Interview with Minneriket

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

It’s just a natural thing to me, really. I’ve always been surrounded by music, and always had a need to sxpress myself through creativity. There was never a time where I made a choice to work with music, that’s just how it is. And I do a lot of other things too of course, I don’t limit myself to just use my time on music. I need variation.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I spend a lot of time writing the lyrics too of course, but also preparing the visual aspects of the music. Outside of the music business I do have other hobbies like drawing, reading (I collect certain books), hiking, running and just ordinary escapism like movies and video games. I have a rather normal social life and work a normal full-time job. Music is my main creative outlet, but it’s still just one piece of the puzzel.

How long has your band been around?

Minneriket celebrates 10 years this year. But if we’re also talking about other bands and musical projects I guess I’ve done professional studio recordings for the last 16 years, and played in some local bands before that.

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

Based in Norway. There’s of course a lot of the Norwegian nature in the music, the Nordic Noir and the existensial anxiety from the easyness of Scandinavian life. I guess my surroundings here are more of an enabler than a direct inspiration.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

Minneriket was originally a print-on-demand book I released a few years before I founded it as a band. It deals with cosmic truthes, our shared realm of memories and how we all live in symbiose with eachother, and the streams we can tap into to grow.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

Minneriket is a one-man band and does not play live.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

I have no intentions of ever playing live.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Not interested.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Just keep going and believe in your own visions. None of the people around you, even those who pretends to care, really cares. They don’t want the best for you if they think so.  You are on your own, you have no excuses, and it is all your responsibility. Act accordingly, stay firm on your path and keep going.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

Exactly the same as before. Be driven and never stop.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

 That varies a lot to me, but today it’s “Sorg og savn” (Sorrow and yearning). That was a good composition, it’s emotional and I still tap into that energy. It’s a few years old now, but I think it’s still a very strong song.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Minneriket does not play live.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

 I find inspiration in every part of life. There’s always something that starts gnawing at me. That usually turns into a draft for the lyrics, and then I work more on cultivating the words, trying to analyze what my inner self actually is trying to say. After that I work the music around it, trying to surround the words with music that represents the right feeling.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

Never give up. Even when grinded down, stop, think, feel, and then put your head up and keep moving forward. We’re all in the darkness sometimes, and the only thing we can do is to accept it and talk about it.

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

Minneriket is a one-man band. Of course I disagree with myself from time to time, but it’s usually an easy conflict to resolve…

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

Right now Minneriket is working on a limited edition cassette tape to celebrate 10 years of existence, and pre-orders will open on www.minneriket.com very soon.