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Leaves Eyes is an amazing testament to what phenomenal gothic inspired ambient
metal can be. Their new CD, Vinland Saga, is an amazing piece of work and
deserves to be heard by everybody that picks up power metal, gothic influenced
stuff and even the darker Euro black metal. There is something that everybody
will be into here. I got the chance to talk to Liv, the ever glowing front woman
for this act and she had a lot to day about this great work of art and her
history!
Jeffrey Easton interviewing Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull of Leaves Eyes.
Jeff: You have an incredible voice. At what age did you start singing and who
influenced you?
Liv: Thank you very, very much. I actually started singing before I was able to
talk. I grew up with Black Sabbath/Ozzy through my father - the band which has
influenced me the most in my life. However, at the age of 7 I discovered
Madonna. I spent hours of practising with a hairbrush in my hand in front of the
mirror after school. I was sure that I was going to become a singer one day,
without feeling any pressure. In the “meantime” I’ve finished my master
degree at the university, worked as a teacher, in a kindergarten, too, besides
being an artist. Now I’ve become a mother and I’ve found the perfect balance
between being a singer and having a family. Two dreams have come true for me.
Jeff: What were some of your first projects or was Leaves Eyes your first band?
Liv: My first band was called “Twice” which I formed at the age of ten
together with a girl friend of mine. I sang and she played the piano. At the age
of 18 I formed Theatre of Tragedy. Unfortunately I was kicked out of the band
after ten years and five albums by a lousy e-mail on their web-page and nobody
informing me about it and why. However, that bad luck turned into good luck: 2
years ago I formed Leaves’ Eyes together with the members and my friends from
Atrocity. We have our own studio (http://web.archive.org/web/20051024113433/http://www.mastersoundsentertainment.de/)
and feel like a family.
Jeff: What was your vision for Leaves Eyes?
Jeff: To give something good, sensational feelings and wonderful visions to
other people. This is the main aim of art, in my opinion. Our music is not only
for your ears, but also your heart and soul. Moreover, to be able to go on and
continue as an artist after being fired from ToT.
Jeff: How did you get Leaves Eyes together?
Liv: I asked my best friends to help me forming a band. It wasn’t difficult at
all being in the same studio, working together every day!
Jeff: Leaves Eyes is basically you fronting Atrocity. How they find the time to
do both acts?
Liv: No problem, as we have got our own studio and plan everything ourselves.
However, there is always something happening here, despite the fact that we have
to recording rooms/studios. Other bands, too, also from abroad, produce their
albums here.
Jeff: You record for Napalm, how did you get this deal?
Liv: Alex got in touch with Napalm because of another band, Elis, which he
manages. At that point of time Leaves’ Eyes and Atrocity were free of a deal.
We realized at once that Napalm is an excellent record company and the right one
for us.
Jeff: Your first CD, Lovelorn, was a groundbreaking epic. What inspired the
songs and their creation?
Liv: My biggest inspiration has always been my homeland Norway, my heritage,
childhood and my present emotional state. “Lovelorn” is based on a fictional
love story taking place by the North Sea. Concerning the Vinland Saga, I chose a
historical theme, but my inspirations are the same.
Jeff: How long did it take you to write the CD and who was involved in the
creation with you?
Liv: We needed about 6 months for the production, starting in November last
year. Some of the ideas come from Chris (bass), Alex (vocals/producer) and
Torsten (guitar), however, we are all part of the song-writing process.
“Amhran” was written by me. I’m responsible for the lyrics, the conceptual
idea(s) and the vocal lines. Alex is our producer, but I enjoy taking part in
the production. Moreover, of course I enjoy working next to my husband!
Jeff: You were pregnant while making Lovelorn. How were you able to fully
concentrate on the record while with child?
Liv: The pregnancy was a fantastic experience as I felt extremely well and
healthy all the time. Even my voice changed in a positive way. Leon Alexander
was born 2 hrs after having recorded the last song for “Lovelorn”. Perfect
timing from Leon’s side! Being a mother, my life has become even better than
before! I’ve become more emotional, happier, less hectic and do not worry so
much about “problems” which appear in your daily lives. To be both a mother
and an artist is the best combination for me - two dreams have come true! Leon
comes with us to the studio every day. When we are very busy or have to go on
tour he stays with his grandparents. However, the most fantastic thing which has
happened to me is the birth of Leon. He is the most important thing in Alex and
my life!
Jeff: Your new CD is entitled Vinland Saga. What is the Vinland Saga and why did
you decide to write a piece like this?
Liv: The Vinland Sagas are stories from the Viking age, describing the
Viking’s journeys to and experience in America. We do learn a lot about the
history of the Vikings in Norwegian schools. I started writing the concept and
the lyrics after the band had recorded about 8 or 9 songs. The music itself
inspired me to go back in history and concentrate on a certain point in the
Viking’s history. The historical frame of the album is the Viking’s
discovery of America. The pictures you see in the booklet show the place in
Norway where I grew up. The Vinland Saga begins exactly there, namely at the
west coast of Norway about 1.000 years ago, as a group of ships sailed towards
Greenland to visit Eriksson’s father (Erik the Red). Due to bad weather they
passed Greenland and ended up discovering America instead. What a journey! Even
before going to school I had read and heard a lot about the Vikings as I used to
read and watch cartoons about them and afterwards ask my parents about more
information. Even today the complete Viking age interests me, especially their
daily lives, their journeys and the North-, West- and East-Germanic languages.
Jeff: You said on your site that you used many classical instruments. What did
you use and how did you incorporate that into the sound?
Liv: We decided to replace the classical samplers by real natural instruments to
get a bigger, broader and more natural sound. Therefore the recordings took a
bit longer than on the first album. It concerns the cello, the violin, symphonic
cymbals and percussions. We invited young talent to the studio. It worked very,
very well.
Jeff: You said your Norwegian culture plays heavily into the music, please
explain your direction with this statement.
Liv: As I mentioned above, the Norwegian Nature, culture and history,
including my own childhood and heritage, inspires me the most when composing
music and writing lyrics and concept. “Vinland Saga” is a piece of my
homeland to me, moreover, it helps me feeling better when feeling homesick every
now and then (I live in Germany now).
Jeff: A language was created by you ala LOTR, explain what you use it for.
Liv: I had actually hoped to find a Gaelic teacher for Amhran, which means
song in Gaelic, however I didn’t succeed. I joined stems from Gaelic, Old
English and Old Norse words to create the perfect pattern of sounds (phonemes)
for this song in particular.
Jeff: There is a well done video for Elegy, who shot this and how did you put it
together to look so realistic with the Viking voyage. Do you feel you can get
this played on American music channels?
Liv: I really do hope so - that would be fantastic! The video was shot by
Q-Entertainment, a Canadian-Slovenian company. We are very satisfied with the
result.
Jeff: Your sound could easily break into the American market, are their plans to
bring your show to America as you are touring for Vinland Saga and push it to
radio?
Jeff: I really hope to see you all in the fall this year. I would love to tour
America. This would be a dream coming true for me. Moreover, thank you so much
for supporting Leaves’ Eyes by all your friendly messages in our guest book (http://web.archive.org/web/20051024113433/http://www.leaveseyes.com/)!
Jeff: The CD single for Elegy has three non-album tracks, why did they not make
it to the final record?
Liv: There’s no special reason for this choice. All tracks are pieces of the
“Vinland Saga” concept and they might as well have been on the album itself.
Jeff: What does the future hold for Leaves Eyes?
Liv: Touring in Europe and America, and hopefully also on other continents, too.
There are many records to go for us!
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