Hails, guys. Thanks for
taking the time out to answer a few questions. "Burdens" is something that some
people would be afraid to listen to with the lights off. Did you guys go for
eerie vibe intentionally, or is this something that happened naturally?
Rune: I think it was a bit of both actually. We wanted some parts to sound like
eerie or haunting surroundings, basically to create suiting layers for the ideas
behind the given themes. Also, a big part of Burdens is concerned about ghosts
(metaphor for negative experiences, mental baggage you have to live with like
losses, fears etc) so I definitely believe the final result bear marks of this
as well, and further, that the final product holds some kind of authentic feel
to it. Its a very personal product for sure.
Carmen has an absolutely
beautiful voice. Did she have any classical training at any point in time? Rune: No, not at all.
She is self-taught from the very beginning. She has been singing in several
bands for many years now but never really got anywhere. I must admit I was
really happy to find a naturally gifted individual like her to work with me. She
also comes with inputs on the instrumental parts and I believe that she will be
more involved in the actual songwriting in the future as well. That can be very
interesting I believe, as we have totally different musical backgrounds. Also I
believe that there will be more typical Portuguese folk music in the structures.
We will see.
From what sources do you
guys draw inspiration from your music? Rune: I guess its the pain of living, to put it
a bit banal, hehe. The sum of who you are, what you have experienced and what
you have learned. The painful realization of your own caged existence, perhaps.
I must say I never really write music looking to things going on around me you
know. I believe in order to create something unique and personal that you have
to grasp something inside of yourself. For me music is like a higher form of
self or something like that. Music tells you what words can't. Somehow its
deeper and more essential. Its also something godlike over the aspect of sounds
don't you think?
Personal experience can be a major source of a band's
music. Was there a defining moment in the founder's life that shaped the concept
for Ava Inferi? Rune: Well, its hard to
point out exact things that triggered this or that, or at least it is without
getting too personal on the subject, but you know I have always been a fan of
the darker side of music and lifestyle since as far back I can remember. And
I've always searched for more extremes along the way. I've been playing
aggressive music in other bands for decades (and still do) and every aspect of
the dedication and all the passion is a part of defining me and who I am. I've
come to a certain point in my life now that requires reflection, stability and
devotion more than ever, and I believe now it was the right time to get this
side of me out as well. Its a true and honest musical outfit.
If you had to put your
music in any one category or genre, what would it be? Rune: Hah, yeah well, that's a tricky one. Its
not really doom at least not in the common sense of the term. I would say either
Dark Ambience or Gothic Doom perhaps If these are categories I don't know. You
know this is always a problem. People need these tags on things in order to
identify it. I have never really paid too much attention to that. I believe it
is partly misguiding, or maybe sterilizing is a better word. This product has a
bit of a lot of things from different aspects and hideouts of my mind.
Did recording in a metal
capital like Norway have any effect on the final product that you guys put out?
Rune: Not really. The reason we choose to record in Norway is based on the fact
that I know the guy who runs the studio there. And we could get a pretty cool
deal of him as I have worked there several times with other bands. I believe
this album could have been captured almost anywhere. That is of course if the
standards and the equipment are acceptable. Actually, since you mention it, the
song Vultos was lyrically inspired by the surroundings of the studio. It was
inspired by this lake we used to go to after a hard days of work! By night, its
mysterious essence kind of unfolded and spoke to us, hehe.
Though I really don't
agree with it, I can see where some people would compare you guys to bands like
Lacuna Coil and Evanescence. How do you feel about such comparisons? Rune: I
wouldn't mind to be in the same division as them sales wise though, hehe. But I
believe we are pretty much different. I believe there are some frustrating
moments within our music that makes us different. Besides that, we are much
Doomier and much more intense I'd say.
I think Ava Inferi could
do very well on this side of the pond. Have you guys had a lot airplay in the
United States? Rune:
Actually, I don't know anything at all about this. But yeah, would love to make
it in the states, would love to go over for a tour as well sometime in the near
future. Supporting a big band, slightly different from what we do. That would be
optimal to get the music out to a broad audience. I firmly believe that within
our music there is something for most actually. I think we can speak in many
languages. It will be interesting to see how it all goes though, I mean, some
say its too European for the American market but I beg to differ. I believe the
themes we present and the sadness we dwell in is somewhat worldwide problems,
hehe.
Thank you for taking time to let me pick your brain a little bit. Is there
anything you'd like people to know about Ava Inferi? Any upcoming tours or other
events? The floor is yours to do with what you
will...
Rune: Thank you very much for the interview. The preparations for the 2nd album
are under progress already and hopefully it will be recorded in December for an
early 2007 release. I believe that we will head out on the road in support of
that album during summer next year. Hopefully we can make it over to the states
as well. For interested, please check out our website
www.ava-inferi.com for info and short samples from our debut album
out now on Season OF Mist.
