Hot off the release of their brand new EP “Beautiful Chaos” (read our full review), we were given the absolute privilege of catching up with the creative duo behind Belgian gothic band Lovelorn Dolls to ask a few questions. Please enjoy our interview with Kristell Lowagie (Lyrics, Vocals, Arrangements) and Bernard Daubresse (Music, Programming, Guitars, Production).
Thank you for agreeing to this interview. It’s a pleasure to be speaking with you! For those who may not be familiar with Lovelorn Dolls, would you mind briefly introducing yourselves and describing the band’s music to our readers?
Kristell : Hi. Bernard is a writer/composer/guitarist, I’m a singer/songwriter/composer. The Lovelorn Dolls sound is gothic rock, enhanced with a visual worthy of a fantasy film.
You just released a new EP titled “Beautiful Chaos”, which we reviewed very positively on our website. How has the reception been elsewhere?
Kristell : As I speak to you, the EP has only been out for 24 hours, so it’s still difficult to analyze, but so far, the reactions have been very positive. As we were absent for 5 years, people are happy to see us again, and we are also happy to connect to our listeners again.
The new single on the EP was mixed by the female-fronted industrial metal duo Helalyn Flowers. Did you trust them to do a good job since they had already remixed Lovelorn Dolls songs in the past?
Kristell : Of course ! I have been a fan of Helalyn Flowers since their very beginnings. I didn’t know them personally and I was already listening to their songs. Then, Lovelorn Dolls had the honor of becoming their colleague by joining the same label, Alfa Matrix. We hired Maxx Maryan several times as our producer and it’s a match made in heaven.
While on the topic of remixes, we enjoyed the remixed versions of the new single. How does it feel to have your material re-envisioned by other artists? And do you have a favourite?
Bernard : I must say that it is an honor to have talented artists offer you a new view on your work. Regarding Beautiful Chaos I would say that the remix of Antidote for Annie is my favorite because it reuses guitars… and I love guitars above all else.
Kristell : My personal favorite is the one from AudioPyre, with its more industrial sound.
We also love the chibi artwork on the EP and the ‘cute but creepy’ vibe of the visuals which fit the music perfectly. This has been a common thread with many of your releases. Who is responsible for these illustrations, and the concepts behind them?
Kristell : I am responsible for it. These visuals are a mix of my love for Tim Burton, mangas, the surrealist lowbrow movement. Until 2017, I always called on other artists for our designs: Gogo Melone, Natalie Shau, to name a few. Then, I immersed myself in the visual arts (photography-graphic design) for several years, I learned lots of things and now I do everything myself. I also use AI to enhance creations.
I like a lot of different styles of music. I’m not limited to hard rock or metal.
Kristell Lowagie
In addition, you just brought out the music video for “Beautiful Chaos”. It looks as though you had some fun shooting it. Was this your first time acting and performing in front of a green screen?
Kristell : Yes. In fact, we used my photo studio to turn it into a video studio! And we took the opportunity to do everything ourselves! It was the first time we made a green screen video, we also did post production and editing. It was a great experience, and we’re going to do it again very soon!
Your last album was Darker Ages, which is notable for its more gothic style and for standing in contrast to much of your other work (both musically and visually). Can you perhaps explain this change in direction, and why your new material appears to be shifting away from this darker tone?
Bernard : Darker Ages was composed in two stages. In 2015 I wrote two pieces then health problems prevented me from continuing for almost two years after which writing the album was a kind of catharsis. It could only be dark. With the upcoming album we still remain on a dark side but the color has returned.
Speaking of new material, I hear there is a new album coming this year. Can you tell us much about it?
Kristell : The album is completely finished. There will be 12 titles, sad little girls, and unexpected guests. Be prepared to be very surprised. The sound is really good, our producer Maxx from Helalyn Flowers has outdone himself.
Bernard : What I can say about this album is that we tried to compose the best songs possible every time. So you have a sort of « all killer, no filler » album.
It seems like a while has passed since you performed on stage. Are you planning any upcoming tours?
Bernard : Unfortunately we do not have any concrete opportunities for concerts… yet! But of course we are very open for that.
The music of Lovelorn Dolls is often compared to the likes of Lacuna Coil, The Birthday Massacre, and Theatre of Tragedy. And deservedly so, as fans of any of those bands will undoubtedly love your music. But it seems there has been some difficulty in reaching that audience. Why do you think Lovelorn Dolls has had such challenges with exposure? Is it part of the reason why you changed your name at some point?
Bernard : We changed the name Lovelorn into Lovelorn Dolls only because there was already in italian band called Lovelorn. But it was a good idea anyway to add « dolls » because dolls are often present in our visuals. As for the challenges regarding the band’s visibility to potential fans, I don’t really know. I sometimes read comments from people who love it after listening… but who didn’t know the group before. I would prefer that we were a little better known and that people could choose to like us… or not, knowingly. That said, this interview will certainly help give us more exposure.
Kristell, you were the founding member of Skeptical Minds correct? Can you describe your time in that band, and why you decided to move onto different projects?
Kristell : Correct. I created Skeptical Minds with Vincent Lacrosse (who also left the project) in 2002. We immediately found a particular industrial electro sound. Michel came to add guitars. We lived some great years with incredible experiences for my part: holding your first album in your hands, delivering it to the world, receiving a wonderful welcome in return, going on unforgettable dates. When the main composer Vincent left, the musical tone changed and I no longer recognized myself in it. I also preferred to leave, in search of my next partner… Bernard!
It was simple between us. It was easy. No hassle. No need to speak to understand each other.
Kristell Lowagie
You have covered a diverse range of musical styles in your career, including singing for a symphonic metal band during your time with Valkyre. You are clearly very versatile with your ability. So what is it that draws you to gothic and electro-pop music in particular over all other styles?
Kristell : I like a lot of different styles of music. I’m not limited to hard rock or metal. My music library is very broad, ranging from trip hop, pop, new wave, and metal. I think that each person remains very closely attached to what they loved during their adolescence, and will unconsciously reproduce it. For me it’s Depeche Mode, Placebo, Garbage, The Smashing Pumpkins or Bat For Lashes.
One of your past projects was the rock-metal opera The Road to Consciousness, where you and your musical partner in Lovelorn Dolls originally met. What was it about that experience that made you both realise that you wanted to start your own band together?
Kristell : It was simple between us. It was easy. No hassle. No need to speak to understand each other. When we make a song, it’s a direct match. It can’t be explained, but it’s magical, and what’s more, we’re very good friends!! We have a lot of fun together!
You also branched out on your own and released a solo project called SIN SIN. How liberating was it to work independently? Can you see yourself doing something like that again?
Kristell : It was a project I had to do. I had these songs, and these songs needed to officially exist. It’s very rewarding to create everything from A to Z. Plus, you can really afford anything, there are no limits. At this point, I don’t know if I would do it again. But you should never say never…
You are affectionately known as Ladyhell in some circles. Should we be concerned?
Kristell (laughing) : This is the best question I’ve ever been asked. It’s a kind of joke we had at the beginning of Lovelorn Dolls. To call myself Ladyhell, and Bernard, for his part, Corpus Christi. But today, we feel much better (laughing) and you can simply call us Kristell and Bernard.
Would you be interested in having a profile page on our website?
Kristell : My pleasure !
Thanks so much again for your time. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Bernard : Thank you for having us.
We are really looking forward to share more music with you.
