We need to talk about Lis Van den Akker! Someone who I knew since the band Misery, and she once took on the stage to perform our song “Tired”. We then soon collaborated on the track “Home“, which is covered by Hartung & Schleinitz on the 20th Anniversary edition as well (spotify | youtube). Given the fact we had done so much together, for us, it was a no-brainer Lis had to be part of the project. Either way, enough to talk about, and I’ll let Lis introduce herself and how she ended up with [aesthetische] to rediscover “Alcubierre Drive” via the mini interview video below!
“Psy’Aviah and Lis Van den Akker go a long way back, don’t we? For us, it was a no-brainer you had to be part of the project. But how did it feel for you, coupling you with Fabricio of [aesthetische]?”
Lis: We share 20 years of friendship and musical support, so when Psy’Aviah (Yves) then asked to make it together with [aestetische], the answer was quite simple: a yes was very quickly said. Yves introduced me to Fabricio Viscardi of [aesthetische], and it was immense to receive such an energetic, powerful instrumental they made. A touch of trance, danceable track and combined with the power of good friendship vibes is always a very pleasant and warm welcome.
“How was the experience of covering this song? What was the balance of keeping it recognizable and still true to your own songwriting of the original?”
Lis: Kyoko Baertsoen (vocalist from the original track) has such her own pretty and beautiful charm and her own style of singing her vocals: so pure, sexy, clear and mysterious. I love her voice and her personality. I think it’s an honour to be asked to cover a song like this. But taking on this song was a challenge, not only because you think you can’t do better, but also the respect you have for the song.
“How do you feel about the proposed song – both in lyrics and music? Would this be something you would write yourself. And would you consider, ever, doing such a thing live or would that be too far off your concept?”
Lis: Sometimes I write lyrics similarly to the ones featured on “Alcubierre Drive”, which were inspired by the film Interstellar. Like the song “Equilibrium” (based on the film with the same name, starring a young Christian Bale, Sean Bean and Emily Watson), also inspired by the concept of the film: where in a future where freedom is outlawed, where there has been a third world war and the 4th to be prevented, but I don’t want to make it heavier than what it looks like right now… So, yes, I can completely disappear into the song Alcubierre Drive. It’s wonderful to step into a world together with [aestetische], Kyoko Baertsoen and Psy’Aviah.
Yves Schelpe (Psy’Aviah): Yeah – I had total writer’s block before writing the album “Seven Sorrows, Seven Stars“. One night I was watching the Jonathan Nolan film Interstellar (starring Anne Hathaway and Mathew McConaughey), cosy on the couch with my love Nadia – damn that film hit home… and I was inspired! Off into the night I wrote lyrics, for days which eventually gave rise to the music and lyrics for that album. Heavily inspired by the film – a personal soundtrack, you could say. Though mostly, and especially for “Alcubierre Drive”, they’re easily transposed to the “real world”: portraying a relationship of two people drifting apart, be it lovers or the father & daughter in the film, or with more recent events where friends and family in Russia / Ukraine don’t believe each other’s stories or reality. But also more recently with the pandemic, where people were so divided it tore families apart, and they were as the lyrics say “out of sync”…
Lis: As for playing live… You might have seen me on stage with Robo Sapiens, Die Krupps, Earthling, Frozen Plasma, Grendel – and even with Psy’Aviah once. Usually internal factors in my life are the most important, but the last few years, external factors were the main reasons not being able to perform live. If I have it in my power and everything is in place then of course I prefer to sing it live and of course also with [aestetische].
“Would you consider, ever, doing such a thing live, or would that be too far off your concept?”
Lis: As for playing live… You might have seen me on stage with Robo Sapiens, Die Krupps, Earthling, Frozen Plasma, Grendel – and even with Psy’Aviah once. Usually internal factors in my life are the most important, but the last few years, external factors were the main reasons not being able to perform live. If I have it in my power and everything is in place then of course I prefer to sing it live and of course also with [aestetische].
“Things really kicked off with [aesthetische] and 808 DOT POP I noticed…?”
Lis: Yes! [aesthetische] just released a new album on Alfa Matrix called Rave Party (RVPRTY). It has 10 songs, two of them with I sang as the guest featured vocalist! We would probably have never met each other if it weren’t for this cover project of Psy’Aviah, where Yves introduced us to each other, as he did with 808 DOT POP as well (referring to the Suncatcher release of 808 DOT POP, paying tribute to PSY’AVIAH songs “Catching the Sun” and “Looking for the Sun”). I’m writing songs with them as well now!
“So, a lot in store then as I read it. What can we expect in terms of future releases, concerts from you?”
Lis: As musicians we all have our goals – working towards something ultimate, and you hope that your listeners, your fans love it as much as you do. Of course, the drive with [aestetische] will continue in studio and hopefully someday live in the near future. That would be more than awesome! Besides my featuring, I am also working with 808 DOT POP with Passenger S from “Metroland”. The plan is still to be there on the Sinner’s Day Festival in Belgium in October this year. And I have my other most important project with Jean-Marc Mélot – “Sample-R” (from Modern Cubism with Jean-Marc Mélot and Jean-Luc De Meyer from Front 242)… We’ve come a long way, but “Sample-R” is really a piece of art which is very close to me that’s why it takes time, and we take that time deep and seriously.
Yves Schelpe (Psy’Aviah): That is very nice to hear Lis, I’m looking forward what you and Jean Marc Melot have in store for us, as well as possible future collaborations with [aesthetische] and 808 DOT POP!
Follow Lis Van den Akker via these channels:
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lis_vandenakker/
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisvdAkker
– YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCUlQvWowcXwuvEMnScc5Sg
– Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3pqzsG7E4yEgsh0WFYHxfc?si=0LEyHGYaReSU7Dpa4RJd1w
This song is part of the “Psy’Aviah Rediscovered” project, celebrating 20 years of Psy’Aviah with a brand-new album & cover versions of old songs by other bands – including the one featured in this interview by Lis Van den Akker. You can get a hold of the album via:
– 💿 CD: https://store.alfa-matrix-store.com/product/psyaviah-bittersweet-2cd/
– 💾 Bandcamp: https://alfamatrix.bandcamp.com/album/bittersweet-bonus-version
