Photo cr. @Juliette-Rowland
Today marks the release date for ÁRSTÍÐIR's brand new album 'Nivalis', and the enigmatic Icelanders are celebrating this with the release of a spectacular new video for the track 'While this Way'.
Band gave us also this beautiful interview... Enjoy!
Interview by Michela (Anesthesia)
Photo cr. @Juliette-Rowland
LFdM: Hi guys, thank you so much for this great opportunity.
Let’s start out by introducing your band to those readers who have never heard of you before. What is the story of ÁRSTÍÐIR?
We're celibrating our tenth anniversary this summer. Our band was formed in 2008 and we performed our first show the same month as the banks crashed over here. Two years later we we're embarking on our first international tour, and we nearly did not make it because of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption. But part from financial calamities and natural disasters, our career has been a fatastic journey that has taken us all over Europe, North America and to the depths of Siberia, and now we're about to release our 5th studio album Nivalis on June 22nd.
LFdM: I read this quote about you: “mixing many influences taken from different styles into something quite unique, which might tentatively be dubbed Icelandic independent”. Is this how you would try to describe your sound?
We just write the music and then we leave it to others to put a label on it. Through the years we've been called all sorts of things: folk, indie, pop, world, minimalist, progressive, rock, chamber pop and sometimes just “Icelandic Independent” like you said. I actually think that comes closest to describing us.
The fact that our music mixes a lot of influences, and the fact that it is hard to put a label on it, is also the same thing that makes our fans drawn to our music.
LFdM: I think your music is very related to the creation of situations of extreme contrast: you suddenly change from a quiet part into a blasting black-like sequence and back into a softer part. What should we expect in terms of sound or feelings from the new album ?
It's true, we play a lot with dynamics. When we make albums it's a roller-coster ride of emotions for us, and the music is a reflection of that. Some songs can be very tender and and minimalistic, and others can be dramatic with epic finales. This constant turn of emotions comes natural to us when we're writing, and it keeps it interesting for us when we play. So expect a roller-coster ride when you listen to Nivalis.
LFdM: The artwork of the new album is really simple. What’s the meaning behind that? And how does it connect to the album?
Nivalis is a latin word that means “Like Snow”, and is often used in latin names of anmimals and plants that live in arctic environments, and thrive in cold and hard conditions.
Living in Iceland people tend to be very affected by the nature and weather conditions, and how these change with the seasons. Our name, Árstíðir, means “seasons” in Ielandic and in our mind birds represent the changing of the seasons. Some migrate and come back, others stay and change the colour of their feathers. Many of our albums have had pictures of birds or feathers in some way.
LFdM: Do you read reviews about your works? Does it have any further influence on your creative process?
Yes, of course we read them, but we try not to get influenced too much by them. We just try and stay true to our musical expression and play music that we believe in. When we play concerts and see the reactions of the people listening then THAT is what truly matters.
LFdM: What are your next tour plans?
This September will mark the beginning of an intense touring period. The final dates are being settled, and so we'll announce very soon. We hope to see you on the road!
LFdM: That would be great guys! Thank you so much for your time and let's hope to meet you live!
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