The Brvtalist is proud to premiere the music video for Popsimonova's "Dive". This is a great track taken off the album Brokedown Palace, the latest release and first solo album by the Croatian electronic music artist. Out now on Rotterdam's Electronic Emergencies, we immediately fell in love with Lana Jastrevski's fusion of electro and body music, crafting a complete record that is influenced by the 80's, techno, rave culture, the occult and more. We have been big fans of Popsimonova for some time, admiring her works on such great labels as Gooiland Elektro. Lana's use of hypnotic lyrics and powerful rhythms seduce the listener into a trance, leaving us begging for more and falling completely under her spell. While Lana herself does not do interviews, we were able to speak with Electronic Emergencies about her new record, the video and her body of work. Read more after the premiere:
From Electronic Emergencies:
La POPSIMONOVA does not give interviews. She thinks that what she has to say should be clear by listening to her music. She has authorized us, Spacemaker and Leather E of Rotterdam label Electronic Emergencies, to speak to The Brvtalist. Lana’s first solo album Brokedown Palace was released on Electronic Emergencies on 16 November 2015.
We know POPSIMONOVA well. She became a good friend and we admire her as a person and as an artist. We were both fans of her early work and befriended her on social media. Usually, that kind of online contact is rather superficial, but with Lana it was different. We talked about music, emotions, the future, things which are not so common. She is an inspiring person. When she had a gig in Rotterdam about two years ago, we planned on meeting her afterwards and get acquainted. But before everything started, a small but fierce women walked up to us and said: you must be……. At that time we hadn't started our label yet. We got along very well, and when we decided to start Electronic Emergencies, Lana was on our wish list. We asked her if she wanted to have a release on our label and she was very enthusiastic. We agreed that she would send tracks when finished, and we expected to release a 12inch.
As time passed, we grew more curious about the tracks. Then, all of a sudden, Lana sent us 11 tracks at once and we were flabbergasted. After listening to them, we called her and asked if she would like to release an album.
The Brvtalist: Brokedown Palace is the first solo album by Popsimova. What was her approach to creating a full length record and what is the idea or concept behind it?
Electronic Emergencies: After some major changes in her personal and musical life, Lana was making music on her own for the first time in a long time. Brokedown Palace is the result of this challenging period where she had to re-invent herself and deal with the past. The album is a fierce and emotional statement, a state of independence. The tracks are upbeat, nervous, restless and emotionally heavy. The lyrics are personal and reflect Lana’s complex and intelligent inner world. Is it techno, EBM, electro or is it the new wave of wave? We don’t know. But the combination of strict and haunting beats with the melodic and sad yet strong voice captured us instantly, on the dance floor and in our living room.
TB: How has the sound of Pompsimonova evolved? Also, how does Brokedown Palace build upon some of her past EPs on Gooiland Elektro, 0.5 and more?
EE: Brokedown Palace is a reflection of an important period, which was made during a relatively short time without any restrictions or expectations. It really is a solo album - the music and lyrics have, with the exception of Hey you, been created by Lana herself, just the way she wanted to…
Video still: Ingeborg Jansen
TB: Talk about the concept behind the video for "Drive".
EE: We asked Ingeborg Jansen, a Dutch documentary filmmaker and dear friend, to record the live gig of POPSIMONOVA during Electronic Emergencies’ label night at club BAR in Rotterdam in November, as well as the official album presentation at Margreeth Olsthoorn’s fashion store the next day. Ingeborg used footage from both events to make a promotional video for Drive, one of our favorite tracks on Brokedown Palace. She wanted to show her fierce and simultaneously vulnerable image and the intimate atmosphere that Lana creates during a live gig. It was the first time many in the audience had seen her perform live and the shows were a huge success.
TB: What's next for Popsimonova?
EE: Next up is a live show at the BIM Festival in Antwerpen, Belgium, on Friday, December 18, 2015. The video for Drive is a good indication what we can expect.
We would like to thank Popsimonova and Electronic Emergencies for granting us the privilege of premiering the video for "Drive" and speaking to us about the new album, video and more. For more information and music please visit Soundcloud.
-JRS