Inferno Doll

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Inferno Doll

Interview November 15, 2020

By Dan Locke

Vocalist and songwriter Laura Vargas bring her demonic side to life in this solo project, which is on the eve of sharing the sophomore studio release Sacrifice. This 4-track EP is a follow-up to 2015’s highly regarded album Dollmination: a complex tale of a woman who wakes up one morning to discover the alter ego that had been sleeping inside her has awoken and taken her hostage. The battle between them for the body rages throughout the musical story-line, as each entity struggles for dominance. Who will win? Is the doll the enemy? Or the woman herself? Or… Both?

How did you discover music?

At a very young age. My father played the guitar all the time so I asked him to teach me and I have loved music since then. Also, a music teacher at school, when I was living in La Serena (Chile), he was always encouraging me to sing. Then I discovered The Phantom of the Opera, classical singing, metal, horror fiction and here we are.

How did you start to write music?

When I moved to Santiago (Chile), my friends from school were all metalheads and music fans and I would hang out with them all the time. It came naturally that I started writing songs just for fun and I always liked writing – what you can call- poems. Then I started singing in a band, and then another and today I’m a solo artist.

How did you develop your Dollmination?

In 2013 I had the first ideas of how to present my music to the world. I like writing and making up stories, and so it began. Then Gabriel Hidalgo (guitarist and producer from Chile) joined me and we wrote Dollmination. It was released in 2015 and is about a woman who wakes up one morning to discover the alter ego that had been sleeping inside her has awoken and taken her hostage. The battle between them for the body rages throughout the musical story-line, as each entity struggles for dominance.

Describe your music

Gothic Metal with black metal and industrial elements. Inspired by gothic fiction, dark romance, personal experiences, the legend of Dracula and shows like Penny Dreadful.

How did you get your name?

It was inspired by nicknames from my friends.

How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?

It was my Dad’s. I kept it for years. He has it now. I have a keyboard with me now.

What makes a good songwriter?

That’s very personal, in my opinion. Each songwriter is different. I write what I’m feeling at that moment, I make a demo and then I work on the song with my producer.

What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?

Don’t remember the song but the first album I recorded was with my first band, Syndie. We had cassette tapes we burned ourselves.

How was it to work with VK Lynne at MFVF11?

VK is an amazing person and I’m so glad I met her. She helped me at the beginning of The Inferno Doll (around 2015): she wrote a poem and did a voiceover for a short video about Dollmination.

Before you stated your current band, you were in a band called Sacrameno. Tell me about it? And why you decided to go solo?

I was in Sacramento for a long time. It was a very good experience and I have the best memories from that time.
I went solo because I wanted to follow my own artistic view. And that’s what I’m doing with The Inferno Doll.

Tell me about your EP “Sacrifice”?

I started writing Sacrifice 5 years after the release of Dollmination. I relocated to Canada so it was hard for me to focus on music at the beginning. I also worked with producer Gabriel Hidalgo in this release.
Sacrifice is about The Inferno Doll’s years of silence. She’s being awakened and summoned by a High Priestess that controls the element of fire and gives her another chance to live in this world. Is darker, more atmospheric and theatrical than Dollmination.

The physical copy of your EP has one additional song on it. Why is that?

Because I wanted to give something special to my fans and to the people that backed me up on Indiegogo Campaign.

What is your favorite track on the album?

I love them all, really. But I’m more inclined to Ghost Waltz.

How do you stay healthy while touring?

I’m not touring.

What are you’re feeling about streaming music?

I think it is good. I use Spotify and it is really great when it shows you suggestions of other artists you might like and you get to discover new independent bands or solo artists.

Digital vs. vinyl?

I like both.

How was your Halloween?

It was very nice, thank you.

What is your favorite Tim Burton movie?

Frankenweenie, nightmare before Christmas, Corpse Bride, Beetlejuice, Batman, all of them!

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?

I’m actually listening to “Sacrilegium” from Devil Doll. This was the very music of Devil Doll I listened to in my life.

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

Writing songs for the next album.

How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merch to them at the show?

You can sell your music and merch online and connect with your fans on social media and emails. You can do live streaming. Like live chats or live Q&A’s.

Is pay to play still a thing?