We caught up with classical composer vaghy and interdisciplinary artist Ohnody, who released their collaborative single ‘When The Night Falls’ alongside a striking music video on 11 October via Théque Records. The video and single premiered on prominent publication METAL Magazine. In the interview, we chat to both artists about their experience collaborating with one another, how they manage to stay focused in the music industry and the inspiration behind the single.
Watch ‘When The Night Falls’ below:
1. Tell us about you, how long have you been making music? What inspired you to start?
VAGHY
My first experience was my father’s record collection, which drew my attention to the existence of classical and light music. Then I got a huge grand piano that we grew up with. It took up half of my room, but my relationship with the instrument was sealed forever. In addition to the piano, I tried and learned many instruments, but one instrument remained that eluded me for a long time, the flute. I met him for the first time at a Jethro Tull concert, he completely mesmerized me. From there, it was only a jump to the world of synthesizers, which has kept me under its spell to this day.
2. The music industry is super competitive these days, was there a moment in your life that you wanted to give up on music? How did you manage to stay focused and achieve what you want?
OHNODY
I focus on the love that I have for music as an artform. Every song I write is a piece of me. They are like horcruxes. So, I monitor how I feel about the songs that I write. If and when I feel completely calm when listening to myself, I know that I have achieved the quality I stand for.
VAGHY
I’ve been aware of how the music industry works since I was young, so I’ve spent a lot of energy to ensure that my connection to music always remains art-based and doesn’t turn into an existential matter. It is not true that in such a construction there is nothing left but the misunderstood fate of the artist and starvation. It is indeed possible to find your way with minimal compromises so that you can be successful and self-identified.
3. How would you describe your creative processes? Who writes the lyrics to the songs? Are the music and lyrics written in conjunction, or separately?
OHNODY
When The Night Falls is a feature song. This is the first time we worked together. I wrote the vocal melody and the lyrics. I imagined a sleepy, foggy meadow when I heard the piano then I started to sing. This is the first song where I just improvised the words. English is not my first language, so it could have gone terribly wrong. I’m happy it didn’t. I love the symbolism of the lyrics. It was liberating to create this way.
VAGHY
Working together with Dóri was a completely new and unknown path for me. So far, I have only created and written my songs alone. I was a little afraid of what the joint work would be like, but it was a great feeling to create together with such a wonderful person. Neither of us wanted to dominate the space and overpower the other, I simply swam in Dóri’s creativity. Fantastic artist. It was very exciting to create together.
4. Where did the inspiration come from?
VAGHY
Dóri can say the most about the lyrics, I can only say about the musical part that I was sure that I imagined a very delicate and minimalistic arrangement next to a repetitive piano theme. As for the final mix, many versions were made by the time we got to the mixing-mastering process. The final result was produced by Stamusic Studio, the final result was a very delicious and exciting mix.
OHNODY
From the ether.
5. What’s next for you?
OHNODY
I’m working on multiple songs, so hopefully, I will be able to finish and release them all by next spring.
VAGHY
I can tell you that a lot of material was made this year and not all of them are the solo piano material that I am used to. I am preparing very exciting new works, which I have not yet agreed with my label Theque Records. But they will like it too, I’m sure :)