INTERVIEW WITH LOFTPEOPLE

1. Name of Band? (Include all band members names and instruments played.)

LOFTPEOPLE
Victoria- Frederika Slusar: Vocals, vocal melodies and Lyrics
Joris Van Daele: everything

2. What inspired you to start making music?

I wanted to challenge myself to make music that includes vocals. Before, for a long
time I only made instrumental songs. And Victoria was just too jealous to have me
audition other female singers.

3. What is the most challenging aspect of being in a band?

Dealing with Victoria’s emotional breakdowns. Beginnings are always hard.

4. Who would you most like to collaborate with?

Anybody who can deal with Victoria’s breakdowns and Joris his know-it-all attitude.

5. What is one message you would give to your fans?

Fans? Oh, you mean our moms; that would be “enjoy the fruits of your labor.”

6. What is the most useless talent your band mates have?

Hmm… Seems like we’re all pretty usefully talented.

7. If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

Changing the music industry would involve changing a lot of society. Let’s not get
political.

8. Whoare your biggest musical influences?

Joris: pretty much all music starting from the ’60s to early ’00s.

9. How do you think the music industry has changed since you started out?

We started last year. But we are 100% independent. The downside? No one knows
about us and probably never will. The upside? We have all the creative freedom, and
we really appreciate that.

10. What does your typical day/week look like?

It’s not really typical. Victoria is working on a second degree, so she’s off school now.

Joris teaches guitar. We spend a lot of time in the house (just moved) working on our
own personal projects, we go to the gym, do other regular household stuff, balance
that out with patches of time spent on our own. Other than that, just two introverts
living quietly on their island. No rock star stories here!

11. How do you think about live performances?

Did I mention we are introverts?

12. How do you approach songwriting?

Joris tries to lure Victoria in for a brainstorming session. Once she gets excited, it’s
full force ahead.

13. Have you ever dealt with performance anxiety?

Yes. We live in an apartment. We do try to consider our neighbors.

14. Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite
venues?

We haven’t performed live (yet)… Except when we are filming our music videos, then
the whole world is invited.

15. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received as a musician?

Did I mention we are introverts? You need to socialize long enough with people to get
any advice.

16. What are your goals for the band in the next year?
Weare just focusing on each song as life allows it to evolve. We’re letting it grow
organically.

17. If you could go open a show for any artist, who would it be?

Once we finish the album, maybe it will become apparent then.

18. How did you get started in music?

Two teenagers picked up a guitar. One of them also wrote lyrics and wanted to get a
band together. And then suddenly, in no time, 21 years later we have a song.

19. What has been the most challenging moment of your career so far?

Joris: getting the mix right. Having to do it all yourself is a lot of work, especially
when you’re not in a professional setting. Learning on the go, discovering new things,
accepting the mistakes in the process.

20. What has been your most memorable performance?

All performances so far have only happened while recording at home.

21. How do you handle stage fright or performance anxiety?

Victoria: I did a handful of small gigs when I was young. I don’t really remember any
anxiety. It felt so cool to be on stage that any nerves just shifted straight into
excitement.
Joris: I try to focus on the song to play.

22. Do you have any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re excited about?

Weave some ideas for a bunch of new songs. We’re looking forward to discovering
what they’ll become.

23. How has your music evolved over the years?

Joris: the switch I made from writing instrumental music to all-round songwriting and
lyrics.
Victoria: we’re learning to cooperate better. You kind of have to develop a new
mutual creative language, that takes time.

24. How do you see the music industry changing in the next few years?

It’ll become worse before it becomes better. We are hopeful.

25. Why did you pick your band name? How did you form? Why did you decide
to play the genre or genres you do?

Awhile back, due to peculiar circumstances, for three days only, it seemed like we
would be able to buy a house. We were house-shopping and we saw this beautiful loft.
Wefell right in love. We really saw ourselves living there; we felt like we were the
kind of people who would enjoy living in a loft. In the end, things changed, and we
are still renting. But in our hearts, we are loft-people. When it was time to pick a band
name, we thought of that term and it sounded quirky, so we used it.
The genre? We believe the music picks you, rather than the other way around. Go
with your gut.

26. What has been your most memorable performance?

(See answer to question 20.)

27. What was the first album you ever bought, and how did it impact you?
Joris: For me it was a nu metal compilation CD with a cheesy name What’s Nu?

(2001); those melodies resonated with me.
Victoria: Evanescence’s Fallen (2003). I was a shy gothic teen and Amy Lee was
perfection personified in every way.

28. Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?

Lyrics evolve naturally and spontaneously. It starts out a little like automatic writing.
At one point you realize you’re actually trying to say something deeper. Once we
know that core, we stylize the lyrics around it.

29. Do you have a band website? Why or why not? Do you have a Facebook or
Twitter? Do you use Bandcamp, Spotify or SoundCloud to share your music?

A website? If those are still relevant, I guess we should get on it…
Facebook Loftpeople:  CLICK HERE
Facebook Joris instrumental album: CLICK HERE
Spotify: CLICK HERE

30. Anything you would like share, from new merch to upcoming shows/tours or
songs/albums?

Just thank you for giving us your attention, we appreciate it. While our own local
radios ignored us completely, you guys, all the way over there, were so kind to show
some interest. You are very kind, thank you!

31. Do you have any upcoming shows?

No shows, just working on our next single.