Cinematic Ambient Post Industrial suna pe cat de ciudat pe atat de interesant. Polonezii de la JOB KARMA (www.jobkarma.pl) vin in premiera in Romania sa ne prezinte ideea lor muzicala, in seara de 18 august si, probabil, cunoscatorii stiu deja despre ce stil e vorba. Mai mult, tot acesti muzicieni se ocupa de un renumit festival polonez, dar mai multe aflati din interviul de  mai jos.

Buna, Macieck si Aureliusz!  Cum e iarna in Polonia? Este poate perioada voastra preferata a anului?

“Buna, Doru. Anul acesta am avut o iarna destul de deprimanta – ploaie si vant… imi aminteste mai mult de toamna desi zilele sunt scurte… nu, cu siguranta nu e perioada mea preferata a anului. Prefer primavara sau toamna insorita.”

Cum este viata pe la voi? Am citit ca sunteti singura tara europeana care a reusit sa aiba un trend pozitiv in contextul crizei economice… Deci, nu aveti recesiune acolo?

“Ma tem ca e propaganda tipic mass-media. Desigur ca viata in Polonia este mult mai buna decat, sa zicem, acum 10 ani (ca sa nu mentionez perioada comunista pe care inca mi-o amintesc) dar este totusi viata din Europa de EST. Nu resimtim recesiunea atat de mult deorece nu am trait niciodata atat de luxos precum partea de vest a Europei. Un profesor polonez obisnuit castiga de 3 ori mai putin decat unul grec. Suntem deprinsi sa economisim.”

Job Karma… un nume ciudat si niste cuvinte pline de contradictii…. ar trebui sa ma gandesc la trimiteri biblice sau la altceva? La lumea moderna in care traim si faptul ca e necesar sa ne compromitem zilnic sufletele?

“E doar un nume de trupa. Il poti interpreta in ambele feluri: ca fiind karma negativa a lui Iov din Biblie, sau karma cuiva indoctrinat de un loc de munca sclavagist intr-o corporatie, in numele ‘succesului’ sau al ‘carierei’.”

Cinematic Ambient Post-Industrial suna mai mult decat atragator dar de asemenea confuz… Te rog sa-mi spui mai mult despre acest stil, despre originile lui… da-mi cateva exemple de trupe care te inspira…

“Am creat acest univers din propria noastra nevoie de a arata cat de importante sunt filmele pentru noi, pentru muzica noastra si pentru concertele noastre. Muzica trupei Job Karma are accentele dramatice specifice filmelor si a fost adesea descrisa ca fiind ‘un film pentru auz’. Post Industrialul ne defineste muzica, la baza careia se afla: instrumente electronice, sintetizatoare analoage, generatoare de sunet, computere, sample-uri etc… Adevarata muzica industriala s-a nascut in anii ’70 si cei care-au inventat-o sunt: Throbbing Gristle, mai tarziu SPK, Clock DVA, Cabaret Voltaire, Test Dept, Einsturzende Neubauten, Esplendor Geometrico. Genul Industrial a evaluat si a creat mutatii diferite, precum: Industrial Ambient, Noise, Electro Body Music, Power Electronic, Dark Ambient. Influentele lui pot fi regasite chiar si in Neo Folk!”

Sunteti o trupa destul de veche in aceasta scena, pentru ca ati inceput sa cantati in 1997, ca duo, acum sunteti trei. Imi poti da mai multe detalii despre aceasta trupa, despre istoria ei?

“Am inceput ca o trupa alcatuita din 4 membri: 3 muzicieni si un producator video. Acum suntem 2 muzicieni si un producator video. E dificil sa fii obiectiv in ceea ce priveste muzica si stilul propriu, asa ca permite-mi sa citez ce a scris Rafal Kochan despre Job Karma in ‘Enciclopedia muzicii industriale’, vol III:

‘Debutul lor se bazeaza atat pe sunetul instrumentelor si dispozitivelor analoage si digitale (generatoare acustice), dar si pe ritmuri circulare specifice trance-ului. A castigat un renume considerabil prin reprezentantiile lor audio-vizuale, prin imaginile si videoclipurile create de Arkadiusz Bagiński, un artist in domeniul artei grafice, al interpretarii live si pe partea de video, colaborator permanent al grupului. Desi solide din punct de vedere stilistic si continuand primul lor album, urmatoarele lor creatii au fost imbogatite cu texturi Ambient mai sofisticate, extrase din filme si dialoguri din documentare, transmisii si piese radio.

Trupa foloseste o varietate larga de mijloace de expresie, de la structuri electroacustice elaborate in mod sintetic si sample-uri, la ritmuri sau chiar melodii distorsionate sau procesate. Prin intermediul muzicii lor si al imaginilor si videoclipurilor pregatite si selectate cu atentie, cauta sa trateze subiecte precum elementele disfunctionale ale societatii contemporane, razboiul iminent si anihilarea, sistemele politice si religioase daunatoare, dar si declinul incet al tuturor valorilor, datorita comercializarii progresive a vietii cotidiene a individului si a societatii.’”

Dar in ceea ce priveste discografia voastra, ce ne poti spune? Fiecare album se axeaza pe concepte diferite…

“Pana acum am lansat 6 albume complete de studio, doar ‘Tschernobyl’ este un album conceptual. L-am inregistrat dupa o calatorie la Cernobil. Muzica a fost coloana sonora a unui film realizat intr-o zona inchisa. Celelalte albume sunt reflexia starilor noastre emotionale, pot diferi una de alta pe masura ce ne schimbam.”

In iunie veti lansa un album nou, in colaborare cu SIEBEN. Cum  va suna acesta? De ce ati decis sa lucrati cu Matt?

“L-am intalnit pe Matt cu ocazia celei de-a treia editii a Festivalului Industrial Wroclaw, in 2004. De atunci am cantat de multe ori impreuna. Intotdeauna cand canta Job Karma, Matt ne insotea pe scena si improviza, si noi faceam acelasi lucru in timpul concertelor Sieben. In 2010 am petrecut 3 zile in Estonia la festivalul Darkland Fire. Era extrem de frig si intreg orasul Rakevere era acoperit de zapada, am stat de vorba ore in sir si, in timpul unei discutii din acele seri reci de iarna, am decis sa inregistram un EP. La inceput nu ne-am gandit la un proiect nou, ci la o colaborare, un split, ceva de genul Job Karma vs Sieben. In primavara aveam 4 melodii noi, rezultatul a fost interesant si intreg procesul de inregistrare (schimbul de fisiere, de idei pe internet) a fost nou si ne-a inspirat pe toti. Prima persoana (cu exceptia sotiei mele) care ne-a spus ca materialul era prea bun pentru a fi irosit intr-un EP editie limitata a fost Albin Julius. El ne-a sugerat sa inregistram un album de studio, si asa am facut. Albumul va fi lansat pe 25 mai, prin Redroom.”

Festivalul industrial Wroclaw de la voi e foarte cunoscut persoanelor interesate de acest gen de muzica. Ce ne puteti spune despre el?

“Organizam WIF incepand din 2001, la inceputul lui noiembrie. In acest an va avea loc a 11-a editie. Concertele mari au loc la Gothic Hall, care a fost o capela gotica veche. Avem fani care vin la Wroclaw din toata Europa, si am avut peste 150 de trupe prezente la festivalul nostru, printre care amintim: Psychic TV, Nurse With Wound, Clock DVA, Carter Tutti, Esplendor Geometrico, Merzbow, Tuxedomoon si multe, multe altele.”

Cum a fost ultima editie? Care sunt regulile pe care le respectati atunci cand decideti line-up-ul fiecarei editii?

“Ceea ce am remarcat este ca in fiecare an, dupa festival, spunem: Ooo! – aceasta a fost cea mai buna editie WIF de pana acum!! Ha ha. E un sentiment minunat si o mare satisfactie.

Prima regula pe care o respectam e: varietatea. Vreau sa zic – imi place sa invit trupe care interpreteaza genuri de muzica diferite, desi din aceeasi estetica industriala. Acesta e un lucru pentru care festivalul nostru e cunoscut: eclectism. Deci in timpul unei seri poti vedea pe scena trupe care canta Industrial, Power-electronics, Neofolk, Experimental, Dark Ambient, Rhytm’n Industrial, EBM dar si legende Cold Wave sau Post-Punk.

Un alt lucru e calitatea muzicii in contextul interpretarii live. Credem ca genul de spectacole ‘un om cu un notebook’ pur si simplu nu mai sunt interesante, si incercam sa minimizam genul acesta de concerte la festivalul nostru. Promovam interpretari live multimedia si, inainte de a decide sa invitam pe cineva, ne place sa-l vedem live.

De asemenea, cautam trupe unice, originale, care nu canta des in aceasta parte a Europei.

In final, dar nu in ultimul rand, incercam sa nu repetam artisti din anii precedenti. Uneori e foarte greu insa, desi au trecut 11 ani, sunt multe trupe care merita vazute si nu au cantat inca la Wroclaw. Pentru editia de anul acesta, ii vom invita pe: KILINK, SECTION 25, ROME, PORTION CONTROL, AIT!, DDAA si multi altii.”

Veti canta la DBE 4 pe 18 august. Ce stiti despre acest mic festival? In comparatie cu al vostru, nu e axat doar pe Industrial si subgenurile acestuia. Poate acest lucru sa fie un avantaj sau nu? Sa vezi, la acelasi festival, impatimiti ai Metalului discutand cu fani de Electronic, NeoFolk, Post-Punk sau Cold-Wave?

“Suntem obisnuiti sa cantam pe scene diferite. Cu Job Karma am cantat la evenimente de Gothic Rock, ca si de Avangarde Electronic sau Noise pur. Uneori ele au loc in galerii de arta, primarii, cladiri abandonate sau teatre imense. Intalnim public diferit cu reactii diferite. Poate din cauza formulei noastre audio-vizuale, preceptia este la un nivel diferit si nu trebuie sa fii un fan al ‘Industrialului’ pur ca sa gasesti ceva in care sa te regasesti.

Un alt lucru e ca aceeasi oameni si prieteni pe care ii stim de la WIF participa si la concerte de Thrash Metal, Ethno, Neo-Folk sau Avangarde. Deci nu exista un impediment real sa amesteci genurile in timpul unui festival.”

Ce stiti despre Romania?

“Am facut drumetii in Muntii Fagaras acum 2 ani – frumosi munti, natura salbatica, am intalnit multi oameni prietenosi, de asemenea imi amintesc berea buna – Ciuc si Ursus si vinul – Drakula *rade*.”

“Am vizitat partea de nord a Romaniei acum 4 ani. Doua saptamani de mers pe munti, auto-stop, calatorii cu trenul… Au fost momente minunate pentru mine si prietenii mei. Oameni foarte draguti, o ospitalitate calda si unica, natura pura a Carpatilor de Est. Am inceput din Ucraina – fosta granita romano-poloneza – prin Bucovina (am vizitat satele minoritatilor poloneze), muntii Rarau-Giumalau, terminand cu Maramuresul. Nu am avut nicio problema, a fost doar o calatorie etno-turistica. Sunt bucuros ca am sansa s-o compar cu regiunea Transilvaniei.”

Ati ascultat trupele de la DBE 4?

“Sa fiu sincer stiu doar de Of  the Wand And the Moon si am auzit de alte cateva nume.”

Descrie-ne putin trupa voastra live. Ce ar trebui sa ne asteptam de la JOB KARMA pe scena? De ce sunt atat de importante detaliile vizuale?

” Asa cum veti vedea, toate partile audio si video se combina. Compunem pentru un videoclip anume si videoclipul este pregatit special pentru o secventa audio. Merge in ambele sensuri. Majoritatea povestilor video facute de Arek sunt pregatite pentru evenimentul multimedia numit Ritual, deci toate secventele video au o poveste si un background. El mixeaza animatii cu fictiuni artistice jucate de actori profesionisti – toate dublate de un sunet si un ton unic. Nu va voi descrie mai multe detalii. Vom fi fericiti sa vi le prezentam la DBE.”

Ce fel de muzica ascultati in prezent?

“De exemplu Industrial si muzica similara (Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire, Test Dept, Coil, Psychic TV), Neo Folk (Sieben, Current 93), New Wave/Post Punk (Wire, Savage Republic, Minimal Compact), Ambient (Tor Lundvall, Apoptose, Bad Sector),  Psychedelic ( Neu!, Sand, Ashra, Hawkwind), Synthpop (Kraftwerk, Human League), muzica Pop de calitate (Kate Bush, Air, Yello), dintre noutati: A Place to Bury Strangers, The Soft Moon, de fiecare data:Swans.”

“Ne concentram puternic pe muzica noastra in perioada asta. Deci ca sa fiu sincer – in principal ascult ceea ce inregistram ca 7JK – coproductie muzicala JK si Matt Howden de la Sieben. Munca noastra e aproape gata, deci acum avem timp sa ascultam toate melodiile si sa incercam sa le aranjam intr-un mod sensibil si atractiv.”

Aveti prieteni in Romania? Vor veni sa va vada in Transilvania, poate?

“Nu am prieteni in Romania. Dar am avut un raspuns pozitiv pe internet cu privire la activitatea noastra ca JOB KARMA si la festivalul WIF, deci asteptam cu nerabdare sa-i intalnim la DBE si sa aflam punctul lor de vedere cu privire la ceea ce cantam si interpretam live.”

Va multumesc pentru aceasta scurta discutie. Ne vedem in cateva luni…

“Si eu iti multumesc, ne vedem cu totii in august, asteptam cu nerabdare sa ne reintoarcem in tara voastra frumoasa si sa cantam la DBE!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDuamLrw0ns

Ianuarie 2012

Cinematic Ambient Post Industrial sounds dreadfully interesting. The Poles of JOB KARMA (www.jobkarma.pl) are coming en premier in Romania to introduce their compositions to the DBE public, on the evening of the 18th of August. Those who are into the genre already know what I am talking about. More than that, the musicians are part of a famous Polish festival, but let us stop here with the introductions, so you can discover more in the following:

Hello, Macieck and Aureliusz! How is the winter in Poland? This is your favorite period of the year, maybe?

” Hi Doru. This year we have a quite depressive Winter – rain and wind…it reminds more of an Autumn although the days are short… no it’s definitely not my time of the year. I prefer spring or sunny autumn.”

But how is life in Poland? I read you are the only European countries who managed to escape the economical crises… So, you have no recesion there?

“I’m afraid it’s typical media propaganda. Of course life in Poland is far better than let’s say 10 ago (not to mention the communism time that I still remember) but it is still life in EASTERN Europe. We don’t feel the recession so much because we have never lived so luxurious as in the West part of Europe. An average Polish teacher earns 3 times less than a Greek one. We are used to saving money.” 

JOB KARMA… you have strange and paradoxical name… Should I be thinking of Biblical connotations or something else? Maybe you wanted to express the idea of modern life and how it compormises our souls every day?

“It’s just a name of a band. You can translate it in both ways: as a bad karma of a biblic Job or a karma of people being brainwashed by the slaver job in corporations in the name of a ‘success’ and ‘career’.” 

Cinematic Ambient Post-Industrial sounds very attractive but also confusing… Tell me a bit about this style, about the its roots… give me some examples of bands that inspired you…

“We created this expression for our own needs to show how important are movies for our music and concerts. Job Karma’s music has this specific movie drama attached to it and has often been described as a “movie for the ears”. Post-industrial defines our sound – the basis for which are: electronic instruments, analog synthesizers, the sound generators, computers, samplers etc…the true industrial music was born in the 70 and her inventors areThrobbing Gristle, later SPK, Clock DVA, Cabaret Voltaire,Test Dept, Einsturzende Neubauten, Esplendor Geometrico. Industrial style evaluated and created various mutations such as: Industrial Ambient, Noise, Elctro Body Music, Power Electronics, Dark Ambient. You can find it’s influances even in Neo Folk!” 

You are a kind of an old band in this scene. You started to play in 1997, as a duo, now you are trio. Can you offer me more details about your band, about history?

“We started as a 4-member band: 3 musicians and 1 videomaker. Now we are 2 musicians and 1 videomaker. It’s hard to be objective about your own music and style so let me refer You what about Job Karma wrote  Rafał Kochan in Encyclopaedia Of Industrial Music VOL III” 

‘Their debut work relied both on the sound of analogue and digital instruments and devices (acoustic generators), as well as on looped trancelike rhythms. They gained considerable renown for their audiovisual performances, the imagery and videos provided by Arkadiusz Bagiński, a graphics, performance and video artist, a permanent collaborator of the group. Although stylistically consistent and following on from their first album, their next works were enhanced with more sophisticated ambient textures, snippets from film and documentary dialogues, radio plays and broadcasts. The group employs a wide variety of means of expression, ranging from synthetically prepared electroacoustic structures and sampling, to distorted or processed rhythms or even melodies. Through their music and carefully selected and prepared imagery and videos they seek to deal with the dysfunctional elements of contemporary civilization, the looming war and annihilation, the inimical political and religious system and the slow decline of all values due to the progressive commercialisation of the day-to-day life of an individual and society’.”

But about discography? Each album had focus to different concepts…

“Till now we’ve realesed 6 full studio albums, only ‘Tschernobyl’ is a concept one. We recorded it after our trip to Tschernobyl. The music was a soundtrack to the movie made in a closed zone. Other albums are a reflection of our emotional states, they differ from each other as we are changing.” 

In June you will release a new album, through a collaboration with SIEBEN. How will this new album sound? Why you decided to work with Matt?

“We met Matt on the occasion of the 3rd Wroclaw Industrial Festival in 2004. Since that we’ve played many times together. Always when Job Karma played, Matt would join us on the stage and improvise, we did the same thing during Sieben show. In 2010 we spent 3 days in Estonia at the Darkland Fire festival. It was freezing cold, and the whole city Rakevere was covered with snow, we talked for hours and during one of those cold winter evenings discussions we decided to record an EP.  At the beginning we didn’t think about a new project, we thought about collaboration, split, something like Job Karma vs Sieben. In the spring we had 4 new tracks, the result was interesting and the whole process of recording (exchanging files, ideas through internet) was for all of us new and inspiring. The first person (apart from my wife) who told us that the material is too good to be wasted on limited EPs was Albin Julius. He suggested we should record the studio album and so we did it. The album will be released on the 25th of May via Redroom.”  

Your Wroclaw Industrial festival is very known for the peoplewho are interested in this kind of music. What can you tell me about this?

