Neoprene top and chiffon skirt by **Barbara Bui**.
[](#)[](#)
The Great Aural Interplay 19
A grip of blind dates betwixt a grip of musicians
\[it seemed like a good idea at the time\]
Empress Of interviewed _by_ Woodkid
Upon listening to Empress Of, the first thing you’ll notice is Lorely Rodriguez’s voix mielleuse. She sings with the wanton abandon of someone showering in an empty home, playing with octaves as if they were her bandmates. Amongst her vocal articulations are gasps, flutters, and pants, layered against swelling synths. Her songs taste like marbled ice cream off a golden spoon, an idiosyncratic aural dessert. If the first thing you’ll notice is Lorely’s voice, the last thing you’ll forget is how she uses it, and the brain freeze and tummy ache that follow.
Woodkid: _Can you describe your tour rider?_ Empress Of: Uh I’ve never had a tour rider before! Maybe some beer, Skittles, pizza, video games?
_How often do you Google your band/name?_ Only after I say something ridiculous in an interview.
_Are you more analog or digital?_ Dolby Digital. I wish I was more analog but it’s so expensive and I just started making music not too long ago.
_Grammys or MTVMA?_ Grammys! It’s such a legendary thing! The VMA’s would be fun...but only like 10 years ago when Chris Rock wore all white and hosted. Otherwise, no.
_It’s very hard for me to get laid on tour as I have to hide after the shows. Any advice?_ No, actually. I can’t relate to this problem at all. ;)
_Can you please ask yourself the last question of this interview?_ Q: What is the coolest sentence ever? A: Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.
Beauty Notes: Eye shadow in Orb and Tinted Lipglass in Pink Poodle. All makeup by **M.A.C COSMETICS.**
_Photographer_: Samantha Casolari at SamanthaCasolari.com. _Stylist_: Christine de Lassus for Art-dept.com. _Hair_: Laura Polko for Eamgmt.com. _Makeup_: Ralf Marzouki for Eamgmt.com.
.jpg)
