Interview с Djerv : DARKSIDE.ru

ian and Erlend, could you tell us more about your own musical background before you started Djerv?

Stian: I think I’m mostly known as the bass player from Trelldom, but my main focus has been composing for different artist and bands, and at the same time work as a freelance musician for different acts, not just metal. I have also toured with Gorgoroth/God Seed and still work with Gaahl and King. I’m not that much into metal that people might think, but had an early debut in the black metal scene in the 90`s. For many years I focused on other styles of music, but overall I’m rock and roll guy.

Erlend: Same with me. Not that metal. I was in punk bands and also in a 1960`s surf band when I was a kid. Then I went on to Stonegard which was my main band 2001-2009. In that period I didn’t really play in any other bands, Stonegard took all the time. That band was a rock/metal hybrid – same as Djerv is in a way, but of course still very different too. I always wanted good melodies and hooks alongside my metal meal so to speak.

Agnete, what was the main factor behind quitting Animal Alpha, and what were you doing “between the bands”?

Agnete: We wanted different things and people got new priorities: girlfriends, children, apartments to pay etc., also we “forgot” to reward ourselves. All the money we earned, we spent on the band and we were broke at all time.
Between the bands I studied teacher education. I have a Master’s degree in clothing design, and wanted to complete my education, by getting the paper of teaching.

You were recording your album both in Oslo and in LA: How different was the work in 2 studios? What would you say you are influenced more: “European” or “American” sound?

Stian: We did most of the recording in Oslo together with Daniel Bergtrand and just some small adjustments in LA and of course the mix. All the work we did with Daniel was in two different studios in Oslo, one for the drums and the rest in another. To save time and money we worked shifts, mostly I in the night and Agnete and Daniel doing vocals daytime. We used ProTools so it was fairly easy to transport the files between the studios. We wanted a LA/US-sound for this record and that’s one of the reason we choose to work with Matt. Erlend and Agnete went over there and worked tight with the guy. We are big fans of many of his previous productions so that’s why we got in contact with him. And we think he did a formidable job on our as well!

Erlend: Working with Matt and Daniel was quite different. I`ve done two Stonegard albums with Danne before, so we know each other very well. The drum recordings where quite straightforward, except for the fact that two tracks where not completely written when we started. But that was just a lot of fun bouncing back ideas with him. For this album we went for a really minimalistic drum approach but it was still good to have his input. Not knowing Matt from before it was of course a different scenario, but when we got going it all felt really good. We broke the ice really quickly and pretty soon we were locked in the good classic studio humor the three of us. Being as experienced and merited as Matt, he naturally had his ideas and opinions on how the sound should be, and for a while there we had some discussions on the very core of the mix – the guitars and drum sound. And us being so hands on we had very strong opinions too, but we got around to a great sound in the end that we all were comfortable with.

Would you plan to work with Daniel Bergstrand and Matt Hyde in future?

Stian: We’re really happy with the work they’ve done on this record, and of course it would be fun to work together again. Still, life is short ,and there are many people out there we want to work with. For me music is much about learning something new and to work with new people.

Erlend: I would agree with Stian. Both of them are great producers and mixers and I won’t say I will not record with them again. But, having the opportunity, during this globalized and post-music industry peak, to work with previously unachievable producers I would love to try to work with other people too. Nick Raskulinecz is on top of my list these days I think.

Did you have any artistic disagreements working on the album?

Stian: Not much really, there is normally place for everyone’s opinion. At the same time we all choose our battles, and if something is really important for one of us the two others usually let it slide.

Erlend: Playing in Djerv is surprisingly easy. It is a lot of work, yes, but there are not many arguments. Discussions, yes – but we rarely disagree to an extent it becomes a problem. I think we all had that in the past with other bands, and we`re just tired of it.

The black cat seems to be the signature image of the band, even though there is just its skull on the record cover. What about this choice?

Stian: It’s not a big sym

bolic thing really. We worked on different ideas, and were almost finished with a different concept, when we found out that it didn’t work the way we wanted. We contacted Martin Kvamme who is working with Mike Patton and several other big Norwegian acts, and we’re really happy with the result!