“We’ve been organizing WIF since 2001, every year in November. This year it will be the 11th edition. The main concerts take place in the Gothic Hall, that used to be an old gothic chapel. We have fans coming to Wroclaw from all over the Europe and we had over 150 bands performing on our festival such as: Psychic TV, Nurse With Wound, Clock DVA, Carter Tutti, Esplendor Geometrico, Merzbow, Tuxedomoon and many many more.” 

How was the last edition? What are the rules you respect when you decide the line-up of each edition?

“What we’ve noticed is that every year, after the festival, we are saying: Ooo! – this was the best WIF edition so far!! haha. It’s a great feeling and a big satisfaction.

First rule that I stick to is: variety. I mean – I’d like to invite bands that are playing different type of music even though still in industrial esthetic. And this is something that our festival is known for: eklectism. So during one evening You will see on the stage bands who play classic industrial, power-electronics, neofolk, experimental, dark ambient, rhytm’n industrial, EBM but also cold wave and post-punk legends .

Another thing is the quality of the music in the context of the live performance. We think that the “notebook-man-show” are simply not interesting any more and so we are trying to minimalize those kinds of concerts on our festival. We are promoting multimedia live acts and before we decide to invite someone – we’d like to see him live.

We are also searching for uniq, original bands who are not often performing in this part of Europe.

At least but not the last we are trying not to repeat artists from the previous years. Sometimes it’s really hard but still although 11 years has passed by – the are a lot of bands worth seeing that hasn’t played in Wrocław yet. For this year edition We invite: KILINK, SECTION 25, ROME, PORTION CONTROL, AIT!, DDAA and many others”

You will play at DBE 4 in the 18th of August. What do you know about this small festival? In comparison with yours, this is not focused only on Industrial and its subgenres. Could this be an advantage or on the contrary? Would it be weird to see Metal fans discussing with Electronic, NeoFolk, Post-Punk or Cold-wave fans on the festival grounds?

“We are used to play on various scenes. As Job Karma we played Rock Gothic as well as Avant-garde Electronic or pure Noise events. Sometimes it is in art gallery, city hall, squat or huge theatre stage.  We had to face various audiences with various reactions. Maybe it is because of our audio-visual form – the perception is on different level and you don’t have to be pure “industrial” fan to find something for yourself.

Other thing is that the same people and friends we know from WIF attend Thrash Metal, Ethno, Neo-Folk or total Avant-garde events as well. So there is no real obstacle to mix it during one fest.”    

What do you know about Romania?

“I was on trekking in Fagaras Mountains 2 years ago – beautiful mountains, wild nature, we meet many friendly people I also remember great beer -Ciuc and Ursus and wine –Drakula *laughs*.”

“I visited northern Romania 4 years ago. Two weeks of walking in mountains, hitchhiking, riding in trains … It was great time for me and my friends. Very nice people, warm hospitality and unique, pure nature (!!!) of Eastern Carpathians. We started from the Ukraine – former polish-Romanian border – through Bucovina (visiting Polish minority villages), Rarau-Giumalau Mountains, ending with Maramures. We had none problems, just ethno-touristic journey. I am happy to have a chance to compare it with Transylvania region.“

Have you heard some bands from DBE 4?

” Honestly I know only Of  the Wand And the Moon, and heard few other names.”

Describe me a bit your band live? What we should expect from JOB KARMA live? Why are the visual details so important?

“As you will experience all video and audio are strictly combined. We compose for concrete movie and the video is prepared for the particular soundtrack. It works both ways. Most of the video story made by Arek is mainly prepared for the multimedia event called Ritual, so all the video has its story and its considered background. He mixes animation with artistic fiction played by professional actors – all armed with singular sound and tone. I will not describe much of the details. We will be happy to present it for you at DBE.”

What kind of music are you listening today?

“For example Industrial and similar (Throbbing Gristle, Cabaret Voltaire, Test Dept, Coil, Psychic TV), Neo Folk (Sieben, Current 93), New Wave/Post Punk (Wire, Savage Republic, Minimal Compact), Ambient (Tor Lundvall, Apoptose, Bad Sector),  Psychedelic ( Neu!, Sand, Ashra, Hawkwind), Synthpop (Kraftwerk, Human League), good pop music  (Kate Bush, Air, Yello), from news: A Place to Bury Strangers, The Soft Moon, every time: Swans.

“We are strongly focused on our music these days. So to be honest – I mainly listen to what we are recording as 7JK– musical coproduction JK and Matt Howden from Sieben. Our work is almost finished so now we have time to listen all the tracks trying to put them together in a sensible and attractive way.”

Do you have friends in Romania? They will come to see you in Transylvania, maybe?

“Personally I don’t have any friends in Romania. But we have very good internet response about our activity as JOB KARMA and WIF festival so we are looking forward to meet them at DBE and search for their point of view on what we play and show live.”

Thank you for this short chat. See you in a few months….

“Thank you and see you all in August, We are looking forward to back to your beautiful country and play at DBE!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDuamLrw0ns

January, 2012

ISOLE (http://www.forevermore.se) este o trupa suedeza de Epic Doom Dark Metal cu o istorie impresionanta, de peste 20 de ani. Ultimii ani au adus cu ei si cateva albume ISOLE interesante, sub emblema Napalm Records, care le-au adus trupetilor o vizibilitate incredibila si un interes impresionant din partea fanilor. Deoarece noul album are un mix foarte inteligent de Doom Metal cu Dark si Progressive, am decis sa invit trupa sa cante la DBE 4, in seara de 17 august. Am si stat de vorba cu doi muzicieni, haideti sa aflam cateva mici detalii:

Salutari baieti! Aveti o istorie lunga de 20 de ani in spate. Privind in urma, care e diferenta dintre scena Doom de acum si atunci?

J: “Salut! Da, 20 de ani lungi de depresie si disperare, hahaha. Cred ca scena Doom Metal a trecut de la un manunchi de trupe la inceputul anilor ’90 la un gen underground masiv. Doom Metal nu e un gen mare nici in zilele noastre, dar in ziua de azi chiar avem numeroase trupe ce au destul de mult succes.”

Tocmai ati lansat un nou album numit “Born from Shadows”. Ai putea sa imi dai cateva detalii despre aceasta lansare si poate cateva cuvinte despre conceptul din spatele acestuia?

J: “Intunecat si progresiv. Albumul nostru cel mai intunecat de pana acum! Am folosit cateva ingrediente ce nu le-am folosit inainte. Sunetul s-a imbunatatit mult de la ‘Silent Ruins’ si masteringul de care a fost responsabil Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Swallow the Sun, etc) a facut acest sound al naibii de grozav! Asa ca daca nu l-ati ascultat pana acum, va puteti astepta la ceva destul de bun!”

Stiu ca planuiti sa lansati un album de aniversare a 20 de ani de activitate.

C: “‘Born from Shadows’ este albumul ce a marcat cei 20 de ani de existenta si am inclus cateva piese de pe legendarul nostru demo “Waves of Sorrow” din 1994 pe versiunea 2LP. Am mai avut si o petrecere de lansare/ aniversare a 20 de ani/ casatorie in decembrie aici in Suedia pentru a sarbatori toate acestea.”

Majoritatea presei considera ca noul album este influentat de trupe ca si CANDLEMASS si SOLITUDE AETERNUS. Sunteti de acord?

J: “Hahaha, asta e ceva mereu mentionat si dezbatut. Bineinteles ca suntem influentati de Candlemass si Solitude Aeternus, amandoua sunt trupe geniale, dar ne-au influentat mai mult in prima jumatate a existentei noastre, in timpul erei ‘Forlorn’. Azi, suntem influentati mult mai mult de trupe din alte genuri. Cred ca motivul pentru care sunam cum sunam azi este faptul ca ascultam toate genurile de muzica, dar avem tot Doom Metal la baza. Nu incercam sa sunam ca o alta trupa, notam ce ne vine in minte si in cele din urma, fiecare avand ceva de zis si adaugandu-ne propria amprenta, sunam a ISOLE. Dupa parerea mea, exista doar o singura piesa pe ‘Born from Shadows’ in care poti asculta influentele trupelor mentionate mai sus, si aceea este ‘The Lake’. Dar daca asculti mai de-aproape, numai inceputul si sfarsitul are o atingere cu Candlemass. Nu pot auzi o alta influenta reala in alta piesa pe acest album. Suna a ISOLE pentru mine.”

Aveti o trilogie de piese intitulata “The Moonstone” si conceptul din spatele acesteia este asociat cu dualitatea prezenta in toate lucrurile. Este aceasta o analogie cu ideile voaste de zi cu zi? Sunt binele si raul opuse sau aveti o abordare subiectiva a lucrurilor?

C: “Da, trilogia despre ‘Moonstone’ si ‘Shadowstone’ isi are concluzia in piesa ‘Born from Shadows’. E o tema clasica cu doua mari opozitii, ca si binele versus raul. Povestea in sine este inspirata de o serie de carti a unui autor rus numit Nick Perumov. Pentru mine, doua mari opozitii sunt foarte importante pentru a da gust vietii, in special cand vine vorba despre muzica si compus. Ai nevoie de ceva rau ca sa te faca sa te simti foarte bine si trebuie sa te simti foarte plictisit inainte pentru ca sa simti o mare bucurie. In timp ce compui, nu poti construi o piesa din bucati extrem de bune deoarece va face piesa neinteresanta, trebuie sa o controlezi pentru a construi o balanta cu parti mai putin bune pentru a evidentia partile ce chiar vrei sa sune bine… e destul de ciudat sa gandesti asa, dar cred ca este necesar.”

Ati lansat albumul “Silent Ruins” in 2009 la casa de discuri NAPALM RECORDS. Sunteti multumiti de colaborarea cu ei?

J: “Suntem foarte multumiti de ei! Este o casa de discuri destul de mare cu o retea buna si destui bani de cheltuit cand banii trebuie cheltuiti.”

Muzica voastra reuseste sa combine desertaciunea si disperarea existentei umane. De unde vi se trage inspiratia? Exista ceva trupe ce v-au influentat progresul muzical?

J: “Viata si moartea sunt surse de inspiratie destul de bune. Raul in lume este de asemenea o inspiratie buna. Piesa ‘Condemned’ de pe ‘Born from Shadows’ trateaza teribila chestiune a lapidarii ce are loc in unele parti ale lumii. Versurile sunt inspirate din filmul ‘The Stoning of Soraya M’.”

Stiti ceva despre Romania? Ati vizitat vreodata tara inainte? Si daca nu, ce v-ar interesa sa aflati despre noi?

J: “Nu am fost inca in Romania, dar stiu ca a fost Crister si mi-a aratat poze din acea calatorie. Stiu ce probabil stie toata lumea, contele Dracula si Ceausescu. E mereu distractiv sa vizitezi tari noi si nu cred ca de data aceasta voi fi dezamagit.”

Dark Bombastic Evening a ajuns la a patra editie. Ati mai auzit de festival inainte? Ce trupe din line-upul curent va face placere sa vedeti in cadrul eventului?

J: “Nu am auzit de festival pana cand am primit oferta de a canta acolo. Mi se pare foarte placut! Majoritatea trupelor nu se afla in directia mea muzicala, sunt genul de tip ce asculta Death si Black Metal, deci nu sunt prea agitat in acel sens. Dar e mereu placut sa iti petreci timpul cu oamenii si sa bei bere cu muzica in fundal, hehehe. Vom avea parte de clipe frumoase si vom cunoaste multa lume, sunt sigur!”

Va veti aduce ultimul album la DBE4? Dar merchandise?

J: “Bineinteles ca vom face asta! Vom aduce toate albumele si poate si vinyluri, daca vor mai ramane. Si noul tricou ‘Born from Shadows’ va fi accesibil si cred ca mai avem si patchuri cu logoul nostru.”

Unde va vedeti in 20 de ani?

J: “Hmm, in 20 de ani voi avea 54 de ani. Daca nu se va intampla nimic ciudat, cred ca voi face tot muzica cu ISOLE. Personal, cu siguranta inca voi face muzica si/sau inregistra, mixa si produce albume intr-un fel sau altul.”

Cunosti ceva trupe romanesti? Daca da, ce crezi despre ele?

J: “Nu cunosc nicio trupa. Poate cineva mi-ar putea recomanda cateva trupe cand ne intalnim la festival!”

Spune-mi ceva despre o zi obisnuita in viata ta. Ce faci pe langa muzica?

J: “Am grja de prietena mea si fiica noastra, ma duc la jobul meu plictisitor si daca mai am timp liber incerc sa lucrez la mixajele si masterele trupelor mele si cateodata ale altora. Munca, cam intotdeauna! Dar in ultimele 5 luni a trebuit sa stau mai mult acasa deoarece fiica mea s-a nascut in august.”

Multumesc mult pentru timpul vostru. Cateva cuvinte in incheiere pentru publicul Dark Bombastic Evening?

J: “Sper sa vedem multa lume si sa petrecem momente frumoase alaturi de voi toti! Ridicati-va pumnii, Romania! ISOLE va dobori DBE! Salutari!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGpGjneiwUk

Ianuarie 2012

ISOLE (http://www.forevermore.se) is a Swedish Epic Doom Dark Metal with an impressing history of over 20 years. The last years also brought with them a couple of interesting ISOLE albums, released under Napalm Records label, that brought the bandmates an incredible visibility and impressive interest from the fans. Because the new album has a very smart mix of Doom Metal with Dark and Progressive, I decided to invite the band to play at DBE 4, in the evening of August 17. I also talked with two musicians, let us find out some small details…

Hey guys, thanks for having us. You have a very long history of 20 years behind you. Looking back, what’s the difference between the Doom Metal scene now and then?

J: “Hi! Yes, 20 long years of depression and despair, hahaha. Well, I guess Doom Metal has grown a bit from just being a handful of bands in the early ´90s to become a big underground genre. Doom Metal isn’t that big of a genre today either, but today we actually have a bunch of bands that are pretty successful.”

You just released a new album called “Born from Shadows”. Can you provide some details about this release and maybe a few words about the concept behind it?

J: “Dark and progressive. Our darkest album so far! We have used some ingredients we’ve never used before. The sound has improved a lot since ‘Silent Ruins’, and the mastering that Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Swallow the Sun etc.) is what made the sound fucking awesome! So if you haven’t already heard it, you can expect something really nice!”

I know you are planning to release an anniversary album to mark 20 years of activity. Do you plan to include something special?

C: “‘Born from Shadows’ is the album that marked our 20 years of existence and we included a couple of songs from our legendary demo ‘Waves of Sorrow’ from 1994 on the 2LP version. We also had a release party / 20th anniversary party / Marriage ceremony in December here in Sweden to celebrate all that.”

Most of the metal press agrees that your new album is influenced by bands like CANDLEMASS and SOLITUDE AETERNUS. What do you think of this feedback? Do you agree?

J: “Hahaha, that is something they always say and asks about. Of course we are influenced by CANDLEMASS and SOLITUDE AETERNUS, both are great bands, but they had much more influence in the first half of the life of the band, during the “Forlorn” era. Today, we are a lot more influenced by other bands and bands from other genres. I think the reason we sound like we do today is because we mostly listen to other kinds of music but we still have the Doom Metal as a foundation. We are not trying to sound like any other band, we just write what comes to mind and after all of us has had a say and put our personal touch to it, it sounds ISOLE. In my opinion there’s only one song on ‘Born from Shadows’ you can hear influences from the above mentioned bands, and that is ‘The Lake’. But if you listen closely it’s only the beginning and the end that has that kind of CANDLEMASS touch. I can’t hear any other real influence in any other song on that album. It just sounds ISOLE to me.”

You have a trilogy of songs entitled “The Moonstone” and the concept behind it is related to duality present in all things. Is this analogous with your own personal day-to-day beliefs? Are good and evil opposed or do you have a subjective approach on the matter?

C: “Yes, the trilogy about the ‘Moonstone’ and the ‘Shadowstone’ has its conclusion in the title track ‘Born from Shadows’. It’s a classic theme with two great opposites like good versus evil, for instance. The story itself is mostly inspired by a series of books from a Russian author name Nick Perumov. To me personally, two great opposites has something to do with my beliefs, I think opposites are very important to get flavor in life and especially when it comes to music and songwriting. You need something bad to make you feel really good and you need to have fucking boring before you can really feel joy. In composing, you can’t build a song of totally great parts because it will make the song flat, you need to get in control to build a balance with parts less good to elevate the parts you really want to sound good… kind of strange to think in this way perhaps but I think it’s necessary.”

You have released the album “Silent Ruins” in 2009 under the label NAPALM RECORDS. Are you satisfied with working with them?

J: “We are very satisfied with them! It’s a pretty big label with good network and enough money to spend when money has to be spent.”

Your music manages to blend the hopelessness and despair of human existence. Where do you draw your inspiration from? Are there any bands that influenced your musical progression?

J: “Life and death are very good sources of inspiration. The evil in the world is also a good inspiration. The song ‘Condemned’, from ‘Born from Shadows’ is dealing with the terrible matter of the stonings they do in some parts of the world. The lyrics are inspired by the movie ‘The stoning of Soraya M’.”

Do you know anything about Romania? Have you ever visited the country before and if not, what are you interested in finding out about it?

J: “I haven’t been to Romania yet, but I know Crister has, and he has showed me photos from that trip. I probably only know what everyone else knows, Count Dracula and Ceauşescu. It’s always fun to visit new countries and I don’t think I’ll be disappointed this time either.”

Dark Bombastic Evening has reached its 4th edition. Have you heard of the festival before? What bands from the current line-up are you excited about seeing perform at the venue?

J: “I hadn’t heard of the festival until we got the offer to play there. Seems to me it’s a really nice one! Most bands isn’t in my direction of music, I’m more of a Black and Death Metal guy, so I guess I’m not excited in that way. But it’s always nice to hang with people and drink beer with music in the background, hahaha. We will have a good time and meet a lot of nice people, I’m sure!”

Will you bring your latest album with you to DBE4? How about merchandise?

J: “Of course we do that!!! We will bring all the albums and maybe even vinyls if there’s any left of them. The new “‘Born from Shadows’ shirt will also be available, and I think we still have the logo patch to offer.”

Where do you see yourselves in 20 years time?

J: “Hmm, in 20 years I’m 54 years old, hahaha. If nothing strange happens, I think we will still do music with ISOLE. I personally will definitely still play music and/or record, mix and produce albums in some way.”

Do you know any Romanian bands? If so, what do you think about them?

J: “I don’t know one single band actually. Maybe someone can recommend some bands for me when we meet at the festival!”

Tell me about a regular day in your life. What do you do besides writing music?

J: “I take care of my girlfriend and our daughter, go to my boring day job, if I have any time left after that I try to work with the mixes or masterings of my other bands and sometimes other people’s bands. It’s pretty much work all the time! But the last 5 months I’ve had to be more at home because my daughter was born in August.” 

