phoenix/NEBULIN
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phoenix/NEBULIN

Miami, Florida, United States | SELF

Miami, Florida, United States | SELF
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"phoenix/NEBUIN Interview Rag Magazine 2004"

“For a long time I wanted to be in a band with someone that I was close with, where I wouldn’t really have
to go outside my relationship to go for music. I would be in my relationship, and I did that with Linda.”
Strong words from Armando Doval of the Industrial rock band phoenix/NEBULIN. “We met and then
sparks flew, we got married and then we decided to play music together.” The band phoenix/
NEBULIN was a concept that came into full effect shortly after the marriage between Linda
Doval and Armando in the summer of 2001. Their passion for one another breathes new
life into their music, and it’s expressed distinctively for all listeners who know what it’s
like to be in love.
Faced with indecision on the Saturday night streets of Ft Lauderdale, we finally settled at
a Denny’s restaurant. As I sipped coffee I had the chance to interview Linda Doval, vocals,
Armando, bass, and Tony Gines, keyboards. There is a lot to be said about mixing business
with pleasure. “We have our conflict sometimes like anyone else does,” asserts Armando, “but
you know at the end of it all you just have to keep going. If you walk out, you’ll have to start all over
again and you might not find someone that dynamic. With any relationship there’s hardship and
there’s also love, and that’s pretty much how I see this band in general. The marriage and the band is
really one thing to us, and God forbid anything could happen to us, that would really tear apart the band.”
In August 2002, shortly after the birth of Linda and Armando’s daughter Luna, phoenix/NEBULIN once again
stepped out into the live scene. After playing as a two piece for close to a year, they made the decision to add
guitarist Joe Cozzi, keyboardist Tony Gines and a drummer by the name of Caffeine to enrich their sound and
improve their live performances. “We put a lot of effort into our shows,” says Armando. “We really get into
it and try to put on the best show that we can.” When on stage, the band tries to improve themselves every
chance they can get. “I live for our live performances,” says Tony, “because that’s the only time I get to
put my stamp on the band. I thrash my keyboard around and just kind of do everything to just kind of
wow everybody to take the stereotype of a regular keyboardist out of there and just be a rock star.”
Linda promises a unique experience every time, “ if I can help it we’ll have some naked girls on stage,
maybe some fire dancers.” Definitely something to look forward to!
The lyrics are versatile and sang with great passion and Linda’s words says a whole lot about
her personality, as she explains, “All of my lyrics come from a very dark and deep place inside
of me that I cannot express otherwise in my daily life. In my day job, of course you have a
persona, you have to act a certain mainstream way.” It’s hard to separate our lives on stage
from our daily atmosphere and responsibilities, but with music we can challenge ourselves
with not only words but with our emotions. “You have to have a way to express yourself
that seems kind of abstract,” say Linda, “so they don’t really understand that you’re
speaking that personally. And also in a way it’s a defense mechanism, you’re not really
exposing so much of yourself literally. You’re exposing yourself in a hypothetical way
using lyrics.”
On their debut full length CD Distanza, all the songs have a different personality, which
gradually helps you gain a better perspective. As for the overall message, “There really
isn’t an overall message,” asserts Linda, “honestly, this album has just been a lot of
pain, a lot of love, put out all at once. It’s been a release and it’s been a wonderful
experience, it’s been a horrible experience. It’s been a trying experience, it’s been
everything all together, it’s been every possible challenge all put together.” The
opening track ‘Chameleon’ was written in a very passionate moment, and is also
Linda’s favorite track. “Personally this song says a lot about myself. It’s not so
much of what I have accomplished but how I want to see the world. I want to be
everything, I want to be able to reach these goals, I want to be able to wear this
mask, I want to be able to accomplish all of these different goals and perspectives
in life. Hopefully one day I can get there, the opening track is what I
want to accomplish in the future.”
So how would one describe the sound that is phoenix/NEBULIN? “I’m
gonna say Depeche Mode on crack shaking hands with Nine Inch Nails
while they fucked Garbage,” asserts Armando. “If I had to compare the
Story: Joseph Vilane
sound to something those are the
three bands that I would intertwine
musically. Lyrically, it’s not really like
anything I’m used to or anything I’ve
ever really heard, because she
(Linda) really comes from a different
world than I do. I don’t tell her
what to sing, I don’t give her patterns,
she’ll take a song and just
layer her stuff all over it, and it will
turn into a Phoenix Nebulin song.” Naturally most would mention Nine Inch Nails as a strong influence. “I’m
extremely flattered to hear that comparison,” says Linda. “My mouth is on the table, this is amazing I love to
hear that.” It’s hard to make a comparison with a band so unique as phoenix/NEBULIN, “I don’t want to
compare us to anybody of today’s bands,” says Tony, “because there isn’t really anybody out there who’s
like us.”
For the release of Distanza, Armando and Linda put together their own studio at home. It’s all computer
