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Interview with Synnöve
JesusMetal: Please introduce yourself and Synnöve.
Jim: My name is Jim and I play keyboards and do death vocals in Synnöve.
Synnöve was formed in 2002 by guitarist/vocalist Brad along with bass
player/vocalist Stephanie. After a few problems finding a drummer we
eventually went into the studio 2004 with the assistance of former Embodiment
12:14 drummer Aaron Harslett. Aaron took some time off from music after this
and was replaced by our current drummer Steve. This recording was eventually
picked up by Soundmass for distribution and things have continued from there.
JesusMetal: Before we start, congratulations with the release! What do you think of it?
Which are your favorite songs? Any things you would rather have seen
different?
Jim: Overall we are quite pleased with how the release has come along. It was
recorded independently before being picked up for distribution by Soundmass.
Because it was done independently we were working with a relatively restricted
budget but given that fact there isn't really anything I would want to change
and I feel that everyone involved did a great job.
As for favourite songs, I think everyone has their own personal favourite. I
know that for Brad it would be The Long Kiss Goodbye which was written about
the passing of his father. For me, my favourite is probably Beyond The
Gaze Of Black Doves as it best encorporates the main aspects of what we are
looking to achieve musically.
JesusMetal: Which bands have influences on Synnöve? I seem to be hearing a
lot of Virgin Black and Ashen Mortality. Also, how do you get in the mood for writing music?
Jim: Virgin Black is definitely one band that has had a great influence on us as
artists. Brad was actively involved in Virgin Black when they first began,
playing bass on their demo as well as doing vocal contributions to subsequent
recordings, as has Stephanie. I'm afraid Ashen Mortality aren't a band that we're
familiar with. The two main secular influences that we have are Emperor and My
Dying Bride, both of whom have found ways to be very melodic without
compromosing being heavy.
As for getting in the mood, I think we all like to be very focussed on what we
are doing when writing. It is difficult to be creative when there are a lot of
distractions going on around you and because of that we try to find somewhere
where we can be very focussed when we write. The seasons of the year also
affect the way that we write with winter being a particuarly inspiring time.
JesusMetal: How has the Synnöve EP been received so far? Your website states
it was already released in 2004 independently, are there any significant changes on the Soundmass version?
Jim: Thus far the EP has been received quite well. We've had a lot of positive
feedback from people that have purchased it and I've been told that sales are
coming along relatively well. The EP was independently released in late 2004.
At the time we had intended it as more of a demo which we passed out to bands
and promoters among which was Mercury from Fearscape. When he heard it he
passed it on to Soundmass who subsequently contacted us wanting to distribute
it. When Soundmass picked it up they repackaged it with new artwork and
such. Other than that the recordings are exactly the same.
JesusMetal: What is the message you want to bring with Synnöve?
Jim: There are those out there who try to portray the Christian walk as being one
that is free and easy, always happy and never containing disappointments.
While it is true that there are seasons in life that are like this, the harsh
reality is often far from it. The Christain walk is one of the most difficult
one can be called on. This narrow path often contains sacrifices and
disappointments. There may be times where God feels distant and there may
times of intense darkness and depression. God never promised that we wouldn't
have these times and feel these emotions. But He did promise that He would
never leave us, and whether we feel it or not, He is always with us.
JesusMetal: What's the meaning behind the bandname?
Jim: The name Synnöve was suggested to us by Ray Simpson, a dear friend and
Custodian of the Community Of Aiden & Hilda. Synnöve is the name of the patron
saint of Norway. To us, the name of Synnöve encorporates many qualities we
admire. She is a symbol and strength and courage in the face of adversity - two
qualities Christians are often accussed of lacking by Black Metallers. We also
admire the way that Synnöve put God before everything else in her life,
essentially becoming a refugee in order to serve Him. Her story can be found
in more detail on the inlay of the EP.
JesusMetal: What can we expect in the future from you?
Jim: Based on what we're currently writing you can expect for us to become a more
extreme band. By that I don't simply mean we'll be faster and heavier
(although this will be a part of it, especially with a new drummer behind the
skins) but also more emotional and melodic. Musically Synnöve is about
combining brutality with melody and while the way this is done may vary these
two elements will always be prominent.
JesusMetal: Any final comments?
Jim: Thank you for this interview, our debut EP is out now through Soundmass.
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