FaceCulture.com spoke to Einar Selvik (Kvitrafn) and Kristian Espedal (Gaahl) of the Norwegian folk band Wardruna about inspiration, runes, communication, performing live, the idea behind the music, keeping it honest, recording, Gorgoroth, improvisation, painting, instruments and lots more! Click here or on the screenshot below to go directly to the FaceCulture.com website.
The EuroSonic festival focuses on Norway in 2010 and Norwegian bands they have confirmed so far are:
Audrey Horne, Wardruna, donkeyboy, Sivert Höyem, The Low Frequency in Stereo & Pony the Pirate
Other confirmed Eurosonic acts are: And So I Watch You From Afar (ir), Choir of Young Believers (dk), Deolinda (pt), Everything Everything (uk), Gösta Berlings Saga (se), Joensuu 1685 (fin), Jasper Erkens (be), Lee Everton (ch), Sliimy (fr), Svjata Vatra (ee), and Wickeda (bg). In total over 200 acts will perform during EuroSonic.
Noorderslag confirms: Waylon (nl), Moke (nl), Go Back to the Zoo (nl), Tim Knol (nl), and Rigby (nl).
EuroSonic Noorderslag is Europe’s most important live music industry conference and showcase festival for new talent, taking place from 14th – 16th January 2010 in Groningen, The Netherlands. With over 2650 music professionals attending, and more than 250 showcases from the best European talentperforming in 41 venues, it’s the ultimate platform for the European music industry.
Eurosonic – On Thursday and Friday, EuroSonic presents a broad variety of the best European talent throughout the city of Groningen. With European booking agents, 60 ETEP festivals,the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Yourope and Network Europe supporting the program, EuroSonic is the most extensive and progressive showcase festival in Europe.
Noorderslag – Noorderslag has been the main barometer of Dutch pop music for 24 years and on Saturday, De Oosterpoort Theatre presents the very best Dutch acts in every genre, from hiphop and urban to pop music, avant garde, dance, alternative and everything in between.
As you can see on the pictures below, Wardruna is currently preparing for the forthcoming live shows in Nauen (Germany) and Tilburg (Netherlands).
A new member has also been recruited for the live lineup. Erlend Gjerde, who is known for his excellent drum work in Stonegard, will be leading Wardruna’s main battery in the time to come. The full live lineup is thus: Kvitrafn, Gaahl, Lindy-Fay, Erlend Gjerde, Arne Sandvoll and Egil Furenes.
Wardruna will be playing a special performance at the Incubate festival in Tilburg, The Netherlands on Saturday September 19. The band will perform at an amphitheatre in the middle of a forest.
The show of Wardruna in the amphitheatre in the woods of the town of Oisterwijk is the only Dutch show of the band. The concert will be introduced with a lecture on the history of paganism and esotericism in Europe.
See more rehearsal photos at the Wardruna Flickr page.
Norway’s Borknagar was interviewed by Rockalarm TV at this year’s Wacken Open Air festival, which was held July 30 – August 1, 2009 in Wacken, Germany. Watch the three-minute chat below.
Borknagar has completed work on its new album, “Universal”, for an early 2010 release via Indie Recordings. The CD was recorded and mixed at Toproom Studio in Lunner, Norway, with the bandmembers themselves handling the production duties.
Commented Borknagar mainman Øystein G. Brun: “We are extremely satisfied with the result! The album turned out even better than we dared to hope for when starting this journey. There is an attitude, energy and nerve to this record that will appeal to the most primal side of man, yet there is complexity and atmosphere that will challenge the most sophisticated parts of mind. The album contains all the elements that made BORKNAGAR the band we are and we are firmly believe that this album will be a huge piece of candy for those who have followed the band through the years. This is by far the most complete album we have done to date — musically and production-wise — and we are right now just immensely eager to get the album out there!”
Prior to the release of “Universal”, Borknagar will team up with Code, Solstafir and Secrets Of The Moon for three very exclusive shows in Europe:
Sep. 24. – GER – Hamburg – Markthalle
Sep. 25 – NL – Leeuwarden – Romein
Sep. 26 – GER – Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle
Regarding the album title, Brun previously stated, “‘Universal’ is the title that shines through and mirrors the essence of the album. ‘Universal’ is a title that is broad enough and huge enough to project the giant character of this album, both musically and lyrically.”
