Interview with The Siren from Illusions of Grandeur

November 08, 2020

Interview with The Siren from Illusions of Grandeur

By Mick Michaels

The Cosmick View: Hello and welcome to The Cosmick View! Thanks for taking some time to chat with us!

CV: What led the band to decide to include makeup as part of their stage persona? Was it more than just a way to stand out?
The Siren: We decided to wear our war paint for a few reasons. Yes, it’s a great way to stand out, but also a great way to be immediately identified as a unit. When you see us, you know we’re a band, and you know we’re Illusions of Grandeur.

It also goes with the theme of our band. Pulling from the Vikings and Native American war paint styles, I came up with the look for the Siren.

CV: How is Illusions of Grandeur different from similar type acts, such as Alice Cooper, Kiss, Motley Crue and King Diamond that used theatrics and makeup as part of their artist persona and fan appeal?

The Siren: Illusions of Grandeur is a lifestyle brand. We created a story and concept style trilogy album. We’re theatrical hard rock/melodic metal and incorporate different musical ideas to reach a range of listeners. I come from a theater background and wanted to give fans a complete show. Fans can also follow us on Facebook and YouTube to learn more about the story. The band goes further than live shows and albums. We created a mash up world of Greek and Norse mythology, Vikings and personal experiences to take fans on a journey.

CV: How does Illusions of Grandeur separate themselves from being just another musical act?
The Siren: Illusions of Grandeur works really hard on all facets of our band, and don’t let anything stop us. We’re not just jamming and writing songs. We handle our band like a business, set goals, and are constantly working on the next thing. We promote, promote, promote and take advantage of the opportunities that come our way.

CV: Do you feel the band's music would have the same impact as it does now with fans if the makeup and theatrics were not present?

The Siren: It depends. One doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the other in the case where the listener hasn’t seen us.

CV: Does being considered cutting-edge mean strictly pushing the artistic envelope in sight and sound or is it something else…something much deeper for a band?

The Siren: A band can be cutting edge for many reasons, but pushing the envelope is definitely a part of it. It depends on the band.

CV: Does a band having success early on in their career diminish the excitement and fulfillment of future accomplishments or possibly even create an assumed level of expectation with regards to future successes? Does there need to be a certain level of struggle, regardless of a band’s level of popularity, for appreciation?
The Siren: No, not in my opinion. This is not an easy career path, at least in my experience. There are many ups and downs, success and failures. We’ve had a lot of success and have come far in a short amount of time, but we still have a long way to go. Just like anything you’re trying to succeed at, consistency is key. I’m sure there are bands that have more advantages based on things like location and money, but it’s still not easy to break through. It is always exciting to have success, but to assume it is going to last forever is foolish. I think all bands struggle. Everyone’s favorite band was a local band once, right? There are many challenges that bands have to overcome right down to staying together. I don’t know how you could lose your appreciation in this business. And how about all of our fans! I know we couldn’t be more appreciative of all of them. So even if for some reason you stopped appreciating all of your success, in my opinion, you never stop appreciating your fans. They are a huge part of the reason why bands rise to the top.

CV: What are your thoughts on artists using pre-recorded material and backing tracks? Does it diminish the band's abilities and mislead audience's expectations in any way as some critics have stated?

The Siren: I personally think it depends on how much it is used. If all the vocals and all the guitars, bass, drums, and whatever is recorded, eeehhhhh yeah, that diminishes it for me. However if backing tracks are used to create more of what you hear on an album, like an overlapping vocal or keyboards/synth I don’t think that’s a bad thing, but it can definitely be overused.

CV: In your opinion, can a band have a sustainable career just following musical trends or even being a copycat artist?

The Siren: It depends. There are levels of success and sustainability; it just depends on what you want. If you’re going for a local cover band success, yeah you can definitely follow a gimmick or copycat a band, but if you’re trying to really stand out and be an original band, I don’t personally think copycatting or just following trends is a good way to sustain.

CV: With over 25,000 new songs releasing daily, does a band need a gimmick to get an audience’s attention and have their music heard?
The Siren: I think a band needs to have all of their stuff together. Stage show, being well rehearsed and tight, interacting with fans, making great albums and being consistent, promoting as much as possible on all platforms and keeping your band relevant. Having a gimmick can be helpful, but if a band is sloppy and disappears off the radar and doesn’t interact with their fans, they’re not going to thrive.

CV: Do you feel a band today could survive without employing social media? Is it really that valuable to success? Is it possible for a band to have an audience without Facebook?
The Siren: Maybe a band that has been around for years could go without being on Facebook, but not if you’re an unknown. Social media has become a massive platform for bands to reach their audiences. Fans expect to be able to go online and look up their favorite bands. If you went on social media and couldn’t find any information on a band that you like, you may be more inclined to stop listening to or overlook the band.

CV: Follow the new single “Crossing Over,” what can fans expect to see from Illusions of Grandeur in 2021?

The Siren: As long as the world allows, fans can expect to see Illusions of Grandeur touring overseas and in the United States. Fans can be on the lookout for the second album in the Siren Saga, the Siren, in early 2021. We’re working in the studio and on music videos right now. Look for our next single and video in December of 2020.

CV: Thanks again for taking some time and talking. It is greatly appreciated.

Check out Illusions of Grandeur at:
Official: https://www.iogmusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iogmusic/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/IllusionsofGrandeurTV
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iogband
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/IllusionsOG/
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/illusions-of-grandeur/347575177
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5iIKuYKBnObOoKBIV78p0H?si=PpVQJs5KTaCPckiM02mDgA
Booking agency: http://killsoundprods.com/

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.