Hello Anders. How is autumn like in Kristiansand? Have you had some snowing time this year, maybe?  Father’s day was a few days ago… Did you fulfill your children’s expectations?

Hello Doru, thank you for this interview. Autumn here in K-town is very autumn so to say, November is usually dark and gloomy, with lots of rain. It is the perfect time for us to sit down together and be creative, and of course good times for indoor activities. My sons were here on Father’s day, but I or them didn’t put anything into that anyhow. It was just a normal day.

Let’s speak about ITW… Why so silent in the last 14 years? Or what was the reason you decided to continue with ITW…? This project has been put on ice 15 years ago…Why?

Why is, sorry to say, too complicated and too personal for the people involved to talk about publicly. Let’s just say that it was a decision we took then and, as I see it, we did the right thing. The 14 years of silence you’re mentioning here are very relative in such a manner that we (the founding core members) have not been lazy all these years. We have all been busy doing other bands, projects and work in the music industry in general. I have, for example, been doing Green Carnation, Carpathian Forest, Chain Collector, Scariot and many more. Carpathian Forest has been the band I have been most busy with by far, touring intensively from 2000-2009 more or less. Green Carnation also did tours and festivals etc. The Botteri bros has been doing their own solo projects (the Green Carnation debut album was released when In The Woods… was still active, back then). The decision to start up ITW… again was not a spontaneous or impulsive one, I have been wanting to do it for many years already, knowing that we had so much more music in us, and the feeling of leaving things undone. Now was the correct timing for us in every possible way and it feels really good to be back now. We do know now that this is something that is meant to be.

Tchort was the first person who had the idea of ITW…, right? He started Green Carnation back in the 90’s with you, Richart and Botteri brothers. What happened then? You released only one demo with Green Carnation and the next year you moved into ITW… but without Tchort and Richart.

Firstly, Tchort (Terje) has never or never will have anything to do with ITW… at all!!! He wasn’t even the one who started Green Carnation. That was a mutual thing done by him, me and the Botteri bros. He actually never quit that band either, he was literally kicked out by the Botteris after we did this demo tape recording. The Botteri bros and I then went on to become ITW...

The ITW… nucleus was you, Botteri brothers, Oddvar and Jan Kenneth, in the late ‘91. What are your memories from that period, now, after 23 years? You were only 16 back then, heh…

They’re fond memories, we were a bunch of very dedicated kids, to put it mildly. We were going in this with all we had. My life back then was basically: school, dinner, rehearsing (a lot!) and bed, every day for many years.

Does ITW… have some kind of a bandleader? Maybe Chris Botteri? Who created the music, who has had the first idea of creating, composing a track, a solo, a concept?

ITW… has always been a democratic band and we all have equal rights to be heard. If there’s anything as a bandleader, I guess that would be me, I am the one who has to make most of the decisions (the captain, engine and the Chris-catalyst so to speak), but it’s us three that is for all the arrangement and song-structures. The core ideas always come from Chris (X. Botteri) but after getting filtered and worked on together. With me and his brother, In The Woods… music will happen. We have never forced anything out of ourselves, it all just transforms into our music naturally and careful attention to details and so on…

Did you keep in contact with Oddvar after ITW… split? Was it a suicide, in the end?

Oddvar was a good person, a good friend and our brother. I do not want to talk so much about his tragedy, I’m still sad about it, he didn’t deserve this. The best for us to do now is to make sure his sons grow up with fond memories about their dad, something they can be proud of at least.

Christian X. Botteri is a very secretive person. I only know he collaborated with Green Carnation, Emancer, Naervaer and that he releases tracks under X. Botteri pseudonym. Is he more involved in music that I know of?

Chris is probably the most productive person I’ve ever known of, he is basically a music making factory, haha. Ever since ITW… was put on hold he and his brother have done their solo project stuff with different people, releasing demos and albums themselves. They never had any label or distributions on these things, so it’s all done by themselves with a little help from their older brother. They also (as you probably already know) wrote and played on the debut album with Green Carnation.

Do you like the bands that Jan Kenneth promotes through his Karmakosmix Records?

To be honest, no… Nothing that he has on his label is anything that I consider interesting. That label has nothing to do with ITW… At all. This is Jan’s thing alone, even he stated in the beginning that the label was started to continue the ITW… members’ future projects etc., which is not the truth at all.

Btw, what about Synne? Is she still playing in some other band, maybe?

Synne has lived in Oslo (about 3 hour drive from Kr. Sand) busy with her studies and such and being a mom to young children, I guess that takes most of her time 🙂 . I do not know myself of any band she has been involved in after ITW… besides, a few guest appearances with Green Carnation. But Synne will be involved in ITW… future releases as well.

I remember you have also played with Bjørn and Christer. What about them? Are you still in contact with them?

Bjørn and I meet occasionally, he is a civil engineer now, working most of his time abroad (China). I certainly hope Bjørn will pay us a visit when recording our next efforts and lay down some slide-guitars and a couple of solos. I do not have any contact with Christer, at all.

What memories do you still keep in mind from Caledonian Hall? What was the atmosphere like? Wasn’t it a bit weird to know that you were to play the last gig with ITW…?

It’s a fond memory for sure. We did a 3 hour plus concert and on my behalf a perfectly executed performance. It was a special night for everyone that was there I guess. We did something extra compared to a regular gig. We used lots of high-end light equipment and got the whole thing to be both a visual and audio experience for the audience. They won’t forget it I guess. It was an emotional night for us for sure, the last song of the night made some of us shed a tear or two, I believe haha…

Who had the idea of releasing a Double CD with this concert? Why not a video recording?

