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For nearly two decades, Noemi Aurora has been an electrifying force in the electro-industrial and alternative metal scene, known for her striking work with HELALYN FLOWERS. But with “Kintsugi”, her debut solo album, she steps into a new dimension – one entirely of her own making. The album is out now via Alfa Matrix in various formats including two vinyl versions.

Written, performed, produced, and mastered by Noemi Aurora herself, “Kintsugi” is more than an album; it’s a journey through resilience, reinvention, and raw emotion. Inspired by the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, the record turns vulnerability into strength, weaving darkwave, electro-industrial, post-punk, and ethereal pop into a deeply personal sonic tapestry.

In this exclusive interview, Noemi Aurora opens up about the challenges of full creative control, the deeply personal themes behind “Kintsugi”, and the alchemy of transforming life’s fractures into something luminous and powerful.

Understanding Noemi Aurora’s Artistic Vision

S. “Kintsugi” is an incredibly personal album, both in its themes of healing and resilience and in the fact that you crafted every aspect of it yourself. What was the most challenging and rewarding part of taking full creative control?

N. The most challenging aspect of assuming full creative control was the weight of responsibility in ensuring that every facet of the album resonated authentically with my vision. It demanded a deep level of introspection and commitment to translate my innermost emotions and experiences into tangible musical expressions. However, the most rewarding part of this journey was the profound sense of empowerment and fulfillment that arose from witnessing the project materialize exactly as I had envisioned it. Seeing each note, each lyric, and each melody come together in harmony with my soul’s essence was a transcendental experience that reinforced the significance of following one’s artistic intuition. When I embarked on the songwriting process for my album, I found myself in a state of complete mental freedom and absence of a final goal, unlike the approach often taken when collaborating with others. This was simply because I had no intention of releasing it. It was a deeply personal endeavor born out of necessity for self-expression and exploration. The absence of external pressures allowed me to delve into the depths of my creativity and authenticity without constraints, resulting in an album that encapsulated the pure essence of my being.

S. The album’s title, “Kintsugi,” refers to the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, turning flaws into beauty. How does this philosophy reflect your personal and artistic journey?

N. The philosophy of “Kintsugi” resonates deeply with my personal and artistic journey, as it speaks to the transformative power of embracing our flaws and scars as part of our beauty, and it deeply embraces my role as the alchemist of my life. I chose the title “Kintsugi” after reading about this beautiful Japanese art form in a magazine. This ancient technique allows us to elevate and value things that would otherwise be discarded due to being shattered. Metaphorically, Kintsugi can be applied to our lives, transforming soul wounds into powerful energies that make us wiser and aware of our goals. Instead of seeing wounds as weaknesses or missing pieces, they become our strengths. Just as broken objects can be enhanced with gold dust, we can transform our wounds into the gold of awareness. As I read about the practice of repairing ceramics and highlighting the broken spots with gold, I felt an immediate connection. I thought to myself, “I am deeply in tune with that object; my warrior soul has risen stronger than before.” Feeling myself hanging in my Multiverse in a state of precariousness, where losing all hope would have made me sink into the abyss and nothingness, was a call to music as the key to my survival. I was struck by how many people around the world must go through similar journeys of resistance and healing, and I wanted to speak to them through this album.

S. Your music blends elements of electro-industrial, darkwave, post-punk, and ethereal pop, evoking influences from Siouxsie Sioux to Massive Attack. How did you approach shaping the sonic identity of this album?

N. Shaping the sonic identity of “Kintsugi” was a meticulous process of blending diverse musical influences to create a sound that felt both familiar and innovative. Drawing inspiration from a wide range of genres allowed me to craft a unique and compelling sonic landscape that reflected the emotional depth of the album’s themes. When I compose, I don’t have the habit of drawing inspiration from a particular artist or album. It is the result of years of listening to various genres that give life to my sound. This album is mostly imbued with dark wave electronic, synth-pop, ambient, and industrial, all revisited by my taste to refine or, on the contrary, exaggerate some elements of the genres themselves. In “Kintsugi”, I experimented a lot, recording endless layers of vocal parts, both dry in high definition and drowned in effects that I mixed live during the recordings. I played with my vocal cords, making them travel in ethereal and whispered modes, as well as extending them to full voice, which is typically associated with my trademark of Helalyn Flowers. This method allowed me to give a broad and atmospheric overview to the vocal melody, while simultaneously remaining focused to intimately speak to the listeners. Regarding instrumental experimentation, I can tell you that the fact that this album was born without the purpose of being released left me in a carefree state that was useful in uninhibiting me. I picked up my recorder that I had set aside for years. I used it as a child, having fun tracing some guitar scores by Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, or Steve Morse, duetting with my older brother on rhythm guitar. I used samples from my audio gallery that encompass various sounds and noises that I love to record during my outings in the woods, by the lake, or in the metropolis. Ethnic instruments that I had purchased over the years, I recorded and distorted them, fragmenting them into many pieces of “Kintsugi”, and recomposing them into rhythms with an exotic industrial flavor. Not having the pretension to define myself as a guitarist, I also experimented with this instrument without the pretense of a professional approach, but borrowing it to emit dark sounds or hypnotic rhythms that act as a shield.

