Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland has been created in 2005 by Alisa Shakor (vocal and guitar) and Julia Levera (drums). Initially the structure was intended to be female. The band developed, experimented. For better realization of my ideas I really needed a second guitar. As a result of searches of the second guitarist the concept of exclusively female band has been destroyed. Alisa answers some questions to subexistance.

Tell us a bit about the genesis of the band. Had any of you previous experience in playing with any other acts before this?
I created a band when I was 16 years old. Before that I sang in some bands, but it was all just a passing fancy.It was important for me to play my own music, not because of selfishness, I just wanted to sing what I really feel, and play what I really worry about or actually experienced. And I did it. It was too difficult, because I had a little fad – NO male in my band. But due to the fact that all my efforts to find some good musicians were in vain, I quickly said goodbye to my fad.I met  talented and wonderful musicians, two brothers Pavel (guitar), Sergey (bass) and Julia (keyboards). The guys have not played with anyone else before AiW and do not play till now.Sometimes some of us help other bands with concerts, recording, or something else. But seriously engaging by another band is considered to be treason for all of us.
You had a lot of line up changes all these years. Why? Which is the current line up?
It’s very difficult to find people who think the way you do, people who have similar aims… serious aims… people who are not afraid to work, work on their mistakes, to feel the heartbeat of the band.People who have come and gone didn’t know what they want or didn’t met our requirements.Now the line up is perfect for our music: two guitars, bass, drums (Max Nazarets), vocals , keyboards and viola (Anna Polozova).
Your music has a very diverse sound. To people who may not have heard of Alice in Wonderland, how would you describe your sound to them?
Gothic metal with elements of doom, decorated with a symphonic wrap and multifaceted semantic filling. It’s a combination of beauty and cruelty, heavenly and ordinary, fairy tales and realities.
How difficult is for you to play guitar and sing? Do you do anything special to keep your voice in shape?
In fact, this question is not entirely actual now because we have a second guitarist. Why we decided to do so? Despite the fact that I am far from being weak person - I confess it’s really hard to combine playing and singing at the stage where I have to do my best. I could continue to do it now, but what for? We have an excellent guitarist Sergey, who does his job really good. My ambitions to play guitar in the band left in a deep childhood. I play guitar at home, write music, and I can go on stage with my guitar any time. It’s enough for me.
When do we have a debut album of the band? Are you working on it?
Oh, it's a kinda thorny subject for us. We started recording the album 2 years ago. We were not in a good situation and still we are. I do not want to go into details, but I guess it was the wrong time, and the wrong place. Though the work is still going on in the post-production phase now we accept the fact that things didn’t go the way we wanted.At the same time we are working with the new themes. We don’t deny our previous creations. We are waiting for the album, and I think everyone will be able to hear it very soon.
Has the band had any opportunities to do any live shows?
We played many gigs, and we have such an opportunity.But the point is what the organization level of such concerts, festivals and so on. I don’t like bad sound and poor backline on stage. Nobody likes. But there is no alternative at the moment. No one really cares about Ukrainian metal scene.
Which are the main themes of your songs? Who writes your lyrics?
I write lyrics for AiW.
As to the themes, they are very different. I seldom write about certain things, such as tragedies, war or social themes. Much more often I write in the abstract way. I write about the things that I've experienced, or care about, such as philosophical questions about life and death , love and hatred, about the TIME. I touch topics of human merits or demerits. I write about feelings.
What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and what are you listening to nowadays?
I used to think that we do not sound like anyone else. We don’t try to be like someone consciously. We let the music play itself and that’s all.But now our new songs are more symphonic since we began to use more orchestrations in our music. I guess it’s really influenced by Hans Zimmer, Klaus Badelt, Horner etc. Our guitarist Pavel has been writing soundtrack music for a long time. He is great at this. And we decided that it would be nice to decorate our sound exactly with the orchestrations, to emphasize the height, sensual, melancholic, or even pathos, moodiness and majesty.As to the styles or bands we listen they’re really different, it ranging from folk to sympho black.Each of us has very individual choice of musical preferences.
What are some of your interests outside of music?
What about me I enjoy photography. Actually our main hobby is spending our time with whole band and travelling together.
What is music for you? Does it bring you some new emotions or it helps you to get rid of some negative emotions?
Music is a world without rules, boundaries and stereotypes. Music is an expression and an opportunity to create something beautiful. Music is a story from the first note to the last. This is not just about the sound, it’s much more… it’s the generator of emotions, impulses, perceptions of things in different ways.We dissolve into the music forgetting who we are and trying to change the world, at least until our souls are singing.Music gives us the opportunity to talk, share and learn. Music is an art, the ability to turn our thoughts, feelings and ideas into sounds.
What does the future hold for your band?
We have an aim and a dream. For us the fame is not important. The main thing for us is to be HEARD. We have huge plans and we will work hard, and surely we will meet success.Our aim now is to make a video, rotations, more concerts and self-development. In the future we will record more than one album that will hit the entire metal world!
A message to all the people who support you?
Thanks for everyone. You are our inspiration and desire to create. We love you!
Thank you very much Alisa all the best to your band
Kostas Sotiriou