Hardrock Haven: First off, thanks for taking the time to talk with Hardrock Haven. Godyva is a fairly new band and just released your second album, called In Good and Evil. Why don't you introduce the band members and tell us a little about the Godyva sound?

Lady Godyva: Oh, I thank all of you for this interview! Yes, our second release, this one with Sorcery Studios and the Razar Ice Records. Someone says that we are a lucky band because, after just one demo album, our debut album is already under a label. But on In Good and Evil, we said to each other that we will continue to follow our star and maybe it is this star that gives us fortune! Speaking about guys it's hard; they are so different and sometime I ask to myself who was that horrible God who wanted us united! Heheheh! I'm the first founding member and after a few months my arriving here in Bari I met Nick. He was busy in that period as musician, but anyway he found the time for my project and he was very nice. He brought me Frahn and Enyo and so we started to practice and to compose our first songs. Nick is a Don Giovanni: he loves sexy women and he spends the time to look himself in the mirror asking "Mirror, Mirror etc." Hahaha! Frahn is like a brother for me, we are in confidence, he has a big heart and he is bound at his mother as just few men still do now. Enyo is the older man of the band and his different, nu-metal way to play drum makes our sound more particular (he is a dark/rock drummer).Botys is our precious pearl; his music is structured around good and bad feelings and he is able to give life to a simple part of a song. He arrived as the last one, but from him started our modern sound! I can say our sound is mystic and intimate as I like to call our kind of music. We need to move within ourselves and to try to give our inner sensations to the people and I really hope some songs like "Broken Angel" or "Dreams of a Child" could arrive to minds and shake hearts! We are searching for a unique sound! Give us time! ;)

HRH: Why did you choose the name Godyva?

Godyva: I think it was a decision from many years ago. When I was a teenager in love with the erotic art and the art of the nude body. I remember that my favorite subjects to draw and paint were naked women with long air, someone damned, someone beautiful like an angel. Lady Godyva is a naked woman with her horse, with a strong courage and her beauty and this name was perfect for me and for a band. I wished to be beautiful and courageous like a heroin. So I called my dream to have a band Godyva! Now the band is here!

HRH: Is it fair to say that the Godyva sound is somewhat similar to bands like Evanescence and Lacuna Coil?

Godyva: I think that people have the power! I say this because many reviews and other persons speak about our similarities with Lacuna and Evanescence. I'm glad for this but we are sure our sound is different. First off, for the voice. (Yes, I'm a woman, I know, but I don't like to sing every song with the same interpretation). And then, for the way of composing music. Every musician has a personal way to play and compose music, no one artist feel the need to live and create simulating others. The artist feels only the need to live a unique life and to create a unique opera!

HRH: You are the main lyricist for the band, and it is obvious you put a lot of thought into the words you sing. How does the songwriting process work within the band?

Godyva: It is very simple! When some parts of music are ready, I start to listen to and try to understand the feelings music can give me and I think about a word and then another word and after some words become a phrase. And when I'm alone in my room I write lyrics with a little bit of imagination! But I like to write very often and I have many written sheets already on my desk and I'm just waiting to give them a melody!

HRH: I think your lyrics can stand alone, as poetry, without the audio accompaniment. Is that something you are striving for or is it just my take on it?

Godyva: Thank you very much! This is a great compliment for me. No, I don't strive for this. I like to read poetry and romances and I try to learn from them. I liked Gibran, Blake, Hoffmann, Shakespeare and many others. These was my favorite books when I was a little girl. Now I like so much reading thriller and fantasy stories; no poetry in this period of my life!

HRH: Your new CD was just released in June. What has feedback from the press been like?

Godyva: Yes, the 666 (June 6, 2006) was the date and reviews we have read about this album are very good. We are very proud and we hope magazines could continue to give us support.

HRH: Have you had a chance to tour for the new CD yet?

Godyva: No, unfortunately for the summer the bills of festivals was already busy in June when IN GOOD AND EVIL came out! We are working on a winter tour. We will let you know!

HRH: You shot a video for the title track, In Good and Evil. Tell us about the video.

Godyva: It was a funny experience making our first video and we will love it forever as a first love! We know our efforts to do it and the work of our friend Gianni of Jolly Roger Studios was been great! Gianni told us about his screenplay for the video of In Good and Evil and we thought his idea fit very well with the song. He felt the need to speak about the band in this video, between dream and reality, trying to tell to people dreams can become reality sometimes. He was very proud for our contract with the label and he liked our music, and so he said he just wanted make an impression speaking about us, no fantasy story, no theater play.

HRH: Has the video seen any airplay on MTV or The Headbanger's Ball yet?

Godvya: Not yet, but we can say we will see our video on MTV channels very soon. It's just a question of a few times! It was played on UMTV, UVTV, ROCK TV and MUSIC MATCH.

HRH: Why do you think that female-fronted metal bands are finding more success today than ever before?

Godyva: I could say maybe every kind of music was made already; in fact, today many bands are in difficulty because they are trying to find a personal sound and an identified image in the big world of the music. I think every female voice is unique; it is pure harmony and the soprano voice is the better natural melody a human being can produce. I adore Maria Callas, her voice is really unique, she was a musical instrument!
Many metal bands are represented by women today, beautiful and talented women and I'm very proud that women have found a hard way to say our own thoughts. Today we (women) are stronger than the past and I think we can tell more to the people now, with the voice and with the body. It's obvious that in this business world where image is the foundation to sell a product I cannot say that just the voice is important, eyes need to see the beautiful things of the life. People like a female leader that is able to lead masses with her strength, with her passion, with her beauty, with her voice. Almost like a goddess! I like this!

HRH: On the CD liner, the last sentence is a dedication, and it reads, "This album is dedicated to all those poor old unbelievers!" Is there a story behind that, and can you share it with us?

Godyva: Sure, I can. You might not know we have played with other persons before this line up, and they never believed in us and in the band, but anyway we felt the need to go on to can become a big band one day. They didn't believe in what they did! And people of the other local bands said to us, "We are in the south of Italy, no label will see us, never!" So this album is dedicated to all of them. A suggestion: Believe in yourself! One day you'll see!

HRH: Is there anything I left out that you'd like to leave with our Hardrock Haven faithful?

Godyva: In Italy, there's a TV show called "Mezzanotte e Dintorni," translated "Midnight and Neighbourhood." The last question of the interview in this show is always the same: "Ask yourself a question and give to yourself a reply." It's a rite! I asked myself: "What is it planned for the future?" The future of everyone is an authentic mystery, but we can say we are growing up with our label, who has given much help and support to us. I believe we have a destiny and I hope many bigger and better things could happen for all of us in the near future. We are working on being a good band, as persons and as musicians. We need your faith, if you like our music (I hope so), and we promise to you we will give you the best we can, with In Good and Evil. I'm glad for this interview; thank you again! See you here the next time. Bye!

www.godyva.it

www.razaricerecords.com