MELODIC DARK FOLK ARTIST
IVA TORIC
IVA TORIC
UNVEILS DEBUT MUSIC VIDEO SINGLE
“DARK SIDE OF ME”
“DARK SIDE OF ME”
SHARES DETAILS ON FORTHCOMING DEBUT ALBUM
‘THE DEVIL’S MARK’ IN EXCLUSIVE Q&A
‘THE DEVIL’S MARK’ IN EXCLUSIVE Q&A
Hailing from San Francisco, CA, IVA TORIC is truly a one-woman force to be reckoned with. She combines her multi-instrumental talents with haunting melodic/symphonic vocals over dark folk and doom-laden riffs on her debut single “Dark Side of Me.” The ethereal music video was premiered exclusively with KERRANG earlier this week (Tuesday, January 14) which lauded it as a “syncretic approach to dark culture, mixing the organic darkness of Uada, the psychedelic hues of Soundgarden, and the goth elegance of Maria Brink.” Drawing from various aspects of modern paganism and witchcraft, IVA TORIC will self-release her debut album THE DEVIL’S MARK this fall.
“I wrote “Dark Side of Me” about my lifelong struggle with chronic depression and how sometimes I find myself desperately fighting off dark thoughts as they creep uninvited into my consciousness,” reveals IVA. “The lyrics are honest and raw, and for anybody who has struggled with their own mental health, self-esteem or body image, you’ll find a part of yourself gazing back at you from within this song.”
“I’ve always loved dark witchy imagery,” IVA says. “I relate to the earthbound connections and message from that belief system. It is a unique counterculture belief that appeals to me.”
Watch the “Dark Side Of Me” video below and stream/download the track across digital platforms here:
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| IVA TORIC – “Dark Side Of Me” |
Q&A WITH IVA TORIC
What inspired you to become a musician? Who are some of your biggest influences?
I have always been drawn to music, so I think I would have ended up being a musician one way or another but growing up poor had a big impact. My family didn’t have the means to buy music, so all I had was the radio. If I liked a song and wanted to hear it again, I had to either wait for it to come on again, or I had to learn it so I could play it myself. I learned to listen very carefully to music as a child so I could recreate it later on my keyboard. That provided a foundation for my more formal music education later in my life.
My influences are wide. I grew up listening to 90s rock and alternative on the radio. Alice In Chains has always been a favorite of mine–I love their unique harmonies. I also like 70s and 80s rock and that gave me a taste for more progressive sounds. Once I was able to download music and trade burned CDs with friends I got into metal. So, what comes out when I write is a product of everything I’ve heard throughout my life. It’s definitely not something I can point to and say, “that’s where I got my sound.”
Your first single is titled “Dark Side of Me,” how did you pick this to be the first music people hear from you on this project? What is the overall theme?
I wanted people to hear something dark and deeply personal from me for my debut. I put a lot of myself into my lyrics and I hope that authenticity shines through in this first single and draws people in to want to hear more.
I wrote ‘Dark Side of Me’ about my lifelong struggle with chronic depression and how sometimes I find myself desperately fighting off dark thoughts as they creep uninvited into my consciousness. The lyrics are honest and raw, and for anybody who has struggled with their own mental health, self-esteem, or body image, you’ll find a part of yourself gazing back at you from within this song.
When people hear your music, what message do you want them to take from it?
I want people to know they are not alone. I want people to feel connected to my music and find their own meanings within my lyrics.
Tell us about your songwriting process. Do you have a special routine? What outside influences do you use for inspiration?
My songwriting process isn’t a set routine and it depends on what is going on in my life and whether I’m writing with other people or not.
For DSOM, I wrote it alone at my keyboard, and I wrote the lyrics and the music at the same time. This isn’t always how it goes. Sometimes I write lyrics first and put them to music later. Sometimes I write music first. It’s all organic for me and I try to remain open and flexible and let the music come to me.
To write, I use my life or current events. Sometimes I use stories others have told me. As long as it’s something I can tap into and put myself in the story, I’ll use it. DSOM was like a journal entry. It’s all coming from deep within me.
The video for “Dark Side of Me” is very ethereal with pagan/wiccan occult references, do you relate to this belief system? Was there anything special about the location where it was filmed?
I’ve always loved dark witchy imagery. Anything that’s against mainstream and unique appeals to me.
I wanted the video to have a nature element, so we found this beautiful spot north of LA with lots of dead branches and a dry creek bed and we brought in a lovely old crow to be part of the magic. I think the location made the video super special.
What can listeners expect to hear from your future singles/upcoming album?
More dark, personal lyrics. More haunting melodies. More fallen angel vocals. More heavy guitars and driving bass. More technically bad ass drums. More sick keys. The album is full of this plus some great songwriting from amazing co-writers. It’s a wonderful album and I can’t wait to share it with the world.
Is there anything else you want to add?
Just that I’m honored to be here. I’ve worked hard for many years to make this happen and I’m finally realizing my dream. It feels right.
(Photo Credit: Carey Lynne Fruth)
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