based, digital guitars going direct, everything going through all electronic drums. “I like working on my own
time definitely,” explains Armando. “Not to mention studios can be expensive. I’d rather invest just five or six
thousand dollars at home and have everything I need, and do everything there whenever I want. Working
at home you can just dictate when you’re gonna do stuff and when you’re not, and there’s no rush, there’s
no engineer telling you to hurry up because you’ve got to go home.” Armando also handled the recording
responsibilities, playing all the instruments on this record. “I love doing it,” he says. “I have fun doing it. I take
my time. Being able to play all [the instruments] is good because it’s an advantage that some need to have.
You’ve just got to get to that level, it’s kind of second nature to me now. I’m sitting at home and writing a song
and [I might] have a CD the next morning.”
When you listen to the music of phoenix/NEBULIN, you take notice to Linda Doval’s voice. Her vocal range
can really surprise the listener. Linda discusses her influences, “My two greatest influences first and
foremost, Sarah Brightman, the most supreme female voice ever. Second, Mike Patton (Faith No More), the
most unique. He can just get in tune with a feeling, his voice is amazing, his voice is beyond an instrument.
He’s capable of so much but still is ready to hold back for the sake of what he’s trying to express. Although
I might not express it vocally, that’s what I hear and what I see. It’s more of a feeling more so than the actual
instrumentation of your voice. When it comes to singing actually, physically I just do what comes out, there
really is no influence there, it’s just whatever comes out and I go with it.”
“On the record my favorite song is actually ‘Voice De La Luna’ because it’s about our daughter,” explains
Armando. “I sampled her kick inside the womb, there’s actually a low frequency bass drum in that song. It
means a lot, it’s really something that we really created, we made a child and we sang about our child. That
to me is my favorite passionate song on the record, as far as the lyrics go and what it means.” Distanza
surely takes on a life of its own, “It reminds me so much of The Smashing Pumpkins ‘Mellon Collie And The
Infinite Sadness,’” says Linda, “very melancholy, very distinctive, and that’s what ‘Fragments’ reminds me
of at the very end of our CD.” There’s a mysterious vibe throughout this record, and also an untitled hidden
track at the very end. The hidden track starts at 7:23 for a special reason, this time represents the month
of Linda and Armando’s wedding anniversary. The album symbolizes their life for the past year, and gives
the listener insight into their world.
What will become of phoenix/NEBULIN in the
years to come? “That really depends on where
our life takes us,” says Linda. “I mean I write
completely based on what’s going on in my daily
life, if I’m having a bad day, then God forbid it
comes out. If somebody angers me, if somebody
makes me happy it’s going to come out. So
it really just depends, there’s no way to tell, it’s
as unstable as I am.” Although the future can be
unpredictable, we’re sometimes forced to make
decisions on the spot. When it comes to reaching
our goals, is there a price to pay for integrity?
Tony expresses his thoughts, “I think it’s
half and half, there’s about 50 percent of musicians
that are out there that are just there to
express their feelings and there heart through
music and then there’s the people that just want
to get rich. But you can’t really blame either one
of them because at the end there really is a
single drive and that’s to make your voice heard
whether you’re making money or whether you’re
not, you just want to get yourself out there and
get your views out to everybody.”
Although the music is personal, the band strives
to be very professional on stage. “I’m just so in
that zone,” says Linda. “I really don’t know what’s
going on around me, I really don’t. I have to get
into that place no matter what it takes to put on
that show.” When Linda is performing a song,
she has to get back to the state of mind that she
wrote it in. “Like ‘Chameleon’, I have to get into
that angry part, that horrible nasty feisty feeling
to want to break free. With ‘Mute’ I have to feel
all muffled and crazy, with ‘Nebulan’ it’s love.”
When she’s on stage, Linda has to go into a
transition every time, the only way to do so is to
just not worry about anyone else. In doing so
she remains focused, and that’s the only way
for her to be able to express her music and
make it real, “otherwise I would just be mimicking
someone else’s words,” she says. “Because
even though it’s something that I wrote, it
wouldn’t be true. It’s like Madonna playing ‘Holiday,’
how many times has she played that song?
I don’t think she’s felt that same vibe since 1984,
and I have to get there because I don’t want to
make it false.”
The sounds are motivating, sincere and very
sexually charged. Their live show is where it’s
at, and on May 15th they’ll play in Boca Raton,
on the 21st in Miami and June in Atlanta Ga.
Already thinking in terms of a second record,
“Armando tends to write a little more soft,” explains
Linda, “I’m a much more aggressive persona,
and I’ve been suggesting a lot more heavier
music to compose.” Armando begs to differ, “I
have emotion, I have aggression and sometimes
I’ll write with my emotions and sometimes I’ll write
with my aggressive side. For the second record
I’m definitely thinking more aggressive, period.
It’s going to be a lot more guitar driven.” phoenix/
NEBULIN, two people who have developed a
strong affinity for one another, and through their
music they bring out the best in each other and
those around them.
For more info visit www.phoenixnebulin.com - Joseph Vilane