Thank you very much for your time. Please say a few closing words to the Dark Bombastic Evening audience that is expecting to see you.

J: “Hope to see a lot of people and have a fucking good time with you all! Raise your fists, Romania! ISOLE will doom DBE! Cheers!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGpGjneiwUk

January, 2012

PG.LOST (www.pglost.com) este o trupa suedeza de Instrumental Ambient Post-Rock de toata frumusetea care va veni in Romania pentru prima data si va sustine un concert la DBE 4, pe data de 18 august. Ar fi timpul sa aflam cine sunt cei patru muzicieni si care sunt ultimele noutati din tabara lor.

Salut. Multumesc pentru ca ai fost de acord sa facem acest interviu. Tocmai am intrat in 2012. Cum a fost 2011 pentru voi?

“2011 a fost mai linistit din partea noastra si am avut timp sa stam si sa discutam schimbarile ce vroiam sa le facem. Dupa turneul european din ianuarie, am luat o pauza si mai tarziu, in primavara, am inceput sa compunem piesele pentru albumul urmator. A fost placut sa ne reinoarcem in acel proces creativ, sa compunem piese de la zero. Am lucrat la ele cand puteam si am realizat versiunile de preproductie de indata ce au inceput sa prinda contur.

Majoritatea toamnei/iernii a constat in inregistrari, mixaje, aranjamentele designului, marketing si asa mai departe. Si bineinteles, pregatirea turneului din acest an.”

Post-Rock-ul mi-a oferit mereu cele mai vivide experiente. Iubesc acel sentiment de disperare si abandonare combinat cu acceptia stelara suprareala oferita de muzica. De unde va inspirati? Experientele de viata sau poate ceva dincolo de dimensiunea umana?

“Probabil putin de peste tot. Viata in general, familie, prieteni, muzica, filme, calatorii, turnee, natura, munca, tot ce ne inconjoara. Cu totii avem idei si emotii diferite despre muzica ce o facem si rar discutam acest lucru unul cu altul sau cu altcineva. Nu e nevoie sa le discutam in trupa, deoarece ne stim bine unul pe altul si ajungem mereu pe aceeasi pagina. Chiar daca se schimba cu timpul, e firesc pentru noi.

Si daca tu spui ca-ti ofera ‘cele mai vivide experiente’, nu vrem sa temperam acest lucru. Credem ca experienta ta muzicala devine mult mai puternica daca insemnatatea sau sentimentul vine din interioriul tau.”

Sunetul vostru a progresat de la tonalitati mai light spre ceva foarte intunecat, greoi si abstract pe ultimul vostru material, “In Never Out”. Tranzitia a avut loc si in viata voastra reala? Asta v-a inspirat?

“Bineinteles ca suntem siguri de faptul ca lucrurile ce au loc in viata noastra ne coloreaza sunetul, dar de fapt, nu am analizat acest lucru la propriu. As spune ca la inceput, sunetul pg.lost a fost mai plin de speranta, naiv si cu trecerea timpului, a devenit mai agresiv, incarcat cu mai multa nervozitate, dar si mai matur. Se pare ca am devenit mai batrani, haha! Nu asta vreau sa zic. Mai exista in noi o parte inca adolescentina, juvenila, copilaroasa, numeste-o cum vrei, dar avem aceasta trupa de 8 ani deja si am crescut impreuna, atat muzical cat si ca oameni. Nu suntem atat de nesiguri de cum am vrea sa ne fie sunetul.”

La ce va ganditi cand compuneti o piesa? Cum are loc procesul creativ pentru pg.lost?

“Incercam sa nu ne gandim atat de mult. Aproape fiecare proces de creatie a unei piese incepe cu o fraza muzicala, un ritm de tobe sau o melodie ce vine de la repetitii sau este adusa de unul dintre noi. Mai apoi o cantam iar si iar, improvizand de cum progresam, spunandu-ne unul altuia ce e naspa si ce nu e. La sfarsit, este o piesa. Poate dura cateva ore sau cateva luni. Nu batem in cuie despre ce e, pana mai tarziu, cand avem fiecare opinia proprie. Asta e una dintre frumusetile acestei muzici. Poate fi despre orice si nimic, depinde total de cine o asculta.”

M-au interesat mereu in mod special ilustratiile voastre. Sunt foarte stranii si misterioase – in special cea pentru “In Never Out”. Cine face ilustratiile si ne-ai putea spune cateva cuvinte despre semnificatia copertii?

“Valentin Mellström  este fratele lui Kristian (ce canta la bass) si a facut multe ilustratii pentru noi. A realizat toate copertile albumelor noastre (inclusiv versiunile vinylurilor), exceptand cea a EPului ‘Yes I Am’. Modele de tricouri, postere, chestii pentru web si multe altele. Am lasat mereu chestiunea ilustratiilor lui Valentin deoarece are indemanarea necesara si avem incredere ca va face ceva ce i se potriveste muzicii noastre. Probabil el ar trebui sa fie intrebat despre simbolistica copertilor.

I-am dat muzica cand am avut o inregistrare propriu-zisa a acesteia si mai apoi el a venit cu conceptul de design, exceptie fiind ultimul nostru album. De data aceasta, a avut ideea generala si schita inainte sa incepem inregistrarile. Deci s-a putut si invers, noi inspirandu-ne de acolo. Cat despre muzica noastra, cu totii ramanem cu impresii diferite de la imagini, deci ne concentram pe impactul vizual, cat de bine arata.

Daca vreti sa vedeti mai multe lucrari ale lui Valentin, vizitati www.mlstrm.com.”

Cred ca exista o diferenta majora intre cum trupele Post-Rock suna pe CD si live. Avand in vedere acest lucru, va place sa improvizati pe scena? Credeti ca improvizatia este un aspect important in muzica in general?

“Cu pg.lost, cand o piesa este repetata pentru un concert sau turneu, tindem sa ne tinem de program, exceptie fiind cateva diferente in lungime daca prinzi senzatia in o anumita parte. Cand compui piesa, e o alta poveste. Mai apoi, pentru noi, improvizarea este esentiala. Dar chestiile ce suna bine in sala de repetitii ar putea fi schimbata pentru a incapea pe inregistrare si bineinteles, si invers. Incercam mereu sa obtinem ce e mai bun in ambele cazuri.

Poti fi un compozitor excelent, dar daca nu oferi muzicienilor spatiu de desfasurare, totul devine transparent, rigid si plictisitor. Tot asa, improvizarea prea multa live poate strica o piesa. Linia este foarte subtire, dar da, credem ca improvizatia este un aspect important al muzicii in general.”

Dati-mi cateva detalii despre noul album, stiind ca este terminat… Descrieti muzica, conceptul, piesele…

“Nu vrem sa dezvaluim prea multe. Albumul se numeste ‘Key’ si contine 7 piese, avand un total de ca 50 de minute. Vom pune in curand o piesa pe Internet ca teaser, pana la lansarea acestuia pe 4 mai. Odata cu piesa, speram sa avem un teaser si cu vizualizarile noastre noi, ce sunt facute chiar acum, de catre directorul britanic Craig Murray (www.youcameinhereasstranger.com).

Va suna ca pg.lost si poate nu atat de mult ca pg.lost. Am incercat sa adaugam mai multe elemente in acest material si sa experimentam fara a innebuni, hehe. Acesta este ca ‘In Never Out’, mixat tot de Magnus Lindberg (www.magnuslindberg.com) ce a facut inca o data o treaba minunata.”

As vrea sa stiu ce trupe v-au influentat in timp ce ati crescut si ce trupe va influenteaza si in ziua de azi muzica?

“Registrul muzical ascultat si ce ne-a influentat e destul de larg si diferit intre noi si e greu sa cuprindem totul. Unii dintre noi iubesc chestii ce altii le urasc. Vedem asta ca ceva pozitiv deoarece ne ofera un bun mixaj in abordarea muzicii pe care o cream. Dar e foarte greu si sa punctam exact influentele noastre.

Asa ca vom face totul mai usor si vom enumera cateva din trupele ce le-am ascultat cand eram tineri si le mai ascultam si acum uneori. Nu ne influenteaza muzica atat de mult, cel putin nu in masura in care credem. Nu sunt intr-o anumita ordine si nu va vom spune cine si ce a zis.   S-ar putea sa fie si cateva nume jenante aici:

Nirvana, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Radiohead, Dream Theater, Entombed, Genesis, Megadeth, Pantera, Refused, Phoenix, The Hellacopters, The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Foo Fighters, Jamiroquai, Pink Floyd, Queens Of The Stone Age, Soundgarden…

Am putea continua la nesfarsit…”

Percepeti muzica ca viind ceva eliberator? Care sunt sentimentele ce le experimentati cand cantati live?

“Absolut! Eliberator cand o asculti si mai eliberator cand canti. E diferit de fiecare data, dar cea mai tare senzatie este cand, dupa ce concertul s-a terminat, nu iti poti aminti exact ce ai simtit. Asta e sentimentul eliberator de a fi unul cu muzica. Si dupa te simi foarte fericit. E ca un drog uneori…”

Post-Rock a fost de multe ori etichetat ca un trend muzical de hipsteri. Ce crezi si simti in legatura cu acest fapt? Ma intereseaza si cum ati descrie propria voastra muzica.

“Nu ne pasa daca muzica noastra este etichetata ca fiind ‘muzica de hipster’. Nu ne pasa daca muzica noastra nu este ‘destul de hipster’. De fapt, oamenii o pot eticheta ca ‘grindcore cu o atingere de trip-hop si o farama de folk’ daca ei cred ca i se potriveste, nu ne intereseaza. Nu am inceput sa cantam aceasta muzica din cauza unui trend. Ne place si vine ca ceva firesc pentru noi. Nu vedem nicio rusine in a ne numi muzica Post-Rock, asa ca facem asta de fiecare data cand lumea ne intreaba ce fel de muzica cantam. E mai usor asa. Si daca cineva nu are idee de ce este Post-Rock, atunci gasim ceva ce suna asemanator. Instrumentele, melodiile, dinamica, lungimea si asa mai departe…”

Daca ati fi naufragiati pe o insula pustie si ati putea lua cu voi doar 3 albume cu voi, care ar fi acestea?

“Asta e o intrebare grea. Daca ne-ai intreba peste o saptamana, probabil ai primi un raspuns total diferit si nu am putea cadea de acord cu totii, asa ca vei primi un raspuns de la fiecare dintre noi. Trebuie sa spunem ca dupa ce am fost intrebati anterior lucruri asemanatoare, nu mai suntem rusinati de selectiile lui Martin.

Gustav: Jay Reatard ‘Watch Me Fall’, The Soundtrack Of Our Lives ‘Behind The Music’, Bon Iver ‘Bon Iver’

Kristian: Radiohead ‘Ok Computer’, Beck ‘Sea Change’, The Black Keys ‘Brothers’

Mattias: Iron Maiden ‘Killers’, Beach House ‘Teen Dream’, Nasum ‘Inhale/Exhale’

Martin: Dream Theater, ‘Metropolis pt.2′, Lok ‘Naken, Blästrad och Skitsur’, Enya ‘The Best Of’”

Ce faceti in viata, pe langa muzica?

“Mattias lucreaza la un centru de tineret comunitar, jucand ping-pong si mergand in excursii la gradina zoologica si lucruri asemanatoare. Pana acum, a fost antrenor de box timp de noua ani. Merge bine cu pozitia lui de director general la pg.lost. Nimeni nu se pune cu el, haha!

Kristian lucreaza la o asociatie educationala, ajutand trupele locale la inregistrari si obtinerea unor concerte. El mai inregistreaza si mixeaza pentru trupe mai mari in timpul lui liber.

Gustav este tehnician si sunetist independent. Acasa, lucreaza si ca regizor pentru Norrköping Symphony Orchestra.

Martin lucreaza part-time ca profesor de percutie si ansamblu la diferite scoli. Mai canta si muzica de rahat pe bani, miselul!”

Numiti cateva carti ce v-au influentat perceptia despre lume in timp ce ati crescut!

“Nu suntem mari cititori, din pacate. Am fi putut fi oameni mai destepti. Si benzile desenate ce le-am citit nu ne-au influentat perceptia atat de mult, haha!”

Veti canta pentru prima oara in Romania in august.Aveti cateva cunostinte despre aceasta tara si daca nu, ce v-ar interesa?

“Imi pare rau sa iti spun ca nu avem prea multe cunostinte despre Romania. Cred ca e si bine, si rau. E mai interesant sa mergi acolo pentru prima oara cu o minte deschisa. Cand le spunem oamenilor ca mergem sa cantam in Transilvania, cumva ii impresioneaza, hehe. Suntem interesati de lucrurile ce ne intereseaza de obicei cand mergem intr-o tara noua: cum este lumea, climatul, mancarea, peisajele, traditiile. Lucruri esentiale…”

Dark Bombastic Evening a ajuns la a 4a editie. Exista trupe pe lista ce v-ar placea sa le vedeti live?…

“Pai, The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble ar fi interesanti de vazut. Cred ca va fi o seara minunata in general cu multe experiente live placute.”

Multumesc pentru timpul acordat. Ne vedem in curand in Aba Iulia. Ultimele cuvinte va apartin.

“Multumim! Si multumim pentru oportunitatea de a veni in Romania pentru prima oara. Asteptam asta cu nerabdare si speram ca si voi. Ne vedem in august!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BCg3OUjXxk

Ianuarie 2012

PG.LOST (www.pglost.com) is a beautiful Instrumental Ambient Post-Rock Swedish band that will come to Romania for the first time and will play a show at DBE 4 on the 18th of August. It’s time to find out who the four musicians are and what are the latest news in their camp.

Hey guys. Thank you for agreeing to do this interview. We just entered 2012. How was 2011 for you?

“2011 was a bit quieter from our side, and we had time to sit down and discuss what changes we wanted to make. After the European tour in January we took a breather and later in the spring we started making the songs for our upcoming album. It was nice being back in that kind of creative process again, making new songs totally from scratch. We worked on them whenever we could and made pre-production versions according as they started to take form.

Most of the autumn/winter has been about recording, mixing, fixing with the cover design, marketing and so on. And of course managing everything with the touring we’re going to do this year.”

Post-Rock has always provided me with the most vivid of experiences. I just love that feeling of hopelessness and abandonment combined with the surreal stellar acceptance the music provides. Where do you draw your inspiration from? Life experience or maybe something beyond the realm of man?

“Probably a bit from everywhere. General life, relationships, family, friends, music, movies, travelling, touring, nature, work, everything that’s around us. We all have our different ideas and emotions about the music we make and we rarely discuss that with each other or with anyone at all. Between us in the band it’s not needed because we know each other so well so we always end up on the same page. Even though it changes with time, it comes very effortless for us.

And as you say that it gives you ‘the most vivid of experiences’ then we don’t want to temper with that. We believe that your experience of the music becomes so much stronger if the meaning or feeling of it comes from within yourself.”

Your sounds have progressed form lighter tones to something very dark, heavy and abstract on your latest release “In Never Out”. Did this transition happen in your real life as well? Is this what inspired you?

“Of course we’re certain that things that happen in our lives color our sound, but actually we have never really analyzed it properly. I would say that in the early days of pg.lost the sound was maybe more hopeful, naive and as time has progressed it has become a bit angrier, loaded with more anxiety but also more grown up. Sounds like we’ve become bitter old farts, haha! That’s not exactly what I mean. There’s still a big adolescent, juvenile, childish, call it whatever you want, part in us but fact is that we’ve had this band for around eight years now and we have grown together, both musically and as human beings. We’re not as unsure on how we like our sound to be anymore.”

What do you think of when composing a song? How does the creative process happen for pg.lost?

“We try not to think too much. Almost every process of making a song starts with a riff, a drumbeat or a melody that has come from just jamming or someone of us brings it to rehearsal. Then we play it over and over, improvising as we go along, telling each other what is shit and what is not. In the end there’s a song. It can take a few hours or a few months. We never pinpoint what it’s about until maybe later and then we all have our own opinion. That’s one of the beauties of this kind of music. It can be about everything and nothing, it’s totally up to whoever is listening.”

I always took a particular interest in your artwork. It’s very eerie and mysterious – especially the one for “In Never Out”. Who does the artwork and could you say a few words about the meaning of the cover?

“Valentin Mellström is the brother of Kristian (who plays bass) and he has done a lot of designs for us. He has done covers for all our records (including the vinyl versions) except for the ‘Yes I Am’ EP. T-shirt designs, posters, stuff for the web and more. We have always left the work of making the design for the records up to Valentin because he’s got the skills and we trust him to make something that we feel fits our music. He would probably be more suitable to ask about the meaning of the covers.

We have given him the music when we’ve had a proper recording of it and then he has come up with the design except for this time with our next album. This time he had the general idea and draft done already before we started recording. So it might have been the other way around that we found some inspiration from that instead. As with our music we all get different impressions from the designs so we mainly focus on the visual impact. How good it looks.

If you want to check out more stuff by Valentin, visit: www.mlstrm.com.”

I think there’s a major difference between how Post-Rock bands sound on CD and how they sound live. Bearing that in mind, do you like to do a lot of improvising on stage? Do you think improvising is an important aspect of music in general? Or do you like to stick with the script?

“With pg.lost, when a song is rehearsed for a gig or a tour we tend to stick with the script except for maybe some difference in length if you get ‘the feeling’ on a particular part. When making the song it’s an entirely different story. Then, for us, improvising is essential. But stuff that sounds good in the rehearsal room might have to be tweaked or changed to fit on a record and of course the other way around. We always try to make the best of it in both ends so to speak.

You can be an excellent songwriter but if you don’t give your fellow musicians some headroom it often shines thru and get’s stiff and boring. Then again improvising too much live can really fuck up a song. The line is very thin, but yes, we think improvising is an important aspect of music in general.”

Tell me all details about your new album, as I know this was finished… Describe the music, the concept, the tracks…

“We don’t want reveal too much. The album is called ‘Key’ and consist of 7 songs on around 50 minutes in total. We’re soon going to put one song on the Internet as a teaser until the release on the 4th of May. With that track we’ll hopefully also have a teaser from our new visuals, which is being made as we speak, by British filmmaker Craig Murray (www.youcameinhereastranger.com).

It’s going to sound like pg.lost and maybe also not as pg.lost. We’ve tried to get some more elements into this record and to experiment a bit without going too nuts, hehe. This one is, like ‘In Never Out’, also mixed by Magnus Lindberg (www.magnuslindberg.com) who once again has made a great job.”

