Black Nail Cabaret Talk New Album, Voices And More

 Hungarian electro-pop noir duo Black Nail Cabaret consisting of Emèse Árvai-Illes (Vocals) and Krisztián Árvai – (Keyboards, Programming) have released their sixth studio album ‘Chrysanthemum’. Emèse chatted to JLTT about the new record, her voice and more:

Who is in Black Nail Cabaret, what do they play and when did you meet?

There is Emese on vocals and Krisztian on keys and samples – as seen on stage. Behind the scenes the roles expand more, Krisz has been producing BNC including mixing, and both of us are writing songs.

You have released three singles from your new album. What is the story/inspiration behind your favourite of these?

Emese: I would highlight Darkness Is A Friend, because it is not the usual BNC sound, more postpunk and alter, although it was fully made with samples and electronics. We didn’t want to come out with this first, so that people don’t think this is the new direction for the album, especially after the detour of Woodland Memoirs. The reception has been fantastic, it exceeded our expectations.

Two singles are accompanied by music videos. What was the thought process behind these?

Emese: We wanted Autogenic to be dreamy and at the same time we wanted to pay homage to the 90s’ cult movies and music videos. It was a bit more experimental, and this was Szuszugraphy’s very first music video, overall a fun and a mystic experience in the woods near Kismaros and Piliscsaba, Hungary.

I am extremely happy with the video for Darkness Is A Friend. When I wrote the storyboard, there were much more scenes and characters stuffed in it, which I eventually threw out. It became much simpler, more straightforward, and Emma shot beautiful images, which exceeded my imagination, she also had great input to the underwater scenes.

 Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Emese: we live about 60 km away from Budapest, towards Vienna. Mining town, worker town, sometimes sombre but authentic. Social-realistic but also diverse. This was more than 5, it’s hard to describe!

Your sixth full-length studio album ‘Chrysanthemum’ was released on 1st March 2024. What is the origin/meaning of the title?

Emese: Chrysanthemum is a cemetery flower. It is often what you see on graves, because they survive the longest. We tend to paint our own deathbed portraits; chrysanthemums pave the way. Death (aka change) is surrounding us, and we are like a jar filled with fear. Even when we cannot grasp it, there is a constant static noise of despair, waiting to take over. What we don’t realise, is that our jar could be and is filled with so many other things, yet fear infiltrates all. Fear is not always bad, but it can be unhelpful, when too much. Chrysanthemum is uprising, but it is also acceptance.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

We recorded it in our home studio in Tatabanya. Krisztian produced it and it was mastered at Six Doors Studio by Sandor ‘Vereb’ Szamveber.

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the album recording sessions?

Our cats are a big part of each album. They are patiently observing, but sometimes they get too curious. Like the time I was recording vocals in the booth and Blanka was hiding there without me noticing, and there was a weird hiss which I couldn’t figure out. She was just gently touching the walls as she moved around. She is usually sitting on the back of Krisz’s studio chair, while he is working.

Do you have any live dates planned in the UK/Europe for 2024?

Yes, we are touring the UK with Empathy Test in April, 8 cities – all announced dates are on our website: www.blacknailcabaret.com

Who designed/created the album cover?

 All photos were made by Dori Hrisztu-Pazonyi who also often photographed our shows in Hungary. The model is Anna, a talented singer from the Peron music school where Krisztian is also teaching. The main cover and vinyl were originally edited by Richard Besenczi but he was very busy at the time so it was handed over to Nico J – you can see his wonderful graphics and editing in the artbook.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, pedals, effects, microphones?

Krisztian’s current go to gear is the Akai Pro MPC Key 37 but the all time favourite is the Novation Bass Station II – that served us well in the past several years. I tend to use the Boss VE-20 vocal pedal, unless Tom, our go to sound engineer comes with us and asks me to ditch it.

How do you look after your voices?

Voice is such a delicate thing – I had to realise that in the past year. After a couple of illnesses in 2023, there was a constant vocal strain and I started to have difficulty using my voice. It lost range and power. I am now re-learning to sing, to unlearn the unhealthy habits and ease tension. Vocal hygiene is so important, and using the instrument correctly. As a phoniatrist told me: you can sing until the age of 100, with the right technique.

What makes Black Nail Cabaret happy and what makes you unhappy?

Happy animals make us happy. And being in nature. I see that teaching and his students’ success makes Krisztian incredibly happy. Seeing that makes me happy, too. Ignorance makes us deeply unhappy. So unhappy that we may become ignorant ourselves, like it’s contagious. Empathy and intelligence can be contagious too, so we may just project that to other people.

Feature Image Photo Credit: Dori Hrisztu-Pazonyi

Black Nail Cabaret’s sixth studio album ‘Chrysanthemum’ is out now on Dependent as Vinyl LP, 2CD and Download.

Buy/Stream here: http://lnk.spkr.media/chrysanthemum

The album will be promoted with a UK tour in April 2024 that consists of eight shows with Empathy Test:

04.04.24  MANCHESTER Rebellion
05.04.24  GLASGOW Classic Grand
06.04.24  BRISTOL Dareshack
07.04.24  NUNEATON Queens Hall
10.04.24  NOTTINGHAM The Chapel
11.04.24 NEWCASTLE Cluny 2
12.04.24  SHEFFIELD Corporation
13.04.24 LONDON Garage

Tickets are onsale here: https://www.flagpromotions.co.uk/ 

For more information visit their official website: https://blacknailcabaret.com/