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Swedish black/pagan/speed metal act Kvaen might be a newcomer in the scene, but it is, with two highly-acclaimed full-lengths, already well acclimated in it. While Kvaen's debut album, The Funeral Pyre (2020), was more than good enough for a breakthrough, the follower, The Great Below (2022), bore its ethos even further into the subtle. Kvaen, formed in 2019, is a solo project of Jacob Björnfot, who seems to appear out of nowhere, though with a refined sense and understanding of music. The interview took place at the Summer Breeze festival. Interestingly, by pure coincidence, and only some hours before Kvaen's gig, which was one of most powerful and genuine - Jacob and the audience visibly enjoyed it, almost as you will enjoy this interview if you decide to stick with it to the end.
Interview with: Jacob Björnfot
Conducted by: Tomaz
Edited by: Jerneja
Tomaz: Hello, Jacob, and thanks for joining us for this interview. Since Kvaen is new on the scene, would you please present it to Terra Relicta dark music web magazine readers?
Jacob: I would say it is chaotic but organized - organized chaos, in a few words. It's extreme metal with influences from pagan and Viking metal, though Bathory style Viking.
Tomaz: You released your debut full-length, The Funeral Pyre, in 2019, if I'm not mistaken...
Jacob: The album was supposed to be released in 2019 but postponed to February 2020.
Tomaz: You've already got recognition in the black and extreme metal scene with your debut album and the label Black Lion Records. On the other hand, it's not surprising since you were active in other bands before. So, how were Kvaen's beginnings?
Jacob: I was playing in a couple of bands, and a lot of stuff has happened. I thought it was time to do things I really wanted to do, like my solo album. I picked up some old stuff - that I did as a kid - and made it more mature. I put everything in a blender and blended it. And that is how The Funeral Pyre was born. Pretty cool, I think.
Tomaz: Kvaen is still a solo project, though you perform live as a band...
Jacob: There was interest from the promoters in bringing my music to the stage. At first, I thought, "I don't know", but after some more thinking, I realised I should try. I found a couple of guys, I enjoy playing with them, and here we are.
Tomaz: How did you come in contact with Oliver from Black Lion Records?
Jacob: Oh, I've known about him, but we first met in 2010 or even 2009. Then, in 2019 I contacted him, and we started talking about collaboration, and he offered me a deal. There were other labels offering me deals, but not on paper. Oliver sent me a contract, and then we discussed a couple of things and, you know, came to terms.
Tomaz: You released both albums via Black Lion Records. What were the main differences regarding their releases, especially music-wise?
Jacob: Since The Funeral Pyre sold so many copies - what we didn't expect - it went pretty viral, with lots of represses. When you sell more copies, you get more money. With more money involved this time, I got to complete my vision almost 100%. It's like, you know, having this perfect idea, and now you have even more tools to perfect it. Everything was just a lot better with The Great Below in every way.
Tomaz: Since you do everything yourself, did you, as well, record everything on your own?
Jacob: I recorded everything except drums by myself in my own studio. I don't like to work in hired studios anymore. Besides, I have really good studio equipment and, I guess, I'm just more comfortable doing everything by myself and the way I like it.
Tomaz: And, except for drums, are all other instruments played by yourself, or do you use synths for this purpose?
Jacob: No, I only make sample stuff sometimes, like winds, seashore sound sounds, or something, but I sample myself. I'm also a big Pink Floyd fan; I enjoy doing ambient stuff and experimenting with reverbs, delays, and phasers, making soundscapes. Yeah, but I do everything by myself.
Tomaz: Some sections of your music definitely have this Floydian hint. So, besides Pink Floyd, which bands influenced you the most?
Jacob: Bathory.
Tomaz: This was predictable...
Jacob: Well, Quorthon was the reason I started doing this. When talking of extreme metal, or metal in general, Quorthon is my main inspiration. His creative side is something I really admire.
Tomaz: Do you have a favourite Bathory album?
Jacob: Under The Sign Of The Black Mark.
Tomaz: So, earlier stuff; I'm more a fan of the Viking era...
Jacob: Yeah, the third. I like the Viking era as well; Hammerheart and Twilight Of The Gods - I mean, come on, those are great albums, just different.
Tomaz: And where do you find inspiration lyrical-wise?
Jacob: Everything I write comes from me and not from someone or something else. I don't sit down and try to get inspired by someone's words. I try to remain true to myself, and that's it.
Tomaz: What can people expect from Kvaen on stage?
Jacob: Organized chaos, haha. Total mayhem with the 80s guitar solos and blood and corpse stains.
Tomaz: Nowaday's metal scene, especially the extreme metal scene, is (over)crowded with new bands. Kvaen managed to stand out; any recipe for that?
Jacob: I don't write in the traditional way; I don't write black or death metal, I just write music. The outcome - The Funeral Pyre, stood out, or it wouldn't have gotten the recognition. Also, a lot of it has to do with the album being released in the right place at the right time.
Tomaz: Besides Kvaen, are you currently involved with some other musical projects?
Jacob: I'm preparing the Manowar cover show with some friends in Stockholm. Otherwise, I do some session work from time to time for some bands, but other than that, I'm currently not involved with any other band.
Tomaz: Although your sophomore album, The Great Below, is still fresh, I have to ask whether you're already working on new stuff.
Jacob: Always.
Tomaz: And what can we expect from Kvaen in the future?
Jacob: Expect nothing; only the best.
Tomaz: What do you enjoy doing when not engaged with music?
Jacob: I enjoy long walks in the forest and travelling. But music consumes most of my time, so I don't have much spare time. Well, I enjoy skiing in winter and inlines during the summer.
Tomaz: Are you also planning a tour with Kvaen any time soon?
Jacob: Yeah, absolutely. The planning is still in progress; most likely, it's going to happen next year.
Tomaz: I guess it's not easy to organize a tour when working with live musicians, especially if they play in other bands.
Jacob: Although I'm the brains behind everything, I get a lot of help from these guys. They also like to help out since they know it's hard to do everything yourself. I'm only human, so I ask others to help me with certain things. Fredrik, the drummer, who has also played with Amon Amarth for twenty years and is a member of A Canorous Quintet, Myronath, and Vananidr, is a very organized person. I like that. I've played with many people, and I'm now very picky.
Tomaz: How did you come in contact with Fredrik; were you already friends, or you encountered him when searching for live musicians?
Jacob: I knew he didn't have any active band at the time. I thought this was the guy; he's been around for a long time and is an amazing musician and personality. So, I sent him a massage, and he said: "Yeah, of course!"
Tomaz: Did you get any proposals from more established/renowned labels after your second album was released?
Jacob: Yes, for sure. There have been offers, but we'll see what happens.
Tomaz: Thank you, Jacob, for the interview. Anything else to say at the end of it?
Jacob: Thank you for having me. Support the underground!
Kvaen links: Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Bandcamp (Black Lion Records)
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