Sopor Aeternus:
The all-consuming sadness

Compartir |

Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble of Shadows has been and will always be a mystery, something as impenetrable as the human spirit. A dark enigma, deep and melancholy, as his alter ego, Anna-Varney Cantodea, the visible ghost, only human element of one of the most interesting musical projects of the current european gothic.

Known is that Anna-Varney position of not granting interviews and refusing to give concerts "for humans". However, Absenta Musical wanted to get closer to the heart of this mysterious character, to reveal spiritual and emotional aspects about his life and music. These are the words of a singular character, Anna-Varney Cantodea...

About the music as a therapy for pain, Do you see any kind of spiritual and emotional healing when you develop your music, or think that the pain is impossible to heal?
Over the years I had to realize that there is no cure for depression. At least not in my case. It will always be part of my existence, and there is absolutely nothing I can do to change this. That's just how things are. All I can do is to distract myself, keep myself busy by creating art/music(k), in order to keep the all-consuming sadness at bay. That's all I can hope for. Once you have accepted your boundaries, the confines in which you have to operate, things usually tend to become slightly less manic. Because, let's face it: happiness is completely overrated anyway, as once you get used to it, being miserable can be just as agreeable. Or, as an aquaintance of mine put it so accurately: we piss with the cock we have. Apart from that, I don't really believe that people can actually change anyway. Well, unless of course they develop a brain-tumor or suffer a stroke. All we can achieve is to become more of what we already are. That's it, essentially.

In the language of the emotions your music is deeply melancholic. However, transports the listener through various emotions and moods. When you release a new album, Do you expect a response in people? Are you worried that react in some way compared to musical stimuli?
No, I never think about other people. They are of no importance to me. All I care about is truth. If one's art, in fact, one's entire existence, is based on truth, then you don't have to worry about ... oh, what were you basically aiming at? Consequences, right? Well, you see, I may seem a tad strange to some unfortunate people, but there is nothing harmful in/about SOPOR's music(k). As I said, it is deeply rooted in truth, based on openness, honesty. It may awaken something inside you that has been sleeping, yes ... but it does it in a gentle way ... and only because it is MEANT to wake up.

Sopor Aeternus

For many people, death is something that paralyzed, and fear is so great that they produce an emotional and mental wear, they are not able to deal with it as an inescapable fact, what exactly is death for you?
It is shit. Literally.

Do you think there is a higher state to which we ascend after death? Do you believe in life after death?
I truly hope that there isn't anything after Death. Life is short, often painful, and Death is the end of it. I think it's best if you look at it this way.

Life presents us a fundamental challenge... the constantly learning. What new learning you have acquired in recent years have helped to your creativity, your healing and your life?
Absolutely nothing.

Sopor Aeternus

I understand that for you every disc of Sopor Aeternus has meant going through a very difficult and painful process. However, in the midst of that pain, is there a time for pleasure and satisfaction, or pain is something stronger?
There usually is a very brief moment, when everything comes together, when words & music(k) become one, vibrate with the power of truth, and I get the sense of ... what I do is "good". It's a fleeting moment indeed, but it's beautiful.

In the world, man has been dominant and imposed their rules over animals, society, women and children, throughout the history of mankind. How do you connect to the role of women today? What is your relationship with animals and with the society? And how these factors influence your music?
I don't care about women. Nor do I care about men. However, everything that I see, hear or otherwise perceive with my senses also has an influence on me... and therefore my music(k). That is only natural and cannot be avoided. But it's nothing worth mentioning.

Do you think that somehow you was predestined to be who you are today?
As I said: people do not change. We only become more of what we already are.

Sopor Aeternus

How important is intuition for you in the development of imagination, emotion and musical creativity?
Hard to tell. In my case, it has always been one.

The Butoh Dance is a dance inside the womb, a return to the source. How the Butoh Dance has made you return to the source and how your music has been influenced by this art?
I'd say, Butoh has helped me in accepting my ugliness... and transforming it into beauty.

How did you get involved for the first time in this discipline?
I think I was given a photo of a performance by Dai Rakuda Kan.

For the ones that love and respect your work, Sopor Aeternus is more than just music, is a wider concept that includes a variety of art disciplines and at the same time it has a special spirituality and a universal philosophy. What kind of religion, philosophical or spiritual you feel closest?
SOPORism.

And besides music, what art form you're more attracted to?
Depends.

Until some time ago, we could only see Anna Varney through the pictures in the art of his cds. Today we can see you through the music videos than accompanying your deluxe editions. Why did you decide to start filming clips of your songs, and why you did not it before? Do you have to do with modesty or to avoid exposure?
It's just too much to ask when you are depressed. That's why I only film videomaterial once or twice a year and only for an hour.

Friedrich Nietzsche once said that "Life without music would be a mistake". What is your opinion on this statement? Do you agree with Nietzsche's words?
Yes. Absolutely. Though I wouldn't call it a mistake. Just worthless.

There are many fans of Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble of Shadows, who feel an honest affection for you, and they truly connect with your pain through the music ... What thoughts or words you could share with your fans, who will read this interview?
Nothing.