S. Some of the most emotional moments on the album come when you sing in your native Italian, such as on “Dal Giardino Di Algos” and “Too Late To Die.” What inspired you to include songs in Italian, and how does it change the way you express emotion in your music?

N. My decision to include some songs in Italian was driven by the personal and intimate nature of the lyrics, which were initially written like entries in a diary. By using my mother tongue, I could express emotions and thoughts in a more genuine and unfiltered way, capturing the true essence of the experiences and feelings I wanted to convey. There are symbolic references and specific Italian terms that in English would have lost their original meaning. Singing in Italian also brought a deeper and richer dimension to the music, intensifying the emotional impact of the songs. It was also a personal challenge for me, because I didn’t have any great references sung in Italian in my genre, and this led me to unmask myself from any protection. It was a conscious decision to establish a stronger connection with the content and to evoke a sense of openness and closeness, enabling me to communicate emotions in a more subtle and authentic manner, and adding an element of intimacy and vulnerability to the music that surpasses linguistic boundaries.

S. You’ve collaborated with many artists over the years, but this album is your solo statement. How does “Kintsugi” differ from your past work with Helalyn Flowers, and what does it reveal about you as an artist?

N. “Kintsugi” differs from my past work with Helalyn Flowers in its deeply personal and introspective nature, serving as a solo statement of my artistic vision focusing my role in an uncompromising definition. It reveals a more vulnerable and intimate side of me as an artist, showcasing a depth and complexity that may not have been as readily apparent in a collaborative setting. Certainly, my extensive career of over 20 years with Helalyn Flowers has undeniably shaped my solo album. As a member of the band, my role extended beyond just vocals to include producing, composing, arranging, and more. In contrast, my solo project required me to take on 100% of these responsibilities, which were typically shared with Maxx in the band setting. This change allowed me to delve into diverse concepts and genres that may not have been feasible within the collaborative nature of a group. While my aim was to experiment with fresh sounds and showcase various aspects of my artistry, the foundation laid by my musical journey with Helalyn Flowers was always present. I firmly believe that each project contributes to my evolution as an artist, so even as I recognized the creation of something distinct, elements of my past work naturally influenced the process. It became a delicate balance between honoring my roots and embarking on new creative paths.

S. The album comes in stunning physical editions, including a collector’s vinyl and a double-CD with a bonus remix album. How important is the visual and physical presentation of your music, and how does it enhance the overall experience of “Kintsugi”?

N. The visual and physical presentation of my music is absolutely crucial to the overall experience of “Kintsugi” as it serves as an extension of the music itself. Since I am always the one who takes care of the graphic aspect of my albums, it contains fragments that complete my expression, showing photographs and illustrations that I feel are part of the kingdom of “Kintsugi”. In addition, my portraits were taken by Helalyn Flowers’ Maxx who perfectly knows my communicative need and can represent me better than anyone else. The tactile nature of the collector’s vinyl and the design of the double-CD with bonus tracks/remix album are integral parts of the storytelling process, providing a tactile and immersive journey for listeners that complements the sonic landscape of the music. The visuals serve as a portal into the world I’ve created, enriching the auditory journey and inviting listeners to fully immerse themselves in the depths of the album’s themes and emotions. Each detail, from the artwork to the packaging, is meticulously crafted to enhance the sensory experience and transport the audience into a realm where sound and sight intertwine to create a multiversal tapestry of storytelling.

S. “Kintsugi” feels like a deeply cathartic journey. If there’s one message or emotion you hope listeners take away from the album, what would it be?

N. In the depths of “Kintsugi,” one can find a profound message echoing through the cathartic journey. It is a reminder that even when gazing into the abyss, we have the choice to either rise from its depths or succumb to its shadows. Without solid ground beneath our feet, we cannot propel ourselves forward. Thus, the album serves as a beacon of hope and resilience, urging listeners to find strength in their vulnerabilities and embrace the transformative power of healing. The underlying message is one of empowerment, encouraging individuals to turn their scars into sources of beauty and strength, ultimately emerging from the darkness with renewed purpose and interior lighting. My final message for all those who feel lost is a phrase from my album: ‘It’s too late to die’!

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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