I decided that we should record the show live in a professional way because when done correctly it can be a very good way to record regardless. It was also meant to be released as DVD too, but there were two things that prevented us from doing that. The main thing is that the whole thing was captured by 3 cameras, 2 on and in front of the stage and one camera from higher up above the FOH mixer. One of the cameras broke down after just 2-3 songs in the set, and a second camera called it the night half-way through (Murphy`s Law in effect), but most important was that Synne did not want any DVD release at all, and we had to respect that. It wasn’t a pro-camera team doing it either, so we can’t be upset about it at all. Either way, the sounds are out there on the Live album.

You and both Botteri have already created songs for 2 other albums. I have no idea yet what the musical direction will be, but I believe the songs will be more Metal, somewhere between Heart Of The Ages and Omnio, am I right? Strange in Stereo was a too experimental and Prog album for a lot of fans…

True, we had more or less 2 more albums at its core ready back in 1999. 2 of those tunes are on the Live album “Beer” and “I don’t care”. A title that is on Jan’s behalf. The songs didn’t have any lyrics or vocal arrangements then, so we agreed on that they just improvised something.

When it comes to 2014 and our efforts now, let me tell you this: When the Botteri brothers and I do music it becomes In The Woods… even if we try not to. It is just how we sound together, it’s a little hilarious now actually but we are more ITW… now than ever. The idea of our next release is to do an album with a dark side of the moon vibe to it, not necessarily a concept but when we do music we create albums that have a natural flow, everything needs to fit together without fillers etc.. Every song or composition on an album we make is there for a reason.  And rest assured, we are still 100% ITW…, and it’s not going to change anytime soon. It is pointless for me to say it’s going to be like this or like that, because we never look back we look ahead.

The 4th person in the band is Tommy. Do you like MANES? Or ATROX? I know he played in a lot of other bands, such as GRIFFIN, WATTAMEZZ, even in GODSEND. What expectations will you have from the new singer? What will be the differences between Jan Kenneth and Tommy in the new ITW… sound?

I have seen Tommy live with MANES a few times, and I really like his stage presence and energy. He is a very nice person which is alpha omega and the fact that he also knew ITW… from before is an important factor here. We have absolute confidence in Tommy that he will do his own thing, not try to copy someone else and he has absolute artistic freedom when it comes to lyrics and vocal arrangement etc. That he has a large spectre as a singer is just a bonus. We have talked a lot about this and for him it’s most important to dare to do things he normally wouldn’t do with any of his other bands/projects.

Tommy is from Trondheim. I know that ITW… only had artists from Kristiansand, right? What will be the IK Start soccer fans’ reactions when they will see that ITW… will be playing on the Kristiansand stadium with a Trondheim singer, hehe?

Let’s deal with this problem when that time comes, haha… But who knows, maybe more RBK FC fans will show up than IK Start? 😉

Your 3 official albums were released at Misanthropy Records. How did you get in contact with Tiziana Stupia? Was it a correct deal for both parts? I remember I have received your debut in the same envelope with Burzum’s promo from Misanthropy. Have you met Varg in the past, maybe? BURZUM or old MAYHEM with Euronymous? What is your opinion regarding these bands?

Maybe I met him here and there, nothing special about that. It’s not a thing I consider important, not the person or who I meet. Norway has a population about cca. 5 million people, so the Metal/Black Metal scene here from those days is mostly people on our same age etc. So, yes I know most of the people involved…  The question you’re asking is about a guy that I don’t want to hang out with and the other one has been dead 20 years now, so we can leave it like that…

You have already signed with Debemur Morti productions. I understood you had a lot of other options, but you decided for this label. Why? A big label can offer more promotion, more visibility and good distribution.

I choose to go with Debumur Morti Productions because of the people there work for the love and art of the music, a very rare thing in today’s music market, where most labels don’t care about the artists unless they generate shitloads of $. On the promotional side of things, today is a different era when it comes to those things. I know a few things in this business that I’ve learned during a lifetime in it with various bands etc. For ITW… sake, I certainly do not believe it is the record label’s logo on the album cover that sells our music, it is what’s on the album that does. That being said, I approve and encourage everyone out there too feel free to download our music for free as much as he wants to. We have never done this for the sake of the small pocket change we receive from physical sales anyways. And I hope and believe our past is a good promotional platform on its own I might add…

I have a lot of respect for Debemur Morti productions and I love few of their bands and releases. Do you like any bands from their rosters?

I have not heard them all personally, but their roster is all good artists and bands with high credibility in the metal/music scene of today.

So, the new ITW… album will be launched next year. Sounds amazing. I saw you already invited another guitarist for live experiences, a good friend of yours, Stein Roger Sordal. Will he not be involved in the creating process of the songs?

As I explained earlier here, the music is coming from 3 guys. That being said, it doesn’t mean we are not open for others ideas or suggestions if it will make things better. I rely on that in many ways, but those things will be more significant in the recording process. Right now I am the one that does the 2 guitar parts, since we are able to record everything in our rehearsal studio. Pre-productions is a very good way to do this. And today it’s a lot easier with all the digital recording software available. We have invested in some decent recording equipment and microphones etc.

What other musicians are you searching for the new ITW… sound? A female vocalist too, maybe?

Synne will always be the female voice for ITW… that also is the case today. When things shape up and we are going in studio for the final approach we will need external help on certain things for sure. I want to use Hammon B3 organ (John Lord style) and whatever else we might find suitable in various places.

When do you consider we can see ITW… playing live? Or when will you be ready for the first appearance? Or for the first tour?  Do you have in mind some special place for a live show?

For the year of 2015 yes, one place comes to mind for us, and I know you know where and what I’m talking about. For us now our focus is on creating new material, getting this released and all those things. This means that for us it will be much more actual to do live shows (festivals maybe touring) in 2016 when the new album is out. We are in no hurry at all.

I saw some YouTube links with your gigs in Rome, Caledonian Hall, even in Los Angeles. What were the big differences between ITW… live and in studio?

