Thy Veils started out as a studio project in 1995, headed by Daniel Dorobantu, and soon it became a pioneering name in the Romanian ambient music scene. After 13 years of studio productions, in 2008 Daniel transforms Thy Veils into an ensemble of performing art. By 2022 Thy Veils self produced seven studio albums, four live recordings and numerous singles, a DVD with non-narrative video essays, video art for live performances and video installations, music for film and contemporary dance. Thy Veils’ live events are immersive audio-visual shows, transporting the auditorium towards the worlds within and the unfathomable depths of empathic comprehension and contemplation.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hey Thy Veils, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
Hello everybody, thank you for having me. In 1993 I got an audio interface (the Gravis Ultrasound) that could sample CD quality audio from external sources. A neighbour found out about this and asked me to help him producing electronic music. We tried to piece together bits of sound (sampled from his impressive cassettes collection) into music tracks which I believe would have fit into compositions suited for the techno/industrial scene. I had no other references except owning that sound-card; this is how I started.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
With Sir Roger Penrose, the English mathematician, mathematical physicist, philosopher of science and Nobel Laureate in Physics.
Your latest song is 'Influx'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
I started working on this track 4 years ago with the arpeggiated synth sounds and the rhythmic section. Even if it was not a complete track, I enjoyed the result very much and decided to wait for the best way to continue producing it. Any other month I tested various things but nothing really improved the track. This was until few months ago when I presented it to my new colleagues. Maria came immediately with the vocal line and Mircea recorded a few bass ideas. Everything went fast and smooth and soon we had the finished track, together with some extra synth lines and effects that I recorded being inspired by their contributions. Now, almost 3 weeks after the release, Influx is Thy Veils’ most successful single release.
What are you focussing on right now?
The main focus is to finish the new album, Next Forever. There are many things we’re working on, and many directions that we explore, and each gets its share of attention.
What are you most proud of?
I am most happy and grateful that Thy Veils, after 27 years, continues to exist, to develop, expand and improve. Today it is in the best shape it has ever been.
What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?
For me, there were a few. First it was to trust my artistic vision. Then to transform as a person to be able to rarefy and express the artistic vision. Then, to become an entrepreneur.
How do you structure your day?
There are 2 daily structures. One for those days when I work intensely on a video, or rehearse for a show or I do other production activities. On those days, everything is structured to optimize the production process. I sleep between rendering times, eat and do anything else between my working hours.
All the other days are structured so that all activities are reduced to a minimum and I live a contemplative life.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
I am curious and many things interest me. All these interests influence the music and the visual art. Science and spirituality are at the top of the list, focusing on the nature and workings of consciousness.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
I prefer the bathtub along extended ambient listening sessions. Or singing and dancing around the house, with headphones and some disco-funk tracks full of sunshine. Both are uplifting, blissful experiences for me.
What are your plans for the future?
To continue everything but more intensely and effortlessly at the same time.