Erlend: Finding the appropriate design for a band is always difficult I think, and we went down a lot of different roads before landing on this. I feel it is quite fresh and not very typical so I’m happy with it.

What influenced your choice of the record label?

Stian: There were many reasons for the choice of record label. We know them from other projects, they have their main office in Oslo, speak the same language, and Erlend works there as an A&R. At the same time they do a really good job for us, and growing bigger all the time. It’s not just another metal label, which is really important for crossover acts like us.

Erlend: As Stian says I`m on both sides here, but this only works to our advantage I think. We have the finger on the pulse every day so to speak and it is never a problem to get a hold of the label at least.

You released your album on vinyl as well. Why? Do you still believe in vinyl and CD formats?

Stian: Hehe, I hate CDs and personally I feel that it’s the only way to release an album. It’s a good feeling to open a new fresh vinyl that you filled with music yourself, a tiny plastic CD cannot be compared to that feeling. But it’s important to remember that it is more expensive, and mostly based on the reason that every good piece of art should be shown in a nice format too. In the long term I think vinyl will survive the CD as a collectable product as well.

Erlend: I don’t hate the CD. I find it hard to hate what is actually paying for our very existence to be honest. But, I prefer the vinyl too. Personally I don’t collect vinyl, but I really like the format and I`m pretty sure I`ll start collecting soon. Digital is really practical, but there you have the artwork issue – you cannot really translate that from physical to digital. As long as there is not a new format replacing the CD, it will still be around I think. Cars have players, and very many homes too so there will still be a market for it. Vinyl will always be there I think. It is growing rapidly now, and we also see that when we play live we sell a lot more vinyls than what I did with my previous band for instance.

Agnete listed Mike Patto

n as one of her major musical influences. Did you ever think of covering anything by Faith No More? And do you ever feel like covering any songs at live gigs?

Stian: Yeah, we have thought about that, and also a bunch of other songs to cover. We have, on some shows, done a cover of Megadeth’s Symphony Of Destruction. It was a spontaneous idea, and to fill out the set lists in the early start. At the same time it worked really good to have songs that people knew, since we didn’t have a record out at that time. We’re still discussing songs, but it’s hard to find the right one.

Stian and Erlend, what are your music heroes then?

Stian: For me it’s mainly non-metal based acts. I think the big three for me is AC/DC, ZZ Top and Tom Petty. I listen to them all the time, but I never get tired of them. The inspiration I find to compose Djerv stuff can be everything from Alison Krauss to Thorns. But there is only one hero, without a doubt, and no one can be compared to Malcolm Young!

Erlend: AC/DC and Petty are great artists indeed. I grew up with Elvis and Beatles and both of them stand to me as landmark acts. Same with Metallica, Michal Jackson, Mastodon, Opeth, Tool and Sabbath. I`m not sure if I have any musical heroes. A lot of people inspired me of course, but I wouldn’t call them heroes.

Even though you are not new to heavy music scene, how does it feel making your way as a new band, in times when competition is rather tough, and it seems to be hard to surprise the audience or to get your share of attention overall?

Stian: Hard competition nowadays as you mention. We just try to do our absolute best, both live and in the compositions, and it’s always a gamble with the audience- if they like it or not.

Erlend: I think the main thing is to either do something original or to do something classic if you want to get attention. Regardless of your choice it has to be really good, and more than ever you have to tour as a band. I think it it`s going well for us now, and I’m happy with the way the band is developing. Main reason for doing this is to have fun though!

Definitely, the fact of Agnete working with Dimmu Borgir and you warming up for Behemoth this autumn will increase your audience. By the way, are you listening to those bands yourselves?

Stian: I really like the new Behemoth record, and it seems like they’re working hard to get their personal sound. It’s one of the few new metal releases I p

icked up over the last years. I wasn’t the biggest Dimmu fan in the 1990s, but nowadays I have a lot of respect for them and they’re great guys doing their own thing. To do your own thing is an important part of doing music I think.

What kind of people do you see at your gigs? How could you describe your audience on average?

