Ravens Brain

Present yourself to the readers

My name is Borka Balogh, I’m a Hungarian born dark indie artist currently residing in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. In other words, I make music with the aim of encouraging people to face the darker side of them.

What’s the story for your album BORKA BALOGH ?

It’s the very first record we put together as a real band. Before I wrote the first songs for this album, I was pretty lost in what I wanted to do, what I wanted to convey as a musician. Then as time went by and I looked over the songs I had in my mind, I realized they all have one thing in common: they all discuss something dark and heavy that I went through. I always say that this album wrote itself because I didn’t know where it was going until the very end. That’s when I came up with the subtitle “befriend your darker side”.

Your compositions and your texts ?..What are they talking about ?..How does inspiration come ?

When I write music, it always happens primarily for me to make sense of my own inner thoughts and feelings. I’m have very complicated soul and oftentimes I get lost in myself. Writing music, lyrics and poetry has been a sort of psychotherapy for me. This is why all my inspiration comes from extremely personal sources. I think it’s quite hearable as well. I write about whatever struggle I have gone through from my first experience with death to depression and heartbreaks. I like to address issues that I know society is still sometimes scared of.

Are you day or night ?

I’m definitely a night person. I’m most creative when it’s already quiet outside. There’s a specific time during the day, just after sunset but before complete darkness, when the sky (if clear) takes up this dark blue color. It lasts for about 10-15 minutes, but whenever it happens, I stop doing whatever I’m doing and I just watch. It’s very inspiring.

What’s your top 5 albums of all time ?

I love this question because it’s so hard to answer!
If I really had to choose, in my current mindset it would look like this:

• Mazzy Star – So Tonight That I Might See
• Boygenius [EP]
• Agnes Obel – Citizen of Glass
• Warpaint – The Fool
• Janis Joplin - Pearl

In studio, what was the atmosphere for your album ?...etc.…

We recorded the album in three rounds at Vuurland Studios in Utrecht, with the help of the one and only Erny Green. I would like to say it was very calm and relaxing, but then I would be lying. I’m a very turbulent person, and as soon as I’m done writing a song and arranging it with the band, I want it on the record immediately. During this recording process I had to learn how to be patient. Some songs need to mature a little bit in order to sound best. I have learned this lesson and I will take it with me for the next record.

How does it work for the design of the CD ? and why this title ?

All my merch and designs are made by Mirtill Bassa, a talented young graphic designer from Budapest. We always work together and discuss the feeling and vibe of the music and she uses my ideas to create what my audience ends up seeing. The initial design of the CD was completely different, and as the album wrote itself we kept changing it. About a month before the album release I decided to change it up again to the current one. It just felt right to do so. On the album cover there’s me in 4 different versions. It symbolizes my many dark and light sides, and how they are all equal and need appreciation. The colours are quite dark and mysterious, which I think fits the overall sound of the album very well.

How was the shooting of the clip HOLLOW ? and why this choice ?

I shot the videoclip for Hollow in spring of 2019 with a very talented American film artist Ryan Lambert. The whole project was beautifully spontaneous – he was traveling through Europe and needed a place to stay, and he offered to create something creative in return. I wanted to create something different, something that will convulse people inside a little bit. The videoclip replicates the tension I felt during writing the song, and I think it’s great that it leaves the viewer watching from the beginning to the end, to see what happens. The images are quite static though. We improvised most of it, and I trusted him to create something unique during the afterworks.

Did you find a label ? If yes, how do you made the research ?

I’m working as an independent artist, so without a label for the moment. It’s hard to get out there and find a record label that fits your music, sees your potential and that is able to bring out the best of you as an artist. I wanted to have complete freedom in creating my ars poetica, so I decided to do everything out of my own effort. With a successful crowdfunding project, we managed to raise enough money for bringing out the album in physical format. It was also nice to be able to see how many people engage with the music.

With Management and booking, how do you work ? And with whom ?

At the moment I’m working with a booking agency in the Netherlands (For The Road). The management responsibilities are mostly divided within the band, we are still looking for the perfect manager (send me a message if interested 😉).

What are your projects ?

I’m currently working on the next step with my band and I’m doing a collaboration with a German artist (Cardon). 2020 will be a new chapter in many regards.

What do you expect from the future ?

Over the years I stopped having expectations for the future. It puts a lot of pressure on me, and I’m more into going with the flow, enjoying whatever comes my way and deal with life as it comes. I have a bucketlist of things I’d like to achieve with my band, but that shall stay my secret. I’ll let you know once ticked all boxes!

What's your motto ?

The only motto I can think of is “Keys, Wallet, Phone – check”. I’m not much of a motto girl, but if it counts, I use this mantra on a daily basis. 😊

Website to remember

I’m all over social media:
www.borkabalogh.com
www.facebook.com/borkabaloghmusic
www.instagram.com/borkamusic
www.borkabalogh.bandcamp.com

What would you like to say to the readers ?

Don’t forget to show appreciation to the upcoming artists whom you like. Speaking out of experience, a tiny show of support can contribute to the inspiration of musicians. They need this to believe in themselves and keep pushing until they make it.