Gaahl, one of the most interesting frontmen in today’s black metal scene, is taking a break from metal for personal artistic reasons. God Seed’s debut album is postponed until 2010. There’s no bad blood between Gaahl and co founder of God Seed King, and King will now focus on other music projects until time is due for God Seed again. Indie Recordings and Petting Zoo Propaganda wish Gaahl all the best with Wardruna, and hope to see him back in the metal scene in the nearest future!
Today, August 20, Terrorizer magazine in the UK published an interview with Gaahl on their website. Click the link to read the entire story on Terrorizer’s website or check out some excerpts below.
So, we’ve all heard by now, officially, that you’ve left God Seed, after weeks of rumours, is that the truth?
“Yes, I would say that I’ve basically retired from metal, or at least metal appearances.”
But not from music?
“Yes, I would exclude Trelldom since that I’ve never considered that metal either, but I guess for people it does fall into the same genre. Of course that’s my lifetime project.”
What was the impetus behind this decision, the happenings about the God Seed/Gorgoroth came that last year must have taken their toll?
“Well, it’s been something I’ve worked on for quite a while in a way, already since the firing of Infernus basically. I did try to make it work but I just decided to obligate it [God Seed] I wasn’t sure where it was going, but I decided basically to carry on then. I don’t think that [the court case over the same for 'Gorgoroth'] has anything to do with that, it’s just that for me it’s not heartfelt any more and if it’s not heartfelt you shouldn’t do it. I could have done it and and achieved something that I myself wouldn’t put myself into and that would be wrong. I wouldn’t do anything half-hearted.”
But will God Seed and King Ov Hell carry on regardless, without you?
“I don’t know what he does [laughs]. I know that they came with a statement but I gave my interview to Rock Hard [French metal magazine] a month back so I don’t know if that’s been published yet, so I basically don’t know, it’s not like I check up anything on the internet or follow the media so…”
Hole In The Sky Festival is next week in your hometown of Bergen, will you attend, will you take this ‘retirement’ to withdraw completely from the scene?
“It’s not like I will cut out my metal friends because of this, it’s not like that, my friends are still my friends. This decision just basically deals with my own art I will put out that I feel is right. There is very little honesty in music, it doesn’t seem like people are interested in the concept or the cult of music anymore.”
Ghaal, the personality, has become a cult of sorts in a way. You’ve almost become a larger than life character that extends beyond your music. People seem to be more intersted in Gaahl the man, instead of Gaahl the musician? Has this affected your decision?
“I’ve just been myself. But I noticed this when I lived in Spain for two months and got away from every person in the world, apart from Robin, who of course came with me, no phones or no connections to the outside world. It was a feeling that I needed to be away from absolutely everything and I think that made my decision even easier, even though I was supposed to have the last show before I moved there. I was thinking of having the last show in Finland, but there was circumstances and certain things so we didn’t manage to pull that show off so we had to do two God Seed concerts in the summer time so otherwise this would be old news by now.”
Will you find it hard to not have any creative outlet now you’re not working with God Seed? You’ve always been prolifically and creatively active.
“I will definitely [have other projects], but I’ve not been able to do them this last year because it’s been too hectic. Such as my paintings, I’m working on an exhibition that will hopefully take place in the beginning, well spring time next year.”
Wow, that’s a side of you we didn’t know about? What style of art do you work in?
“Well, it’s expressionism, inwards in a way, it’s not like it’s screaming, it’s very whispering. It’s not natural, it’s difficult to say basically. It’s not like I stick in one genre. I have of course other projects going on but of course they will have to be more secretive.”
Norwegian folk band Wardruna will be playing a special one-off performance at the Incubate festival in Tilburg, The Netherlands on Saturday September 19. The ambient folk project of black metal musicians Einar ‘Kvitrafn’ Selvik and Gaahl will perform at an amphitheater in the middle of a forest.
Wardruna received raving reviews on their 2009 debut Gap Var Ginnunga. Bandleader Kvitrafn (Jotunspor, ex-Gorgoroth) threw his metal roots overboard to make an album full of dark ambient folk. The album is a musical travel trough the history of Norwegian mythology and paganism, made with traditional Norwegian instruments as the goat horn and tagelharp. Sounds of trees, stones, water and fire can also be heard on the album.