"Meridian Album Review Rag Magazine"


The screams of Linda Doval will
awake you from a deep sleep,
you’ll find yourself overcome with
feelings of amazement and
curiosity towards the matters of
creation. Exactly where was the
origin of phoenix/NEBULIN’s
sound? It all started with the love
connection between bassist
Armando and vocalist Linda, their
love affair helped the flame of rejuvenation burn like never before, as
they began to craft a sound that cleverly challenges their willingness
to live, love and inspire.
With the addition of guitarist James Wargacki and the live percussion of
Nao Ctun, phoenix/NEBULIN are well on their way to haunting their way
into the mind and soul of those waiting from afar. The opening track on
their sophomore release Meridian really gets under your skin, it’s a
song entitled: “Never Yours,” with the distorting and throbbing beats
accompanying this track, you’ll not only find yourself hang banging to
the beats but feeling mesmerized by the sudden screams relinquished
through the passion of Linda’s voice. “The Path” and “Acid Bath” are
delectable favorites that will strengthen your senses and help you
breathe once again.
It’s too easy to just describe their sound as Nine Inch Nails with a
female singer, because there’s much more depth to the sound than just
that. phoenix/NEBULIN is a raw blend of emotion, power and mayhem.
After your first listen of Meridian you’ll be thankful that you share
elements of their vision on life, love and total annihilation. If you’re in the
mood for a joyous occasion in hard rock electronica, look no further
than phoenix/NEBULIN, and begin a new level of empowerment and - Joseph Vilane


"phoenix/NEBULIN Live Review (Atlanta)"

After a somewhat lengthy, Iron Maiden filled break, the second act took the stage at 10:40 PM. They were called Phoenix Nebulin, and hailed from Miami. It's weird, but Miami is a really big city, and yet you rarely hear of rock bands coming from there. (And no, Gloria Estefan does not count as "rock".) At any rate, Phoenix Nebulin rocked the good rock. They had the same general lineup as Bell Jar: female vocalist, guitar, bass, drums. To this the bassist also added synth bits and drum machine from a laptop. Unfortunately, the electronic elements were only noticeable when the drummer wasn't playing (he was a buff guy who really beat the heck out of his kit). But when you could hear these elements, they added some very nice accents to the music. Overall their sound is a sort of harder pseudo-electronic rock. Think White Zombie, only not so pretentious. They even started off with a cheesey 80's cover, a fuzzed out hard rocking version of Don't You (Forget About Me) from Simple Minds. Overall, i found them to be fun and energetic. - PostLibyan / Evil Sponge


"Lunacy Review on Usa Music Charts"

Florida's Alternative/Industrial band phoenix/Nebulin came up this 2010 with a new album: "LUNACY", with four 80's covers like: Rebel Yell, Shep Bop, Unchained Melody and "Don't You (Forget About Me). + new tracks like: Perversion, Lucid, Etc.
Phoenix/Nebulin's first single, "Don't You (Forget About Me)", Its a great new version with powerful guitars, synthesizers and all mixed with the energy of Linda (Lead Singer).
We're sure it's going to be a SMASH HIT..!, A NEW CLASSIC..!
You can buy now the album "LUNACY" buy it from: iTunes, Amazon, Emusic, Lala, Etc. You can also buy it on Digi-Card format.


Album Review: ???½

- Usa Music Charts


"Album Review: Distanza by Phoenix/NEBULIN"

An intense powerful voice, and an exquisitely layered yet rock oriented sound that will delight headbangers everywhere is summed up with one band: Phoenix/NEBULIN.

When first listening to the debut album Distanza, I was completely blown away. The first track “Chameleon” is bound to get you moving. Linda Doval’s vocals range from angry shouts to violent whispers, all the while weaving stories of love, loss, and anger.

Based in Florida, Linda and the band have enjoyed many successes, with highly anticipated live shows and a growing fan base, Phoenix/NEBULIN are definitely making their mark.

Other standout tracks include (my personal favorite) “Time”, along with “Acid Bath” and “Electric Halo”. The album is varied as the songs go from hard rock, to ethereal, to a mesmerizing combination of both.