I am curious to know what bands influenced you growing up and what bands still influence your music today?

“The range of music we listened to and has been influenced by is so wide and quite different between us so it’s hard to cover it all. Some of us love stuff that the others hate. We see that as something positive because it gives us a good mixture in our approach in making the songs we make. But it also makes it very hard to point out exactly where the influences come from.

So we’re going to make it easy and list some of the bands we listened to when we were younger and still listen to sometimes. They may not influence our music that much, at least not that we know of. This is in no particular order and we’re not going to tell who said which ones. There might be some embarrassing ones in here:

Nirvana, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Radiohead, Dream Theater, Entombed, Genesis, Megadeth, Pantera, Refused, Phoenix, The Hellacopters, The Soundtrack Of Our Lives, Foo Fighters, Jamiroquai, Pink Floyd, Queens Of The Stone Age, Soundgarden…

We could go on forever…”

Do you perceive music as being liberating? What are the feelings you experience when playing live?

“Absolutely! Liberating to listen to and even more liberating to play. It feels different every time but the best feeling is when you, after the show is done, can’t remember exactly what you felt. That’s a liberating feeling to be one with the music. Then afterwards you just feel really happy. It’s like a drug sometimes…”

Post-Rock has been often labeled as a hipster musical trend. What are your thoughts and feelings about this? I am also interested in knowing how you would characterize your own music.

“We don’t mind our music being labeled ‘hipster music’. We don’t mind our music being labeled ‘not hipster enough’. In fact people can label it as ‘grindcore with a touch of trip-hop and a dash of folk’ if they think it fits, we don’t care. We didn’t start to play this kind of music because of any trend. We like it and it comes very natural for us. We see no shame in calling our music Post-Rock, so we do that whenever someone asks what kind of music we play. It’s easier that way. And if someone doesn’t have a clue what Post-Rock is, then we just cook up something about how it sounds. The instruments, the melodies, the dynamic, the length and so on…”

If you were shipwrecked on a deserted island and could only take 3 music records with you, what would they be?

“That’s a hard question. If you would ask us in a week or so you would probably get a totally different answer and we could never agree on three together so you’ll get from each of us. Just have to say also that after being asked similar questions before, we just don’t give a damn about being embarrassed by Martin’s selections anymore.

Gustav: Jay Reatard ‘Watch Me Fall’, The Soundtrack Of Our Lives ‘Behind The Music’, Bon Iver ‘Bon Iver’

Kristian: Radiohead ‘Ok Computer’, Beck ‘Sea Change’, The Black Keys ‘Brothers’

Mattias: Iron Maiden ‘Killers’, Beach House ‘Teen Dream’, Nasum ‘Inhale/Exhale’

Martin: Dream Theater, ‘Metropolis pt.2′, Lok ‘Naken, Blästrad och Skitsur’, Enya ‘The Best Of’”

What do you do in life besides writing music?

“Mattias works at a community youth center mostly playing ping-pong and going on excursions to the zoo and stuff like that. He was until recently a boxing coach for nine years. Goes well with his position as CEO of pg.lost. No one fucks with him, haha!

Kristian works in an educational association helping local bands record and to get gigs. He also records and mixes for other professional bands on his spare time.

Gustav is a freelancing live sound and backline-technician. Back home he also works as a stage manager for the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra.

Martin works part-time as a drum and ensemble teacher at different schools and stuff. He also plays crap music just for the money, the sneaky bastard!”

Name a couple of books that influenced your worldviews while growing up?

“We’re no big readers none of us, unfortunately. We could have been smarter people. And the comic books we read didn’t really influence our worldview that much, haha!” 

You are going to be playing for the first time in Romania in August. Do you have some knowledge of this country and if not, what would interest you?

“I’m sorry to say that we don’t have much knowledge about Romania. That’s both good and bad I guess. It makes it more interesting going there for the first time with a open mind. When we tell people we’re going to play in Transylvania it somehow impresses them, hehe. We’re interested in the things we normally are interested in when going to a new country to play. How the people are, the climate, the food, the views, the history, the traditions. Basic stuff…”

Dark Bombastic Evening has reached its 4th edition. Are there any bands on the bill that you would particularly want to see live?

“Well, The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble would be interesting to see. Think it’s gonna be a great evening in general, with lots of nice live experiences.”

Thank you for the time. See you soon in Alba Iulia. The last words are yours.

“Thank you! And thank you for the opportunity to come to Romania for the first time. We’re really looking forward to this and I hope you all are too. See you in August!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BCg3OUjXxk

January, 2012

ORANSSI PAZUZU (http://www.myspace.com/oranssipazuzu) este un nume oarecum necunoscut insa, dupa lansarea noului album, ‘Kosmonument’, intreaga presa de specialitate a ramas socata de frumusetea si abordarea originala a pieselor finlandezilor. Mai mult, celebre festivaluri ca HELLFEST sau ROADBURN s-au grabit deja sa-i invite in acest an iar albumul este deja in topul preferintelor a multor ascultatori. Ce canta ei? Psychedelic  Black Metal & Space Krautrock, o combinatie stilistica neexperimentata inca de nimeni, dar care suna bestial! Haideti sa aflam cine sunt cei din spatele acestei ciudate titulaturi…

Salutari! Este ORANSSI PAZUZU considerat un alter ego al KUOLLEET INTIAANIT? Care a fost istoria proiectului anterior?

Ontto: “Salut! Nu. ORANSSI PAZUZU este o entitate proprie, nu un alter ego. Muzicienii din trupa au activat in trupe diferite, dar sunetul nostru final este mai degraba rezultatul combinatiei dintre aceste personalitati decat o continuare a proiectelor anterioare a vreunui membru.”

De ce acest nume? Sunt incendiatorii si ‘fumatorii’ limitele conceptului vostru? Black Metal si Psychedelic Progressive Rock? ’90+’70=ORANSSI PAZUZU? Sau soarele Exorcist… Cosmos Exorcist, poate?

Ontto: “Cosmos Exorcist, exact! Asta e ceva la care ne putem raporta. Incendiatorii si ‘fumatorii’ nu sunt limitele noastre, doar referinte la anumite genuri. Bineinteles ca exista numeroase alte influente de scos la suprafata, dar pentru noi, ORANSSI PAZUZU inseamna o combinatie de energie cosmica si intuneric. Numele reprezinta influentele Black Metal si psihedelice din muzica noastra.”

FAUST, CAN, KING CRIMSON sau PINK FLOYD intalnestc DARK THRONE, BURZUM, DEATHSPELL OMEGA, NACHTMYSTIUM si VED BUES ENDE… o combinatie foarte interesanta, dar in acelasi timp ciudata, nu crezi? Cum v-ati decis sa creati acest sound?

Jun-His: “Nu incercam sa facem muzica ciudata dinadins. Inteleg ca multa lume ne considera completamente bizari, dar pentru noi, acest lucru este firesc. Cand am fost tanar, am vrut sa experimentez cateva acorduri ce sunau ciudat. Ceva ce includea armonii in genul King Crimson si acorduri de chitara agresive in stilul Jesus Lizard. Era cu siguranta fortat la inceput, dar de indata ce i-am prins spilul, a devenit o parte fireasca a stilului meu.

Cand am inceput sa compunem material cu OP, majoritatea dintre noi ne cunosteam foarte bine; muzical si in alte privinte. Singurul plan ce-l aveam era pentru a patrunde mai adanc in taramurile atmosferelor intunecate si structurilor muzicale hipnotice. Aveam si inca avem numeroase lucruri de realizat in muzica. Tintim spre ele, dar incercam sa nu ne gandim prea mult la aceste lucruri cand compunem un material nou.” 

FINLANDA este binecunoscuta pentru scena ei Funeral si Slow Doom Metal & Ambient. De ce a urmat ORANSSI PAZUZU o alta cale? Nu iti place acest gen de muzica?

Ontto: “Sincer sa fiu, nu stiu foarte multe trupe Slow Doom sau Ambient din Finlanda, dar avem cateva influente Doom – in special din Reverend Bizarre, Sleep si Electric Wizard. Mi se pare mai interesant sa percepi muzica mai degraba ca pe o anumita atmosfera decat o combinatie de genuri. As vrea sa cred ca ne urmam propria cale, nu o cale pregatita de cineva dinainte.”

A fost dificil sa obtineti contractul cu Spinefarm?

Jun-His: “Cu case de discuri mai mari in o tara atat de mica ca si Finlanda, aceste lucruri sunt destul de evidente. Daca o trupa a lansat deja ceva si industria e oarecum familara cu trupa, ii intrebi daca sunt interesati si ei raspund afirmativ sau negativ. Teemu Suominen de la Spinefarm a zis ‘da’.”

Spune-mi ce ar trebui sa stiu despre istoria trupei, in afara faptului ca ati lansat pana acum 2 albume si un split. Dar despre membri? Pot sa-mi spui ceva despre ei, daca activeaza si in alte trupe?

Ontto: “Membrii ORANSSI PAZUZU sunt: Jun-His (vocal, chitara), Moit (chitara), Korjak (baterie), Evill (clape, efecte) si Ontto (bass). Initial, eu si Jun-His am avut ideea unei trupe ce ar canta muzica cu influente puternice Black Metal. Asta a fost undeva in 2007. Am adunat un grup de prieteni si am inceput sa compunem piese, si in curand focusul muzical a inceput sa se clarifice. Am vrut sa cream ceva intunecat si sucit, dar nu sa copiem o anumita trupa. Chitaristii Jun-His si Moit au activat mult timp in diferite trupe ce se intind de la Math Metal la Psychedelic Rock. Evill are ca background un trai civil ca designer la un teatru si cred ca acest lucru a influentat acceptarea lui in trupa. Moit tocmai isi finalizeaza albumul sau solo, ce e foarte folk si foarte diferit de ORANSSI PAZUZU.”

Ultimul vostru album a avut parte de cele mai bune recenzii. Sunteti multumiti de acest lucru?

Ontto: “Daca ma intrebi ce album prefer, atunci cred ca sunt mai multumit de noul nostru album (‘Kosmonument’) dar albumul de debut (‘Muukalainen puuu’) are meritele lui proprii. Nu stiu ce crede presa dar sper ca lumea va asculta ambele albume cu o minte deschisa, deoarece ambele au propria lor atmosfera si probabil ofera ascultatorilor viziuni diferite.”

Noul album este mai Heavy Black in comparatie cu debutul. De ce? Primul a avut niste atingeri puternice si mistice, visatoare, cosmice si obsedante… un sunet probabil mai meditativ. Acum sunetul este mai potrivit pentru headbanging, nu crezi?

Ontto: “Da, debutul este mai direct si trippy, in timp ce ‘Kosmonument’ este masiv, cosmic si deprimant. Totodata mult mai heavy. Pentru mine, ‘Muukalainen puuu’ este un document ce ne atesta stilul muzical. Cand debutul a fost lansat, am simtit ca mai exista o mina de intuneric uriasa de descoperit, asa ca am inceput abia sa coboram in ea. Astfel ne-am decis sa coboram mai departe in adancuri si sa ne indreptam sunetul spre o directie ‘mai’ extrema. ‘Kosmonument’ este rezultatul acelei calatorii. Poate fi o ascultare mai solicitanta, dar o consider mult mai merituoasa.”

Anul acesta este incredibil pentru voi din punct de vedere al aparitiilor live: Roadburn, Hellfest… Cum crezi ca e posibil pentru o asemenea trupa tanara sa acceada la festivaluri asa mari?

Jun-His: “Este o mare onoare sa cantam la toate aceste festivaluri. Suntem intr-adevar foarte surprinsi de faptul ca atata lume dinafara Finlandei au bagat in seama ORANSSI PAZUZU. Dar desi trupa e relativ tanara, noi, individual, am facut muzica toata viata noastra si am depus mult timp si energie in asta. Muzica este modul nostru de viata si cand ceva este facut cu pasiune si dragoste, cel putin cativa oameni sunt obligati sa se identifice cu aceasta.”

Veti canta in data de 17 august la DBE4. Ce stiti despre Romania, Transilvania? Dar despre DBE? Stiu ca ati vrut sa cantati aici si se pare ca energiile au lucrat in directia potrivita.

Jun-Jis: “Stiu ca in Romania si in special in Transilvania exista cateva peisaje uluitoare si natura frumoasa. Abia asteptam sa vedem o parte mare din acestea. Ii stim pe cei din HEXVESSEL/DARK BUDDHA RISING si ei ne-au spus despre DBE. Povestirile lor au sunat incitant. Nu cunosc o locatie mai potrivita pentru un spectacol decat un castel vechi.”

Cum arata ORANSSI PAZUZU live? Ce fel de show vom vedea in Alba Iulia?

Ontto: “Scopul nostru ca trupa live este sa cream o atmosfera pentru ascultator in care sa il innecam. Incercam sa cream o stare de extaz pentru noi si speram ca si pentru audienta. Folosim lumini dramatice si intuneric pentru vizualizari. Fara trucuri… ne concentram mai degraba pe miezul intunecat si psyched-out al muzicii.”

Pana acum la DBE 4 au fost anuntate participarea trupelor SOLSTAFIR, THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE, LANTLOS si OF THE WAND AND THE MOON. Ce stiti despre muzica acestor trupe? Crezi ca sunetul vostru rezoneaza cu aceste trupe in cadrul acestui event?

Ontto: “Sunt familiar cu SOLSTAFIR, dar de obicei nu urmaresc artistii contemporani. La o prima auditie, celelate trupe suna mai melancolic si mai putin agresiv decat ORANSSI PAZUZU, dar cred ca acest lucru face festivalul mult mai interesant. Ar fi de-a dreptul plictisitor daca toata lumea ar canta ceva Death Metal jalnic.”

Ce fel de muzica ascultati?

Ontto: “In ultimul timp am ascultat Rockul Progresiv al anilor 60 – 70, ca si Soft Machine, Neu! Si Wigwam. Imi plac si Neil Young si cateva LPuri ale lui Leonard Cohen. Nu am prea ascultat mult Metal, dar Darkthrone, Burzum si Electric Wizard sunt trupe la care ma intorc constant. Sonic Youth si My Bloody Valentine mi-au lasat o impresie de durata cu sunetele lor de chitara. Ar mai trebui sa mentionez Circle, una dintre cele mai importante influente muzicale. Ceilalti din trupa au gusturi relativ diferite. Cred ca este bine, ofera unghiuri diferite creatiei muzicale.”

Cum arata o zi obisnuita pentru tine?

Ontto: “Nu foarte bine.”

Multumesc pentru aceasta discutie. Ne vedem in cateva luni si iti urez mult succes. Este Black Metalul o religie? Esti o persoana religioasa?

Jun-His: “Stim ca Black Metal este mai mult decat muzica pentru unii oameni. Respectam acest lucru, dar suntem prea hippioti pentru a fi satanisti. Cred ca Black Metalul de calitate are o aura magica intunecata si vrem doar sa folosim acea esenta in muzica noastra. Totodata, mai respect si atitudinea anarhica si necompromitatoare a scenei, dar in acelasi timp cred ca toata lumea trebuie sa evolueze, sa se mute si sa intervina.

Personal, sunt un ateu ce crede ca exista lucruri miserioase pe care mintea umana nu le poate cuprinde, dar ce pot fi explicate intr-o buna zi de stiinta, fapt ce nu face nimic mai putin minunat sau misterios. Lumea are doar prostul obicei de a lua aceste lucruri de-a gata din clipa in care aud ca exista o explicatie stiintifica sau religioasa pentru acestea.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpzwUdeVriU

Ianuarie 2012

ORANSSI PAZUZU is a rather unknown name but, after the first album’s release, ‘Kosmonument‘, the whole press was shocked by its beauty and the Finns’ original approach. Moreover, famous festivals like HELLFEST or ROADBURN were in a hurry to invite them this year and the album is already in the top preferences of many listeners. What are they playing? Psychedelic  Black Metal & Space Krautrock, a stylistic combination experimented by no one yet, but that sounds great! Let us find out who are the ones behind these odd denominations…

Hello! Is ORANSSI PAZUZU is considered an alter ego of KUOLLEET INTIAANIT? What was the history of the previous project?

Ontto: “Hello! No. Oranssi Pazuzu is its own entity, not an alter ego. The musicians in the band have histories in different bands, but our final sound is the result of the combination of these different personalities, rather than a continuation of some band member’s past projects.”  

Why this name? Are arsonists and smokers the only limits of your concept? Black Metal and Psychedelic Progressive Rock? ’90+’70 =ORANSSI PAZUZU? Or the Exorcist sun…. Exorcist cosmos, maybe?

Ontto: “Exorcist cosmos, exactly! That is something we can relate to. Arsonists and smokers are not our limits, but only references to certain genres. Of course there are lots of other influences to dig out, but for us ORANSSI PAZUZU means cosmic energy and darkness combined. The name represents the Black Metal and psychedelic influences in our music.” 

FAUST, CAN, KING CRIMSON or PINK FLOYD meets DARK THRONE, BURZUM, DEATHSPELL OMEGA, NACHTMYSTIUM and VED BUES ENDE… a very interesting combination.. but weird, in the same time… don’t you think? How did you decide to create this sound?

Jun-His: “We`re not trying to make weird music on purpose. I realize that many people find us completely bizarre but this is something that comes naturally for us. When I was a young lad, I wanted to try out some weird sounding riffs. Something that included King Crimson style harmonies and Jesus Lizard type of aggressive guitar playing. It definitely felt a bit forced at first, but once I got the hang of it, it has since become a natural part of my style.

When we started to write material with OP, most of us knew each other very well. Musically and otherwise. The only plan we had was to go deeper into realms of dark atmospheres and hypnotic musical structures. We had and still have several things we want to achieve in music. We aim towards them, but try not to think about that kind of stuff too much when we are making new material.” 

FINLAND is recognized for its Funeral and Slow Doom Metal & Ambient scene. Why did ORANSSI PAZUZU follow another path? Don’t you like this kind of music?

Ontto: “To be frank, I don’t know that many Slow Doom or Ambient bands from Finland. But we do have some Doom influences also – mainly from Reverend Bizarre, Sleep and Electric Wizard. To me it’s more interesting to think about music as a certain atmosphere than a combination of genres. I would like to think that we follow our own path, not a path that someone else cleared for us first.” 

Was it hard to receive the Spinefarm deal?

Jun-His: “With bigger labels in a country as small as Finland, these things seem quite straight forward. If a band has already made some records and the industry is somewhat familiar with the band, you ask them if they are interested and they answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Spinefarm`s Teemu Suominen said ‘yes’.” 

