So Much For Nothing im Interview (English Version)

Artist: So Much For Nothing

Genre: Black Metal

Label: My Kingdom Music

Link: http://www.myspace.com/somuchfornothing

Bandmitglieder:

Gesang, Gitarre, Bass – Erik Unsgard
Schlagzeug – Uruz

Time For Metal / Gordon:
A few years ago, I visited a concert of Sarkom in Essen. I really enjoyed the show and bought the CD Aggravation Of Mind just to find out that the vocals are completely different (I was told that Sarkom used a guest singer), but in a negative way. How could you improve your vocal skills to a never expected level like you reached in Livsgnist?

So Much For Nothing / Eic Unsgard:
Well, first of all, it was not a guest vocalist on that show, I’ve been there on every concerts! Cool to hear that you were there, by the way. If I remember correct we have only played in Essen once, so that must have been on our first tour, in 2006. About the vocals on the Aggravationalbum, I’ve got lots of negative feedback for that(it seems that people either hate it or love it), but it felt right there and then, and I’m glad that it sounds as it does. But if I was supposed to record the vocals today, I’m pretty sure I would have done something else. But let’s talk about SMFNnow, as this is why we’re here… I don’t think I have improved my vocals that much over the years, it’s just that I have tried out different things and techniques this time. But now that I have started this journey, I hope I can improve the vocals in the future so that the next album can offer even more than Livsgnist does on the vocal side.

Time For Metal / Gordon:
When I wrote the review (thank you for the awesome time), I found out that you had a lot of help on your debut. Every song has its own identity. In which way did the guests support the songwriting?

So Much For Nothing / Eic Unsgard:
Almost nothing actually. I have written all the music myself except the intro and outro on Suffer in Silence, as well as the trumpet and saxophone melodies. So it didn’t support the actual song writing, but they made the songs sound better!

Time For Metal / Gordon:
One of the most intensive moments on Livsgnist is the opening of Suffer in Silence. I’m a fan of classic music and I wished the intro would be longer than two minutes, even if the rest of the song is great, too. Did you compose the intro of the song by yourself or is it “just” a (perfectly fitting) sample (I could swear I heard it before)?

So Much For Nothing / Eic Unsgard:
As mentioned, I didn’t write this intro. But I doubt that you have heard it before, as it was written by Live Julianne Kostøl, especially for this album, and the violin melodies was added by Invild Sareeta Kaare afterwards. But it might be that it can sound familiar with something else, I don’t know…

Time For Metal / Gordon:
I read on “metal-archives” you guys claim to be influenced by rock and pop music. Ignoring the song name One Last Night I cannot figure out any pop-element. Which popstars or pop-songs would you call a “direct influence” for Livsgnist? Is a “four-to-the-floor” beat something for your next album?

So Much For Nothing / Eic Unsgard:
Hmm… I don’t know which artists are a direct influence, but I think it’s more pop music in general, like Depeche ModeMadonnaA-Ha and stuff like that. I’m not saying that this sound likeSMFN at all, but it has definitely been an influence and/or inspiration. But why I feel SMFN sounds much like pop is the verse-chorus-verse-chorus thing, with repeatedly catchy melodies in the chorus, as well as how the verse often builds up to the matter. I’m not sure about the “four-to-the-floor”, but the next album will definitely be more “poppish“, at least the way I see it.

Time For Metal / Gordon:
Now I have some questions, which you will hopefully answer with a few “yes’”: Are you planning to play live? Maybe in Germany? Essen for example?

So Much For Nothing / Eic Unsgard:
Yes, we do! We know a couple of guys who will join SMFN live, so this will happen sooner or later! As for now, we don’t have any confirmed gigs, but if you know someone who’s working with booking, you can ask them to book us! I also hope that we can do a tour this year to promote the album, but going on tour for a small band is not that easy as it often cost lots of money… However, I hope I’ll see you in Essen some day again!

Time For Metal / Gordon:
What are your next steps with So Much for Nothing? And how would you describe the value ofSo Much for Nothing for you? If I take a look at Uruz‚ active band list, I could imagine that there is not much time left to fully concentrate on all projects equally.

So Much For Nothing / Eic Unsgard:
You’re right about that, and as you say, Uruz is a very busy man. His first priority is of courseUrgehal, but they are taking things a bit calm these days, so he is ready to rumble with SMFN this year at least! What happens in the future is hard to say, I guess we will just have to wait and see! For me SMFN has become a priority at the same level as Sarkom. But there’s no problem as I’m in full charge of this project and I write whatever I want, whenever I want. Sarkom is a band so you always have to compromise some way or the other, as well as always make sure that everyone can come to rehearsal and so on. You know how it is… So until we will start playing live there’s no problem at all, and so far Sarkom is not that active live, so I don’t think it will be a big problem in the future either. Anyway, as said, our next step will hopefully be some live performances, and we also plan to start the recording of the second album this summer!

Time For Metal / Gordon:
To come to an end, the classic question: Is there anything you want to say to your fans and our readers? Or do you want to answer a question you always wanted to answer but never have been asked?

So Much For Nothing / Eic Unsgard:
Watch out for the vinyl edition of Livsgnist which comes with a different layout. It will be out in a week or two if everything goes as planned! Also, feel free to add us onwww.facebook.com/somuchfornothing to get the latest news etc. Thanks for the interview, and I hope I’ll see you in Essen some day!