Basically, Phoenix/NEBULIN features a strong, powerful voice, with strong, powerful music to complement. I urge you all to visit www.phoenixnebulin.com to check out the band and sample some songs. - Sarah Bernardi


"DIstanza review on Chain D.L.K"

I like industrial but it is sadly often a boring and watered down genre. Meet phoenix/NEBULIN, a band that does something to alleviate the problem a little. Blending the driving guitars of industrial metal with the teflon textures of the electronic side of the genre, p/N's "Distanza" finds a happy level of the two and fuses them together into a fairly sleek industrial construct. Juxtaposing rocky, heavy moments with softer, more electro stretches, and topping it all off with some rock-n-roll female vocals, p/N puts together some industrial metal that really can get you jamming and forgetting all those other generic acts that make me dispirited at the state of music. One thing that really helps is the infusion of melody. You find a lot of melody on the EBM side, naturally, but that's often little more than watered down vocal trance. You find some great energy on the metal/guitar side, but it's often sorely repetitive. "Distanza" presents a meeting ground of the two with melodies that are exactly what's needed to keep this cocky but sometimes moody dose of industrial going. Nice move from an underground band. - Kristofer Upjohn


"The Live Set-Up Of Phoenix/NEBULIN"

If there is a band lurking in the musical nether-world that is South Florida poised to break out to national success that band might be Phoenix/NEBULIN. The band is promoting their second CD and recently finished the music for their third record--which should be out in 2008.

"A remix CD containing some remixes off both of our previous albums (DISTANZA and MERIDIAN) has been completed," says Armando Doval, guitarist, keyboardist and programmer in the band. "It also has a few covers we recorded in the past including Don't You Forget About Me and Shebop , also some rare acoustic live performances. This remix cd is called Lunacy and we will probably release it on CD BABY and have it for sale at P/N live shows by the end of this year."

Live, the band takes special precautions to preserve their sound.

"We basically sub-mix all our sound to compensate for a sound guy that might not know our style and sound that well. There's a lot of elements to our music and I really want the audience to hear the best possible mix," says Doval. "If I know the sound guy, I may let him mix us completely, but 90 percent of the time we sub-mix guitar, bass, keyboards. Vox and drums are the only separate lines."

They use a Behringer RX1602 Pro 16-channel mixer. The band picked the Behringer for the price and the features. This is something you hear frequently with regard to Behringers--musicians do not necessarily do cartwheels about the company's mixers but they not their value for the price and the fact that they work, are reliable and have more than enough features to get the job done.

"So far I have had no issues with this mixer. I love the fact that I can send the aux output through the headphone out if I choose to," says Doval. "I do this to send my drummer a mix of Bass and Keys while the main outs that include Guitar ,Keys,bass go to the house system."

When it comes to live microphones Doval is unequivocal.

"Sennheiser rock. I love their look and performance. This seems to be the best wireless mic you can buy for under $550.00," says Doval. "I worked at Guitar Center in the past and learned a lot about all the Pro Audio equipment including all the wireless mic selections. The EW-135 seems has never failed us Live. The battery ran out sometimes in the middle of a show, but that's my fault for not using Energizer or Duracell constantly."

Like the Behringer mixer Doval says he has had no problems with the EW-135 and would recommend it to any singer looking to go wireless. The band also use a Sennheiser EW-172 instrument wireless system.

"I feel that Sennheiser products are superior to most of their competitors. The EW-172 has worked great so far over 5 years," says Doval. "We love to run wireless guitars for the simple fact that it gives us a lot more freedom on stage and yet there is no sacrifice to our sound by using these products."

Keep an eye out for Phoenix/NEBULIN's new CD next year. - Patrick Ogle writes for Gearwire


"In Music We Trust"

This is the debut full-length album from Phoenix/Nebulin a Florida based band. Linda Doval(vocals, guitars, manipulations) Armando Doval(guitars, keyboards, programming) Joe Cozzi*(guitars), Tony Gines*(Keyboards). Distanza contains 12 original tracks and a bonus untitled track.

This album is a bottled-up ball of energy and passion that bursts to life with the opening track "Chameleon". With its powerful female vocals and riveting guitar work, it sets the stage for this album. Towards the middle if the album, Linda and Armando bring the fiery emotion to a simmer as heard in "Nebulin", only to bring it back to a boil with "Torn Inside", a hard-hitting emotion-driven neo-industrial track. Distanza is well crafted album that contains fantastic raw power and emotion that is seldom seen in many new acts, which once were found more in the early 90s.

Recommended for those who enjoy guitar-driven sound of Kovenant, as well as fans of oldtime Switchblade Symphony, and those who are into strong female vocals as heard in Sunshine Blind.

