LOVELORN DOLLS: Kristell Lowagie Speaks Out
Interview Conduct on February 12, 2018
by Daniel Locke
LOVELORN DOLLS is the musical expression of the duo Ladyhell (vocals, Arrangements, Words) and Corpus Christi (Music, Programming, Guitars, Production), creators of a romantic but dark universe.
They are proposing a musical atmosphere mixing Alternative, Electro and Rock.
They are combining the visual of Tim Burton, the glam of The Birthday Massacre or Marilyn Manson, with the music inspirations of Lacuna Coil, Evanescence, and Garbage. The childhood drawn in fantasy world.
Corpus Christi, guitars – composer
Nicho Brynin, bass
Nico Davel, drums
Unratedmagazine: How did the band come together?
Kristell : I met Bernard for a metal-opera project called The Road To Consciousness. Several singers were singing, including me. Apart of this, we decided to build a musical project of our own. At first we weren’t really sure what kind of music we wanted to do. We first try pop rock but our metal backgrounds were stronger than us !
How do you describe your music?
It’s gothic rock, with electro and new wave dark influences.
Your band comes from Brussels, Belgium. What is the music scene like in Belgium?
The pop rock scene is doing ok, but the metal-gothic scene is staying very alternative, never mainstream. We get more consideration out of our country !
How did you get your name for the band and what other names did you go through before getting the final name?
At first the band was named « Lovelorn ». I liked the sound, the word, and the melancholy out of it. When we signed to our label, Alfa Matrix told us there was another band called Lovelorn,so we had to modify it, so we added « dolls ».
Do you have any day gigs (jobs) ?
Yep, if you wanna eat, you have no choice as a musician on the alt scene ! I work part-time as a teacher.
Kristell what is Lady Hell?
It’s a surname I used wen we started the band.
Kristell what is Sin Sin?
SIN.SIN is my solo project. It’s electro oriented.
What was the release date of Sin Sin EP?
The album was released in late October.
You left Skeptical Minds in 2007 and join Lovelorn Dolls in 2010. What did you do in between the
Lovelorn Dolls : Ladyhell
two gigs?
I tried several musical projects : I sung for the symphonic metal band Valkyre, but I wasn’t convinced it was the right fit for me. Then I also tried a more pop rock project but wasn’t convinced either. You know, it takes time to find the right fit and the right people in music.
Kristell I see you are a visual artist also “Kristell in Wonderland”. Have you tried to upsale your art
work by going to the comic cons. ex. Wizard World? But you did win an award for your art work 2017 2d Public Prize (Biennale d’art spontané).
I once did a comic con, indeed, but I wasn’t convinced. I didn’t sell much that day. Maybe it was the wrong moment, the wrong place, the wrong audience target.
I have more pleasure in exhibitions, which are less sale oriented, but give more credit to my work. That’s how I won a prize last year, totally unexpected, I have to say.
And I see you do children photography. Do you have a lot of business?
I don’t run a business, I just use children as my main characters in my pieces of artwork. I really really like to photograph them, especially little girls. They carry a purity, a honesty in their look, that is priceless.
So your art work is photographic and digital compositions, mixing vintage, kitsch, religious iconography, modern symbols and fantastic. How do you see it developing in the future?
I will go on photographing children, but I would also like to work with adults, especially cosplayers, soi t will probably be the next step. I also have a shop on Society 6 where you can find my artwork in the shape of frames, notbooks, bags, …
You are distant cousin of the Bob Geldof. Any chance if they have another Live Aid your band can be invited?
I don’t have any personal interaction with Bob Geldof. I met him once in Belgium, it was fun.
Did you ever listen to The Boomtown Rats?
Yes and I saw Bob in concert !
Kristell, how do you see yourself as the front woman of a dark gothic pop rock?
I dont know, I never really think about that. I just try to work hard on the songs to make it the best possible, to be proud of myself and to make people happy.
For “Japanese Robot Invasion” why did you pick the cover art of the album is designed by Natalie Shau, who was famous for her artworks for Cradle of Filth?
It was pure coincidence. I was searching for an artwork that could fit exactly the spirit of this album, and I found that one but i had no idea who made it. After some research, I realized it was from Natalie Shau, and that she already made covers for Cradle of Filth. Luckily the design was still available and she gave her agreement to use it !
How did you get to play EUROROCK and FemME Festival?
FemME Fest
We were asked to play Eurorock, which was a kind of disaster festival. The main organiser let everyone (bands, crew) in the middle of the day and didn’t pay the bands. After that, we played at FemME, which was way better organised and it was very pleasant to play in front of such a supportive audience.
Do you have any license deal in the works?
No, only a record deal with Alfa Matrix for the moment.
What are your main inspirations, musically, otherwise where does you music come from?
We have many different influences : while Bernard is mostly listening to metal I have a 90s rock background (Smashing Pumpkins, Placebo, Garbage, …) and also influenced by all gothic rock bands (Lacuna Coil, Theatre of Tragedy, The Birthday Massacre, …).
Any music fest you would like to perform on?
Some fests in Germany, gothic oriented would be nice : Mera Luna for example.
If someone was listening to you for the first time, what 3 videos or songs would you tell them to look/listen to and why?
I would choose 3 songs that – for me – really define the band’s sound : Dead Sea, Purple, and Miss Friday Night.
How do you see your band in the next 5 years?
Lovelorn Dolls Live
It’s difficult to say, it also depends from the music industry, that is definitely not going ok… It depends of our health, motivation, money, … we’ll see how good is this new album acclaimed.
Any guilty pleasures your fans would be surprise you listen to?
Old Take That songs 😊)))
What is on your phone for music now?
You would be very surprised : there’s no music on my phone, I don’t listen to music on my phone, I’m an old soul 😉
Anything in closing you would like to say?
Thank you for this interview. The new album Darker Ages is out now, please have a listen and support independent artists by buying our CD !
Thank you for interviewing with UnratedMagazine.
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