Tell me what I need to know about the band history except the fact you have released 2 albums and a split so far. What about members? Can you tell me about them, are they playing or played in other bands, too?

Ontto: “ORANSSI PAZUZU members are: Jun-His (lead vocal, guitar), Moit (guitar), Korjak (drums), Evill (synthesizers, effects) and Ontto (bass). Basically it was me and Jun-His who had an idea about a band that would play music with a strong Black Metal influence. That was sometime in 2007. We gathered a group of friends and started writing songs, and soon the musical focus started to clarify. We wanted to create something dark and twisted, but not copy any particular band just like that. The guitarists Jun-His and Moit have have long histories of different bands that range from Math Metal to Psychedelic Rock. Evill has civil life background as a sound designer at a theater and I think that has influenced his input in the band a lot. Moit is also finalizing his solo album, which is very folky, soft and extremely different stuff from ORANSSI PAZUZU.” 

Your latest album received the best reviews. Are you satisfied with this fact?

Ontto: “If you ask which album I prefer, then I guess I’m more satisfied with our newest album (‘Kosmonument’), but the debut album (‘Muukalainen puhuu’) has also its merits. I don’t know what all the reviewers think, but I hope people would listen to both albums with open mind, because they both have their own atmosphere and probably give the listener different visions.” 

This new album is more Heavy Black in comparison with the debut. Why? The first one had a kind of dreamy haunting cosmic touch, very powerful and mystic… a more meditative sound, maybe? Now the sound is made more for headbanging, don’t you think?

Ontto: “Yes, the debut album is more straightforward and trippy, where ‘Kosmonument’ is massive, cosmic and depressing. And also a lot heavier. To me it seems like ‘Muukalainen puhuu’ is a document of us finding our musical style. When the debut was done, we felt like there was still a huge pit of cosmic darkness to discover, and we had only started the descent. So we decided to go further down to the depths and take our sound to a more extreme direction. Kosmonument is the result of that journey. It may be a more demanding album to listen to, but to me it’s also more rewarding.” 

This year is incredible for you as live appearances: Roadburn, Hellfest…  How do you think it is possible for such a young band to be featured in these great festivals?

Jun-His: “It’s a great honor to play in all these festivals. We are indeed very surprised that so many people outside Finland have taken notice of OP`s music. But although the band is relatively young, we as individuals have made music all our lives and have put a lot of time and energy into this. Music is our way of life and I guess if something is done with passion and love, at least some people are bound to identify with it.”

You will play in the 17th of August at DBE 4. What do you know about Romania, Transylvania? What about DBE? I know you really wanted to play here and it seems the energies worked in the right direction, heh.

Jun-His: “I know that Romania and Transylvania especially have some breathtaking views and a beautiful nature. Looking forward a lot to see some of that. We know the guys from HEXVESSEL/Dark Buddha Rising and they told us about DBE. Stories sounded good. Don`t know any better location to do a show than in an old castle.” 

How does ORANSSI PAZUZU look like live? What kind of show will we see in Alba Iulia?

Ontto: “Our aim as a live band is to create an atmosphere for the listener to drown him/herself into. We try to conjure a trance-like state for ourselves and hopefully also for the audience. For visualization, we use some dramatic lightning and darkness. No show tricks, but focusing more to the psyched-out and dark core of the music.” 

Until now the participation of SOLSTAFIR, THE KILIMANJARO DARJAZZ ENSEMBLE, LANTLOS and OF THE WAND & THE MOON were announced at DBE 4. What do you know about the music of these bands? Do you consider your sound fit with these bands in the same event?

Ontto: “I’m familiar with Solstafir, but usually I don’t follow that closely to contemporary artists. On a quick listen those other bands sound more melancholic and less aggressive than ORANSSI PAZUZU, but I think it only makes it more interesting to have diverse bands performing at the same festival. It would be absolutely boring if everyone would just play some shitty death metal.” 

What kind of music are you listening to?

Ontto: “Lately I’ve been listening to old Progressive Rock of the late 60′s – early 70′s, like Soft Machine, Neu! and Wigwam. I also like Neil Young and some LPs by Leonard Cohen. Haven’t been listening much Metal right now, but Darkthrone, Burzum and Electric Wizard are bands that I constantly return to. Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine have made a lasting impression with their guitar work. And I have to mention Circle, one of the most important musical influences for me. The other guys in the band have slightly different tastes. I think it is good, it gives some interesting angles to making music.”  

How does a normal day look like for you?

Ontto: “Not very good.” 

Thank you for this discussion. See you in a few months and good luck. Is Black Metal a religion? Are you a religious person?

Jun-His: “We know Black Metal is more than music for some people. We respect that but we are way too hippies to be satanists or anything. I think good Black Metal has a magical dark aura in it and we want to use that essence in our music. I also respect the anarchistic and uncompromising attitude of the scene but at the same time think that everything must evolve, shift and intertwine.

I myself am an atheist who thinks there are mysterious things the human mind cannot grasp but what could someday be explained by science. Which actually doesn`t make anything less amazing or mysterious. People just have a bad habit of starting to take things for granted once they hear the scientific or the religious explanation for them.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpzwUdeVriU

January, 2012

Kim Larsen este, cel putin pentru mine, o persoana cu un suflet frumos, un artist desavarsit, cu un comportamanet normal si prietenos din cale afara. La DBE 1 a cantat cca jumatate de ora singur si s-a simtit foarte stingher in fata unui public numeros si foarte zgomotos. I-am promis inca de atunci ca se va intoarce in Romania, insa in formula completa. Si iata ca :OF THE WAND AND THE MOON: (www.ofthewandandthemoon.dk) va sustine in seara de 18 august un concert deosebit, mai ales ca ultimul album, lansat in urma cu doar cateva luni in urma, este o reala bijuterie Experimental Dark NeoFolk.

Salut Kim! Cum mai e viata in Danemarca? Ati avut parte de multa zapada in iarna asta?

“Viata e cu suisuri si coborasuri, ca de obicei. Nu am avut parte de nici o zapada si sincer nu prea imi pasa. Inca imi place cand ninge, dar cred ca iarna a devenit prea lunga pentru mine. As prefera sa fiu undeva unde e cald si insorit.”

Cum a fost 2011 pentru tine? Ai scos un album si ai avut multe concerte. Ai fost in turneu cu DEATH IN JUNE, asa ca a fost un an special pentru tine, nu?

“Nu prea s-au intamplat multe in 2011, cu exceptia unor concerte frumoase in Rusia, Polonia si, bineinteles, magicele show-uri alaturi de DEATH IN JUNE. Albumul cel nou a fost lansat, normal. Din cauza asta 2012 va fi plin de concerte. ‘Cancerul’ sau ‘Dragostea’ isi arata fata acum…”

Proiectul tau are o istorie lunga si a lansat multe albume NeoFolk. Poti sa-mi spui cateva detalii pe care le consideri importante din istoria trupei, te rog?

“Cred ca multe lucruri au fost importante si inca sunt. Cel putin pentru mine. Nu as stii de unde sa incep si unde sa pun punct.”

Stiu ca ai cantat cu SATURNUS pe primul album. Ai mai colaborat cu THE LOVELESS si acum faci parte din BLACK WREATH si SONNE HAGAL. Ne poti impartasi niste noutati despre aceste trupe? Mai ai vreo colaborare despre care ar trebui sa stim? Ai cantat si alaturi de Tomas si Simone…

“SONNE HAGAL lucreaza momentan la un nou album, care suna foarte bine pana acum. Mi-am adus contributia in studio la voce si chitara.

BLACK WREATH trebuia sa fie un proiect de studio, insa este probabil sa ne apucam sa cantam live la un moment dat. Toti suntem ocupati cu tot felul de lucruri, asa ca ne e greu sa ne facem timp. THE LOVELESS este on-hold pe moment, asa cum a fost de ceva ani buni. Si da, l-am ajutat pe Tomas la voce, pentru noul album ORDO ROSARIUS EQUILIBRIO. Cu Simone nu am facut nimic. Nu stiu de ce ma tot intreaba lumea despre asta. Poate ca eram cam beat, nu mai stiu…*rade*.”

De ce este :OF THE WAND AND THE MOON: este inca un proiect solo in studio?

“Pai prima mea experienta de a face parte dintr-o trupa a fost cu SATURNUS. Asta m-a determinat sa aleg o cariera solo. Muzica este ceva foarte personal pentru mine si nu accept ca altcineva sa vina sa-mi spuna ce trebuie sa fac. Si nu am de gand sa muncesc ca un negru construind ceva, ca apoi sa nu simt decat goliciune. Bineinteles ca lucrez cu oameni la albumele mele dar live si ei au sansa sa-si lase amprenta. Insa, la final, eu am ultimul cuvant. Asa cum si oamenii cu care lucrez exercita un control total asupra propriilor proiecte.”

In 2009 la DBE 1, show-ul tau a fost unu solo, insa s-a simtit ca ceva nu iti convenea. De ce? Pana la urma era vorba de muzica ta, creata de tine…

“Cred ca atunci a fost al doilea show solo din cariera mea. Probabil am simtit ca muzica ar suna mai bine daca ar fi beneficiat de un suport melodic sau de percutie. Insa, privind inapoi acum, mi se pare ca s-a totul s-a desfasurat chiar ok. Unele din piesele noi au devenit foarte greu de interpretat live solo, deoarece au o parte instrumentala foarte bogata.”

In cateva luni te vei reintoarce in Romania, de data asta in Transilvania. Ce amintiri ai legate de prima vizita? Bune sau rele?

“A fost o experienta foarte faina. M-a suprins cat de multi oameni au venit si mai ales ca au venit din atatea colturi ale lumii. M-am imbatat foarte tare, ceea ce a fost, iarasi, o experienta excelenta.”

De data asta, proiectul tau solo va deveni o trupa completa in Alba Iulia. Spune-mi cate ceva despre restul membrilor. Mai lucreaza cu alte trupe, poate? Ce instrumente o sa foloseasca?

“Da, in Alba Iulia o sa punem in scena o chestie mai complexa. Il avem pe Matthew Moller la tobe. Mai are cateva trupe – THE CITY KILL si SINK SHIPS. Am mai cantat cu el in Eudaimonia Collective. Apoi, Iver Ask Overgaard este la chitara electrica si mai canta in minunata MY BELOVED, pe langa o droaie de alte proiecte. Tim Mogensen canta la bass si mai face parte din trupa ruso-daneza PARZIVAL. Louise Wilk-Zerahn face backing vocals si percutie. Nu mai imi aduc aminte cum se numeste celalalta trupa a ei, si nici macar nu sunt singur ca mai canta cu ei. Insa apare pe ‘The Lone Descent’ cu niste backing vocals extraordinare. Si ultimul dar nu cel din urma, Niels Rønne la clape, armonica si percutie, care mai canta cu RAINSCAPE (care se numeau SWIMWEAR CATALOGUE).”

Ce asteptari ai de la publicul prezent? O sa cantati afara, intr-o cetate veche…

“Nu am vreo asteptare. O sa vedem cand ajungem acolo. Dar cetatea pare minunata.”

Primele trupe anuntate la DBE 4 sunt SOLSTAFIR, THE KILMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE si LANTLOS. Ai ascultat vreuna din ele pana acum? Crezi ca genul de muzica abordat de aceste trupe este compatibil cu al tau? Chiar daca trupele Metal vor canta in prima zi si tu in a doua – pe 18 August.

“Din pacate nu cred ca am ascultat pe nici una din ele. Nu prea mai ascult Metal zilele astea. Poate ca am ascultat ceva de la SOLSTAFIR acum o mie de ani, dar nu-mi aduc aminte. Asa ca o sa ma pun la curent cand ajung acolo.”

“The Lone Descent” este unul dintre albumele mele preferate pe 2011. Are multe atingeri de prog-psych din anii ’60. Ce feedback ai primit in urma lansarii?

“Numai recenzii pozitive, sa fiu sincer. Dar cum se spune, azi la bal, maine la spital… sau ceva de genul asta. *rade*”

Ce muzica asculti in ziua de azi? Care sunt albumele tale preferate?

“Eu nu prea ascult muzica zilnic. Am ascultat ceva KING DUDE, pentru ca mi-a trimis TJ. Foarte interesant – trebuie luati in seama.

Albumele mele preferate, pai…’Thunder Perfect Mind’ de la Current 93 a fost albumul care m-a fulgerat si din cauza lui fac ceea ce fac acum. De asemenea ‘Rose Clouds Of Holocaust and… But What Ends When Symbols Shatter’ de la DEATH IN JUNE ocupa un loc special in inima mea. Alte albume care trebuie mentionate: ‘Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots’, ‘The Soft Bulletin’ si ‘Embryonic’ de la Flaming Lips – care au o productie excelenta.

Una peste alta, imi place o groaza de muzica: Lee Hazlewood, Johnny Cash, Six Organs Of Admittance, Nature & Organisation, Carcass, Sunno))), Earth,Baby Woodrose, Solblot, Forseti, Sonne Hagal, Henryk Gorecki, Arvo Pärt, Samuel Barber, White Ring, Iceage, Sibylle Baier, Serge Gainsbourg, Joy Division,The National, Editors, Susan Cadogan, The Clash, Irma Victoria, Sods, Sort Sol. Si mai sunt, dar mi-ar trebui o zi intreaga sa le enumar pe toate.”

Crezi ca o sa fie sfarsitul lumii in 2012?

“Sper ca nu lumea nu se va sfarsi totusi in 2012. Poate ca se va produce o revelatie pentru unii, din cauza calendarului mayas. Dar nu cred. Dar cred ca la un moment dat, lumea se va sfarsi.”

Care este diferenta intre compromis si onestitate? Tu, ca muzician trebuie sa faci compromisuri? Ai niste exemple?

“Urasc sa fac compromisuri. De asta am si amanat lansarea albumului si productia m-a costat atat de mult. A fost cel mai scump album pe care l-am produs vreodata. Singurul compromis este legat de bani, nu de ceea ce exista in mine.”

Care este punctul tau de vedere in legatura cu globalizarea, recesiunea economica si lumea suprapopulata?

“Nu vreau sa ma gandesc la asta. Ma apuca depresia cand ma gandesc la cata desertaciune exista in lume. “

Inca esti o persoana romantica?

“Mereu, din pacate!”

Multumesc din suflet. Ne vom revedea in cateva luni.

“Multumesc si eu, Doru. Ne vedem in curand. Toate cele bune.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDFjvw_7Vks

Ianuarie 2012

Kim Larsen is, at least to me, a person with a beautiful soul, a complete artist and an extremely warm and friendly person. At DBE 1 he played about half an hour, by himself and he obviously felt very alone before that big and noisy crowd. I promised him even back then, that he would be back in Romania but with a full line-up. And finally :OF THE WAND AND THE MOON: (www.ofthewandandthemoon.dk) will play on the night of the 18th of August at DBE 4, especially since their new album who has been just released is a authentic Experimental Dark NeoFolk jewel.

Hello Kim! How is life in Denmark? Do you have a lot of snow in this winter? Do you like this?

“Life is up and down. As usual I guess. We didn’t have any snow here yet and to be honest I don’t really care. Like still snowy weather, but think the winter is too long for me. Rather be somewhere warm and sunny.”

How was 2011 for you? A new album released, a lot of gigs, Death In June tour included, it was a special year for you, am I right?

“Not much happened in 2011, except for some nice shows in Russia, Poland and of course the magick concerts supporting Death In June. And of course the new album came out. 2012 will prove to be very busy with shows, and as ‘The Lone Descent’ was released late 2011, the ‘cancer’ or ‘love’..hehe.. is first beginning to show now.”

Your project have a long history and a lot of NeoFolk releases. Can you tell me in a few words some important details from your history and releases, please?

“I think there are too many things that have been important and still are. At least for me. I wouldn’t know where to begin or end.”

I know you have played with SATURNUS on the first album, you had also THE LOVELESS and now you are involved in BLACK WREATH and SONNE HAGAL. Some news about these bands and any other collaborations are important to find out now, maybe? You have played also with Tomas and Simone…

“Sonne Hagal is currently working on a new album which sounds really great so far. I contributed with a bit of studio work of vocals and guitar. Black Wreath was meant as a studio project, but maybe we will play live at some point. We are all very busy with different things, so it is hard to get time for it. Also of course talked about doing a new album, but it may have long prospects. The Loveless has been laid to rest indefinitely, and has been for several years. Yes, I did some vocals for Tomas and his new Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio album. I haven’t done anything for Simone. Not sure why people keeps asking me about this….Maybe I was very drunk? I don’t know *laughs*. “

Why …OF THE WAND AND THE MOON is this still a solo studio project?

“Well, my experiences with my first band Saturnus, made it clear that I had to do this as solo project .My music is very personal to me and I don’t need someone else telling me what to do.

And I am not going to work like a sick monkey to build up something again, only to get emptiness in return. Of course I work with other people on my albums and live, and they doo get very free hands to add whatever they want.

But in the end I have the final word. As well as the people that I am working with, have full control over their respective projects.”

In 2009 at DBE 1, you have played solo but you looked like you weren’t so comfortable. Why? It s your music, in the end… created by you…?

“I think this was my second solo live performance back then. I just feel that the music is better performed with some kind of melodic or percussive support. But apart from that I think the concert back then went pretty well. Some of the new songs have become even more difficult to play all solo, as there is a lot of instrumentation on it.”

You will return in Romania in a few months, this time in Transylvania. What memories you have from the first experience here? Good or bad?

“It was a very nice experience. Was surprised how many people there were and from so many parts of the world. Got extremely drunk, which was a nice experience as well”

Your solo project will be a full band in Alba Iulia. Tell me a few words about the rest of the members. They are involved in other bands, maybe? What instruments they will have?

“Yes, in Alba Julia we will be a big live setup. We have Matthew Moller on drums. He plays in several bands; The wonderful Copenhagen outfits – The City Kill and Sink Ships. I also played with him in Eudaimonia Collective. Iver Ask Overgaard on electric guitar who also plays in the wonderful My Beloved, and a thousand other projects I guess. Tim Mogensen plays the bass and also plays with the Russian/Danish band Parzival. Louise Wilk-Zerahn does backing vocals and does percussion. The name of her band just slipped my mind and I’m still not sure if she is playing with them anymore. But she also appears on ‘The Lone Descent’ with some brilliant backing vocals. Last but not least we have Niels Rønne on keyboards, melodica and percussion. He also has the synthbased band called Rainscape (earlier Swimwear Catalogue).”

What expectations you will have from the audience, from the event? You will play outdoor, in an old fortress.

“I really have no expectations. We will see when we get there. But the old fortress looks amazing!”