Shows of Wardruna are rare, but always memorable. Previously, the band played on a Viking ship and in a chapel on a mountain. The surroundings gives the music a stronger mystical feel.
The show of Wardruna in the amphitheatre in the woods of the town of Oisterwijk is the only Dutch show of the band. The concert will be introduced with a lecture on the history of paganism and esotericism in Europe.
The show is a cooperation between the Incubate festival and Schatten van Brabant.
Incubate is the annual celebration of independent culture in Tilburg, The Netherlands. It is a festival exhibiting a diverse view on indie culture as a whole, including music, contemporary dance, film and visual arts. It brings more than 200 cutting edge artists in an intimate context to an international audience. Black metal next to free jazz. Street art next to academic dance.
Incubate takes place from the 13th until 20th of September in the city of Tilburg in the Netherlands. From bar to amphitheatre. From music venue to museum.
For more information visit the website www.incubate.org.
Media about Incubate:
“After barely surviving a night of ‘Heavy Metal Bowling’, more out there than attack ships off the shoulder of Orion, it’s time to hit downtown Tilburg for an impossibly diverse bill. The Incubate festival operates like a transparent Temporary Autonomous Zone, tucked within venues around the centre, like a web of wonder hiding behind the ordinary local weekend hassle.” (Terrorizer, 2008)
“In one year’s time, the festival in Tilburg has grown to one of the most fun happenings for adventurous music lovers and scouts for alternative talents. (…) Tilburg becomes the main meeting point for anyone who wants to be hip in 2010.” (OOR, 2008)
“The festival looks overwhelming. 120 groups in 2 days, plus films and art programmes? My God!” (Tony Herrington, Editor-in-Chief of The Wire magazine, 2007)
“And with damn near every last square inch of the city littered with preamps and patch cords, that can only mean one thing: a killer lineup.” (Pitchfork, 2008)
“Incubate already is the best festival of the year.” (LiveXS, 2007)
Sweden’s Shining has inked a deal with Norwegian label Indie Recordings, that includes the release of two full-length albums, and the release of the first ever official DVD from the band.
Commenting on the new signing Shining’s front man and creator Niklas Kvarforth, said “Shining has reached a stage now where we have a considerable following, that is growing rapidly all the time, and I believe we have reached a new maturity with our music, expanding beyond what people expect from us, and we expect to go even further. It was, therefore, time to notch things up in respect of labels. We liked what Indie have been doing for their other bands, and we felt that Shining would be comfortable in a relationship with them”.
Shining recently pulled out of the Unholy Fest in Czechoslovakia, which has seen several bands pull out because of the organisers not meeting their obligations to the bands. The band’s next festival appearance is scheduled for the Party San Festival on the 7th August.
More information about Shining, including two tracks from the forthcoming release can be found on the band’s MySpace page at www.myspace.com/shininghalmstad
The production of the new Borknagar album is finally complete. The new album is called Universal. The album was recorded and mixed at Toproom Studio. In good tradition the album was produced by the band.
“We are extremely satisfied with the result! The album turned out even better than we dared to hope for when starting this journey. There is an attitude, energy and nerve to this record that will appeal to the most primal side of man, yet there is complexity and atmosphere that will challenge the most sophisticated parts of mind. The album contains all the elements that made Borknagar the band we are and we are firmly believe that this album will be a huge piece of candy for those who have followed the band through the years. This is by far the most complete album we have done to date- musically and productionwise- and we are right now just immensely eager to get the album out there!” – Øystein G. Brun
An official release date and more info will be launched very soon. The album will be released on Indie Recordings.
Prior to the release of Universal, Borknagar will team up with Code, Solstafir and Secrets Of The Moon for 3 exclusive shows in Europe, to promote the upcoming album.
24.09.2009 – Hamburg, Markthalle (Germany)
25.09.2009 – Leeuwarden, Romein (Netherlands)
26.09.2009 – Oberhausen, Turbinenhalle (Germany)
Borknagar is also playing at the Wacken Open Air festival later this year.
