DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL WORK DAY:
Now is a very interesting period of my life. Im finishing working on my new album and I have to work a lot. Because Im a songwriter and a co-producer, I’m always at a studio. There were days when we worked for fourteen hours in a 24-hour period. This is why I was doing physical exercises right on the floor. Thank God our studio is located in Malibu and to refresh ourselves we went out to the beach. I absolutely cannot work without my notes that I keep in my planner. While listening to the tracks over and over again, I clearly imagine images from my future videos. Sometimes I picture myself in fantastic worlds. It’s a very interesting and broad topic for a stylist.
IF YOU COULD WORK ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
I have already worked everywhere. I started in Dubai, where the luxury and eastern traditions co-exist. This is where I created the idea of the project and the first songs. The first single “Sunrise” was then recorded in London on the George Martin’s legendary “Air” Studio (U2, The Beatles, Dido…). We shot the video in Iceland, mystic place where we saw the sleeping volcanoes and heard many tales about trolls. We are now living and working in Los Angeles, the place where my idols live, and where I can also meet them. If you want to know about where I would like to work, it would be a place with wonderful nature and warm climate. I love Los Angeles very much, but I miss warm water in the ocean and if I had the power to take Los Angeles to Dubai or Miami with me this would be perfect!
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK SPACE:
It might be nice for some people to work behind a desk, but it’s very boring to me. Before starting working in studio, I turn down the lights, put candles and an aroma lamp for relaxation. I have a big collection of essential oils and I used different ones every day, based on my mood and state of mind. Not so long ago, when people around me got sick and were sneezing and coughing, I was using tea tree and bergamot oils which helped to avoid getting sick.
WHAT IS ONE “WORK ITEM” YOU CAN NOT WORK WITHOUT?
About ten years ago I have read that people will be eventually hypnotized by computers, screens and internet. Most of the life span will be spent in front of the computers. I was deeply impressed by this. This is exactly what Im seeing now. But despite the fact that I own a computer, an iPhone and an iPad, I actually spend most of my time with a simple organizer and a book. This is why I absolutely agree with my favorite writer Ray Bradbury, who does not drive a car, does not use a phone or a computer, but is the greatest fantastic and visionary writer of the 20th century. I like the smell of paper and how the pencil scratches paper when I write. Not so long ago my friend’s hard drive got broken. What will happen if the power suddenly shuts down…?
IF YOU COULD SWITCH CAREERS FOR A DAY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
I would try to become a writer or at least I would open my own book store. The look of the shelves stuffed with books almost hypnotizes me.
YOU HAVE SO MUCH GOING ON, CAN YOU GIVE US ONE TIP ON HOW YOU KEEP IT ALL TOGETHER?
I have always had to work hard. Besides writing lyrics, music, and performing on stage, oftentimes I had to be the director of my own videos, the stylist, the sound producer and the manager! So I can do a bunch of different things, but sometimes I feel exhausted. I realize today that I have to save my energy and focus on the most important and loved things. The rest will get solved by itself.
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS FANS DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU?
(First) At home I have a pet chinchilla that I consider as a space creature. She doesn’t smell bad at all and her favorite snack is paper. When Im sad she always manages to do something funny that makes me happy.
(Second) My next single “Escape” has been recorded not only in English, but also in Spanish.
(Third) I have been visiting Danny DeVito’s huge but very cosy house. I remember several fireplaces and a bunch of gambling machines installed right in the living room.
About Irene
Just as the mythic Phoenix rising out of ashes symbolizes the rebirth of a soul, it is not a coincidental symbolic theme that signifies the state in which Irene Nelson currently finds herself. This exotic Siberian songbird has risen from a successful career as lead vocal of Reflex band, Russia’s biggest chart and sales topping act, to begin life as a solo artist in a new land. Already receiving rave reviews from early believers, Nelson’s debut single and video, “Sunrise” (NTMG/Bungalo/Universal) is winning hearts stateside via thousands of hits on her myspace.com and You Tube sites.
