Lhana (English)

Sometimes you go to a concert and you think “what a talent is there on stage”. And that’s exactly what I thought when I saw the band Enter The Void. The young lady on stage did great and when I saw and heard her again at the FemME Metal Event, I knew it for sure, a new talent is born.

This young lady with the nice name Lhana has a great future ahead in music. And when I saw a video of her a few weeks ago I asked her if she was interested to introduce herself to my readers.

So, here is the story about a woman who left her own country to follow her dream, become a great singer in the metal and rock & roll scene.

Let’s start with a very easy question. Please introduce yourself. 

Hey everybody, my name is Lhana. 

It’s great to have the opportunity to answer a few questions, so you can get to know me a little bit more!

You’re studying at the Metal Factory, why an education in our country?

When I came to The Netherlands, I already knew that I wanted to become a singer. The only thing was that I didn’t know how to reach that goal. Day after day I was in my room trying to contact other musicians, but no success. And I think a lot of other musicians know how this feel.

So, one day I was looking for some music schools but I couldn’t find one….nothing I really-really wanted, a rock or metal school.

Just when I was giving up searching, I saw a post about the upcoming open day at the Metal Factory. I knew this was something for me…..”I need to do this”. I went there and see, now I’m here!

And now I’m a third-year vocalist student. I grew up with rock and metal so this is the ideal place for me to study and to go further with my career in music.

       

Are there other things you are doing in music, besides your study at the Metal factory?

Since November (2019) I’m giving singing lessons at Let’s Play Eindhoven. I’m so happy about this. It’s quite a challenge, especially because I had never thought that one day I will be a teacher or coach.

Do you have other hobbies, besides music?

Ohhh, of course! I’m a huuuuuge tea and nature lover! Everything that has to do with nature I love. Maybe I’m some sort of nymph.

Walking in a forest or lying on the beach……I love it all. Further I love to cook. Sadly, I don’t have much time nowadays to do so, because I have so many projects, when I have time I love to cook. Especially Hungarian food.

What are your plans when you have finished your study?

I would love to continue with my projects and to network with other musicians. Probably applying to another school where I can go further and deeper into the music scene.

 Are you in a band at the moment?

At the moment I’m busy with some projects where I’m the front woman, but I’m always available for other great concepts.

Which genre is your most favorite in music?

I just love old-school heavy metal, power metal and bands which I just cannot define, hahaha! Genres have always been difficult for me. You can take two power metal bands for example who are completely incomparable with each other is sound or style. That’s why I listen to a lot of progressive bands nowadays, such as Porcupine Tree, Devin Townsend Project and more.

Music should be free and not like some different types of “boxes” where you can put your favorites in. But that’s my personal opinion. If a band is progressive and has keyboards, there’s no way you can just call it immediately a symphonic band. Music is much more complex than that.

Which are your favorite bands?

This is a difficult question. I have plenty favorite bands. But to name a few; Kissin’ Dynamite, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Nightwish, Jorn Lande, Amaranthe and Steven Wilson. But I have also favorites in other genres; The Beatles, Iamthemorning and Rosemary & Garlic.

I see bands as points of inspiration for me. Every single band I like is as a “fine gem” for me. That’s why it is so difficult to chose some favorites. There are so many great bands and we musicians can learn from each other.

A few months ago you had a gig with Maiden United (FemME Metal Event) and I know you know only a few days before the gig that you’re needed. How was it to do so on these short terms?

That was something very exciting for me. When I was asked to jump in for Marcela (Bovio) I was completely in shock. I respect Marcela and her work a lot. So it was a true honor to be on stage for her. I had only six days to prepare for a set of twenty minutes. And if you know Iron Maiden than you also know……..it’s a lot of lyrics!

The Maiden United versions are completely different so I needed all the time I had and had to focus to learn them. And I would lie if I told you that I wasn’t nervous. I didn’t want to disappoint the band, nor the audience. Everybody deserved a great show. I think that due the mindset it became an unforgettable show for everyone, a beautiful show with beautiful people – on stage and in the audience.

     

How was it to perform with this band and their guests?

Everyone worked very hard and I just couldn’t believe that I’m in one room with these big names! Me and Peggy (Smits) were the only ones who weren’t really (or not at all) well-known in the scene. But it felt as I was the luckiest person in the whole world. I’m very grateful for the experience and I hope that I can experience more of these moments in the future.

Which was your best gig so far?

For sure the performance with Maiden united but also the performance in the Blue Collar Hotel with Enter The Void. The ambience and the day itself were uplifting and unique. And so were the locations.

What do you think of the Dutch audience?

Difficult, veeeeeery difficult! It’s very hard to impress the Dutch audience. If they are not interested, they don’t do the interactive parts or the just go away. It’s a very critical audience. On the other hand, if you make a good impression, they’ll keep talking about you. Maybe it’s not the most “grateful” audience but if you have impressed them they love you. Just like a drop of water. If it falls down into the water it creates waves. So just be the drop of water!

Are there plans for an album?

Of course! I want to work with my projects on many songs so that they can reach as many people as possible.

You living in the Netherlands now. How do you like it here?

The culture here is much more different compared to my country. I have negative experiences from here, just like positive ones, but at the end I’m still grateful that I can work to realize my dreams here. I have met a lot of lovely people here. I found new friends and with them it’s a bit easier, though I came to The Netherlands alone.

Were can we see you on stage next year?

Sadly I cannot tell you anything about it yet, but something very big is on the way. I always post my upcoming gigs on my artist page on Facebook (@Lhana666). So hopefully you guys are going to hear about it soon. Stay tuned!

What are your future plans?

I always wanted to create something which would make people discover their love towards music again. I want to make music which touches the people’s souls. Our world became very ‘’sterilized’’. People are not intimate with each other anymore, they are not nice towards each other, everybody is isolated and distant. I want to create something from which people will find each other again and they will become themselves again.

Is there something else you want to tell us?

Be yourself and be kind to others. We are on this planet to build not to destroy. So, build the contact again with each other and something beautiful will come out of it. Help each other grow and shine.