I remember many years ago when I first heard Glittertind's music I instantly
fell in love. Today I have the honor to speak with their bass player Bjørn.
I will pick his brain a bit about the past, present and future of one of my all
time favorite Norwegian bands Glittertind....
1) First I wanted to say thank you for taking the time to do this
interview...you have no idea how much of a pleasure it is for me...
Bjørn: The pleasure is all mine!
2) Glittertind has been around since 2001...
yet you just joined the band as bass player in
2010. How did that exactly come about?
Bjørn:
Our drummer, Geir a former band mate of mine, contacted me regarding going
on tour with Glittertind. I couldn't turn that down, so I said yes. The tour
never happened, but we played at a couple of festivals and we became good
friends. The rest is history.
3) Ok. So, was Glittertind a band favorite of yours already? Must be nice to
get in with a band that you already like so much.
Bjørn:
Haha, not really. I had only heard a couple of the old songs many years
before the offer, but I instantly fell in love with the music when I started
listening to it.
4) Fell in love must be common for a band like this. That is what I wrote as
the header to the interview already....
Bjørn:
Haha, thanks!
5) Glittertind is the second highest mountain in Norway. Why was this name
chosen for the band name? What about the TALLEST mountain? hehe
Bjørn:
That is a good question! I'm not to sure why Torbjørn chose the name, but I
believe it was because he felt the name represented the music he made. The
tallest mountain in Norway is called galdhøpiggen, and Glittertind sounds much
better than that!
6) galdhøpiggen doesn't sound too bad, yet Glittertind is much easier for most to
pronounce. Ha! So, you guys focus your music around Norwegian Folk songs and
things of that nature...Does the band in general have an interest in this or is
this something that you all did research for just for the music. (Of course you
have interest in it or you would not play music about it)
Bjørn:
We all come from very different backgrounds musically, but I think an interest
for folk music is a common theme among us. Torbjørn has obviously been very
inspired by Norwegian history and music on our earlier albums. The next album
will be a little different though. We are still very much inspired by folk
music, but we write almost everything ourselves.
7) Yeah, I can tell that he has the love for his country (as you all do I am
sure) I always asked myself this question...now is my chance to ask..."The
Battle of Stiklestad" is my all time favorite Glittertind song. This is one of
the very few songs sang in English. Why did the band decide that this song
would be sung in English?
Bjørn:
I think it is in English because Torbjørn wanted to add some variety to
the record. It was also a good way to test how the music would be recieved in
another language.
8) That was a good plan...although to be honest and I don't know if this is only
because I am Norwegian or not but I prefer the music IN Norwegian. It adds to
the authenticity of the music and what Glittertind stands for. So, I wanted
to ask you... The last Glittertind album "Landkjenning" was put out in 2009...4
years ago. That of course was before you joined the band. Now you guys are
coming out with a new album. How does it feel after 3 years to finally be
featured on your first Glittertind album?
Bjørn:
It feels amazing! We have worked on this album since 2010, and we can't
wait to show it to everybody!
9) I know I am VERY excited for it. (And of course maybe a U.S. tour)
After doing some research I notice that Geirmund and Torbjørn are really the
only 2 original members. Seems they brought the rest of the band together in
2010 (or around that time) Why did they finally decide to make this a full
band...did it have anything to do with wanting to be a live band?
Bjørn:
That is absolutely correct! They got an offer to play at Karmøygeddon
festival, and started gathering a band. That was so much fun we decided to
continue!
10) Actually I see that Torbjørn is the only original member and Geirmund
came only a couple of years before everyone else. (My mistake) Anyways, You
guys just got done mastering your new album... Where was this done at and is
there any sense of relief now. Like, Ahhhh it is finally complete.
Bjørn:
Yeah, I couldn't have said it better myself. As mentioned earlier we
started writing songs in 2010. The last year we have been working on the album
several days a week, in addition to having school and work. It have been an
incredibly fun experience, but also very exhausting.
11) Well, I am very happy for you guys and like I said, look forward to
hearing it. You mentioned it will be a little different compared to the older
albums? How so...
Bjørn:
The first thing is that it is the first album with the whole band.
Everyone has contributed to the songs in different ways. The sound has also
changed quite a bit. While "Landkjenning" was in many ways a very upbeat and
jolly album, the next one is going to be the complete opposite. The music and
lyrics are very dark. Almost all of the music are written by us, as well, so
there won't be any covers of old Norwegian songs.
12) Dark? I find that to be odd for a band such as yourselves but it
leaves something to be checked into, that is for sure... Oh, I also wanted to
bring up something a bit off the new album topic for just a second. Glittertind
is actually featured in a book "Folk Metal. Dalle origini al Ragnarök" That
must be an honor. Is this book out yet? Have you had the opportunity to read
it? Here is the link if any readers are interested in finding out more.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Folk-Metal-Dalle-origini-al-Ragnar%C3%B6k/486536041389772
Bjørn:
Yeah, it is really cool that the author decided to include us in the book. I
looked at his webpage and I think its only in Italian. If there ever will be
released a translation to English or Norwegian we will absolutely check it out!
13) Italian only? Well, that won't be good for all the non-Italian speaking fans
but ok.. haha Anyways, with a new album comes possible tours. Are there any
near or distant future plans of a tour for this new release or even some live
shows featuring some of your new songs?
Bjørn:
We will definitely tour after the release, we might even do some shows before
the release. We have been playing a couple of the new songs live for some time.
They usually recieve positive feedback, so we can't wait to get to perform them
more live!
14) Oh so there are people out there who have heard some of the new songs? Well
that is cool, good way to promote the new album. You mentioned some final
touches with a label. It has been a long and tough road as far as that goes.
Are you satisfied with the label you chose (or who chose Glittertind) and is
there any idea of a possible release date as of yet?
Bjørn:
Yeah, all of us a very exited about the new label! Sadly, I can't really reveal
the release date quite yet, but I think an announcement is coming in the near
future.
15) Always such a secret with you bands. haha What about an album title?
Cover art? (who did it) what can you give to us? Ha!
Bjørn:
Haha, I wish I could tell you more! Linda Kristine Røed have made the coverart,
and it is looking amazing! She also did a Darkthrone album, so we are very
exited about that! You can check out some of her black metal art at http://lindakroed.blogspot.no/
16) Ok ok...I wont be too pushy but I thought that was my job. lol Well, I am
very curious to see the new artwork then. If the music is going to be dark I
assume the art will be too?
Bjørn:
Haha, no problem. The
cover art is very dark and very beautiful!
17) This seems like a whole new turn for Glittertind then. I think we are all
at the edge of our seats awaiting its reveal. Well, as we draw closer to the
end of this interview, I'd like to ask you what Glittertind has in store for us
in the future? Any distant plans in mind?
Bjørn:
Our plans now are basically to release the album and play as many concerts as
possible. We will probably starting writing new material while all of this is
going on. Hopefully, the wait won't be as long until the next album!
18) You guys just got done spending 3 years working on this album and right
back to the drawing board then? Well good for you guys. Well, it has been a
pleasure and honor for me to finally get this opportunity to do this interview.
Are there any final thoughts or words you would like to share before we say
good bye?
Bjørn:
First off, a big thanks to you for this interview and promoting us! Also a
shoutout to everbody who listen to our music and attend our concerts. We really
appreciate it! We update our facebook everytime something are to be announced,
if anyone are interested they can check us out at
https://www.facebook.com/glittertindofficial
You can hear one of Glittertind's older songs here.(Acoustic version that is wonderfully done!)
http://youtu.be/kzMq81DnokI