We always had this rule about that ITW… should always be better live than on albums, that is my law and rule, anything else would be pointless.

Who is Tim Odom and why is him the one who’s making the artwork for ITW…?

Tim is a nice fellow from US that I had some contact with on Social Media and he offered himself to do some art-work and Logo for us. We had a dialogue on these matters and I wanted a steady Logo to use from here on, and also an emblem/symbol that will be associated with us. What he came up with was exactly the things I wanted and the rest of the band loves it too! Art-work on the next album will be that logo with emblem… One thing is certain, I do not reveal anything in public that is being used on coming releases before the time is right (except our new Logo).

Anders, you played in more than 50 albums, with a lot of bands: Carpahian Forest, Neon God, Blood Red Throne, Arvas, Den Saakaldte, Scariot, Chain Collector… Why only Metal bands?

I have done non-Metal things too, (several)!! But I am what I eat, meaning I am a metal man that is what I grew up with and where I come from and something I’m not embarrassed about. However I enjoy all kinds of music when it’s good.  I consider myself as an adaptable musician that is able to fit in and do the right stuff in any styles or bands. Being open minded and being able to be a musician that is not only capable of one type of style is extremely important to me.

What kind of music are you listening to today?

Today, hmmmm. Vulture Industries, The Tower, old Motorhead and maybe some of our latest pre-productions to work out some guitar on it.

What do you think about music industry? Is there Black metal a business for musicians? Is this the true spirit of Black Metal?

I do music, so thinking of the industry in general is just pointless for me. Of course, I have my opinions because I’ve been in the industry for so many years. However, I am an artist, not a business man to say it honestly. True spirit of Black Metal is not an industry, it’s not even something I consider real, important or whatever. It’s good shit and it’s bad shit and nothing more to it. In the old days we approached the whole thing in an opposite way than today. We strived to be something unique, all the bands back then had to have something that was unique to even be accepted. I do not know about more conservative people than metalheads. It’s really kind of funny when observing it, as if it’s illegal to think outside the box and move forward instead of backwards.

BTW, you used make-up when you were playing with Capathian Forest. Why?

I don’t use make-up anymore. A handful of times maybe some black lines here and there, but no I do not consider using make-up significant at all for myself. Then again, back to the conservatism said above.

After 25 years of playing Metal music with a lot of bands, I can consider you a Senior! What is your point of view regarding the best drummers from the Metal stage? Can you name a few?

Scott Travis, Cozy Powell, John Bonham, Ringo Starr, Ginger Baker, Mikkey Dee are a few significant names every drummer should notice and admire.

“Money can buy happiness”, but at the same time money can manipulate and get one into ugly compromises. What is your point of view regarding compromises in music?

Not an option for me!!

How is a normal day for you? And how would a perfect day be like for you? Norway is not in the EU. Are you happy with this?

EU or not makes very little difference for us living here. It’s on a higher level in the politics it would have an impact, import/export etc… A perfect day is a day spent with my sons doing stuff we enjoy and have the opportunity to just relax and disconnect from the everyday issues…

What about conflicts in Ukraine, Crimeea? Do you think we need to prepare for a new World War?

No, I don’t think we need to prepare for that. On the other hand there are far bigger threats out there that are way more likely to happen. And it’s gonna happen, that is certain, we just don’t know when.

Live today, worry less and make the best out of the short time we all have been granted in this universe.

What do you know about Romania? How about Metal scene? Do you have fans here (except me, heh)?

I’m sorry to say I have little knowledge about the Romanian scene, heard of a few bands of course but can’t say I’m familiar with it. And I don’t think we have any fans there at all… But have played Romania several times though with happy crowds afterwards. I really don’t like the word fan at all. To me it sounds very patronizing, kind of a class system word in a way. I want to call people who enjoy our music friends of the band….

Dear Anders, thank you for the chat. One final question: your elder son is almost 14 years old, the same age as you were 25 years ago, when you met Botteri brothers. Does he intend to start a band with other young friends of his, maybe?

I do not interfere in his decisions when it comes to things like this, I can’t choose that for him or anyone for that matter, which is something they/him must do themselves. It all comes down to interest, social situation, friends etc. Everyone is different, and that is the beauty of it all. It would be an extremely dull and boring world if it wasn’t. Thank you very much for this in depth interview, I hope I managed to shed some more info on certain things (not important things for sure). We from the woods… thank everybody for all support and dedication all these years, you are the best! We owe you all a beer or two. See you soon on a stage somewhere!! Kobro.

November 2014.

The post IN THE WOODS appeared first on Kogaionon.

Am multe lucruri pe care regret ca nu le pot face iar printre ele se poate si numara faptul ca nu am putut merge la concertul de adio al acestor fantastici muzicieni aflati in formula ITW. Ce v-as putea spune despre aproape trei ore de muzica pe care o stiti cu totii (exceptie fac vreo 2-3 piese) dar care in concert are o alta forma? Nu are rost sa va povestesc ca unele acorduri de chitara sunt complet schimbate decat in varianta de studio, la fel si interventia/interpretarea vocilor. sau ca unele piese, demult brutale, au acum un alt contur. Daca v-a fascinat muzica acestui grup, atunci aceasta realizare trebuie sa nu va lipseasca din colectie!

Ma simt dator doar sa va amintesc formula in care IN THE WOODS. s-a prezentat pe scena din seara de 29 decembrie 2000: Mista Tranzit (voc), C:M Botteri (bass), X-Botteri (g), A. Kobro (dr), Christer A. Cederberg (g), Oddvar A:M (g), Bjorn (g), Synne (voc), Stein (bass). Cu piesa „Closing In”, Jan Transit isi ia adio de la public si de la fani, evident, salutul final fiind unul in mai multe limbi straine. Dar de ce sa nu incercati voi sa-l ascultati direct? Isi merita toti banii CD-ul, daca tinem cont ca bonus este o compilatie CD de piese ale unor muzicieni/trupe ce se invart in jurul IN THE WOODS., cum ar fi: STILLE OPPROR, TRANSIT, NAERVAER sau HUGE BROWN. IN THE WOODS. are dead-long live Karmakosmetix!