RATING: 4.5 (out of 5) - DJ Kreepy Krawly


"Group Thrives On Intense, Industrial Sounds"

June 2nd , 2006

Nothing is laid back about phoenix/NEBULIN. The four-member group delivers intense live performances of its alternative industrial music that has been inspired by groups such as Nine Inch Nails, Faith No More and Garbage.

The group was formed in 2001 by Phoenix (vocals) and Nebulin (bass). The couple met while working at the Guitar Center in Kendall, got married and started the band. Since then, they have played at clubs mostly in Florida and Georgia, and at an anime convention in Denver.

- Beth Feinstein-Bartl


"phoenix/NEBULIN - Female fronted synth/industrial rock"

If you're a fan of Electro/Industrial/Synth/EBM/Darkwave/etc.. music as I am, you may like this band as well.

A friend from South Florida, Linda, is lead singer of a band down there, phoenix/NEBULIN. If you haven't heard them yet, go give them a listen (website link at bottom) and hopefully fall in love with their music as I have.

phoenix/NEBULIN have taken the Miami, Florida scene by storm with their female fronted synth/industrial rock act lead by Linda Doval.. and now it's time for the world to know of them and fall in love as well.

"The music of phoenix/NEBULIN is an amalgam of sounds that blend the harsh, unforgiving drive of the industrial and metal music genre with captivatingly melodic tones. Lyrically, they guide you into the recesses of their imagination and offer an alternative perspective of the world which at times is a meridian between blind rage and gentle insightfulness. Their live performances are exceptionally intense, delivering an unexpected amount of power and emotion that never fails to leave the audience less than astounded."

Their debut full-length album "Distanza" recently came out and it's great!

Check out their website at www.phoenixnebulin.com - go to their Audio page and listen to songs off the album.

Some of my favorite tracks off the site are "Broken", "Acid Bath", "Torn Inside", the sleepless mix of "Inconsequential", and don't miss the nicely done cover of the Simple Minds song "Don't You Forget About Me". Those are just the songs (off the site) that always creep back into my mind the hardest, but all their songs are great!

Like what you hear? Don't like it? Post your thoughts here and let me know (and I'll pass the *nice* comments off to Linda and the band as well). And if you like it, be sure to support the band by purchasing Distanza! :)

- SIDE-LINE


"Distanza Album Review on Project Darkwave"

phoenix/NEBULIN's independant debut CD entitled Distanza is a powerful disc that harmoniously brings together the forcefulness of the industrial music genre with melodic tones and insightful lyrics. The band hails from Miami, Florida and consists of husband and wife duo Linda Doval and Armando Doval. The entire album was written, recorded, and produced in the comfort of their home studio during the period between 2002 and 2003.

The introductory track of the CD, "Chameleon," is a powerfully aggressive song which is only intensified by the singer's raw and unabashed anger. Other intense songs on "Distanza include "Acid Bath" the band's homage to the pleasures of the flesh, "Electric Halo" which musically has some drum and bass influence, and "Torn Inside" a fictional account of a woman's struggles with abortion.

But phoenix/NEBULIN are not simply about anger and aggression. On tracks such as "Voce de la Luna" the band speaks of hope and strength in a song inspired by their daughter. One of the beats in the song is actually a sample of their daughter kicking in the womb. Other insightul songs on the album include "Nebulin" and "Mute" which reflects the band's more melodic side. The remainder of the songs on Distanza are an amalgam of the two styles. A perfect meridian between anger and insightfulness.
- Project Darkwave


"A Grunge Kat Valentine (Interview) 2010"

A GrungeKat Valentine: phoenix/NEBULIN
An alternative industrial-rock romance written in lyric sheets…

by Miami Mad Hatter

What would Valentine’s Day be without a bit of Romance? Probably just another day. So here at GrungeKat we want to bring you a local story that is just as romantic as a Gothic vampire novel, with a little GrungeKat twist. Insert evil grin here.

nebulin
Our story begins in a not so little seaside village known as ‘Miami’, and in this not so little seaside village there lived a girl. This girl had hair as red as fire and a voice that could be heard from miles and miles away. She was always singing. She couldn’t help it, she was just a singer by birth right. She would just open her mouth and songs would fall out; plop.

So one day this girl with the red hair and her sing-song voice stumbled into a cottage in the woods (which for all intents and purposes shall be referred to here as the Guitar Center cottage) and in this cottage she met a dark prince. This prince invited this girl back to his efficiency apartment in the kingdom of Little Havanna, where they began to fiddle around with some magical instruments. They played with a four track recorder, a Korg keyboard, and a guitar. She sang and he programmed drum loops. As they played with these magical instruments something magical began to happen, they began making music. It was at that very moment that the dark prince knew they would be together sonically and happily ever after. The end.

