SOURCE – It’s been three years since you released an Ep – Darben. What’s the band been up to in the meantime?
Anders Johnsen (Drums) – Since Darben, we’ve been through a bit of a soft reboot. Our previous singer (and synth player) left the band at one point and was succeeded by Bjørnar, our new singer, and Siri, our new synth player. We spent quite a bit of time just getting to know each other and figure out how to be a band together, then finished writing our debut album together, played a few gigs and focused on the album release, which happened a couple of months ago now.
SOURCE – Knowing that you aren’t surviving based on the band, do you really have to have something that is up to your own standard in order to release something?
Anders Johnsen (Drums) – We do spend a lot of time experimenting and tweaking everything we write before we begin the recording process, and we wouldn’t want to release something just for the sake of releasing something. Taking the time and energy to get it just right makes it that much more rewarding to us in the end. We’re going to live with the results of our efforts for years to come, and we want to have a good time playing it live.
SOURCE – How did the songwriting and recording process go for the debut full-length Gospel of the Viles – did you find any specific challenges, obstacles, or surprises take place from the initial demo stages to the final recordings?
Anders Johnsen (Drums) – Most of the writing and recording was already done at the time when our previous singer left, which made for a bit of a challenge. The unforeseen change in plans caused the time frame to shift by a good while, but thankfully we were able to convince Bjørnar and Siri to join not too long thereafter. We still decided to take the necessary time to become whole again and rethink the missing pieces, rather than rush through finishing the album, and we feel like the end result became so much better for it.
SOURCE – Where did you want to come across with the lyrics on this record?
Bjørnar Kristiansen (Vocals) – When I’m writing lyrics, I never think about how they will read for anyone else. The lyrics are highly important for me personally, so as long as the band have no complaints, they are exactly what I feel.
SOURCE – During quarantine, what is the weirdest, coolest, or most enjoyable thing you’ve done?
Bjørnar Kristiansen – (Vocals) Great question! The most enjoyment I’ve gotten during quarantine is definitely digging into my to-read pile of comics. Gideon Falls is one the best reads in a long time. Recommended!
SOURCE – Have you been doing any live-streamed concerts during COVID-19 or do you plan to? A lot of artists have been doing them, do you think it’s a challenge to make them original and interesting?
Anders Johnsen (Drums) – When the virus debacle started, a lot of live plans went down the drain for us, which sucked majorly. But many artists were much worse off than us, and it’s been great that they’ve had the option of streaming. We haven’t played live during that period, but we will be doing our first streaming gig at a local festival on June 26, which we’re really looking forward to. There’s a limited number of tickets for a live audience as well, so it will be like a hybrid kind of thing. It will be an interesting experience. Streaming concerts have felt like a glimmer of normalcy during the lockdown, and some of them have been very enjoyable, although I think it’s virtually impossible to beat the feeling of togetherness that exists in a group of sweaty, like-minded music fans crammed into a too hot and too loud venue.
Bjørnar Kristiansen – (Vocals) We have not played during the quarantine, not because of lacking interest from us, but more from the fact that we needed to feel that the situation felt right. And this upcoming festival, Oslo Stream Fest, was exactly what we desired.
SOURCE – How are things with lockdown laws in your area at the moment?
Anders Johnsen (Drums) – Restrictions are slowly starting to ease up and daily life is returning to relative normalcy. Traffic jams are a thing again. Many industries are still struggling however, and lots of people are still laid off. Live music is pretty much not happening, apart from streaming gigs.
SOURCE – What are your goals and aspirations for the future of Dwaal?
Bjørnar Kristiansen (Vocals) – For me it’s to make music with my friends. Whatever kind of music that comes out of it, will always feel special to me. And if someone outside of the band feels the same, that’s perfect.
Anders Johnsen (Drums) – As soon as it’s possible we’d like to pick up where we left off before the lockdown, and play live as much as we can. Then, in time, release another album. And then take it from there.
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