The first bands announced to participate at DBE 4 are SOLSTAFIR, THE KILMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE and LANTLOS. Have you listened to them until now? Do you think this kind of music is compatible with yours? Even the Metal ones will be in the first day and you will play in the second one, in the 18th of August.

“I am afraid that I haven’t heard any of them. I don’t listen to metal that much these days. Maybe I heard Solstafir at some point a thousand years ago, but can’t really remember. So guess I will hear something new when I am there.”

“The Lone Descent” is one of my favorite albums for 2011. I liked a lot the 60 prog psych touches… What feedback you have received about it?

“A lot of good reviews so far to be honest. But as they say; Today’s hero, tomorrows fish wrapping…or something down that line…*laughs* “

What music you are listening now? But what are the top albums from all times?

“I don’t really listen to a lot of music on a daily basis. But just listening to the new stuff from King Dude, that TJ, just sent me. Something to keep and eye/ear out for.

Top albums of all times….damn…’Thunder Perfect Mind’ from Current 93 was the one that set me off doing what I am doing back in the day, and it is still wonderful.

But guess ‘Rose Clouds Of Holocaust and …But What Ends When Symbols Shatter’ by Death In June holds a very big place in my heart.

Then there is also stuff like; Flaming Lips’ ‘Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots’/'The Soft Bulletin’/'Embryonic’ which are so great produced. Anyway, there is so much music I like. Lee Hazlewood, Johnny Cash, Six Organs Of Admittance, Nature & Organisation, Carcass, Sunno))),Earth,Baby Woodrose, Solblot, Forseti, Sonne Hagal, Henryk Gorecki, Arvo Pärt, Samuel Barber, White Ring, Iceage, Sibylle Baier, Serge Gainsbourg, Joy Division,

The National, Editors, Susan Cadogan, The Clash, Irma Victoria, Sods, Sort Sol… I don’t know…Would take me days to mention all.

What do you think about 2012? It will be the end of world?

Hope it will be the end of the world. Maybe it all will make some sense to everything somehow, due to the Mayan calendar and all that…But I doubt it, honestly….But of course some day everything will come to an end.”

What is the difference between honesty and compromise? You, as a musician, need to do the compromises? Some examples?

“I hate compromises. That is also partly why my new album has been so long on the way, and why it has cost so much money to produce. Has been the most costly production I have ever done. The only compromises only involves money, not my heart.”

What is your point of view regarding world globalization, economical recession and the overpopulated world?

“I don’t want to deal with it. I get depressed thinking about all the emptiness out there… ”

Are you still a romantic person?

“Always. Unfortunately.”

Thank you, dear friend. See you in a couple of months.

“Thank you, Doru. See you soon! Best”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDFjvw_7Vks

January, 2012

LANTLOS (www.lantlos.com)  este proiectul lui Herbst, un tanar muzician german care se afla deja la al treilea album. Stilul Atmospheric Post Black Metal gandit si interpretat de el a fost bine primit de ascultatori si se poate vorbi chiar de un nou curent muzical in acest sens.Ultimul album se pare ca i-a contrariat pe unii insa captivat pe altii, ceea ce arata ca LANTLOS continua sa se transforme, sa nu repete aceleasi acorduri doar pentru a-i multumi pe unii conservatori. Cosmopolitismul abordarii sale muzicale a fost incununat de succes rapid poate si datorita faptului ca vocea in studio a fost facuta deNeige/ALCEST, un bun prieten al lui Herbst. A venit insa timpul sa aflam daca muzica LANTLOS  a fost acceptata de fani pentru valoarea ei reala sau datorita colaborarii cu Neige. O provocare pe care DonisArt o ridica la fileu tuturor celor interesati.

Salutari, Herbst! Iata ca am pasit intr-un nou an ce prevede o activitate intensa pentru LANTLOS. In ce stare de spirit te-a surprins acest inceput?

“Ma simt destul de ametit, tocmai m-am trezit. In plus, ma simt destul de ciudat, dat fiind ca ma mut in cateva zile. In rest, totul pare sa fie in regula momentan.”

Iti urmaresc activitatea pe Facebook. Majoritatea fanilor stiu ca ai un blog. Ai o legatura stransa cu fanii, exista un dialog continuu intre voi. Cum reusesti sa mentii acest lucru, iti ia mult timp si efort?

“Oh, nu! Sunt doar mesaje scurte pe ici si colo si e distractiv sa stai de vorba cu oamenii. E natural sa comunic cu ei. Nu vad asta ca pe o munca sau ceva asemanator.”

Esti cunoscut ca fiind un muzician destul de prolific, ai multe idei si proiecte desfasurate in paralel. Totodata, stiu ca pasiunea ta pentru muzica are doi poli, New Wave si Glam. In ultimul timp, am zarit si scantei cand ai metionat noul material Kayo Dot. Din ce mai consta acest univers muzical al tau? Cum se imbina cu perceptiile, dar si lucrurile cele mai triviale din viata ta?

“Ascult orice gen de muzica atata timp cat imi vorbeste. Ascult Jazz, Hiphop, Electronica, Wave, Sleaze, Death Metal, Screamo, Crust, Hardcore, chestii Post. Deci, multe genuri. In cazul trupei Kayo Dot – imi place trupa asta de secole. Am postat acel album deoarece cred ca albumele anterioare au fost slabe si acesta a sunat mai bine inca de la inceput. Pentru mine Kayo Dot = Corul ochilor. Cred ca desi muzica este diferita din punct de vedere al aranjamentelor si instrumentelor, aproape totii artistii simt acea ‘durere’ ce o tematizeaza. Electro poate sa evoce in mine aceleasi sentimente ca si Black Metal. Nu stiu daca sunt numai eu, dar muzica este alcatuita din aceleasi progresii, tonuri si note, deci nu conteaza ce stil este. Muzica este muzica. Si cand e buna, e buna!”

Sa ne indreptam catre lucrurile mai concrete. Tu ai fost cel ce a realizat si o parte din artwork pentru “Agape”. Pe scurt, exista o anumita continuitate intre acest album si “.neon”? Sesizez mai multa agresivitate, dar ceata pare sa se evapore in ultimul material…

“Fundamental, compun muzica mereu in acelasi fel – stand si cantand la chitara. Raman fixat la ce imi place si inregistrez. A fost putin mai diferi cand am inregistrat ‘.neon’, am avut o stare constanta de exaltare, fara a lua ceva. Era un fel de filtru vag si cetos ce nu eram in stare sa-l controlez. Schimbul acesta de perceptie m-a ghidat de-a lungul intregului proces de compunere. Azi am pierdut acea senzatie si incerc sa intru in stari de exaltare prin muzica.

M-am simtit destul de gol si neconfortabil cand am compus piesele pentru ‘Agape’, deci da, ai dreptate, e mai cetos. Era un flux special ce nu-l stiu, ceva ce mi-a pus surdina la minte si sentimente. Pe scurt, ma simteam ca o fantoma, ca si cum nu as fi fost acolo fizic si mental, sau mai bine: ca si cum as fi luat droguri si as fi fost amortit. Dar a fost gol, pustiu, intunecat si totodata spiritual si consolator. Ca o calatorie. Am scris mereu despre stari ale mintii, despre sentimente percepute ca droguri. Este, pentru mine, reflectie spirituala, meditatie, in sensul ca te dizolvi in loc si timp si iti eliberezi mintea intr-o dezordine cosmica. De parca ai sta la margine si ai avea curajul de a pasi in dizolutie.”

Pana acum, LANTLOS era invaluita intr-o aura de ambiguitate. Nu aveati un lineup concret, dar acum te-ntorci cu o formula completa. Cine sunt cei ce intregesc formula LANTLOS?

“Sunt toti prieteni buni, fapt foarte important pentru mine. Julian (Bas) si Cedric (Chitara, Clape) imi sunt prieteni vechi si membri fondatori ai trupei noastre Post Rock LIAM. Stiu ca sunt buni in ceea ce fac si sunt dedicati si simt muzica cu pasiune. Felix (Tobe) este si el un prieten vechi. Canta  la tobe de peste 20 de ani – e foarte dedicat si in plus, m-a ajutat deja la inregistrarile bateriei pentru ultimul album.”

Am vazut si poze de la repetitii. Sunteti tineri, entuziasmul se simte, cum au decurs momentele petrecute impreuna? Ai de gand sa ne impartasesti o intamplare hazlie?

“Din pacate, nu a fost atat de distractiv. Am avut doar cateva zile pentru repetitii in preajma Craciunului, cand toata lumea isi vizita familia in orasul natal. Deci a fost mai degraba munca decat distractie. A fost minunat sa cantam piesele cu o trupa intreaga pentru aproape prima data, dar totusi, nu am fost in stare sa ne relaxam si sa le simtim. A fost in graba si epuizant.”

Nu ati sustinut inca niciun concert. Ati primit oferte pana acum? Ceva planuri de viitor concrete?

“Da, am primit numeroase oferte, dar din moment ce nu am cantat pana acum, vroiam sa fiu sigur ca totul merge bine. Resping aproape toate ofertele. Exceptand lucrurile interesante, cum ar fi DBE!”

Dupa atatea materiale lansate, ar fi trebuit sa aveti la activ cateva aparitii live. Din ce motive s-au lasat asteptate atata timp?

“Deoarece nu am avut muzicieni. Tipii ce sunt acum in trupa au fost destul de ocupati in trecut. M-a enervat la culme, dar din moment ce fac totul singur, am nevoie doar de muzicieni executanti. Asta chiar e pacat cand compui muzica singur…”

Am citit ca NEIGE nu va fi alaturi de voi in concertele ce le veti  sustine pe viitor. Influenteaza acest fapt activitatea LANTLOS?

“Da, bineinteles. Vom avea cu siguranta un solist diferit. Nu vreau sa par un nesimtit, dar din moment ce eu sunt cel ce compune toata muzica, nu imi va afecta sunetul atat de mult. Nu ma intelege gresit, am fost si sunt destul de trist cand Neige mi-a spus ca nu poate canta live cu noi, dar chiar vreau sa cant si nu pot astepta dupa el. El m-a impins de la spate sa cant fara el, deoarece s-a simtit foarte prost din cauza intregii situatii si nu vrea sa fie un obstacol pentru trupa. Deci, cred ca Cedric si cu mine vom imparti partile vocale si vom incerca sa facem fata ‘pierderii’.”

AGAPE a avut parte de recenzii mixte. Unii fani traiesc inca invaluiti in nostalgia albumelor precedente, altii au adoptat o atitudine mai mult decat pozitiva fata de ultimul material. Din pacate, mesajul acestuia a fost inteles gresit de unii ascultatori. Care este parerea ta despre acest lucru? Nu exista o anumita frustrare a artistului cand anima acestuia nu reuseste sa rezoneze cu publicul?

“Da, nu pot schimba asta. Bineinteles ca nu am fost fericit cand multora nu le-a placut albumul, dar e mai mult sau mai putin de inteles. Cu siguranta nu e un album pentru oricine. Dar eu cred ca este albumul nostru cel mai bun de pana acum si majoritatea oamenilor nu au petrecut destul timp cu el. Nu e un album ce-l poti intelege dupa o ascultare sau doua. E facut sa fie asa. Personal, am avut nevoie de mult timp cu piesele inainte sa le primesc si cred ca asta face albumul atat de bun. E minimalistic, masiv si criptic. Oricum, ce zice lumea e ce zice lumea… lasa-i sa creada ce cred.”

Prophecy a fost alaturi de voi de la bun inceput. Cum e relatia voastra cu ei?

“De fapt, prima noastra casa de discuri a fost un label italian numit ATMF. Il stiam pe Stefan din Prophecy cu mult timp inainte sa pornesc la drum cu LANTLOS. Am tinut legatura de-a lungul anilor si i-am trimis primul nostru album. I-a placut destul de mult si ne-a luat in vizor si am semnat contractul deodata cu ‘.neon’. Deci pe langa faptul ca e o casa de discuri extraordinara, ii cunosc pe toti cei ce lucreaza la Prophecy destul de bine si ii vad ca prieteni, ceea ce e un lucru minunat! Sustinerea e minunata, promovare buna si legaturile stranse. Tot ce iti poti dori ca muzician!”

Nu se mai aude nimic de LIAM. Mai aveti de gand sa reluati vreodata proiectul?

“Nu, nu va mai fi nimic nou. Ne-am despartit!”

Dupa cum stii, a existat un intreg val de Post Black Metal german ce a asaltat intreaga Europa (si nu numai). Totusi, LANTLOS  reusit sa se inalte deasupra multora, ajungand sa fie o trupa apreciata. Exista vreo formula secreta ce coace si fierbe in studiul tau, Herbst?

“Asta e o intrebare ciudata. Compun asa cum imi vine. Fara ganduri, decid conform dispozitiei. Atata tot!”

Ati fost invitati sa cantati la DBE 4. V-ati asteptat la asa ceva? Ce stii despre Romania? Ai avut contact cu vreun fan pana acum?

“Sincer, stiu foarte putine despre Romania. Pare atat de departe! Nici nu cunosc pe cineva care a fost in Romania. Am vazut cateva poze si clipuri cu Alba Iulia si persoanele ce le stiu din Romania par foarte deschise si dragute. Destul de diferite fata de oamenii de aici si asta o spun pe bune. Deci da, am contact cu fanii. Putine, dar oamenii foarte cumsecade! Sunt foarte bucuros sa ii pot  intalni la DBE!”

Ce asteptari aveti de la un asemenea festival?

“Oh, ador ce am vazut in termen de locatie! Alba Iulia arata perfect pentru un event ca acesta! Ma astept la zile insorite, muzica, multa lume buna, bautura si petrecere! In plus, cantam live – ce vrei mai mult? Astept sa descopar si Alba Iulia. Asa cum am zis anterior – pare sa fie un loc magic!”

Multumesc pentru interviu si va asteptam pe meleagurile noastre!

“Multumim pentru ca ne-ati oferit posibilitatea de a fi o parte din DBE! Si cu siguranta vom bea niste beri la DBE. Ma rog, sper sa fie asa!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-xIAaxUHsU

Ianuarie 2012

LANTLOS (www.lantlos.com) is the project of Herbst, a young German musician who stands at his third album. The Atmospheric Post Black Metal style he thought and interpreted was well received by listeners and we can even speak about a new music wave in this direction. The last album seems to have vexed some and captivated others, proving that LANTLOS keeps transforming, avoiding repeating the same riffs only to satisfy some conservatives. His musical approach’s cosmopolitanism quickly reached success maybe thanks to the fact that the vocals were done by Neige/ALCEST, a good friend of Herbst. Now it’s time we find out if the music of LANTLOS was accepted by the fans for its true value or thanks to the collaboration with Neige. A challenge DonisArt raises in the net to everyone interested.

Greetings, Herbst! Looks like we entered a new year that foresees an intense activity for LANTLOS. In what mood did this beginning catch you?

“I feel quite dizzy, just woke up. Plus I’m feeling strange since I’ll be moving in a few days. Otherwise everything seems to be quite alright at the moment.”

I follow your activity on Facebook. Most of your fans know you have a blog. You have a tight relationship with your fans, there’s a continuous dialogue between you. How do you manage to keep this up, does it take you much time and effort?

“Ah, no! It’s just short messages here and then and it’s fun to chat with the people. It comes somehow natural to communicate with them. I don’t regard this to be some kind of work or so.”

You are known to be a quite prolific musician, you have many ideas and projects developed. Still, I know your passion for music has two poles, New Wave and Glam (is it right?). Lately, I saw some sparks when you mentioned Kayo Dot’s latest release. What else does this musical universe consist of for you? How do perceptions, but also the most trivial things from your life blend?

“Phew, I listen to almost every style of music as long as it speaks to me. I listen to Jazz, Hiphop, Electronica, Wave, Sleaze, Death Metal, Screamo, Crust, Hardcore, some post stuff. So, tons of stuff. In the case of Kayo Dot – I’ve been into this band for ages. I just posted that album, because I think that the former albums were shit and this one sounded better right from the beginning. For me Kayo Dot=Choirs of the eyes. I mean, I think that even if music is differing in terms of arrangements and instruments, almost all artist have the same “pain” they thematize. So Electro can evoke the same emotions in me as Black Metal. I don’t know if it’s just me, but basically music consists always of the same progressions, tones and notes, so it doesn’t matter what style it is. Music is music. And when it’s good, it’s good!”

Let us head towards more concrete things. You were the one who made part of artwork for “Agape”. Shortly, is there any continuity between this release and “‘.neon“? I perceive more aggressiveness, but the gloom seems to dissolve in the last album…

“Basically I write music always the same way – sitting down and playing the guitar. I get stuck with what I like and record it. A bit different was too, that when I wrote ‘.neon’ I had a constant feeling of flush, without taking anything. It was some sort of hazy blurry filter that I was not able to control. This shift in perception guided me through the whole writing process of ‘.neon’. Nowadays is that I lost this sensation and I try to get into states of flush with music.

I felt quite empty and uncomfortable when writing the songs for ‘Agape’, so yeah, you are right, it’s gloomier. It was a special flow or stream I don’t know, like somehow muting my mind and my feelings. To make it short, it felt like being a ghost, like not being there in physical and mental sense or even better: like taking drugs and being numbed. It was empty though, it was bleak and dark and somehow spiritual and comforting. Like a trip. I always wrote about absolute states of mind, about feelings that feel like drugs. It is, for me, spiritual self reflection, almost meditations in a sense of dissoluting yourself in place and time and free your mind into a cosmic disorder. Like standing on the edge and daring the next step into dissolution.”

Until now, LANTLOS was wrapped in an aura of ambiguity. You didn’t have a concrete lineup, but now you return with a complete formula. Who are the ones who complete LANTLOS formula?

“It’s all good friends, which was important to me. Julian (Bass) and Cedric (Guitars, Keys) are long term friends and former band members of our post rock band Líam. I know that the guys are good in what they are doing and that they are dedicated and feel music with passion. Felix (Drums) is also a long term friend. He’s been playing the drums for like 20 years or so – he’s really tight and well in what he does, plus he already helped out in recording the drums for the latest album.”

I saw pictures form the rehearsals. You are young, you can feel the enthusiasm, how were the moments you spent together? Would you like to share a funny story that took place during that time?

“Oh, actually it wasn’t that much fun, unfortunately. We just had a few days to rehearse around Christmas, when everybody was visiting their families in our hometown. So it was rather work than fun. I mean it was great of course to play my songs with a whole band for the first time almost, but though, we weren’t really able to be laid back and feel it. It was hasty and exhausting.”

You have never performed so far. Did you receive any offers until now? Do you have any concrete future plans?

