- Posted By: Dark Emperor
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Infernal Masquerade: Thanks for taking time to answer our questions, and let's get started. Four years have passed since your last solo album "Enter My Religion", we all know that you have been very busy with Leaves' Eyes and Atrocity. Can you please tell us what made you want to release another solo album after the bittersweet experience (due to lack of promotion/distribution) of the last one?
Liv: After having signed a deal with Napalm Records last year, I immediately began recording new songs for my 3rd solo album. Ideas had already been recorded for demos long before that, though. It's been four years since my second release "Enter My Religion" (Roadrunner), and all this time I've been aching to release another album. It feels like a relief, really. My creative mind does not "like" having breaks.
I.M: Can you please tell us more about the concept and ideas behind the songs of "Skintight"?
Liv: My solo work has little or nothing to do with metal; my solo songs are based on my own ideas only, moreover, come into existence by coming together in the studio, just myself and my favorite string player, Thorsten Bauer (also Leaves' Eyes). Every new song idea is based on a melody or a few tones played on strings or sung myself. My solo work is where I put all my childhood memories, my experience being a young woman, ideas about love, marriage, memories from travelling, worries, questions to different "chapters" in life, and becoming a mum.
I.M: Featuring a wide variety of different songs, what made you release an album that can be considered a bit 'chaotic' in terms of having too many different styles of music mashed together in one single release?
Liv: I actually had one single goal for this album: just compose, write, record and feel free. I just did exactly what my mind, heart and soul told me. No limits, no external "interruption" from people making up their minds about how and when I should do things.
I.M: "Enter my Religion" featured several guest musicians, but "Skintight" (from what we can see) it has Thorsten Bauer and Alexander Krull doing handling all the instruments for the music. Why did you decided to use fewer musicians this time? Do you think it would make some of the songs sound a bit more like Leaves' Eyes?
Liv: Not at all. For me personally, there is no "musical link or crossover" whatsoever between my solo project and Leaves' Eyes, except from my voice. My favorite co-writer, whatever style or musical genre, is Thorsten Bauer (Leaves' Eyes), and my best producer is Alexander Krull (my husband) at our own Mastersound Studio. For my solo album, I had in mind
to strip down the complete production, by using less instruments, no external songwriters, only Thorsten's and my own ideas to add more feeling and more of myself and my character to the whole production. This album is me, straight from the heart, just very down-to-earth, natural and personal. It really "deserves" the title "Skintight".
I.M: As you mention on your website, you used a very peculiar approach when recording "Skintight". How different and challenging was this process in comparison to when you record for Leaves' Eyes?
Liv: A Leaves' Eyes production always has various layers, like choirs, orchestra, 2 guitars, male and female voices, various second and third voices, different linguistic approaches (up to eight languages), an album concept, and a longer and much more complicated production and mixing process. For "Skintight", I wanted to make as much as possible myself, in
cooperation with Thorsten and Alexander. The songs came into existence by coming together in the studio - Thorsten with his guitar, me, myself and my voice. We let the songs evolve naturally. Moreover, we changed the studio environment. I built my own special recording place, moving the complete technical package from the original recording room to a smaller
room with bigger windows and a breathtaking view on the south-western German wine yards, fields and forest. Being able to watch nature during the recordings is good for all senses, mind and soul. To me it means freedom. I take a lot of inspiration from nature.
I.M: Do you think it gets easier with time to write songs/lyrics, now that you have been in the music business since 1993?
Liv: In one way, yes, because I guess I care less now than what I did twelve years ago about what people would say or criticize about my lyrics. Honestly, it used to hurt a bit at earlier times when one or the other journalist though he knew better, criticizing my openness and direct lyrical manners, however, that doesn't keep me from going on writing personal lyrics. On the other hand, I have to take care that I do not use words that I've used in other lyrics.
I.M: With your busy touring schedule with Leaves' Eyes, will there be time for a Liv Kristine 'only' tour? Maybe some US dates?
Liv: I would absolutely love to do a US solo tour! I am open for any suggestions!
I.M: Last time we interviewed with you, you mentioned that you were doing some marathons. How is that going? Any chances we might hear from you winning the New York City Marathon or something like that?
Liv: Ok, here's the plan: include the N.Y. City Marathon in my tour! Actually, I am running through the forest or up and down the hills as often as I need a break. This is the best way for me to clear my mind, to come up with new ideas and solutions to problems. Running keeps me healthy through every season...and it helps me not gaining too much weight because I just love baking and cooking for my family and friends!
I.M: If you could make a super band with any musicians dead or alive, whom would you pick? and what kind of music would you play?
Liv: I would love to sit and sing next to Tori when she's playing the piano, or do a soundtrack with composer Hans Zimmer. What nice dreams!
I.M: Out of all the songs you have written for your solo albums, which ones do you think are your favorites and why?
Liv: It is "Wonders". Being a mum, I spend as much time possible to experience and see the world through my son's eyes. These are the true "Wonders"in life, and it's wonderful to travel back in time into my own childhood, as well as learning so many new things from my child. "The Rarest Flower" is what I sometimes feel like when I am "on the road", or when I have to deal with serious music business matters. Just take a look at the music business - it is extremely tough; many artists just "pop up" and become "pop" over night, then soon they just disappear, write a book about what went wrong, and money's gone, of course. I can't even believe the fact that I've been "around" for 16 years now.
I.M: Anything else you want to add for your fans and our readers?
Liv: Thank you so much for staying with me throughout all these years. You, my fans and friends, keep the music in me alive. I hope to see you all on tour!
Thanks for the time and good luck promoting the album.
Thanks to you and best wishes,
Liv
More info: http://www.livkristine.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/livkristinepage
