Can you give a brief introduction to Essence of Mind?
Well, we are a young electronic rock band from Oslo, Norway and started EOM in summer of 06.
We released our debut album “Insurrection” early this summer on Alfa-Matrix.
How did you and Kyrre get involved in music, I’ve heard you played different styles of music before switching to electronic music, why did you make the switch?
We love a lot of different music, but it’s something with the sounds you get with electronics I think. The possibilities are endless! So to able to create new sounds and experimenting are very inspiring when making music!
You are coming from Norway, a country with some big names in electronic music like Icon of Coil, Combichrist, Apoptygma berzerk. Essence of Mind is often being named in this row, how does this make you feel, does it give extra pressure?
They are great bands, so it feels fine. However we have not felt any pressure at all. We just do what we like when making music without any thoughts on what we may sound like or not. And if people like our music, it’s great!!
How are the songs of Essence of Mind created? What role does hardware and software have in the creative process?
I usually make a lot of sound design before starting on a song. It’s very important to me to have a lot of different sounds ready so I can focus on the music making and the creative process of it all! So I always have new, fresh banks of sounds at my fingertips all the time.
Regarding software and hardware, for me it really doesn’t matter as long as it sounds great, it’s the quality and character of the sounds that matters. And the importance of using the gear that feels right and then using it right!
You released your album Insurrection a few months ago, all reviews I read are great. Are you surprised by that? How does it make you feel?
It feels great!! We do believe Insurrection is a strong album, but you never know what others will think of it. So we are just very happy with the great response we have got so far!
What inspires you in writing the lyrics, some are really in your face?
Everything actually! From things that happen in the world, peoples behavior with each other, or just things we have experienced our selves. And sometimes it just feels right to write a in your face lyric cause it fits the emotion and theme best!
Actually we recently played at Das Boot festival in Copenhagen, so we have been outside Norway now! And we do want to play as much live as possible around! We are a new and young band and it’s many things we have to learn regarding the promotion of our selves as well as getting in touch with the right people! But we are on the right way I think!
People can expect an energetic and well performing band who gives a 110% on stage. We are so lucky to have the possibility to bring our music out to a crowd live, so we do owe people a nice experience when they come to see us!
We are going to upload some live clips on our myspace etc. soon.
You added Alex to the line-up as live member, what is his role on stage and is there a chance he will be a permanent member in the future?
Yes I did. He played with us for the first time in Copenhagen, and it went very good! He’s a nice guy and a great keyboard player, we’ve been friends for some time and he also made a remix for us on limited version of the album (as Direction North). He does also play with Northborne!
He will probably play with us in the future as well, Kyrre will probably play guitar live from now on so it’s natural that Alex will take care of the keys.
Recently you have done remixes for Diffuzion and Ayria, do you like to do remixes. Who you love to see do a remix of you?
Yes I like it, but it does depend on the original. It has to be a good song and I have to see a potential for a remix, otherwise it’s just a waste of time, and the result is not going to be as good as it’s have to be. I feel a remix should add a new dimension and sound to the song and make even better and interesting for the listener, not just “club it up” or break it to pieces.
Well there are so many great artists out there so it’s difficult to choose, but maybe The Prodigy or Nitzer Ebb, that could be interesting!
We are hoping to play as much live as possible! And we are working on new material. I already have some new songs finished! So we will continue to work hard with our music and try to make new sounds and bring different elements into EOM!
Any last words for the readers?
First of all we want to say a big thank you to all of you who have supported us and given us great feedback! It means a lot to us!!
And we hope see you all on a gig near you!
And to the last, thanks for a nice interview and take care!