Evanescence have recently released their stunning new album Synthesis. The album combines new songs and re-workings of their older songs into beautiful orchestral pieces combined with electronic sounds to create something completely new and different for the band. To celebrate the release of the album Evanescence are returning to Australia in February 2018 for some special shows including playing two nights at the iconic Sydney Opera House. We caught up with Evanescence guitarist Jen Majura ahead of the tour as she shares her excitement to play for Australian audiences.
SCENEzine
Firstly huge congrats on your new album Synthesis. You must be proud of how it all turned out?
Jen Majura
Thank you so much. Yes Synthesis really turned out to be something outstanding, different, new and fresh. We are all very proud of how it turned out. It’s just stunning I really think it’s beautiful.
SCENEzine
How long did it take from the idea behind the album to conception?
Jen Majura
I remember we all had lunch together in Nashville and Amy was like ok guys I’m going to tell you something what do you think about this. She came up with the idea. They recorded the orchestra in Nashville before we did the band recordings in Fort Worth. We recorded in August, we spent a week locked up in the studio and added electronic sounds and delayed guitars. It was really interesting because I am not really familiar with a lot of guitar effects. I’m more like old school AC/DC style (laughs). So all of a sudden there is the guitar sounding like a laser or something really new to me. It was really interesting because I got to experience a lot of new ways to play the guitar as well. So I really learned a lot during the time recording and programming sounds that we added. It turned out to be really interesting and became so powerful and mighty. Especially because we have the acoustic part the orchestra and then the digital part. We are not playing heavy distorted guitars like most other bands would do that would work with a orchestra. We merge our electronic sound into the orchestra and that is something so rad and interesting I’m really happy that I am part of this. It’s something new, fresh and cool.
SCENEzine
It must also be a cool feeling to know you are forever part of a brand new Evanescence song “imperfection”?
Jen Majura
Yes, sometimes I would listen to the song when I’m driving in my car and be like hehe that’s my guitar. It makes me smile. The song “imperfection” and the message is stunningly beautiful. It’s a song about hope and it’s a positive song and powerful song. It really fits perfect with the Synthesis sound.
SCENEzine
How were the shows you’ve been playing for the Synthesis tour so far?
Jen Majura
Well we’ve done two USA tours for two and a half months. It’s been interesting because every night you have up to fifty people on stage. Every night there is a different orchestra because we play with local orchestras in every city. Every night is as live as it can get, it’s fresh every night. It’s really inspiring and interesting because like I said a lot of bands do the rock band with the orchestra in the back but that is not what we do. Evanescence decided to establish something new that’s never been done by anyone like we do it with the band merging into the orchestra sound. It’s very interesting to see peoples reactions, the joy when they listen and see the show. It’s really beautiful and it’s a huge band on stage.
SCENEzine
In a way all those shows have been leading up to you guys playing one of the most iconic venues in the world. You must be pretty stoked to be playing Sydney Opera House?
Jen Majura
And Sydney Opera House twice sold out, it’s incredible. I would consider myself lucky to just sit there and watch a show just as a normal guest but we are going to sit on that stage and perform. That is just stunning I have no words for that. I am so stoked about the whole Australian trip because I have never been to Australia. I just can’t wait seriously I can’t wait I’m so stoked.
SCENEzine
Also it’s extra special because one of the Sydney Opera House shows is on Valentine’s Day.
Jen Majura
Oh you’re right I totally forgot about it. Maybe I’ll see rose petals flying through the air (laughs).
SCENEzine
From what I’ve read you grew up playing in an AC/DC covers band in Germany. Now you will be playing in the bands home country in one of Australia’s most famous venues that’s kind of full circle for you.
Jen Majura
Isn’t that stunning. It’s another reason why I always wanted to travel to Australia I’m a huge AC/DC fan. I played AC/DC shows for four years. I love their music and finally I’m making it to Australia with Evanescence, it’s so great.
SCENEzine
Has Amy or anyone given you any Australian advice? Is there anything you want to do down here besides play shows?
Jen Majura
Well I’ve got to eat Vegemite right? (laughs) That’s what they’ve all told me. I have friends in Australia and they said there’s a beach where you can watch penguins coming back when the sun goes down. Susie our conductor and me would totally like to see that beach and the penguins. I don’t know yet if we are going to see koalas, just get me to Australia and I will figure it out.
SCENEzine
Way back in 2003 Evanescence released their album Fallen. The album featured the massive hit “Bring Me To Life”. Do you have any memories of first hearing that song?
Jen Majura
Absolutely, I went to school then afterwards to the store and bought that album. I sat at home, put the cd into my cd player and I would lie on the floor on my back listening to the whole album. I loved it.
SCENEzine
Lastly can you give us some insight into what it’s been like joining the band with Amy Lee. Is there a bit of a sisterhood between you?
Jen Majura
Yes there is. Amy and me are getting along so good we are like sisters. Even if we are not touring we keep texting. It’s really nice to find a friend. She is a good person and a friend that you can spend time with on tour, on stage and off stage. It’s beautiful, joining Evanescence has probably been one of the craziest, greatest things in my life so far.
(interview by Christian Ross)
