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by Daniel Hinds
Windir is one of those criminally underrated bands that totally deserve
way more success than they've achieved thus far. With four albums of
top-notch music, mixing Viking and atmospheric black metal in perfect measures,
this Norwegian outfit is clearly in the top ranks alongside bands like Borknagar,
Enslaved and Falkenbach. This year saw the release of their finest
moment yet, the epic and demanding Likferd and vocalist/founder Valfar took
some time to answer my questions about this great album and all thinks Windir…
Let me ask a bit about the new album, Likferd. First of all, what is the story behind the album title?
Likferd is difficult to translate, but it's the trip from the dead man's
wake, which normally was in his own house, to the burial place/graveyard.
The title is not tied up to one particular song, but the atmosphere in general
on this album.
Windir has always had very cool album covers and Likferd is amazing. Can you tell me a bit about the story behind it?
The front-cover is a painting of Tiedemann & Gude, two of Norway's most
famous artists from the national-romantic era (ca.1850). The title to this
painting is Likferd at Sognefjorden. They traveled around in the fjords,
painted, and drew sketches. One painted people and the other one landscapes.
A such trip could take years, and they didn't complete their paintings until
they returned to their studio/gallery. Then they used their sketches and
their memory to finish. That is why the painting isn't a particular place,
but a best of edition from their memory. The picture itself is not very known
in Norway, but I live in the Sognefjord so it's obvious that I knew about
it. We have always thought about using it and the timing seemed perfect this
time.
Can you explain a bit about some of the lyrics from the new album?
The lyrics deal with death, grief, battle, blood & honour. The saga about
Arntor is still present, I still find it interesting.
Musically, there has been a steady progression on each Windir album so far. How would you compare Likferd to 1184?
I always find it difficult to evaluate my own work. I think that the album
this time is a bit darker and aggressive. But I also find it more melodic,
the melodies present are more beautiful then ever. The production is
a killer. We are very satisfied with the sound this time. It has the punch
and strength that we have missed before.
Did you use a different studio or producer this time around?
We used the same studio as last time simply because we see an enormous potential
in Akkerhaugen. The difference this time was that we produced a lot of it
ourselves. We decided this time that we would not leave the studio unless
we were 100% satisfied. The label also noticed that when they got the bill!
I understand that Windir has become more
of a collaborative process. How does the songwriting take place and what
are the good/bad things about writing with another person as opposed to writing
by yourself?
It's a collaborative process in the way that we inspire each other, but we
write our own songs. We don't write songs together, but we share the tracks
50-50. Of course we help each other out and we produce together to get a
fitting sound.
Do you need to be in a certain space or frame of mind to write music and lyrics for Windir?
Yes. It's difficult to explain how, but Windir has been my own world which
has been my escape from the real one. And I think that since I started out
as a solo-band its world has been more important and intense than it would
be if Windir was a band from the start. I am an ego-centric person as well,
so…
I've read that you are very influenced
by ancient Norwegian folk music. Are there any artists currently playing
that type of music that you think are particularly impressive?
No, but the reason for that is that they are represented in other genres,
cultural genres. So it's difficult to evaluate others when I don't like the
genre in the first place. No one in the Metal-scene has used the same sources
as I have. Maybe because they are considered Christian, but they're not.
How much have your surroundings affected your music and lyrics?
A lot. The rural aspect has always been important to me. That's why I printed
the picture of my tractor in my second album. Considered as insanity by many
people. Do you want to see where I live? Buy my albums and look at the front
covers.
How do you feel about the first 3 Windir releases looking back at them now?
I'm satisfied with all of them. I started out fairly young and have developed a lot, but I find that interesting.
This is kind of a broad question, but what are your feelings on the impact of Christianity on Western Civilization?
Religion in general is madness.
Do you think mankind will always be ruled by religion and superstition?
Yes. We need to know that there is more to it than this.
Do you enjoy playing live?
Yes. It has been interesting to do so, and we've got a good reputation as
a live-band. Many fans turn up every time. It's a good feeling when people
appreciate what you're doing on the stage.
I know you have had some problems with
bands canceling their tours in the past. Are you planning to tour outside
of Norway with the new album?
We've had at least three cancelled tours. The last tour was with Borknagar,
Susperia and Fintroll and was cancelled five days before the first gig. 20
shows were booked, tour-shirts printed and we were set to go. Then we got
a message that we had no tour-busses anymore. Frustrating. We always have
a plan or two about a tour, but it's difficult and many unserious people.
A tour is what we miss at the moment. But if we get the opportunity we're
ready.
How was your experience playing Inferno?
Can you describe your experience and compare it to other festivals you may
have been to or played?
The Inferno-festival is one of the greatest moments in my career. People
were totally insane, they got hurt and the people at the front had problems
breathing. A guy from Metal Hammer in Germany said he had never seen such
a dedicated audience on a Black-Metal gig before. I have never attended a
festival unless we've played there so I wouldn't know. Other than that we
played the Quart-festival and the Hole in the sky-festival last year, both
in Norway. They were cool, but not like the experience we had at the Inferno.
What are your thoughts on the way the Norwegian metal scene has evolved and changed over the years?
Utterly positive. The more variety we get the better. Unless we would have
got tired of it all. There are always those who hate everything besides Old
School, but I don't care. Variety is opportunity.
I know some bands have outside projects
along with their regular bands - is anyone in Windir working on any other
musical projects?
Proud to say no.
What do you do outside of music (work or hobbies)?
Well, my hobby is drinking and porn. Not much else to do in the rural areas,
no women either. Other than that I've been working part-time in a hardware-store,
but it went bankrupted, so now I don't have any work at the moment.
What is your current record label situation?
We have completed the latest deal with HNF/VME and we'll wait for a while
to see what turns up. If there isn't anything interesting I guess we'll sign
with them again. They're ok.
Do you have any distribution yet for the USA?
I think The End Records have our distribution there. But it's easy to get
distribution on a paper, its something else to see it work in practice. My
impression is that people everywhere have problems getting Windir albums.
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