SOURCE – In order to start, can you talk a little bit about Sirenia’s last album Dim Days Of Dolor? How has the repercussion and the reception of the album by the fans been? It’s a great album, so can you talk a little bit about that?
Morten Veland (Guitar, Vocals) – Most of the album was recorded in my own studios, like we have done on the last 5 albums. We also recorded some parts in Sound Suite Studios in France, like we have done on every Sirenia album. I still write about a lot of the same things as before, however I try to renew myself from album to album in the way that I write the lyrics. After writing more than 100 songs over the years it gets harder and harder to find new things to write about. I have been writing a few songs about Norse mythology lately and that’s something that I did not write about in the past. We have done som remarkable changes with this new album. The most obvious difference if ofcourse the change of singer, Emmanuelle has added a new sound and touch to Sirenia’s music. The diversity is bigger than before, and I also think that the performance level has been raised a lot. Furthermore we have changed mixing and mastering engineer for this album. We have worked with Danish producer Jacob Hansen for the first time. I think that he has really perfected our sound and taken the band to new heights as well. Furthermore I also think that the song material is really strong and diverse, and there is some cool new elements on the album that have not been done in the past. I feel quite sure that the Sirenia fans will really appreciate this album.
SOURCE – The album artwork is beautiful. Do you work with the same artist each time?
Morten Veland (Guitar, Vocals) – I really love the cover artwork too, Gyula who has made our two last covers did an amazing job, he really were able to catch that particular feeling and atmosphere that I was looking for in a cover. I find both of these artworks very epic and haunting, they trigger something very strong in me, so that’s what art is all about to me. In the past we have worked with several different designers though. But I really think that we have found that perfect partner in Gyula.
SOURCE – Any specific film scores or soundtracks that inspired you for the recent album?
Morten Veland (Guitar, Vocals) – Not that I am aware of. I hardly see any movies lately, I never seem to find the time anymore.
SOURCE – Do you feel that some of the appeal of symphonic metal could be as simple as the popularity of recruiting female vocalists to provide vocal variety? That perhaps more than any other metal genre, symphonic metal possesses a large number of talented women who also act as role models with which female listeners may identify?
Morten Veland (Guitar, Vocals) – I always loved the beautiful contrast between the female voice and the metal music. It is something that I based my songs on from the very beginning back in 1994 or so. I also love the symphonis elements and the atmospheres created by synths and keyboards. Yes, there is a lot of really talented women in metal and rock today and that is very cool to see. 20 years ago there were hardly any women at all.
SOURCE – Symphonic metal has come a long way since the genre’s early days – it has been embraced by an ever-increasing number of listeners. Have you been conscious of the genre’s increasing appeal?
Morten Veland (Guitar, Vocals) – Yes, it seems that the genre has grown a lot over the years. There are countless bands playing this kind of music today. Back in 94-95 when I started there were hardly any bands at all. It has been an interesting journey being a part of that whole evolution. I still find it flattering when bands tell me that one of my bands have been an inspiration to their bands.
SOURCE – What are currently some of the most important tools and instruments you’re using?
Morten Veland (Guitar, Vocals) – I work with Cubase 8 as a sequencer and production plattform. Furthermore I have lots of software that I use. But still a lot of my compositions start with the guitar. In the latest years I have been experimenting a bit with the use of some instruments that I did not use before, like; harmonica, theremin, melodium, different flutes, ukulele and mandolin etc. But drums, bass and guitar will always be the foundation of my music.
SOURCE – In which way do certain production tools suggest certain approaches, in which way do they limit and/or expand your own creativity? Are there any promising solutions or set-ups capable of triggering new ideas inside of you as a composer?
Morten Veland (Guitar, Vocals) – Production tools can expand all kinds of possibilities, but at the end of the day all the good odeas and compositions needs to come from the composer and not a tool of some sort. I like experimenting with all kinds of software and production tools and sometimes interesting things can emerge, but most of my melodies and riffs etc are composed with my guitar. The cool thing about the computer based production platforms today is that they have really come a long way in terms of work flow, and it is possible to work much faster than before. I rememebr back in the beginning when I was working with hardware sequencers and samplers, it took fucking ages to lay down the simplest of things. Hehe..
SOURCE – It’s 14 years now since your debut album, At Sixes and Sevens, was released. You’ve maintained a fearsome level of productivity in that time – that’s an album every 24 months or so, even without taking your live releases into account and all your touring activity. Do you feel that you’re especially driven to create? How do you keep the writing process fresh for yourselves?
Morten Veland (Guitar, Vocals) – The process of creating and composing was always the part that I loved the most. When I can lock myself up in the studio and work on new material it feels like heaven to me. I really enjoy touring as well, but I always felt that I was made to create and compose, that is where my true strength lies. I try to keep the writing process fresh by keeping myself updated on new software and tools to inspire. I also rehearse a lot on my guitar trying to come up with new stuff. Furthermore I like to learn to play new instruments, new sounds can also be a inspiration in itself.
SOURCE – Legal streaming services like Pandora and Spotify are becoming popular. As artists, what is your opinion of them?
Morten Veland (Guitar, Vocals) – Cool concepts. Totally unfair towards the artists though, but a good tool to promote a band.
SOURCE – Is there anything else you’d like to add to those reading this interview?
Morten Veland (Guitar, Vocals) – Cheers to all the readers out there. I hope to see you along the road next year. I wish you all a happy
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