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Marcela Bovio - vocals
Studio Report - The Human Equation:
Marcela Bovio was flown over from Mexico to sing on Ayreon: The Human Equation. Arjen had picked her from the many vocalists who sent in demos earlier in 2003. Read about the experience in Arjen's own words and check out the pictures!
- What made you choose Marcela for this Ayreon project?
Arjen Some time ago I came up with the to idea to give an unknown singer the chance to sing on Ayreon. Obviously also in the hopes that I would discover a talent like Astrid (Ambeon). So on the website we encouraged fans to send in their recordings. I received over a 100 recordings (thanks to you all!), listened to them and replied to everyone. One evening I heard a Mexican girl called Marcela Bovio and her band Elfonia, and I got goosebumps all over. In the end four great (female) singers were left. I made them send their version of Valley of the Queens to me, and after that a song from my new album. Eventually I chose Marcela. Somehow I knew deep down inside from the very first time I heard her that she would be the one.
- How did you get in touch with Marcela?
Arjen: I emailed her and she seemed like a really nice and intelligent girl. She was really excited that I was going to fly her over to Holland, she had never been abroad. Her boyfriend Alejandro (the keyboardplayer from Elfonia) came with her and they had a two week holiday in Holland and Germany.
- Describe the recording session in three words.
Arjen: Creative, professional, beautiful
- How would you describe Marcela's voice?
Arjen: She can sing very high, but quite low as well, her range is incredible. She managed to sound different on every song. Angelic, but also pretty powerful at times.
- What was the most memorable moment?
Arjen: Receiving all those great Mexican presents they brought for me, also from other Mexican fans, really heartwarming.
- What was something you absolutely didn't expect?
Arjen: I didn't expect her to be so professional and most of all so creative. She had no problems singing really difficult harmonies. Or coming up with interesting new ideas.
- What was something Marcela did not expect?
Arjen: In most studios singers are standing in some kind of vocal booth, and one has to communicate via an intercom and sometimes you can't even see each other. I like to have personal contact with the singer though, so I have them standing beside me. She expected she'd be kinda nervous, but she felt really at ease right from the start in this situation.
- Marcela has the unique ability to...
Arjen: ...come up with great ideas, and sing 'impossible' things. A very intelligent girl as well.
- Describe the endresult of the session.
Arjen: It was everything I hoped it would be. The whole 'romantic' idea behind this was to give an unknown talent who's trying to built a serious career with his/her own music/band a chance to be more widely known. She is still young, has a great band and she's got the looks as well. No doubt we will be hearing more of her. I would love to work with her again in the future.
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