The post IN THE WOODS „Live At The Caledonienhall” appeared first on Kogaionon.

   Salut, Transitmutha! Calatorule, ce faci, pe unde mai traiesti? Luna aceasta am vorbit de trei ori si de fiecare data erai in alta parte, ultima data pe undeva prin Danemarca.

„Hey-ho ! In momentul de fata sunt la un Internet café, in orasul meu natal, Christiansand, incercand sa raspund micului tau chestionar obraznic. Sunt cam falit, financiar vorbind, dupa calatoria mea impreuna cu Terje (NAERVAER) in Europa Centrala de acum o luna de zile si mai bine., motiv pentru care chiar nu am nici un gand serios sa ma incumet la drum, nimic de anvergura, mai devreme de sfarsitul verii.”

   In ultimul nostru interviu (2000) erai prin America de Sud, Amazoanele sau Machu Pichu fiind doar cateva locuri exotice de care imi amintesc acum. Tocmai am vazut la TV cateva secvente de la carnavalul brazilian. Te leaga ceva amintiri, nostalgii? Imi spuneai ca acolo ai gasit o frumoasa fata.

„Ahhh, la naiba, chiar ti-am povestit despre ,ACEA fata’?. Probabil ca aerul tare al Anzilor a fost de vina.si m-a determinat sa vorbesc vrute si nevrute .. Oricum, fata aceea era intr-adevar o creatura pretioasa. asta ca sa folosesc cativa termeni evazivi cel putin. Si, da, de multe ori, cand ma gandesc la acel an, latino-american. ma fura amintirile placute si, cu siguranta, mi-ar placea sa ma intorc acolo. undeva candva. in viitorul apropiat. Probabil, daca reusesc sa imi gasesc cateva job-uri pe perioada verii, in cel mai sigur caz, voi vrea sa merg in Mexic, pentru ca este singurul loc unde pur si simplu nu am reusit sa ajung cu prilejul ultimei mele calatorii. In alta ordine de idei, trebuie sa marturuisesc ca Brazilia este tara in care m-as muta si maine, daca optiunile ar fi de asa natura si mi-ar fi la indemana.”

   As fi bucuros sa-mi faci o sinteza ai ultimilor doi ani, mai bine zis ce-ai facut dupa ce te-ai intors de pe continentul american .

„Prea multe de zis nu ar fi. cred ca este vorba de tot felul de lucruri pe care le face un om in viata de zi cu zi, in orasul sau natal. in anumite situatii conjuncturale. Am avut o slujba, vreme de un an ca dulgher si tot ceea ce implica aceasta, apoi am lucrat ca asistent social intr-un centru pentru persoane dependente de droguri. Si asta a fost o experienta extrem de interesanta, trebuie sa recunosc, insa, presiunea la care trebuia sa fac fata in anumite situatii in care eram implicat, era cu mult prea mare. motiv pentru care m-am decis, la un moment dat, sa renunt. Dar am optat sa ma inscriu la facultate, asta, in primul rand, ca sa scap pentru un an intreg de corvoada trezitului la sase dimineata, zi de zi. heh, heh. In ultimele opt luni am urmat cursuri de Istorie si am si sustinut cateva examene de asemenea. In afara acestor activitati intelectuale, eu, impreuna cu mai muti prieteni de-ai mei, Tommy si Stein am pus bazele faimosului nostru trio, adica ne-am cam adunat si. am si inceput sa scriu la cateva piese ale mele pe care nu le-am inregistrat pana acum. De fapt, ne-am si apucat de repetitii, in special partea de baterie, pentru o trupa care se va numi HUGE BROWN, dar acoperim, in paralel, si partiturile celelalte, tot ceea ce trebuie, altfel spus, dar, aceasta chestiune cred este o poveste cu totul si cu totul aparte, ha, ha.”

   Si am ajuns la data de 29 decembrie 2001, concertul de adio ITW. Cum a fost? Am auzit ca berea a fost foarte scumpa. Ce au pierdut cei care n-au fost acolo?

” De fapt, este vorba de 29 decembrie a anului precedent celui mentionat de tine si, ca sa fiu sincer, nu prea imi amintesc multe lucruri care s-au petrecut in acele zile. Stiu ca eram fericit ca, practic, reprezenta ultima aparitie a trupei, in conditiile in care proiectul incepuse sa ma calce pe nervi. IN THE WOODS… a fost intotdeauna o trupa mai personala… mai intima si de aceea, uneori, lucrurile scapau de sub control, intrau in alte sfere. Bere scumpa, spui? Ei bine, este un lucru normal, mai mult decat firesc pentru Norvegia si de fapt asta este Norvegia pentru voi! Oricum, mi-e teama ca nu a fost nimic exceptional pentru concertul trupei, doar ca lucrurile au fost cum sunt de obicei. Vezi tu, aici in Norvegia, avem parte de un Guvern crestin care crede ca daca mareste cuantumul accizelor la alcool, aceasta masura ii va determina pe cetateni sa consume mai putin si prin asta cred ca am spus tot, nu? In ceea ce priveste cealalta intrebare, ei bine, cred ca cei care nu au fost prezenti au pierdut, in esenta, cel mai bun concert al nostru pe care am fi putut vreodata sa-l sustinem (toti cei care am fost acolo am dat ceea ce a fost mai bun din noi, de vreme ce am avut o noapte fantastica, atat tehnic, cat si din punct de vedere spiritual). In afara de aceste aspecte, ei au pierdut sansa de a le fi golite portofelele in contul berii…heh, heh… oricum, totul a fost extrem de costisitor si am avut de pierdut foarte mult, financiar vorbind, atunci cand am organizat concertul, dar, cred ca asta chiar nu a contat foarte mult, mai ales ca a devenit deja o traditie sa iesi in pierdere in astfel de ocazii…”

   Este adevarat ca ITW. s-a desfiintat datorita lipsei de interes al fratilor Botteri pentru un astfel de stil? Regreti faptul ca acest grup numai exista?