…not quite. They describe themselves as hard rock with a touch of industrial or metal mixed with pop. Their generic label would probably be Alternative-Industrial. He is influenced by NIN, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, and The Cure. She hails from admiration for Def Leppard and Faith No More, but her musical debauchery also leads her to follow acts like Sarah Brightman, Queen, and Bjork. They are husband and wife. This duo has warrior-ed its way through the South Florida music scene for over eight years. They carry the badges of three album releases under their belt. Their name: phoenix/NEBULIN.

Phoenix- \'fe-niks\ (noun) a legendary bird which according to one account lived 500 years, burned itself to ashes on a pyre, and rose alive from the ashes to live another period; also : a person or thing likened to the phoenix

Nebulin- \ne-byu&-lin\ (noun) creature born from the ashes of an expired nebula (clouds of gas or dust in interstellar space)

I first came across this band at the 2009 Miami Music Festival. They were performing to promote a new album, LUNACY. Their fans gathered around inside the tent and cheered after each song. Their performance was stellar. She resembled a phoenix, rising up from the center of the stage and setting it on fire with banshee wails and intimidating growls. He was a force to reckon with, the NEBULIN, brooding behind his drum kit with impeccable precision, causing a pulse that seemed to inspire words like “It’s alive!!!” Everyone within earshot was frozen. I watched. I listened. I was impressed.

Watch the video footage of phoenix/NEBULIN at Miami Music Festival

This is a very talented South Florida act and I am very excited to be meeting with them now a month later. We meet at The Wallflower Gallery in Downtown Miami. They arrive rising up the stairs like something out of a Boris Karloff movie, all dressed in black and dark colors. They have their daughter with them, a beautiful little girl named Luna (how fitting). We gather in the Wallflower’s stage room and sit for a chat. I later question them both separately. What I uncover is one really awesome Valentine’s Day story with a very unlikely soundtrack; the music of phoenix/NEBULIN.

What was your first musical collaboration with Nebulin?

Phoenix: Broken. I wrote it in college a few years earlier
and showed it to him (Nebulin) while we were hanging out in his efficiency.
We were twenty-two. I picked up one of his acoustic guitars
and played and sang it to him. He picked up his guitar
and started playing along. After three or four sessions
were playing our first phoenix/NEBULIN original.

Can you remember your first musical collaboration with Phoenix?

Nebulin: Well, we were at my small efficiency
and I asked her to sing me one of her songs and show me the chords.
I then decided to record the song right there on the spot
with a four track recorder. She was down for trying it.
I programmed the drums and played some keys on a Korg,
we tracked it live onto cassette while she sang and I played guitar.
That’s when I knew we would be together sonically.

What do you remember about that first collaboration?

Phoenix: I remember pacing back and forth in his efficiency
as he played guitar and I sang the song over and over again.
It was my first time working with anyone musically
and I was surprised at how easy it felt to be that open with him.

What did you first notice about Phoenix when you met her?

Nebulin: What I first noticed was her hair. It looked like a fiery red bird,
all short and semi teased at the time. She was very unique and beautiful to me.
I was bound to fall for her. I later found out all about her other great qualities,
like her banshee screams and her cookie baking skills… mmmmmm, cookies…

What venues have you guys performed at?

Phoenix: SoHo Lounge, Broadway Live, Churchill’s Pub, Voodoo Lounge,
Tobacco Road, Revolution, Culture Room, Kafe Krystal, Hard Rock Live,
The Kitchen Club, The Metal Factory when it was The Metal Factory,
Murphy’s Law, Respectable Street… (she goes through a list of like forty!)
We even played some hotel once for an anime convention in Atlanta…

What has been your favorite gig to play to-date?

Nebulin: It would have to be the Kunicon shows.
Not only the live performance aspect of it, but the experience and treatment
we received was amazing. We played Kunicon in Atlanta and also in Denver.
Both shows were very well executed and a lot of fun…

I always ask this of all bands and artists I interview,
do you guys collaborate with other local bands?

Phoenix: Yep, I recorded some backing vocals on a couple of tracks
for Formula Redux’s album and I used to do guest vocals with Wednesday’s Child
every once in a while. I now have plans to do a live collaboration in the near future
with a band we recently became friends with and I am very excited about it.

Very cool! Kudos to you guys for that. Now, tell us about your new album…

Phoenix: Lunacy? Oh, it’s an awesome appetizer for what is yet to come!

Tell us about this new album you guys just released…

Nebulin: Yes, Lunacy. It came out on December 15, 2009 as a digital album.
It can be found on most MP3 sites, like Napster, iTunes, and eMusic and such.
It is a collection of cover songs that we have recorded along the way
with some new acoustic renditions of some of our songs.
It also has a couple new tracks thrown in there
along with a couple heavy hitting industrial remixes of fan favorites.
We just wanted to put this music out there before we release our next studio album.
Lunacy is also the first album ever to be released on Digi-card by an independent label.

