Blame Zeus is a band, from Oporto, Portugal, which began in December 2010. With influences that range from blues to metal, their music can be described as an intense heavy rock, but also with intimate, nostalgic ballads Interview conducted on December 28, 2020
By Dan Locke
Originally it was formed by Sandra Oliveira (voice), Ricardo Silveira (drums), Luís Carvalho (guitar) and Diogo Vidinha (bass). Their main objective was to create excellent and innovative music, and above all pleasurable to play and sing.
The years of 2011 and 2012 were dedicated exclusively to composing new original songs, and to the construction of the identity of the band. For personal and professional reasons, Luís Carvalho leaves Blame Zeus in December 2012, closing a 2-year cycle, and André Ribeiro fills in his spot. Already known from previous collaborations with Sandra and Ricardo, the former member of Oblique Rain takes his place as the band’s guitarist.
How did you discover music?
Sandra Oliveira: Mostly through my older brother. He listened to Queen, Bryan Adams, and other Rock acts such as this. From that, I started exploring other Rock singers and bands. Alanis Morrissette was a definitive mark for me, she made me listen to other women in Rock and start to explore what I could do.
How did you start the band?
Ricardo and I were in another band previously, that suddenly came to an end. A few months later we decided to start a new project, with the objective of making music we would be proud of, no matter how long it took. After deciding to form Blame Zeus, we invited Luís Carvalho, a guitarist they already knew from the scene, to join the band. Luís had a friend who played the bass, Diogo Vidinha, who also joined the band. This was late 2010. For the next couple years, the band concentrated on writing songs
How did the band get its name Blame Zeus?
When the time came to pick a name for the band, the world was in the midst of quite a severe financial crisis. When you’re living such a situation, sometimes it gets quite despairing, making you feel like blaming someone or something for the rough times you’re going through. Bearing that in mind, when brainstorming for a name I was looking for one with two words, as I always thought they sounded good. We stumbled on ‘Blame God’, but it was too aggressive and could lead to criticism. So, it came to my mind that it could be Blame Zeus since Zeus was a god, but one that no one really worships anymore. After that, we tried to develop the concept and state that it can be applied to all aspects of our lives… we are in control, we can bring good things to our lives through hard work and perseverance. It doesn’t have a religious connotation nor does it refer literally to the mythological god himself, but it translates into a way we can live and perceive life.
How did you start to write music?
I started writing lyrics at the young age of 12. At the time I just wanted to create something with my own words to sing, but later it became one of my roles in the bands I was in. I wanted to do it because I wanted to feel and completely understand what I was singing and give it emotion and authenticity.
What was your first performance at like?
My first live performance was at 12 years old in a national television competition. I guess it went well, I got my shit together and made it through.
What makes a good songwriter?
For me a good songwriter is someone who fluently tells you a story and makes you feel you’re in it. Someone who merges the words with the music, the rhythm with the syllables and makes everything work together to make the listener fly away
.
You have opened up for bands like Lacuna Coil, Moonspell, Cradle of Filth and R.A.M.P. Did any of the band offer to give you a bit of wisdom of the music business?
Yes, for example to take care of your body so you can handle touring and back-to-back concerts. They are examples we do follow, for the way they’ve managed their career and the quality they always achieve.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
I wrote many songs in the early days I didn’t get to record, but the first time I sang in a studio I recorded a single for my band at the time inNOsense, and the song was called “Even Angels Cry”.
Tell me about the making of the video “White”?
It was stressful but ultimately a lot of fun. The place where the band plays was this hall where weddings take place, a gorgeous setting that we got at the last minute! So lucky! The heavy rain at night was completely unexpected and it made the video. We scheduled filming that day and when we realized it would be raining, we just thought it would be like some drops, nothing too intense. We were wrong obviously, but we loved the end result.
What is your favorite video you have made?
I love our video for “No”, it has awesome photography and it’s exactly what we wanted: a raw depiction of ourselves, rocking it out.
How do you stay healthy while touring?
For me it’s a matter of not wasting energy in things not absolutely necessary. Also eating as healthy as possible and sleeping as much as possible.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
I feel that the listeners don’t value the music as much when they can push it over with one touch. They don’t give it time to sink in sometimes. And the best albums are the ones we fall in love with after a few attentive listens, right? But well, it’s the future and bands have to adapt if they want to be heard.
Digital vs. Vinyl?
Both have their moments in life.
Do you think kids should have gone back to school?
Yes, I think life has to go back to normal. We must protect the most fragile people, like elders and people with serious diseases, but we all must carry on if we don’t want everything to get worse.
In Canada, they just released a new Covid-19 vaccine school child which get rid of the invasive nasal swab and instead ask kids to gargle and spit. Now, this is for children only. Should, this also be given to adults?
Absolutely. I had to do the invasive nasal swab and it was awful, I had headaches for a week. Never doing that again for sure.
Studies are showing that because of COVID-19 many students who were ready for college have decide to hold off because many schools are doing virtual school and changing the same amount for school as they would for on campus classes. Do you think the colleges should give some type of discount to these students?
Perhaps a little discount, because the maintenance comes cheaper, I guess.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Right now, I’m thinking of our upcoming single “Burning Fields”. We’re finishing mastering and listening to it thoroughly, to be released on the 2nd of January. This song speaks about PTSD, in soldiers but also in general people going through a difficult time.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I really don’t know if we’ll be able to go back to the way things were. For example, a lot of venues have closed here, for good, so live music has taken a big blow. Things must open up so musicians and technicians can work, and venues can come back to life.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I only quarantined back in March and April, giving lessons only (I’m a vocal coach as well). Since May I’ve working almost to a normal capacity.
Sandra – During the quarantine you recorded The Foo Fighters “The Pretender” why?
It was a fun way to remind the fans I’m still alive and kicking. The guys at Collabora TV invited me to join and I did. There will be another cover coming up soon.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Yes, I’ve been trying with new make-up and skincare.
You recorded the video for “Into the Womb”. How long did it take you to record the video?
Each of us recorded their part at their home, so it didn’t take long. My part was about an hour or two.
You guys are still making music during this time. How are the songwriting sessions coming and how many times a month do you do it?
They’re going ok, we’ve done about 5 new songs, one of them is coming out on the 2nd of January as a single. It depends of the month, but on average we see each other twice a month now.
How is the song “Burning fields” coming?
It will be released as a single on the 2nd of January. We are loving how it sounds.
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
At the moment I use Netflix.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
I don’t think it will change anything, Facebook is slowly dying, especially for younger people, so bands will continue doing it on other platforms.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merch to them at the show?
That’s a good question. I guess they’ll have to keep connecting on social media and releasing new music.
Because of social distance. You did the Metalpoint Confinement Session. How was it to play for an empty room?
Kind of strange at first, but after a few minutes you get into the spirit of it and give it your best, as you would with people there.
Is pay to play still a thing?
Not for us, not anymore.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
That would be cool.
Are you still doing vocal coaching?
Yes, it is my day job, both online and in person.
Tell me about Encore- aulas de musica particulares?
It is my business. Private lessons of different instruments, featuring the best teachers I know.
How was going to Berklee College for Music for school some 9 years ago?
I only did a Singers-Songwriters course there, and it was one of the most enriching experiences of my life.
If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
I’d probably have a psychology degree.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
BLAME ZEUS: Thank you very much to UnRated Magazine for promoting our work! To everyone reading this I hope you get the chance to know us better also by listening to our music. Keep safe and have a wonderful 2021.
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