„Sunt speculatii nefondate ceea ce avansezi tu si, in plus, nu mi-a parut rau nicicum. Atunci cand am plecat in America Latina, in vara lui 1999, eu ii anuntasem deja pe baieti ca este incert daca voi mai vrea sau nu sa continui sa cant in trupa la intoarcerea din vacanta. Mai mult, eram atat de obosit si poate si plictisit de toata munca in care trebuie sa te implici ca membru al unei trupe, la care se suprapune o situatie oarecum ingrata si anume aceea de a nu mai putea asculta muzica. In general, statutul de membru ma impiedica sa mai ascult si alta muzica. Cred ca, exceptand ultimele cateva luni, pierdusem cu totul contactul cu muzica si tot ceea ce tinea de muzica. La fel s-a intamplat si cu vacantele si calatoriile mele…, nu am luat nici un fel de muzica la mine, asa ca, in cele din urma, am sfarsit prin a asculta numai pan-flutes (flaut) si tot felul de muzici traditionale specifice fiecarui loc in parte pe unde am pus piciorul. Mai mult de atat, cand m-am intors din calatoria mea din acea vara, mista x-botteri mi-au spus ca si ei ar dori sa punem capat activitatii trupei, ceea ce a fost o usurare pentru mine, dar cred ca este greu de explicat cum s-a intamplat, insa, in mare cam asta ar fi povestea. Atunci cand ne-am decis impreuna sa stabilim o data de „finish”, ar fi fost inutil si fara sens ca unii dintre noi sa continue, asa ca hotararea noastra a fost sa ne retragem intr-un mod decent, lucru care s-a si intamplat, zic eu…”

   ITW. RIP. Regele a murit, traiasca regele! Ce ne-a adus 2002 nou? Weeping Forest. De unde ideea cu acest label? Cum te simti ca sef?

„Heh, heh… bineinteles ca ma bucura postura de ,capul familiei’, plastic vorbind, adica de boss, dar oare nu incanta cumva pe toata lumea? Pentru mine este ceva firesc, la ordinea zilei, de vreme ce tot eu m-am ocupat de astfel de lucruri chiar din 1992, cand am pus pe picioare proiectul IN THE WOODS… Ideea de a infiinta un label a fost a fratilor Botteri, daca imi amintesc eu corect. De fapt am purtat cateva discutii pe aceasta tema si ne-am dat seama ca ar fi grozav, „cool”, mai ales ca multi dintre noi intentionam sa continuam ceva pe cont propriu…imediat dupa ce IN THE WOODS… s-a desfiintat. Si asa, in cele din urma, a devenit mai mult decat evident ca ideea de a infiinta un label era urmatorul pas care trebuia facut. De-a lungul anilor, am avut de a face cu atat de multe persoane curioase de ce s-a desfiintat trupa si pe tema celor trei puncte „…” si tuturor le replicam ca a fost vorba si, intr-un anume fel, este inca, despre ceva ce practic nu s-a incheiat niciodata, nu cu adevarat, ci, mai degraba, a imprumutat noi forme ale unei noi dimensiuni, asa cum ne-am dorit chiar noi. Ar fi fost, de departe, cel mai stupid gest sa fi intitulat label-ul tot IN THE WOODS…, iata de ce ne-am decis sa ne folosim totusi de acest nume, insa ca domeniu pe Internet pentru a pune bazele a ceea ce este deja functional la adresa www.inthewoods.de . Dupa ce am „aruncat” si renuntat la steagul padurii plangatoare, imagine pe care ne-am dorit sa-o folosim ca amprenta a viitoarelor realizari sub labelul nostru aflat pe taramul padurilor, am optat pentru KARMAKOSMETIX sa fie curierul nostru si al tuturor albumelor care vor fi realizate sub marca label-ului nostru.”

   „RAINING GOLD” este prima realizare si cred ca X Botteri este mandru de acest album. Componenta este insa remarcabila. Ce poti sa-mi spui despre acest material?

„RAINING GOLD este un proiect al unuia din fratii Botteri, la care a muncit mult inca dinainte ca IN THE WOODS… sa se desfiinteze. El a considerat ca acest material nu s-a potrivit in nici un mod atitudinii trupei, ceea ce insemna ca era un material cu mult prea „batran-depasit” daca l-ai fi privit in ansamblu, ca un intreg. El a fost foarte fericit si multumit de material atunci cand a fost finalizata inregistrarea, insa, acum, odata cu decizia de a inregistra continuarea nu prea pare multumit. Albumul a fost scos in editie limitata si imediat ce se va vinde il vom retrage de pe lista albumelor disponibile pentru comenzi. O parte din material va face furori, probabil, insa ne-am decis deocamdata sa lasam situatia asa cum este. Oricum, vei putea gasi pe site-ul nostru o piesa, ca mp3, si va ramane acolo pana in toamna cand urmatorul sau album va fi gata si va fi lansat. Pentru mai multe detalii sau orice alt fel de informatii referitoare la RAINING GOLD, cred ca cel mai bine ar fi sa vizitezi site-ul chiar acum, pentru ca imi este extrem de greu sa iti explic sau sa descriu cum suna muzica aceasta. Cu alte cuvinte, este vorba de o lume aparte pe care nu o poti reduce la termeni descriptivi, doar asculti si precepi….”