Official myspace sites: www.myspace.com/borknagar and www.myspace.com/indierecordings
Yeah! Wardruna will be playing at the 2009 edition of the Incubate festival in Tilburg, the Netherlands. The festival will take place on various locations in the city of Tilburg from 13-20 September.
Wardruna will be performing on Saturday September 19. Wardruna’s show will be set apart from the city. The setting in which they will perform is found around a rural inn called ‘In den Bockenreyder’. More info here.
The Incubate festival is the annual celebration of independent culture. Expect a diverse view on indie culture as a whole, including music, contemporary dance, film and visual arts. They bring more than 200 cutting edge artists in an intimate context to an international audience. Black metal next to free jazz. Street art next to academic dance.
Wardruna, a special folk project of Einar ‘Kvitrafn’ Selvik (Jotunspor and ex-Gorgoroth), creates ritualistic folk music with traditional instruments such as antlers and wooden logs, inspired by old runes. Fire, water, stones, and branches are also used. The natural atmosphere that flows out of the speakers is thick, peaceful and transforms any room in no time into an old pagan ritual site complete with trees, fires and druids. With the mighty Gaahl of God Seed (also ex-Gorgoroth) on vocals.
‘In den Bockenreyder’ lends its name from a malicious horde called De Bokkenrijders. They roamed the lands in the 18th century that are now the borders of the nation states Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. Their raids were aimed at farmers and monasteries in the region. The story goes they made a pact with the devil and rode at night on bucks.
There is an eyewitness that claimed that the oaths were taken while denouncing of God and vowing obedience to the devil (symbolized by a cut-off hand holding a candle) with the middle finger and the index finger pointed upwards, as well as the thumb. One of the places these Bokkenrijders repeatedly showed up was at Landgoed de Utrecht (Utrecht Estate), a little south of a little village called Esbeek. On these 2700 acres of land the inn ‘In den Bockenreyder’ is situated. The fascination of the Bokkenrijders horde for the occult, mysticism and magic is the reason the Incubate festival will present Wardruna on that historic site. One of the aims of this concert is to get people in contact with the historic landscape through the sounds and performance of Wardruna.
Kiki Ryan and Jeff Dufour of WashingtonExaminer.com report: You can’t say the Norwegian Embassy doesn’t take seriously its commitment to supporting the country’s art. Even when that art happens to be death metal. On Wednesday night, the Norwegian death metal band Enslaved played the 9:30 Club, its first show in D.C. (Sample lyrics, for the uninitiated: “As we emerged/From darker dungeons/Splendor of yellow hells/Expanded swollen eyes.”) And, to the crowd’s surprise and delight, there were a group of embassy staffers in the VIP section, getting a shout-out from front man Grutle Kjellson.
Anne Myklebust, a cultural adviser at the embassy, said she and four of her colleagues went to see the show. But that wasn’t by any means the beginning of their support. She said the embassy helped the band out with funding for its U.S. tour. So “they asked if they could see the embassy,” and Wednesday afternoon, the band met with Ambassador Wegger Strommen for an hour.
Did they wear suits? “No,” Myklebust laughed. “They wore their road wear of T-shirts and shorts. But the ambassador wore a suit.” The second half of the night’s bill: Swedish metal band Opeth. So were any staffers from the Swedish Embassy on hand? “We know them pretty well, but we didn’t see any of them,” Myklebust said. The Swedish Embassy was closed Thursday afternoon, so we couldn’t confirm that no one attended. But maybe the Norwegian Embassy just rocks harder.
Enslaved’s Ivar Bjørnson comments on the visit: ”We were very excited about visiting the Norwegian Embassy in Washington D.C. We were invited to talk about the band’s history, our own efforts in the American music market and more in more general terms about the export of Norwegian music; Metal in particular. We were heartily welcomed by Ambassador Wegger Chr. Strømmen and a large group from the Embassy staff. Their questions were updated and detailed; it turned out to be a very interesting and fruitful conversation. Later that night a group of five staff members came to the concert – we know this for a fact; as shouts of “go Norway!” came from the vip-section when Grutle told the audience about the visit from the Embassy. We hope we get to meet them again, and that other foreign stations take on the challenge to get as involved in Norwegian culture abroad as the Norwegians in Washington D.C.”
Direct link to The Examiner story
