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Lucia

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"I'm just an ordinary girl," sings Lucia in a track from her first solo release, "From The Land Of Volcanos."

A peek into her life will show you that the vocalist is anything but, however, having proven herself capable of the extraordinary time and time again as she has faced countless challenges in her personal and professional life. Currently on the road with KMFDM, Lucia speaks with Rock Star Journalism about beating the odds and finding her own path in an industry that has never made this easy.


Rock Star Journalism: On the current tour, you did some shows in Canada, which KMFDM hasn't toured in seven years. What were those shows like?

Lucia: Insane. Absolutely insane. I mean, every show, with the exception of maybe one, was sold out. Every show was very punk rock; the kids were completely out of their minds dancing and moshing and just having a great time. The last show in Halifax -- the big send off -- was phenomenal; it was just a great turnout, lots of support.

RSJ: You recently completed a solo tour in Germany opening for Robin Gibb. How did this come about?

Lucia: A friend of mine introduced me to somebody over there via e-mail and he ended up inviting me. It was just a disaster. It was a really bad move for me to make; I shouldn't have done it. I was hoping that I was going to be able to leverage my album with the tour and maybe get it released over there, and it was just a big mess. I wasn't the right opening act no matter how much I toned myself down; I wasn't "white bread" enough. I was just too sexy, too edgy. It got to the point they were even contemplating putting me in a chair; they said I moved around too much. So, it was one of those mistakes I made this year that I wish I didn't, but I learned something from it. I learned a lot about myself and tolerance. I learned that I can tolerate a lot (laughs).

RSJ: Was it difficult being thrown in with a group of new people? Obviously, you've known the KMFDM guys for quite some time.

Lucia: Yeah, but everybody was really sweet to me, with the exception of this one man who invited me. He really was horrible. But everybody else was aware of this, so they rallied around me. They're the reason I didn't quit -- I didn't want to let them down.

RSJ: Would you ever want to open for KMFDM, the way Raymond [Watts] did with Pig?

Lucia: In my mind, at this time, I would have to say no. In the future, who knows where my head will be at, and if it was possible maybe I would consider it. But I'm so invested in KMFDM that to be an opening act and then to jump into KMFDM, it doesn't seem like a good idea to me. And though it was a good idea to Raymond, I just think it confuses people too much, and it would tax me way too much. I really expend a lot of energy during my show, and it would just be too draining.

RSJ: Do you want to tour on your own in some capacity?

Lucia: I really would like to, but I don't see that happening this year. As soon as we get off this tour, we're gonna go to Australia. In all honesty, I feel like I've given my album the best chance that it can have. It's not on a major label, but I was able to put it out. I got it back from Universal [after being dropped from the label], and I was able to put it out on my own and then I did a partnership deal with a local indie label in Seattle, and we've pretty much taken it as far as it can go. I mean, there's no radio for it, there's no budget for touring. Without the support of radio I don't have enough of an underground following yet. I was in Drill, I was in MDFMK, I'm with KMFDM -- I'm sure I could get people out to come to the shows -- but I just don't feel like it's ripe enough. I need to make another record. I think on the next record I'm gonna focus more on the touring.

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RSJ: So, The Control Group is the indie you got hooked up with?

Lucia: Yeah.

RSJ: Why did you choose to go with another indie, instead of distributing it through KMFDM Records?

Lucia: KMFDM Records wasn't set up yet --

RSJ: I know, at the time, there was the whole mess with the Watts release that was supposed to be on the label.

Lucia: That was terrible. Raymond made a big mistake, and I don't feel badly saying that cause I think even he realizes that now. But at the same time, everything happens for a reason. The distribution system wasn't set up perfectly. There would have been a fire under everybody's butts had Raymond's record come out on that label, but the ink hadn't hit the paper yet for the distributors and everything, so it wasn't the right timing for me to [release my record via KMFDM Records]. I went with The Control Group because they had everything in place. And I could just easily step right into it and everything was moving. There weren't any obstacles; as soon as I gave it to them it went into production.

RSJ: You mentioned that you are thinking about another solo album. Do you have new material ready?

Lucia: I have two songs written so far, and I'm hoping we can coordinate working on my stuff when we're working on the next KMFDM record. I'm definitely gonna work with the boys a lot more on my new stuff and I'm looking for outside collaborators. So, I'll probably try something I've never done before and post something on my website like, "send tracks, will consider." I really want to tap into uncharted territory with this. I don't want to work with the same people I worked with on the last record. I want to do a different record all together; I want it to be much more dark, not in the way that KMFDM is, but just kinda creepy. I had an opportunity to make a very mainstream record due to my situation at the time with Universal, so I subdued myself and explored areas that I hadn't before and the result was "From The Land Of Volcanos." I'm very proud of it, but I don't want to repeat myself. Right now everything seems kind of mysterious and dark and introspective. So, it'll be a little bit different and hopefully I'll give some new people an opportunity to showcase their talent.
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RSJ: When you find yourself writing now, do you tend to write more songs that you would consider appropriate for KMFDM or things that you would use for your solo work?

