What was the beginning point for your music career?
IOG: Maggie, The Siren. I’ve been in music my entire life. My dad is a musician and when I was a kid he would take my brother and I to band practice. My love of music was born. I started singing, on stage, when I was 4 years old. I was always in chorus, theater, musicals, and vocal lessons. At 15, I was in my first band and I haven’t stopped since.
How did it all start?
IOG: CM and I created Illusions of Grandeur to have our own band. We played together in other bands and decided we wanted to have more creative control, instead of fitting into someone else’s plan, we wanted to come up with our own. IOG allows me to sing the way I sing and write about what I want to write about.
Was there any bumps on the road?
IOG: Of course. Much like anything in life, there are challenges along the way. The biggest thing I keep in mind, is to just keep pushing forward. The hurdles we face make us more professional and more knowledgeable of our craft. It’s a part of the journey.
What kind of challenges did you have to deal with?
IOG: Challenges are everywhere in the industry. I’ve learned you have to have patience and be flexible.
What was the most fulfilling and satisfying moment so far?
IOG: We played a festival in Smila, Ukraine and so far it was the best. They were the most hospitable and welcoming people. From the moment we arrived, they were nothing short of amazing. We were unaware, but they had built the entire festival around us. They also took us to the center of their town where they had us plant an “IOG tree”. I’ve gotten word that our tree is healthy and growing well. I think we took pictures after the show for almost two hours. While we were playing I had women trying to had me their kids, people screaming for us, and the best part…singing the lyrics even though they couldn’t understand all of them!!! I’ll never forget our time in Smila.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
IOG: Our music incorporates a lot of fantasy, mythology, and personal experiences. The songs fit the story, but you can also listen to them on their own.
What is your creative process like?
IOG: CM does most of the writing. He will put an outline of a song idea together and share it with the band to get everyone’s input and ideas. I will then take the music and add vocal melody and lyrics to it.The band works well together. Communication and teamwork is key.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
IOG: No More Paying to Play. Anywhere. As if musicians don’t have a difficult enough time thriving, then they have to pay-to-play??? Are you kidding me??? I don’t think people realize everything that musicians are up against and all the money that goes into having a professional band…then you get offered a show and all you have to do is pay $1000 for a headliner spot…wait a minute. Shouldn’t that be based on talent and the bands ability to bring a crowd? I could go on forever about this, but that’s enough. You get my point lol.
If you were asked to give a piece of advice to upcoming bands, what would that be?
IOG: Keep moving forward. Take advantage of social media platforms to promote your band. Above all, be professional and humble. It will take you far.
What has been the best performance of your career so far?
IOG: Smila, Ukraine. But I told you that story, so I’ll talk about my second best performance. We played a show in Delaware at a venue called Bar XIII. It wasn’t the first time I had played their, nor the last, but there was something about the energy that night. It was a packed house and I was totally 100% in the zone. My vocals were on point the entire time and my theatrical performance was so natural. I was feeding off the crowds energy like magic.
If you didn’t become a musician, what would you be doing now?
IOG: At this point in my life I would be a personal trainer. I have been a business woman, working as an Insurance Policy writer, and I’ve also managed and operated cemeteries.I keep getting pulled back to the arts and music, so I decided to devote my life to it.
What is new with the band at the moment?
IOG: We just recently welcomed our new guitar player, Julian Yeager, and we’re very happy to have him. We’re also working on releasing singles and music videos for each song off of the upcoming album, The Siren.
What are you currently working on and would like to share with the world?
IOG: Right now, we’re working on the final touches on Wolf, the next single to be released. We’re prepping for and rehearing for the music video as well. Look for Wolf, out February 16, 2021. Music video to follow.
Thanks so much for reading! Rock on! Find us here:
https://www.iogmusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/iogmusic/
https://www.youtube.com/c/IllusionsofGrandeurTV
https://twitter.com/iogband
https://m.facebook.com/IllusionsOG/
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/illusions-of-grandeur/347575177
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5iIKuYKBnObOoKBIV78p0H?si=PpVQJs5KTaCPckiM02mDgA