“Yeah, I receive a lot of offers but hence we didn’t play so far and still want to check out how everything works out and stuff. I almost reject everything. Except for the cool things like DBE!”

After so many releases, you should have had performed a couple of times. Why did it take you so much time for this to happen?

“Because I didn’t have any musicians. The guys that are now in the band were pretty busy back then. It totally annoyed me, but since I’m doing everything on my own, I just need to have executive musicians. This really sucks when making music alone…”

I read that NEIGE won’t be next to you in your future concerts. Does this fact influence the activity of LANTLOS?

“Yeah, sure it does. We’re obviously going to have a different singer. I don’t want to sound like a jerk, but after all I’m the one who writes all the music, so for me it won’t affect the actual sound too much. Don’t get me wrong, I was and still am quite sad, when Neige told me that he wasn’t able to play live with us, but I just really want to perform and can’t wait for him. He also pushed me to play live without him, as he feels really bad about the whole situation and doesn’t want to be an obstacle for the band. So, I guess Cedric and me will split up the vocals and try to cope with the “loss”.”

AGAPE had pretty mixed reviews. Some fans are still wrapped in the nostalgia of previous releases, others adopted a more than positive attitude towards the last release. Sadly, its message was misunderstood by some listeners. What is your opinion about this fact? Isn’t there a certain amount of frustration when the artist’s anima doesn’t manage to resonate with the public?

“Yeah, well, I can’t change this. Of course I wasn’t happy that a lot of people didn’t like the album, but it’s more or less understandable. It’s certainly not an album that was made for everyone. But I do think it’s our best album so far and yeah well, that most of the people simply didn’t spend enough time with it. It’s not an album that you can get when you listen to it 1 or 2 times. It’s meant to be this way. I myself needed a lot of time with the tracks before I got them and I think it’s especially that what makes the album so good. It’s minimalistic, bulky and cryptic. Anyway, what people say is what people say… let them think what they think.”

Prophecy was together with you all along. How is your relationship with them?

“Actually, our first label was a an Italian label called ATMF. I knew Stefan from Prophecy long time before I started with Lantlôs. We somehow kept contact over the years and I sent him the first album. He liked it pretty much and kept an eye on us and made the signing happen with ‘.neon’. So besides being a great label I know all people working for Prophecy pretty well and consider them friends, which is a great thing! Support is great, good promo and very close contact. All you can wish for as a musician!”

There are no news concerning LIAM. Do you think of resume the work?

“Ney, there won’t be anything new. We split up!”

As you know, there was a whole German Post Black Metal wave assaulting the whole Europe (and not only). Still, LANTLOS managed to go above most of them, becoming a highly appreciated band. Is there a secret formula you bake and cook in your studio, Herbst?

“That’s a strange question. I just write stuff as it comes. No thoughts, just deciding out of the mood. That’s it!”

You were invited to play at DBE 4. Did you expect something like this? What do you know about Romania? Did you have any contacts with a fan so far?

“Actually, to be very honest, I just know little about Romania. It seems so far away. I don’t even know anyone who’s ever been to Romania. I’ve seen some pictures and videos of Alba Iulia and the people I know from Romania seem to be very open and nice. Somewhat different from what people are here and that’s for real! So yeah, I have fan contact. Only few, but very nice people! I’m happy to meet them at DBE!”

What expectations do you have from such a festival?

“Oh, I love what I saw in terms of the location! Alba Iulia looks just perfect for an event like that! I expect sunny days, music, a lot of great people, booze and partying! Plus playing live – what do you want more? Also I’m looking forward to check out Alba Iulia. Like I said before – it seems to be a magic place!”

Thank you for the interview and see you soon!

“Thank you too for giving us the possibility to be part of DBE! And we’ll surely have to have some beers at DBE. At least I hope so!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-xIAaxUHsU

January, 2012

THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ  ENSEMBLE este o trupa cu un sunet pe cat de misterios, pe atat de incitant. Abordarea Experimental Ambient DarkJazz este una noua pentru concertele din Romania iar reprezentia lor din data de 18 august va inchide DBE4. Nu foarte vorbaret insa, cu punctari simple, Jason ne dezvaluie cate ceva din secretele acestui fantastic grup olandez.

THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ  ENSEMBLE, un nume de-a dreptul ciudat si complex pentru o trupa. Ce legaturi ascunse posibile exista intre acest nume si Nosferatu sau Metropolis? Sau nu sunt?

“Nu, nu exista vreo legatura intre aceste filme si numele trupei. THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ  ENSEMBLE a fost creata ca fiind ceva misterios si atemporal.”

De ce si cum v-ati decis sa infiintati aceasta trupa?

“Avem o biografie detaliata pe site-ul nostru: www.tkde.net, care explica intreaga istorie a trupei. “

Trupa are 11 ani de activitate. Ati pornit ca trupa ca un duo si acum exista o trupa completa. Care sunt cele mai importante detalii ce privesc istoria, membrii, lansarile oficiale si aparitiile live a trupei?

“Ar fi mai bine sa redirectionez iar cititorii catre siteul nostru. Contine intreaga biografie si discografie.”

Cine compune muzica? Numai Jason si Gideon sunt implicati in proces?

“In mare masura eu si Gideon. Procesul poate varia, nu exista o metoda standard de a compune. Uneori si ceilalti membri adauga propriile lor idei.”

Membrii locuiesc in orase si tari diferite. Nu ti se pare dificil sa compui muzica in acest fel?

“Nu neaparat, multumita miracolelor internetului, e foarte usor sa lucrezi prin intermediul lui.”

Ati lansat un album magnific anul trecut, plin de obscuritate si nostalgie… I-am acordat nota maxima in recenzia mea. Ce feedback ati obtinut in urma acestei lansari?

“Au fost destul de bune. Toate recenziile au fost foarte pozitive, deci a  fost un an destul de bun pentru trupa.”

Esti multumit de Denovali? Nu crezi ca o casa de discuri mai mare v-ar putea oferi mai multa promovare si vizibilitate?

“Ei produc materiale de calitate, suntem multumitit de asta. Si per total, avem impresia ca sunt foarte pasionati de casa lor de discuri. “

La sfarsitul anului 2011 ati lansat un album live gratuit. De ce? Intentionati sa scoateti un DVD live, poate?

“Am lansat albumul live deoarece am considerat ca fanii l-ar aprecia. Nu au existat costuri de productie pentru album, deci ne-am decis sa il oferim gratuit sau o donatie din proprie initaitiva. Momentan, nu avem planuri pentru un DVD.”

Care este diferenta intre trupa voastra studio si live? Exista diferente intre indoor si outdoor?

“Cred ca e destul de simplu. Studio vizeaza statul jos si compunerea, procesul de creatie. Live inseamna sa canti cu trupa. Personal, prefer sa cant inaintru, consider ca i se potriveste mai bine muzicii noastre.”

Cat de importante sunt efectele vizuale si proiectiile video live? Este muzica voastra un sunet cinematic?

“Efectele vizuale accentueaza experienta muzicala. Este o adaugare showului propriu-zis.”

Ati cantat in Europa de Est si ati castigat total publicul… Am citit multe recenzii live pozitive din Ungaria, Polonia. De ce crezi ca audientei din est ii place muzica voastra?

“Deoarece exista mai multe dificultati in est, cred, in special in generatiile cu impactare comunista si problemele aferente. Mai cred ca europenii de est au un caracter mai melancolic decat cei din vest, ce ii atrage mai mult catre acest fel de muzica.”

Veti canta pentru prima oara in Romania in 18 august, la DBE 4. Am incercat sa facem asta in 2011, dar numai acum s-a putut. Ce crezi despre Romania?

“Cred ca Romania este miunata. Am fost in Bucuresti de cateva ori si imi plac mult romanii.”

Ce asteptari aveti de la eveniment, din partea audientei?

“Nu avem nicio idee! Speram sa avem parte de o surpriza placuta!”

Prima trupa anuntata la DBE 4, dar in data de 17, a fost SOLSTAFIR. I-ai ascultat vreodata?

“Nu, imi pare rau, nu ii stiu.”

Stiu ca intrecut ai cantat cu trupa de Doom Death Metal CELESTIAL SEASON. Dar nu vei fi alaturi de ei live in acest an… de ce?

“Din pacate, nu am timp. Sper sa vad un spectacol, daca e posibil. Ar fi amuzant sa ii vad pe scena.”

Apropo, ce fel de muzica asculti acum? Ce filme mi-ai putea recomanda?

“Momentan, ascult Nate Young. Un film bun vizionat a fost ‘Melancholia’ de Von Trier, foarte claustrofobic, o vizionare placuta.”

Backgroundul vostru muzical e foarte vast si divers, de la breakcore, rave si raggae pana la Metal si Experimental, Drone, Electronic Noise. Cum pot toate aceste diferentieri muzicale incape in aceleasi trupuri?

“Se numeste schizofrenie.”

Multumesc mult pentru acest scurt interviu. Ne vedem in cateva luni. Care sunt planurile de viitor ale acestei trupe? Pe cand sa ne asteptam la un album nou?

“Cred ca noul album va fi lansat in 2013. Vom incepe sa compunem in lunile ce urmeaza. Vor fi vremuri emotionante!”

Crezi ca exista diferente intre muzician si artist? Esti considerat un artist?

“Arta exista in ochii privitorului…”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g77zujZVnuU

Ianuarie 2012

THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ  ENSEMBLE is a band with an as mysterious as exciting sound. The Experimental Ambient Darkjazz approach is new for the concerts in Romania and their representation from the 18th of August will close up DBE4. Not too talkative, but with simple points, Jason reveals little by little the secrets of this fantastic Dutch group.

THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ  ENSEMBLE, a really strange and complex name for a band. What hidden possible links are between this name and Nosferatu or Metropolis? Or not?

“No, there is no link between these films and our band name. THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ  ENSEMBLE was created as something mysterious and timeless.”

Why and how have you decided to create this band?

“We have an in depth biography on our website: www.tkde.net, it explains the full story of the band.”

This band has 11 years of history. You have started the band as a duo and now it is a full band. What are the most important details in terms of history, members, official releases and live appearances of the band?

“It would be best to redirect the readers to our website again. It has the whole biography and discography up there.”

Who is creating the music? Only Jason and Gideon are involved in this process?

“It’s Gideon and myself mostly. The process can vary, there is not a standard way of composing. Sometimes the other members add their ideas as well.”

The members live in different cities and countries. Isn’t it complicated for you to create music in this form?

“Not really, thanks to the wonders of the internet it has been made real easy to work via the net.”

You have released a magnificent new album last year, full of darkness and nostalgia… I gave it maximum score in my review. What kind of feedback has this release received?

“It’s been pretty good. All the reviews have been really positive, so that’s been good for the band.”

Are you satisfied with Denovali? Don’t you think a bigger label could offer you more promotion and visibility?

“They produce quality releases, we’re really happy with that. And overall, we get the impression they are really passionate about their label.”

At the end of 2011 you have released a free live album. Why? Some intentions for a live DVD, maybe?

“We released the live album because we thought the fans would appreciate it. There were no production costs for the live album, so we decided to give it for free or a donation of choice. We don’t have DVD plans at the moment.”

What is the difference between the band studio and live? Are there differences between live indoor and outdoor, too?

“I guess it’s quite straightforward. Studio is really for sitting down and composing, the creation process. Live is playing with the band. I personally prefer to play indoor, it suits our music better, I think.”

How important are the visual and video projections live? Is your music a cinematic sound?

“The visuals are a great extra to accentuate the experience of the music. It does add an extra to the show.”

You have played in Eastern Europe and the people love your music a lot… I read a lot of positive live reviews from Hungary, Poland. Why do you think the people from the East like your creations?

“I think because there has been more hardship in the East, especially because of the generations of communism and the problems that it brought. I also think Eastern Europeans have a more melancholic character than the ones in the West, which attracts them more to this particular kind of music.”

You will play for the first time in Romania, in the 18th of August, at DBE 4. We tried to do this in 2011, but it seems only now it’s possible. What do you know about Romania?

“I think Romania is great. I’ve been to Bucharest a couple of times, and I really love the Romanian people.”

What expectations do you have from the event, from the audience?

“We have no idea! We hope to get a nice surprise!”

The first band announced to participate at DBE 4, but in the 17th, was SOLSTAFIR. Have you listened to their music, maybe?

“No, sorry, I don’t know them.”

I know you played in the past with CELESTIAL SEASON. But you will not be present live with them this year… why?

“No time, unfortunately. I hope to see a show, if possible. It would be fun to see them on stage.”

By the way, what kind of music are you listening to now? What movies you can recommend me?

“At the moment I’m listening to Nate Young. A good film I watched was Melancholia by Von Trier, very claustrophobic, a great watch.”

Your musical background is large and diverse, from breakcore, rave and reggae, till Metal and Experimental, Drone, Electronic Noise. How come all these musical differences can fit in the same bodies?

“It’s called Schizophrenia.”

Thank you very much for this short interview. See you in a few months. What are the future plans of the band? When should we await a new album?

“I think the new album will be out in 2013. We will start composing these coming months. So it will be an exciting time!”

Do you think there are differences between a musician and an artist? Are you considered an artist?

“Art is in the eye of the beholder…”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g77zujZVnuU

January, 2012

SOLSTAFIR (www.solstafir.net) este o trupa veche Metal care, cu fiecare album, si-a aratat si ne-a aratat ca nu exista limite muzicale stilistice. Ce canta SOLSTAFIR? Epic Metal & Dark Rock’n'Roll. Haideti sa aflam cateva detalii despre acesti talentati islandezi…

Salutari, Gummi. Cum e vremea in Islanda? Ce mi-ai recomanda sa vizitez pe-acolo?

“E intuneric, dar nu s-a lasat inca frigul. Am avut parte de putin ger in cateva nopti. Sunt multe locuri pe care ar trebui sa le vezi in Islanda. Natura aici este foarte diferita de restul lumii. Intreaga coasta sudica cu deserturile sale vulcanice, Geysir (originalul dupa care au fost numite toate celelalte gheizere), cascadele (Gullfoss, Skógarfoss, Seljalandsfoss) si ghetarii (Mýrdalsjökull, Vatnajökull) dar si laguna glaciara Jökulsárlón. Fiordurile din coasta de vest si est, Dimmu Borgir (da, e un loc in Islanda, nu numai o trupa naspa din Norvegia!) si Mývatn in nord. Landmannalaugar si Þórsmörk in tinuturile muntoase, etc…”

Tocmai ati lansat un nou album. Foarte multa promovare, recenzii considerabile, o gramada de interviuri, aparitii media (inclusiv spectacole in cadrul televiziunii nationale). Nu sunteti obositi?

“Chiar deloc. Momentan, tot ce vrem este sa pornim la drum si sa cantam pe cat de mult posibil.”

Ati ajuns deja undeva sus. V-a ajutat schimbarea casei de discuri sau, pe langa calitatea muzicii, ati beneficiat de alte, sa spunem, avantaje financiare/logistice?

“Speram ca nu am ajuns tocmai sus, deoarece am vrea sa ajungem mult mai departe! Schimbarea casei de discuri ne-a ajutat cu siguranta. Season of Mist par sa creada in noi si ne-au oferit sprijinul ce ne lipsea de la casa de discuri anterioara.”

Se pare ca a trebuit sa asteptam timp de 3 eruptii vulcanice pentru a vedea SOLSTAFIR in flacari! Sau mai bine zis un SOLSTAFIR mai “cosmopolit” muzical: Epic, Rock, Country, Metal, Post-Rok, chiar si atingeri Dark Jazz… de toate pentru toti… V-au influentat intr-un anumit fel vulcanii de langa voi?

“Nu ne influenteaza muzical. Dar traind atat de aproape de natura ne face sa vedem lucrurile dintr-o alta perspectiva. Intelegem cat de puternica e natura si cat de fragila este existenta umana.”

Cum arata Islanda dupa ce cantitati imense de cenusa au acoperit totul? Vulcanii mai sunt activi? Ce spun  expertii, mai urmeaza eruptii? Asta ca sa stiti ce sa faceti cu concertele voastre viitoare…

“Islanda arata iar destul de normal. Intreaga coasta de sud a fost acoperita de cenusa de doua ori in doi ani, dar in cele din urma se contopeste cu peisajul. Nu vezi oricum mare diferenta in deserturile de nisip negru, iar iarba creste de sub cenusa si ghetarii devin iar albi dupa ce cade zapada proaspata.

Au fost cateva cutremure minore in Mýrdalsjökull, unde se situeaza vulcanul Katla. Katla este unul dintre cei mai mari vulcani din Islanda si erupe cca odata la 80 de ani si acum nu a mai erupt din 1918, deci a intarziat. Eruptiile din Eyjafjallajökull au precedat de multe ori eruptiilor Katlei, din moment ce nu sunt indepartati si par sa faca parte din acelasi sistem. Eruptia Katlei va fi mult mai mare decat Eyjafjallajökull, asa cum ati vazut efectul aceluia asupra intregii Europe!”

Am inteles ca incepeti un nou turneu in primavara, cu epicentrul la Roadburn (vezi, deja vorbesc in termeni specifici)… ce alte festivaluri veti onora?

“Asa cum stii, vom vizita Romania pentru prima data in august pentru a canta la festivalul Dark Bombastic Evening (in data de 17 august). Va fi un concert special pentru noi!

Alte festivaluri confirmate pana acum sunt Inferno in Oslo si Hellfest in Franta, si alte cateva ce nu sunt imputernicit sa le fac publice.”

Sa revenim la ultimul album. Asa cum stii prea bine, m-a cucerit din prima, nu imi aduc aminte sa fi cotat de curand cu nota maxima alt material Metal. V-a inspirat inregistrarea acestuia in tara voastra natala, in acel studio ce e strans legat de SIGUR ROS? Banuiesc ca ati sarit si in piscina locatiei, sa va revigorati dupa inregistrarile obositoare, heh.

“Haha, din pacate nu mai exista piscina acolo. Studioul se afla unde era fundul piscinei (era o piscina interioara).

Nu stiu daca ne-a inspirat intr-un mod direct, a fost doar mult mai relaxant si convenabil sa inregistram aproape de casa. Am avut parte de un mediu de lucru mult mai bun cand am inregistrat ‘Köld’ in Göthenburg. Am trait, muncit, mancat si dormit literalmente in studioul din Suedia timp de 4 saptamani. De data aceasta am putut merge acasa in propriile noastre paturi. Dar si imprejurimile unde se situeaza Sundlaugin sunt frumoase si te simti de parca ai fi la tara, chit ca esti la cateva minute in afara Reykjavíkului.”