Okay, cool… and tell us about the previous album now…

Nebulin: Meridian? I feel it is our best work to-date.
Meridian was inspired and written during a very tough time in our lives,
a time that I pray will never come again. I think you can hear some of that
on the album. But hey, the album kicks ass.

Describe two of your favorite songs from the previous album, Meridian…

Phoenix: Never Yours, it is a symphony of disgust,
and DNA, I just love the music of DNA… however, the lyrical content
is inspired by several occurrences of personal strife.

Can you describe two of your favorite songs from the previous album, Meridian?

Nebulin: The Path is a song of growth for us, one of the first
songs to really have a different feel from our previous work. It stands out like a sore thumb
and I love it for that reason. You either hate it or love it. I’ll never forget
the first time we played it live… Revolution, Miami, November 2005.
Song two would be Paradise Drowning. I don’t think we have ever written
a more perfect song… it really hits home as it is based on a true story;
a struggle with cancer and losing the fight. Linda’s sister, Ginger
was taken by cancer and the song is based on her.
It was difficult for Linda to write those lyrics.
We dedicated the Meridian album
to Ginger.

Tell us about the phoenix/NEBULIN band, who is in it?

Phoenix: James plays guitar live and he sometimes bakes cookies.
Nikki is our live bassist and she also does our tattoos. They are both just
amazing, loving people. Nikki we have known since we first got married.
She was the first person outside of immediate family to change our Luna’s diapers.
As for James, he has a level of tolerance that is inhuman. I mean, anyone that could
put up with me and Nebulin is a saint! I am forever grateful to have found such
amazing band-mates and great, great friends…

Nebulin (talking about the band):
The band has never sounded better live than it does now.
We plan on keeping this current lineup till our death!

You seem to take on various personas in your music videos and songs,
how do you portray all those other characters so well?

Phoenix: I have several people living in my head and they all fight for some stage time,
they each have a story to tell whether it be good or bad. Some are docile and loving,
others are fueled by pain and there are some in between…

If someone was to read an article about you and your band,
what would you want them to get from it?

Nebulin: That we are just honest songwriters who love to play live and put forth
100% effort in everything we do. We just do it because we love it.
It really comes from within us… from the very core of being human.

Pick two songs off this new album and tell me stuff about them…

Phoenix: Perversion…… (pensive silence) ummm, no, never mind,
I’m not permitted to speak in detail about the topic of that song. (laughing)
Unchained Melody, okay… so Nebulin and I were watching American Idol last season
and I noticed an overwhelming amount of people trying to sing Unchained Melody.
I turned to Neb and commented that I thought we could probably do sooo much better
than those people and I suggested, partially joking, that we cover it. He immediately replied NO.
I decided to defend my idea and press the topic till he eventually relented.
We started working on the track that very same night.

Unchained Melody, whenever I hear that song I always think of
Ghost, haha. So you guys covered it in this new album.
Tell me, how the heck did that one happen?

Nebulin: Wow, never in a million years did I see us recording that song.
It’s such a classic and so far from our style. But we made it work due to Linda’s persistence.
It really came out better than I thought it would. I don’t think my wife has ever sounded better
on a recording. That day raised the bar for us and our future recordings.

Okay, so now for one of my favorite interview questions…
What is the craziest thing you’ve ever seen in the local music scene?

Phoenix: We played a gig at a fetish club once. I’m not into that sort of stuff personally,
so seeing people get whipped while on a rotating wheel and having various
hooks and objects jabbed into places while couples fornicated
in the shadows was just a wee bit over the top for me…

What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen a band do on stage during a show?

Nebulin: I saw a donkey show once…

Okay, I have no idea what that means, but I won’t ask.
Let’s leave it to the imagination.

If you could write a song for Phoenix and sing it to her on national TV,
what would it sound like and what would the title of it be?

Nebulin: It has already been written. It is called White Misery.
It is basically about how she is the poison that feeds my soul and how I love her.
It sounds like a depressing, moody song… but the lyrics are beautiful and meaningful.
I recorded it during our first year of marriage and gave it to her.
If I could perform it on national TV for her, I would.

Would you consider your music romantic at all?

Phoenix: I think our music could be interpreted as romantic to the outsider,
however I generally do not write songs that are romantically inspired.
…with the exception of the song NEBULIN.