   Christer imi spunea ca vrea sa se apuce de cel de-al doilea album STILLE OPPROR, dupa ce „Project 213” nu s-a bucurat de prea mult succes. Ai mai multe detalii?

„Da, intr-adevar, Christer inregistreaza in momentul de fata urmatorul STILLE OPPROR album. Pana acum nu am ascultat decat cateva secvente, dar pot sa te asigur ca va fi un album care va rupe gura targului, cu mult peste ceea ce a realizat Christer cu albumul sau de debut. In termeni mai plastici, daca pe primul album era un baiat (si are doar 23 de ani acum), ei bine, pe cel de-al doilea, aflat in lucru, este deja barbat!”

Despre CHRISTOPHER SUN nu stiu mare lucru decat o timida asociere cu „Dreamer”. Ma lamuresti tu ce este cu acest grup?

„CHRISTOPHER SUN” are in spate pe fostul basist de la IN THE WOODS…, altfel spus, este vlastarul Botteri Brothers. Cu ceva ajutor si sprijin din partea fratelui geaman, Mista x (mai exact Chris), in prezent, el pune la cale inregistrarea si aparitia albumului ,tuturor visurilor’. Inca nu am ascultat nimic din acest album, insa cred ca va fi vorba despre ceva destul de semnificativ, pentru ca il cunosc si stiu cu cine avem de a face.”

   Saptamana trecuta erai la Oddvar . Sa inteleg ca ati repetat pentru noi piese ale acestui proiect alternative? „Psychodelics” este deja pus pe domeniul MP3 dar suna prea techno pentru mine. Care este parerea ta?

„Greu de spus sau apreciat, ceea ce imi ceri tu! Pot sa-ti spun insa ca, atunci cand am infiintat label-ul ca institutie, eu personal mi-am propus sa ca target al activitatii label-ului calitatea, adica sa promovez muzica de calitate inainte de a ma focusa pe un gen anume. Doar calitatea primeaza. Sunt atat de multe stiluri de a aborda muzica, si atat de diferite, incat in afara criteriului calitatii, orice altceva ar fi si este de fapt in afara discutiei. Drept urmare, nu simt nici o necesitate sa cataloghez or sa iau sub obladuirea label-ului aprecierea muzicii ODDVAR. Asa cum ai mentionat si tu, piesele pot fi gasite pe site, in format mp3, nu ramane nimic altceva de facut decat fiecare in parte sa decida. Oricine are acces la internet poate accesa si pagina noastra de web si poate asculta si respectiv cataloga muzica in functie de sine insusi. E simplu.”

   TRANSIT AFTER MIDNIGHT sau poate Brasil este un alt proiect muzical pe care doresti sa-l conturezi curand dar baza mea de date legata de acest experiment este prea limitata. Imi oferi cateva amanunte?

„TRANSIT AFTER MIDNIGHT este practic proiectul meu si al prietenei lui ODDVAR, insa, pentru ca am fost extrem de ocupati cu proiectele proprii, acum, in ultima vreme, ne-am decis sa lasam totul suspendat, adica am inghetat activitatea pentru ceva vreme. Sincer sa fiu, nici nu stiu ce detalii sa-ti dau, pentru ca nici eu nu prea stiu cum va suna acest proiect, dar cred ca va fi o mediana intre orientarile amandurora, va fi probabil o incrucisare a celor doua entitati.”

   Ce iti propui sa realizezi cu Weeping Forest si ce trupe crezi ca vor putea semna cu label-ul tau? Vor avea acces si altii in afara fostilor membri ITW.?

„In primul rand, ne-am decis ca, pentru cel putin un an, sa limitam activitatea label-ului la proiectele care au legatura cu IN THE WOODS…. Daca totul merge bine in urmatoarele 12 luni, vom vedea daca putem si vrem sa facem mai mult de atat. Prima noastra realizare oficiala, in ceea ce priveste label-ul, va fi fi un CD demonstrativ pe care va figura, cu cate o piesa, fiecare dintre cei implicati in proiecte legate de IN THE WOODS…, de asemenea, vom include si alti prieteni apropiati din oras, daca vor fi interesati. Sper sa avem toate materialele colectate pana la sfarsitul lunii (martie) si daca reusim acest lucru, probabil, in aprilie-mai, speram sa putem anunta prima noastra lansare.”

     Mai exista SO?! Tommy imi spunea ca urma sa apara un nou demo dar nu mai stiu nimic.

„Ei bine, in momentul de fata lucram la inregistrarea albumului si cinci piese sunt deja gata. Daca ne miscam repede si punem osul la treaba, s-ar putea ca in toamna sa-l finalizam si sa-l lansam.”

   Despre NAERVAER ce poti sa-mi spui?

„NAERVAER sta pe tusa deocamdata si sunt inghetate toate initiativele. Terje isi face studiile in Danemarca si cred va sta acolo cam trei ani de-acum inainte sau geva de genul acesta. Una dintre posibilitati ar fi sa inregistram totusi cateva piese vara aceasta pentru ca apoi sa le lansam, impreuna cu piesele demo compuse in 1995, prin intermediul KARMAKOSMETIX.”

   GREEN CARNATION a socat cu cel de-al doilea album iar Tchort a apelat si la tine, si la Synne, si Anders. Ce parere ai tu despre acest album si care este colaborarea ta cu Tchort?

„Nu prea am ascultat albumul si asta se datoreaza intr-o mare parte lipsei de interes in ceea ce priveste muzica despre care am amintit ceva mai devreme. L-am cunoscut pe Terje prin intermediul Botteri-brothers- ei obisnuiau sa cante mult impreuna, in perioada de dinainte de IN THE WOODS… acum ceva ani buni si am colaborat si la primul album GC. M-a intrebat, intr-o buna zi, daca pot sa trec pe la studio, mai pe dupa-amiaza, sa-l ajut intru-catva la partiturile vocale care preced albumul, de fapt piesa aceea extinsa. Ei bine, am trecut pe la studio, am cantat si apoi am plecat, cam asta ar fi tot ce se poate spune despre relatia sau conexiunea mea cu GREEN CARNATION.”

