Namely, that the musicians do not want to make their own material and develop it, because this is a big risk, they are sure that it's easier to play only a cover program for already famous bands, and you know what, they are right, because people here fill the halls to the limit coming to cover bands, and not more than 60 people collect teams with quality interesting unique material of their own composition. Thank you Metal Pulp And Paper that through your bussines guys from all over the world metalheads can know about us and bands like the Comma, Hertzian and Greenwich doing their cool music in our far rotten hole heh!
MPAP: On behalf of myself and Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank you, Annie, for being a part of this interview. We look forward to what Blind Ivy does in 2018 and beyond. Any last words for all the Metal Pulp And Paper readers and your fans out there?
ANNIE: Thank you very much for your attention, I was happy to answer these interesting questions! I hope you also enjoyed reading this interview! I congratulate everyone on the upcoming Christmas and New Year and wish everyone to support their inner light, be kind to each other, appreciate real things and save all negativity for our concerts in 2018,to shaking heads and falling in the hellish mosh!
©metalpulpandpaper