Be sure to visit this band online at www.myspace.com/phoenixnebulin and check out their music on Pandora, Rhapsody, CDBaby, and other online distributors. - Miami Mad Hatter


"Lunacy Album Review"

Remixes and covers galore make for a good transitional step between albums.
Miami industrial rock act Phoenix/NEBULIN has been building a base of intense and impassioned music to stand upon and present to the world. Blending electronic elements with the power of industrial rock, and with three albums and a fourth in the works, Lunacy serves as a solid stepping stone forward, full of alternate song versions from previous albums, a handful of original works, and a slew of covers in their very own style.

Lunacy showcases very few original Phoenix/NEBULIN songs, but the songs presented are worth the scarcity. The opening number "Perversion" is an intensely powerful synth/rock piece with passionate vocals, dark imagery, and very strong hooks. The energy of this opening number overshadows the other two original pieces, the industrial metal number "Lucid" and the instrumental electronic commemoration to shuttle "STS-51-L," but all three pieces hold their own in their own separate ways. However, Lunacy certainly could have benefited greatly from more original tracks on the same level as "Perversion."

The remainder of the album delivers remix after cover of numerous Phoenix/NEBULIN pieces and famous hits from decades past. The vocals and heavy musical quality give the cover songs an inherent insistence and demanding nature to the tone, which helps amp up the power of '80s songs "Don't You Forget (About Me)," "Rebel Yell," "She Bop'" and even the '50s hit "Unchained Melody." Here, the songs are powerful, upbeat, and rebellious, cast into industrial and electro format. While there may be some loss in the original intention, Phoenix/NEBULIN owns these songs. The remixes of previous songs move from hard-hitting and powerful to soft and sultry, overlaid atop dark and twisted lyrics with strong instrumentals. Phoenix/NEBULIN invokes singer/songwriter and ballad styling to remake their music in new and exciting ways.

phoenix/NEBULIN has established itself as a strong rising force in the genre. With fourth album Vitae on the horizon, the band has left audiences satisfied for the moment with Lunacy... though it's the original music that the listeners truly desire.
- Zak Vaudo


Discography

DISTANZA (LP) - October 2003
MERIDIAN (LP) - November 2006
LUNACY (LP) - August 2009
VITAE (LP) - June 2011 (tentative)

Photos

Bio

Rock, Industrial, Metal, Alternative, Goth, Pop…

Sometimes genre classifications are not possible when it comes to describing the works of one of today's most eclectic acts, phoenix/NEBULIN. Originating from Miami, Florida phoenix/NEBULIN continues to persevere in a region where little outside of the Latin music genre tends to flourish. As a band, Armando and Linda Doval offer a range of sound that blends the harsh, unforgiving drive of the industrial and metal genre with captivatingly melodic tones. Lyrically, they guide you through another portal into the recesses of their imagination and offer their point of view regarding the world that surrounds. Their live performances are exceptionally intense; delivering an unexpected power and emotion that fails to leave the audience less than astounded.

The band, phoenix/NEBULIN, was an idea that became reality shortly after Armando and Linda Doval’s marriage on July 23, 2001. The initial songwriting process, much like everything else in their relationship, was quick and intense. They immediately created several musical compositions and released their first 5 track demo in September 2001. They performed several shows as a two piece before making the decision in December 2001 to take a long hiatus from live performances after discovering they were expecting their first child. During this time they directed their energy to the songwriting and recording process. In October 2003 their debut full length album titled "Distanza" was released.

In November 2006 phoenix/NEBULIN released their sophomore album “Merdian”. On this album the band’s sound took a heavier hard rock approach. This left the duo with the difficult task of adding band members to their line up in order to successfully perform their work live. Various members joined the live line up but only guitarist James Wargacki had what it took to join the family.

In the time following the release of “Meridian” phoenix/NEBULIN once again found themselves going through drastic changes. Unfortunately, this took away from the time used to focus on the songwriting process. With the demand from fans to release new material phoenix/NEBULIN decided to release an album of remixes and covers. In August 2009 they released “Lunacy”, an eclectic assortment of remixes, acoustic recordings, and covers of some iconic songs such as Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”, Cyndi Lauper’s “She Bop”, Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell” and The Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody”. The album also includes an emotional instrumental piece entitled “STS-51-L” inspired by the tragic Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986.

Currently, phoenix/NEBULIN is preparing for the release of their fourth full length album entitled “Vitae”. On this album, phoenix/NEBULIN has elevated their sound to a new level taking musical and technical inspiration from various giants of the industry. The stability of sound is also mirrored by the finalization of their line up with the addition of Jon Haddon on bass.

After nearly a decade, phoenix/NEBULIN has seen many incarnations and has varied from one musical extremity to the other. Because of their extreme sonic diversity, phoenix/NEBULIN have been associated with a vast array of artists such as Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Evanescence, Def Leppard, and Sarah Brightman to name a few.