Stian: There are very different kinds of people and we have played a lot of different venues. It seems that people think we are more metal than we really are and get surprised that we’re more of a hard rock act. I think the crossover part of Djerv is a success that way. It’s a different act on stage than in the studio.

Erlend: There are a lot of girls. And some weirdoes (smile-auth.). Agnete seem to attract them – which I think is really cool by the way!

Agnete, how does it feel being a girl in a male-dominated music world? Is it tough or vice versa – beneficial?

Agnete: A lot of girls in the music business gets to hear that they are good for being a woman - like if they were a man, they wouldn’t be that good. I have to admit that nobody has said that to me and I´m very proud and happy about it!
I have actually not been thinking too much about me being a girl in this business. The only thing I know, is that there is a lot of guys that don`t want to listen to music with female singers, and I do understand them. I have problems there myself. But it is important that they let go of this now and give me a shot. I will try my best not to disappoint them. Knowing by comments by supporters and journalists, I think we got a chance here (grin-auth). Anyway, the guys in Djerv are really taking care of me, but other than that I have not had any special benefits or disadvantages.

Do you have any female metal (or not metal) vocalist icons?

Agnete: When I was 17, I was in a band, and got compared to all sorts of singers. One guy even said he could hear I had been listening to an artist I hadn`t even heard of. At that point I stopped listening to bands with female singers. It took some years to start embrace it again. My favorites are Eartha Kitt (RIP), Ella Fitzgerald (RIP) and Dalbello.

Erlend and Agnete, tell us more about your cooperation with Wardruna.

Erlend: It is a great honor to participate in that band. Each concert is like a ritual, and it gives me the feeling of being part of something extraordinary. Really, it is such a great gang of people in the band t

oo. All being humble, quiet, and really nice. We don’t play often live with Wardruna, but when we do it is really special – both for the audience and also us in the band I feel.

Agnete: It is strange to have a roll as a backing- vocalist when you`re used to being the lead singer. When I do Djerv, I can choose do whatever slips my mind if it`s a cool thing without thinking about other vocalists. I can also cover up my faults by doing the fault one more time for instance (grins-auth.). I got more control over my thing in Djerv. In Wardruna I need to do what the backing parts asks for. I cannot “do my thing” ‘cause we are going to work as a choir and not stand out, so to speak. But I have to admit that I really love doing Wardruna, 'cause I need to concentrate in a different way, take other precautions and also use my voice in a different way. And as Erlend says; the people are so great.

Is Djerv the main band at the moment for each of you?

Stian: Yeah, it’s the only way of making things work, especially nowadays. It takes a lot of time to get new bands up and running, and at this stage it’s important to use as much time as possible. But, for me it’s also important to do different acts and especially other styles and genres, I need to fill out the whole specter to get satisfied.

Erlend: There is not really that much time left after Djerv and taking care of Indie Recordings. Music 24/7!!

You also do magic playing live; do you have any special rituals before going on stage? What do you think is the chemistry between you, allowing all band members function as a perfectly tuned machine? I am sure it is not only about rehearsals.

Stian: We really don’t rehearse that much, I myself hate to be in a rehearsal room just to practice. It’s good to hook up to arrange and try out stuff, but everyone needs to do the practice themselves. I think all of us have their own rituals before shows. I mostly grab a beer while we listen to some good music: old AC/DC or something. Agnete needs her quiet time when she puts on her makeup. Also everybody is warming up and we usually play some of the songs quietly backstage.

Erlend: First and foremost it is about playing a lot. All great live-bands play a lot. It is as easy as that I think.

What are your plans for remaining months of 2011?

Stian: Do as many shows as possible with the main focus on the rest of Europe. Also continue to write new track for the next album. It would be cool to have enough songs ready for recording early 2012.

Erlend: Realistically I don’t see us record early 2012. Probably we`ll tour a lot and it always takes longer than expected to write. But I`m really looking forward to getting into the next album. Doing this one, and playing so much live have given us a lot of input and we already know so much stuff we want to change around for the next album. It will definitely be more dynamics in the music and a more rock approach! Still hard, but more rock and less metal I feel.

Text: Viktorija Maksimovic
11 дек 2011 the End


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