   Exista si alte trupe in care ai participat? Urmeaza si alte surprize?

„Hmmmm….hai sa vad daca pot sa mi-le amintesc pe toate, heh, heh…..Ei bine, prima trupa pe care am infiintat-o s-a numit EMPIRE (adica eu, Stein si cativa prieteni) si pe atunci aveam doar sapte si opt ani. Pentru ca nu aveam nici macar echipament bun, iar repetitiile erau dezastruoase, am lasat muzica deoparte pentru o vreme, intrerupand orice activitate creativa pana in momentul in care m-am alaturat unei trupe numite INNHALATOR (in care s-a implicat pentru o vreme si Terje de la NAERVAER, ba chiar si Oddvar pentru cateva aparitii). Dupa toate acestea, au urmat foarte multe trupe, poate chiar prea multe… hai sa incepem… IN THE WOODS…, NAERVAER, PAN, SO?!, HEMPELTEMPLE, CIRCUS GILMOUR, OPUS FORGOTTEN, GREEN CARNATION si alte cateva al caror nume nu-mi vin acum in minte, oh, am uitat, HUGE BROWN-un proiect trasnet pentru care sunt foarte mandru sa fi fost implicat.”

   Daca Stavanger s-a impus ca sediul trupelor Gothice, sa inteleg ca Kristiansand va deveni taramul trupelor Avantgarde/Progressive Metal? Ce alte trupe din acest oras promit?

„Se petrec niste lucruri fantastice in zona aceasta, fara indoiala si daca privesti totul din punctul de vedere al unui norvegian, se poate remarca lesne ca Christiansand a fost intotdeauna originea celor mai bizari artisti sau a celor mai ciudate trupe, de-a lungul anilor. Este parca, la ordinea zilei, faptul ca exista aici trupe ca SCARIOT, GREEN CARNATION, TRAIL OF tEARS, SOLEFALD, CIRCLES END, TONKA, GUARDIAN OF TIME…etc…toate in stilul Metal si aproape toate aflate sub contract cu label-uri din afara. Pe langa trupele profilate pe Metal, Christiansand se poate lauda cu trupe extrem de interesante cum ar fi BLACK BONE CHAPEL, NUD, ANGELS MOTEL, HUGE BROWN, JAMES BAND, RING, MERRY NOVEMBER, TERRYOON si multe multe altele la care nu le mai stiu nici numele, nici numarul, in momentul de fata. S-ar putea spune si ca orasul acesta, Christiansand, se evidentiaza asa cum ai remarcat tu, dar, in momentul acesta, „scena” de aici nu pare sa fie inchegata atat de bine precum crezi, nu vad atatea legaturi…. Vom vedea ce ne aduce viitorul, desi…….”

   Cum se impaca meseria ta de dulgher, cu cea de muzician si cu cea de turist? Nu ar fi timpul sa ai o familie, copii? Eu am, Terje Vik are, multi prieteni au. tu nu imbatranesti?

„Heh, heh….uneori imi trece prin minte gandul sa am un copil, dar, de obicei, acest gand nu face parte din preocuparile mele constante, nu ma gandesc prea mult la acest aspect. Nici macar nu am o prietena si pe langa asta, viata mea este, intr-un fel, atat de haotica, in special in ultima vreme, de departe mult prea nestructurata ca sa pot intelege cum se desfasoara viata de familie si ce inseamna asta. Am o familie intreaga in persoana mamei mele si a surorii mele si pentru moment, crede-ma, in mod cert imi este mai mult decat suficienta aceasta componenta…”

   Ce poti sa-mi spui despre Synne Diana? S-a lasat de muzica? Isi va infiinta si ea proiectul muzical propriu?

” A vorbit despre aceasta idee acum ceva vreme, dar s-a aratat nesigura asupra a ceea ce va face din punct de vedere muzical. Cred ca se va implica totusi intr-o activitate pe cont propriu in scurt timp, insa, in prezent, nu lucreaza la nici un proiect in particular.”

   Mai stii ceva de Tiziana/Misanthropy? Dar de Russ Smith? I-a placut mult ultimul nostru interviu.

„Nu am mai vorbit cu Tiziana in ultima vreme, ceea ce este destul de firesc atat timp cat nu se mai ocupa de lansarea materialelor noastre. Ea inca mai vinde produse din catalogul nostru de acum cativa ani la Misanthropy, dar in afara de comenzi de vanzare si tot felul de astfel de chestiuni nu prea mai vorbim atat de multe. Eu si Russ mai comunicam din timp in timp, insa, la fel ca si cu Tiziana, nu mai vorbim ca pe vremuri. Am acces limitat la internet si, din aceasta cauza, capitolul comunicare nu mai are aceeasi frecventa.”

   Site-ul vostru este vizitat de foarte multi fani si din Guestbook se deduce ca trupa ITW. este inca foarte iubita. Crezi ca va exista vreo sansa sa va adunati din nou sub acelasi banner? Succesul ar fi asigurat si cred ca si bani s-ar putea castiga cu un nou album. Esti de acord?

„Poate ca ai dreptate si poate ca va fi un succes, dar n-as putea sa-mi imaginez, nici in cele mai salbatice visuri ca ne-am putea reuni sa compunem muzica sub aceeasi marca si titulatura, adica IN THE WOODS… Sunt convins ca multi s-ar bucura si ar aprecia aceasta posibilitate, dar, in ceea ce ma priveste, trupa este moarta si ingropata pentru totdeauna. Cat despre aspectul financiar al acestei chestiuni, pot spune cu mana pe suflet ca este ceva ce nu ma deranjaza atat timp cat inima mea este acolo unde trebuie si nu implicata in astfel de maruntisuri.”