Anumite amintiri sau intamplari hazlii din timpul inregistrarilor?

“Multe amintiri! Daca sunt hazlii sau nu, depinde de cine le spune, daca esti implicat in lucrurile ce s-au intamplat sau de partea cui erai. Sa zicem numai ca eu si producatorul am avut o problema personala ce s-a rezolvat abia dupa doua usi sparte si ceva violenta fizica, haha. Dar asta s-a dus deja pe apa sambetii si nu exista resentimente intre noi.”

Ce ar trebui sa stie ascultatorul albumului “Svartir Sandar”  despre acesta? Exista ceva repere sau detalii specifice ce ar trebui luate in considerare? De fiecare data cand ascult prognoza meteo, imi aduc aminte de voi… care e rostul acelor voci feminine? M-as bucura sa-mi poti spune ceva despre conceptul albumului, tema ce o dezvolta, chiar si fiecare piesa in parte…

“Nu ne-am impus niciodata sa cream albume conceptuale si nici nu am facut-o pana acum, dar retrospectiv, vedem ca fiecare album are un fir rosu ce trece prin el. Chiar daca versurile sunt scrise atat de mine cat si de Aðalbjörn si nu vorbim niciodata despre un concept, tot parem sa fim pe aceeasi lungime de unda cand vine vorba de scris. Primele noastre albume au fost in mare parte despre paganism, ‘Masterpiece of Bitterness’ a avut ceva cu lumina si focul iar ‘Köld’  este plin de piese de dragoste.

Conceptul albumului ‘Svartir Sandar’ este un suflet ratacind in recele desert intunecat vulcanic, plin de regrete si poate ceva vinovatie din trecut. Dar asta provine dintr-o perspectiva foarte personala. Bineinteles, exista si variatii, si acesta e modul in care ai putea percepe albumul ca un intreg.

Numele femeii ce citeste prognoza meteo este Gerður G. Bjarklind  si este vocea radioului islandez si toata lumea in Islanda ii stie vocea. Cativa dintre prietenii mei au fost foarte surprinsi cand au auzit piesa pentru prima oara si s-au gandit ca cineva a pornit radioul, haha. Am convins-o sa citeasca aceata prognoza ce prevede o vreme destul de proasta. I se potriveste perfect conceptului piesei.

Sper ca ai realizat ca Draumfari, Stinningskaldi si Stormfari este o piesa impartita in 3 parti.”

Aveti o componenta stabila, ceva de invidiat. Cum de nu ati cooptat alti membri? Este SOLSTAFIR un mod de viata? Puteti sa va castigati traiul numai din muzica?

“Am avut numai o schimbare de componenta, basistul nostru initial, Halldór Kvunta Einarsson  a parasit trupa in 1997 pentru a-si urmari… interesele in Australia. A fost inlocuit de Svavar Austmann in 1998 si in 1999 l-am racolat pe Sæþór Maríus  la a doua chitara cand am inceput sa cantam live.

Da, trupa a devenit un mod de viata pentru noi. Eu si Aðalbjörn am fost in aceasta trupa timp de jumatate din vietile noastre. Incepem sa ne castigam traiul din muzica, dar e destul de greu.”

Cine sunt cei patru membri in viata lor de zi cu zi? Sunt casatoriti, au slujbe, ce muzica asculta, ce alte hobbiuri au? Frecventeaza biserica regulat, heh?

“Doi dintre noi sunt parinti, nici unul dintre ceilalti nu au fost vreodata casatoriti si prietenele vin si pleaca. Momentan, niciunul dintre noi nu avem un job stabil. Eu tocmai mi-am dat licenta in fotografie in Londra si Aðalbjörn si-a terminat acum cativa ani studiile in Inginerie de Sunet in Glasgow. Ascultam o mare varietate de muzica, si desi sunt cateva trupe ce ne plac tuturor, avem gusturi individuale.

Daca prin biserica intelegi bar, atunci da, suntem crestini devotati, haha!”

Din ce imi aduc aminte, ati avut 2 turnee importante pana acum, unul cu SECRETS OF THE MOON si altul masiv cu MAR DE GRISSES si SWALLOW THE SUN. Ce amintiri pastrati? Va place muzica lor? Oricum, CODE au un nou vocal acum…

“Turneul SECRETS OF THE MOON/CODE a fost extraordinar pentru noi. Cativa dintre membrii CODE ne erau deja prieteni apropiati si ii stiam pe cativa din SECRETS… prin intermediul internetului. Azi, spunem des  in gluma ca SOLSTAFIR e aproape ca maritat cu SECRETS OF THE MOON. Ei sunt printre cei mai apropiati prieteni personali ce-i avem si am impartit scena cu ei de multe ori dupa turneu, chiar si o data in Islanda, la minunatul festival Eistnaflug.

Turneul M.d.G si S.t.S a fost de asemenea minunat si membrii si echipa au fost super.”

Care ar fi primele 5 trupe cu care v-ar placea sa impartiti scena unui festival?

“5 trupe de la care am putea fura cei mai mult fani, bineinteles, haha. Metallica, Duran Duran, Rammstein. Poate Sigur Rós si Danzig?”

Au trecut 6 ani de cand au aparut zvonuri despre un posibil DVD… Trebuie sa mai asteptam alti 6 ani? Stiu ca in aceasta luna oferiti o exprimare vizuala piesei epice “Fjara”… Cum va arata? Stiu ca veti colabora cu o persoana de la National Geographic…

“Clipul pentru ‘Fjara’ ar putea fi lansat in acelasi timp cu acest interviu (va fi lansat peste o saptamana, pe 17 ianuarie-ed). Si da, prietenul nostru Bowen Staines ce-l regizeaza a lucrat pentru National Geographic, printre altele. In cele din urma, nu va fi un videoclip obisnuit!

DVDul ce trece intr-o cronica istoria SOLSTAFIR va fi lansat mai repede sau mai tarziu, deoarece este o poveste ce merita spusa. Aproape ca am inceput productia acum un an, dar s-a oprit din cauza unor dispute financiare.”

De ce este SOLSTAFIR atat de lenesa cand vine vorba de realizari discografice? Sau vom vedea cate un album pe an de acum incolo?

“Calitate peste cantitate! Vom inerca sa fim mai productivi acum. Au trecut abia doi ani intre lansarile dintre ‘Köld’ si ‘Svartir Sandar’.”

Unde incepe compromisul muzical? Cat de departe ati merge incat sa fiti corecti fata de voi insiva? Sunteti dispusi sa faceti diverse “deviatii” de la credintele voastre muzicale pentru succesul trupei? Si nu ma refer la sacrificiile ce le-ati facut timp de 17 ani…

“Nu ne-am compromis niciodata integritatea artistica. Compunem muzica ce ne satisface pe noi insine si asta nu se va schimba niciodata. Nu ne gandim niciodata sa compunem piese ce pot avea succes comercial si sper ca sinceritatea se vede in muzica noastra.

Totusi, vom continua sa evoluam. Nu am compus aceeasi piesa de 2 ori si nu exista vreo perspectiva de a spune in ce directie o va lua muzica noastra in viitor.”

POTENTIAM, SKALMOLD sunt trupe ce sunt legate de SOLSTAFIR. Puteti sa imi spuneti noutati despre aceste 2 trupe? Mi-au placut POTENTIAM de la inceput…

“Am fost tobosar temporar in POTENTIAM in 1999. Apoi au mai avut alti 2 tobosari si m-am alaturat trupei iar in 2005. Dar nu cu mult dupa, trupa s-a rasfirat prin Oslo, Edinburgh, Londra si Reykjavik. Majoritatea dintre noi s-au intors in Reykjavik si exista planuri de a inregistra un album in 2012.

Cred ca Skálmöld lucreaza acum la un nou album.”

Cam asta ar fi tot. Ce stiti despre Romania? Noi nu ne laudam cu eruptii vulcanice… Stiu ca ati ajuns la Budapesta, adica in Ungaria. Nu era mult si ati fi poposit in Transilvania.

“Nu stiu prea multe despre istorie si geografie, dar bineinteles ca am auzit despre Transilvania si Carpati. Stiu ca anumite parti din Romania sunt frumoase, cu munti inalti si paduri mari.

Stiu putin despre istoria politica si ca Romania a fost infiintata cand 2 tari mai mici s-au unit in mijlocul secolului al XIX-lea.”

Multumesc pentru interviu. Sper ca SOLSTAFIR va primi recunoasterea meritata si veti cuceri lumea cu concertele voastre. Succes!

“Multumim pentru interviu si sustinere! Abia asteptam sa iti vizitam frumoasa tara!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOTan9FDRWw

Ianuarie 2012

SOLSTAFIR (www.solstafir.net) is an old Metal band that, with each album, proved us there are no stylistic musical limits. What does SOLSTAFIR play? Epic Metal & Dark Rock’n'Roll. But let’s find out some details about these talented Icelanders…

Greetings, Gummi. How is weather in Iceland? What would you recommend me to visit there?

“It’s fökking dark, but it hasn’t been cold yet. We’ve only had some frost a few nights.

There are so many places you’d have to see in Iceland. The nature here is unlike anywhere else in the world. The whole south cost with its black volcanic deserts, Geysir (the original one that all the other geysirs are named after) the waterfalls (Gullfoss, Skógarfoss, Seljalandsfoss) and the glaciers (Mýrdalsjökull, Vatnajökull) and the glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón. The Fjords on the west and east coasts, Dimmu Borgir (yes it’s a place in Iceland, not just a crappy band in Norway!) and Mývatn in the north. Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk in the highlands, etc…”

You just released a new album. Very much promotion, great reviews, lots of interviews, media appearances (including shows at the national television). Aren’t you tired?

“Not at all. Right now we just want to take it to the road and play as much as we can.”

You already reached the tops. Did changing label help you get there or, besides music’s quality you, you benefited from other, let’s say financial/logistic advantages?

“I hope we haven’t reached our top yet because we’d like to take it a lot further! Changing labels definitely helped us. Season of Mist seem to believe in us and they’ve given us the support we always lacked from our previous label.”

Looks like we had to wait 3 volcanic eruptions to see a flaming SOLSTAFIR! Or rather a more musically “cosmopolitan” SOLSTAFIR: Epic, Rock, Country, Metal, Post-Rock, even Dark Jazz touches… everything for everyone… Did the volcanoes near you influence you in any way?

“They don’t influence us musically. But living so close to nature makes us see things in another perspective. We understand how powerful nature is and how fragile human existence is.”

How does Iceland look like after ashes coating everything? Are the volcanoes still active? What do the experts say, are other eruptions following soon? So you’d know what to do with your following concerts…

“Iceland looks pretty normal again. The whole south coast was covered in ash two times in two years, but at the end it just blends into the landscape. You don’t see much difference in the black sand deserts anyway, and the grass grows back from beneath the ash, and the glaciers get white again when fresh snow falls.

There have been a lot of small earthquakes in Mýrdalsjökull, which is where the volcano Katla is situated. Katla is one of the biggest volcanoes in Iceland and it has erupted circa every 80 years, but now it has not erupted since 1918, so it is actually overdue. Eruptions in Eyjafjallajökull have in many cases preceded Katla eruptions, as they are not that far apart and seem to be a part of the same system. When Katla erupts it’s going to be a whole lot bigger than Eyjafjallajökull, and you saw the effect that one had on the whole of Europe!”

I understood you’re starting a serious tour in the spring, with the epicentre at Roadburn (see, I already speak in specific terms)… what other festivals will you honour with your presence?

“Well, as you know, we will visit Romania for the first time in August to play at the Dark Bombastic Evening Festival (in the 17th of August). This will be a very special gig for us!

Other festivals we have confirmed right now are Inferno in Oslo and Hellfest in France, and some others I’m not allowed to make public yet.”

Let’s get back to the last album. As you well know, it won me over from the start, I don’t remember giving a maximum mark another Metal release. Did recording it in your homeland inspire you, in that studio that’s closely linked to SIGUR ROS? I guess you also leaped in the location’s pool as well, to freshen up after the tiresome recordings, heh.

“Haha, unfortunately there is no swimming pool anymore. The studio room is located where the bottom of the pool was (it was an indoor swimming pool).

I don’t know if it inspired us directly, it was just a lot more relaxed and convenient to record so close to home. It was a much better working environment than when we recorded ‘Köld’ in Göthenburg. We literally lived, worked, ate and slept in the studio in Sweden for 4 weeks. This time we could go home to our own beds. Also the surroundings where Sundlaugin is situated is quite beautiful, and it feels like being out in the countryside although it’s only a few minutes outside of Reykjavík.”

Any memories or funny stories during the recordings?

“Lots of memories! If they are fun or not, depends on who tells the stories, whether you were involved in the things that happened and on which side of things you were. Let’s just say that me and the producer had a personal issue that only got solved after two broken doors and some physical violence, haha. But that’s water under the bridge now and there are no bad feelings between us.”

What should a “Svartir Sandar” listener know about this album? Are there landmarks or specific details they should take into account? Every time I hear the weather forecast on the radio I remember you… what was the logic of those female vocals popping up? I’d be glad if you’d tell me about the album’s concept, what themes it develops, even each and every song…

“We’ve never set out to write concept albums, and have never done so, but in retrospection, we always see that each album has a kind of a red thread running through it. Even though the lyrics are written by both me and Aðalbjörn, and we never talk about any concept, it still seems like we’re always on the same page when it comes to writing. Our first albums were mostly about heathendom, ‘Masterpiece of Bitterness’ had this thing with light and fire and ‘Köld’ is an album full of fökking love songs.

The ‘concept’ of ‘Svartir Sandar’  is a lost soul wandering in the cold, black volcanic desert, full of regret and maybe even some guilt from the past. But this all comes from a very personal perspective though. Of course there are variations, and this is just how you could intrepid the album loosely as a whole.

The woman’s name who reads the weather report is Gerður G. Bjarklind and she is like THE voice of Icelandic radio, and everyone in Iceland knows her voice. Some friends of mine were very surprised when they heard the song for the first time and thought someone had turned on the radio haha. We got her to read this forecast that basically forecasts some pretty shitty weather. It fits the concept of the song perfectly.

By the way, I hope people realize that Draumfari, Stinningskaldi and Stormfari are one song spilt up in 3 parts.”

You have a stable line-up, something enviable. How come you didn’t co-opt other members? Is SOLSTAFIR a way of life? Can you make a living out of music only?

“We’ve only had one line up change, our original bass player, Halldór Kvunta Einarsson left the band in 1997 to follow his dick to Australia. He was replaced by Svavar Austmann in 1998 and in 1999 we added Sæþór Maríus on second guitar when we started playing live.

Yes, the band has become a way of life for us. I and Aðalbjörn have been in this band for exactly half our lives now. We’re starting to make a living out of the band now, but it is quite hard.”

Who are the four members in their everyday life? Are they married, do they have jobs, what music do they listen to, what other hobbies do they have? Do they go to church regularly?

“Two of us are fathers, none of us has ever been married and girlfriends come and go. At the moment none of us has a regular job. I just finished my BA studies in Photography in London, and Aðalbjörn finished his studies in Sound Engineering in Glasgow a couple of years ago. We all listen to a wide variety of music, and although there are some bands that we all like, we all have very individual tastes.

If by church you mean the bar, then yes, we are devoted Christians, haha!”

As far as I remember, you have 2 important tours so far, one with SECRETS OF THE MOON and another big one with MAR DE GRISSES and SWALOW THE SUN. What memories do you cherish? Do you like their music? Anyway, CODE has a new vocal now…

“The SECRETS OF THE MOON/CODE tour was really great for us. A couple of the CODE guys were already close friends of ours and we knew a couple of the SECRETS guys through the internet. Today we often joke that SOLSTAFIR is almost married to SECRETS OF THE MOON. They are among our closest personal friends and we have shared the stage many times after our tour, even one time in Iceland, at the amazing Eistnaflug festival.

The MAR DE GRISSES and SWALLOW THE SUN tour was also great and all the guys and crew were super.”

What are the first 5 bands you’d like to share a festival’s stage with?

“The 5 bands we could steal the most fans from of course, haha. Metallica, Duran Duran, Rammstein. Sigur Rós and Danzig perhaps?”

6 years have passed since rumours concerning a DVD release appeared… Do we have to wait another 6 years? I know this month you’re giving a visual expression to the epic track “Fjara”… How will it look like? I know you work with a guy from National Geographic…

“The ‘Fjara’ video could possible be out at the same time this interview is released (this will be online on the 17th of January-ed). And yes, our friend Bowen Staines who’s directing it has worked for National Geographic amongst others. It’s not going to be a normal music video at all!

The DVD chronicling the history of SOLSTAFIR will come out sooner or later, because it is a story worth telling. We almost got the production going a year ago, but at the end it all stopped because some money issues.”

Why is SOLSTAFIR so lazy when we speak about discographic releases? Or we’ll see an album per year from now on?

“Quality over quantity! I guess we will try to be more productive now. Only two years passed between the releases of ‘Köld’ and ‘Svartir Sandar’.“

Where does the musical compromise start? How far would you go so you’d still be straight with yourself? Are you willing to make all kind of “deviations” from your musical beliefs for the band’s success? And I don’t mean the sacrifices you keep doing for 17 years…

“We’ve never compromised our artistic integrity. We only write music to please ourselves and that will never change. We never think about making songs that can be commercially successful, and I hope that honesty shows in our music.

We will however keep evolving. We’ve never written the same song twice, and there is no way of telling in what direction our music will take us next time.”

POTENTIAM, SKALMOLD are bands that are linked to SOLSTAFIR. Can you give me news about these 2 bands? I liked POTENTIAM from the beginning….

“I did some session drumming for Potentiam back in 1999. Then they had two other drummers and I joined the band again in 2005. But soon after the band got scattered between Oslo, Edinburgh, London and Reykjavík. Most of us are back in Reykjavík now and there are plans to record a new album in 2012. 

I think Skálmöld are working on new material now.”

That would be it for now. What do you know about Romania? We don’t brag about volcano eruptions… I know you got to Budapest, meaning Hungary. You didn’t have much and got to halt in Transylvania.

“I don’t really know much about history and geography, but of course I have heard about Transylvania and the Carpathians. I know that some parts of Romania are very beautiful, with high mountains and big forests. 

I know a little about the political history and that Romania was formed when two smaller countries united in the mid nineteenth century. “

Thank you for the interview. I hope SOLSTAFIR will get soon the recognition it deserves and you’d dominate the world through your concerts. Good luck!

“Thank you for the interview and the support! We can’t wait to visit your beautiful country!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOTan9FDRWw

January, 2012