Lucia: It really depends on the material. When Sascha gives me a track, I listen to that track and there is no question who else it would be for. When they write for me, it's very different and you can tell it was with me in mind. So, KMFDM stuff is very identifiable and I can't really go anywhere else with it but in a KMFDM direction.

RSJ: How do you feel about the label situation with KMFDM right now, since you guys are no longer with Sanctuary?

Lucia: Well, there's another label that has come to the table, actually a label that we have worked with before. And they've made an offer that's impossible to refuse. The deal hasn't been signed, and there's always that chance that it could fall through, but I think we're gonna wait and see how this all pans out. So, we're gonna put the KMFDM Records thing on hold and consider this.

RSJ: It seems like every band we've talked to recently is having problems with getting a record label right now. What do you think artists working outside the mainstream need to do in order to be heard?

Lucia: I think they need to build their own websites. I think they need to get out on tour however they can, intiate street teams, really grassroots is the best way to do it. You can't really expect to win the lottery. I mean, we all buy our dollar ticket hoping that we're gonna win, but the reality is only one person wins at a time. And this is a very cutthroat business that doesn't have to do with talent, necessarily. Sometimes it's just being in the right place at the right time with the right circumstances. If you're really a true artist you have to do the work. And the work towards credibility is building a solid foundation, a base of fans.

RSJ: Is music the only art form that interests you -- did you ever have any interest in visual art or anything like that?

Lucia: I love visual art; I love taking pictures and I love videos, making home movies. But I don't really have much time; I guess I'm not a multitask person. I really focus on one thing at a time, and music has been my love so I've focused on that.

RSJ: What about acting? I ask because there was an internet rumor that you were thinking of taking a role in an indie film.

Lucia: Yeah, that's something I talked about with the director, and if the planets align and it works out it's definitely something I would love to explore. I think everybody would like to see if they could pull it off, if they could do a good job. But it couldn't get in the way of what I'm doing; it would have to be something that happened during the hiatus when I'm not on tour or between albums.
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RSJ: At this point, would you say that you're where you'd like to be in your career?

Lucia: No, absolutely not. I'd like to reach more people. And I know we reach loads of people and we have loads and loads of fans, but I wanted something bigger. I wanted a broader reach and unfortunately in order to do that you have to play a lot of corporate games and get involved with people that are ultimately unsavory. It's all business politics, and I've never been good at those games.

I don't think I'll ever get where I want to be, but I'm trying. I want to reach more people, and although I think MTV is horrible, I think it's a necessary evil in order to make that broad reach. I've never had the luxury of being on MTV and I'd kinda like to be able to be in a situation where I had a song on the radio and a video out there and could make that transition from underground rock chick singer to show that I'm accessible. It doesn't matter how dark I might seem; people are dark too, there are different moods to every person, not just this homogenized music. I think all these companies really cut the public short, and I think if they gave some of us a bit more of a platform they'd be surprised how many people would come to the table and be interested. But ultimately, I'm fortunate to just be able to be doing what I love and be reaching the people that I am. I'm very humble and grateful for what I have.

RSJ: At what point did you realize that you'd found a long-term project with KMFDM?

Lucia: I never look at it as a long-term project because KMFDM historically has been like a revolving door of talent. And they eventually will ask me to move on; they have not had one single female singer that has stuck with them though the duration.

RSJ: Though you are the first woman that's been on several albums and toured consistently.

Lucia: Yeah. I feel really lucky that I've been here for as long as I have. I just continue to hope that they'll invite me back. But I never take it for granted, because I know that the future is looming. But I feel like a part of the family, and I feel pretty stable in the situation. We all get along so well; I think that's one of the reasons why this particular line-up has remained in tact for so long. And it's easy; something that feels this good and is so easy, it's just natural to want to keep it going.

RSJ: What has been the most important learning experience in the music industry for you?

Lucia: I've had so many; I've been battered to death. The biggest thing I've learned is to be resilient. You must bounce back. And I am struck with every disappointment that happens in my life, and I always think there aren't any more miracles left for me, and I should just pack it in and quit. But with each blow, somehow you're able to take the next one just a little bit easier. You have to get back up on your two feet and create your own opportunities. Get out and just keep going. This world is full of hard knocks, and I'm still waiting for my golden goose, but I'm trying not to look at it as if there's just one big opportunity. Life is a journey and you have to enjoy the experience. Stop expecting and just give.

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