   Ce ti-ai propus sa realizezi in acest an din punct de vedere muzical? Dar personal? Ce tari doresti sa vizitezi?

„Asa cum iti spuneam, o mare dorinta a mea ar fi ca in aceasta toamna sa pot pleca intr-o excursie in Mexic. In afara de acest aspect, pot afirma ca nu am nici un fel de perspective ample pana acum. Pe de alta parte, sper sa pot incepe inregistrarile pentru albumul meu solo. Asta, oricum, depinde foarte tare de clarificarea situatiei locatiei-gazduirii. Deocamdata ne confruntam cu un mosier lacom si hulpav care este cel putin dependent de bani ceea ce inseamna ca in scurt timp, pana la vara chiar, va trebui sa ne mutam cu toate lucrurile inclusiv studioul-vezi tu… mosierul acesta vrea multi bani cash pe care sa-i adune pe perioada verii de pe urma turistilor de sezon! In cazul in care acesta revine la sentimente mai bune si nu vom fi nevoiti sa ne mutam, sper ca incepand cu luna iulie sa fim destul de avansati cu inregistrarile.”

   Ce iti iei cu tine de fiecare data cand pleci intr-o croaziera? Din ce este format bagajul tau? Cam cu cati $/EUR pleci la tine?

„Heh, heh… presupun ca bagajul meu contine lucruri de baza pe care oricine care pleaca intr-o calatorie obisnuita de 3-4 luni le include, cum ar fi: o chitara, un sac de dormit, un prosop, cateva perechi de pantaloni.., stii si tu prea bine… tot felul de lucruri pe care le necesiti in astfel de cazuri. In plus, obisnuiesc sa car dupa mine un dictaphone si materiale de scris, asta pentru a fi pregatit sa scriu si sa compun muzica in orice moment… oriunde as fi pe drum. Cat despre cash… as avea nevoie de circa 2500-3000 euro pentru o excursie cum ar fi cea in Mexic, insa, desigur, depinde de destinatia aleasa si de multe alte detalii. In Asia, spre exemplu, ar fi cu mult mai putin costisitor. Si cred ca iti poti imagina ca trebuie sa muncesc foarte mult pentru ca apoi sa imi pot asuma o astfel de excursie.”

   Ce muzica mai asculti si ce alte hobbi-uri ai mai descoperit in ultima vreme? Poate fotbalul? Sau pescuitul?

„Sa ascult muzica?!.. In tot cazul, sunt cateva materiale care m-au incantat in tot acest timp… cum ar fi „Solitary Man” al lui Johnny Cash, „love and theft”-Dylan, „white blood cells”-White Stripes, cateva albume preferate ale trupei Motorhead, Tiger Lilies din Londra si alte cateva. Nu prea pot sa ma laud ca as fi dobandit noi hobby-uri in ultima vreme… insa am fost la pescuit de cateva ori, vara trecuta, si pot fi bucuros ca inca ma implineste spiritual lectura, insa din timp in timp. Per ansamblu, tot muzica este aceea care imi ocupa si umple cea mai mare parte a vietii si cred ca nu voi incepe nici un fel de proiect pana la sfarsitul acestui an pana cand nu voi termina albumul despre care am mai vorbit. Sunt convins ca label-ul imi va rapi din ce in ce mai mult timp din viata, asa ca singurul lucru care imi ramane de facut, ca o preocupare constanta, este sa imi mentin sanatatea fizica si spirituala in cea mai buna forma posibila.”

   Decat sa o lungim fara rost, mai bine ne reintalnim curand. Interviul nostru va aparea in editia inaugurala a webzine-ului meu. Navighezi pe Internet? Ce citesti si ce cauti cand ai acces la calculator?

„Sa fiu sincer nu prea ma aventurez pe Internet. Adica daca este ceva despre care vreau sau trebuie sa ma informez, atunci accesez Internetul, insa, in mod obisnuit nu ma prea tenteaza, dimpotriva, experimentez chiar senzatia de plictiseala sau ceva foarte asemanator. Acasa nici nu am computer si, cu siguranta, acesta este unul dintre motivele pentru care nu m-am implicat prea serios in chestiunea asta cu Internetul. Oricum, , asta nu ma impiedica sa iti doresc tot ceea ce este mai bun si bine in ceea ce priveste lansarea webzine-ului tau. Noi vom crea posibilitatea unui link de pe domeniul nostru www.inthewoods.de , asa ca da-mi de stire cand esti pregatit!”

   Multumesc pentru tot, Jan, si sa ne auzim cu bine la anul. Pana atunci, calatorii multe si cat mai multe albume realizate sub noul tau banner! Un cuvant de salut cititorilor paginii Kogaionon.

„Si eu iti multumesc si iti intorc aceleasi urari. Mista , nu pot sa-ti spun cat admir munca pe care o faci! Putini sunt atat de dedicati si devotati asa cum esti tu, este supercool sa poti vedea ca munca si devotamentul tau dau alt fel de roade… la fel ca si calatoriile mele prin lume… heh, heh… Sper ca totul este bine acolo in Carpatii vostri pretiosi si ca tiganii inca au ce sa bage in burtile lor mari!!! Si le doresc cititorilor tai tot ce este mai bun, asa cum iti doresc si tie, bineinteles! Fiti alaturi de si al sau „Kogaonon” si, mai ales, fiti alaturi de familiile voastre, pentru ca doar una va este data si aceea este extrem de pretioasa! Fiti kool si fiti intotdeauna deasupra tuturor celor desarte!”

Martie, 2002.

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