Marta Gabriel is the singer of Polish Heavy Metal band Crystal Viper.
Marta Gabriel Interview
1. What’s new in the life of Marta Gabriel?
Marta: A lot of great things happened lately, we just released new, fifth studio album with Crystal Viper, it’s titled “Possession”. I also became live guitarist in Jack Starr’s Burning Starr, and created my own clothing line, Thunderball Clothing.
2. How was it recording the Crystal Viper Possession album?
Marta: We recorded our new album in the MP Studio here in Poland, it’s the same studio we used for our previous three albums and other projects, and with the same producer, who is also my husband: as they say, you are not changing winning team, right? Recording itself was the same as always: when we enter the studio we already know what we want to record, what kind of sound we want to achieve, everyone is prepared perfectly. We always spend more time on a pre-production process, than on recording itself.
3. Any tours for 2014 with Crystal Viper?
Marta: We would like to tour with Crystal Viper in as many countries as possible, I already know that we will visit Spain, Cyprus and Portugal, I think we will also play in Belgium and Greece. This is awesome, I can’t wait, we were born to play live, stage is our home!
4. What equipment are you currently endorsing, etc.
Marta: We are endorsed by DL David Laboga, we use their guitar cabinets and cables. Truly amazing gear, check them out! I also use Dean and Schecter guitars, sadly I’m not endorsed by any of these companies.
5. What would be some of the craziest stuff you’ve seen on tour?
Marta: Maybe it’s not crazy, but it was amazing to meet our fan, who tattooed Crystal Viper logo on his arm, it was incredible!
6. What were your earliest influences in life?
Marta: To answer this question, we must go back to my early childhood, as when I was 6 years old, I saw a symphonic orchestra in TV, and I told my parents I want to be a musician. Next year they sent me to music school to piano class. So I can say that my very first influence was classical music, and later Mike Oldfield’s music, as my father loved to listen to his albums. As I remember, I even used to play his songs on my piano. My parents also had some Queen and Europe vinyls, I also remember I loved Shakin’ Stevens’ songs! Huh, memories…!
7. What would be some of your main influences today?
Marta: I listen to a lot of classic music – Mozart, Strauss, Wagner, Chopin, Paganini and so on. I like movie scores, I love – as I’ve just mentioned – Mike Oldfield who always had huge influence on me, and of course I listen to a lot of Metal, from hard rock bands such as Scorpions, through classic Metal such as Judas Priest, Black Sabbath or Iron Maiden, the whole NWoBHM, lot of US Metal bands such as Virgin Steele, Manilla Road or Omen, up to Black and Death Metal, where I would list bands such as Dissection, Vader, Nifelheim, Destroyer 666, Cannibal Corpse, Immortal or Watain as my favorite ones!
8. What could we find interesting in your music collection at home?
Marta: I think that lot of people would be really surprised after seeing my CD collection. You will find there Elvis Presley albums, Buddy Holly, Nightwish, Within Temptation, Epica, Sarah Brightman, Blackmore’s Night, lot of classic musicals such as “Hair”, “Fiddler On The Roof” or “Chicago”, few operas and albums with classical music, few blues albums… And of course a lot of Metal, starting from obscure, underground releases, up to major and well known albums.
9. Could you describe what goes on in a day in your life as a musician on tour?
Marta: When we play the concert in the evening or during the night, I try to sleep as long as possible during the day. Later everything goes so fast that it’s hard to tell what’s going on. Usually I simply prepare myself to go on stage: putting new strings to my guitar, tuning the guitar, warming up and so on.
10. Where do you see music going in 100 years from now?
Marta: I think that musicians will play live shows in empty halls, and audiences will be wearing special glasses and headphones and will be “watching” the show from their homes. I also think that there won’t be CDs and vinyls at all. Or, one band will perfom in 10 cities same time, thanks to holograms? I can’t imagine something like this right now, and I hope it will never happen, as it would kill the music….!
Extra questions with Crystal Viper’s Martha Gabriel
Life without music would be – sad.
Favorite movie – “The Last Of The Mohicans”. But if you will ask me in one hour, the answer probably will be different.
Favorite sport – I don’t watch sport, but I like to swim.
Favorite food – Seafood.
Favorite drink – Milk, tea, and Jack Daniel’s.
Favorite saying – Evil always returns.
Favorite car – Jeep.
Favorite book – “The Godfather”.
Favorite band – Impossible to name only one, there’s too many of them.
CD or Vinyl – CD, it’s easier to take it when I’m going out.
Star Wars or Star Trek – “Star Wars” of course!
PC or Mac – I just decided to buy MAC, so we’ll see!