What inspired the name of the band? What are your influences and are they the same as when you started out?
Solnedgang means ‘sunset’ in Norwegian, and while sunsets are beautiful to look at, they’re also quite melancholic and symbolic of something coming to an end. I feel this is quite fitting as that sort of juxtaposition is something I aim for in my music, and the melodies I like tend to sound quite melancholic.
In terms of influences there are plenty, but Mono, Explosions in the Sky, Pelican and Russian Circles are probably the most obvious. Other influences include Wolves in the Throne Room, Enslaved, Cult of Luna, Isis, even The Cure and Radiohead.
How and why do you write the songs you do?
Sometimes I’ll have an idea on my head when I start, but that’s usually just a loose theme. I’m working on my debut album at the moment, and I decided a while back to theme it all around the concept of the afterlife in Norse mythology, so that’s been at the back of my mind for a lot of the writing I’ve done recently.
Most of the time I’ll just sit down and start playing without knowing what will come. Usually it’s those first few notes, or whatever it is, that will be the start of a riff, which then forms the basis of the song. I’ll then record that, and build from there. Sometimes I’ll have another riff that fits, or I’ll write something else that fits or contrasts nicely.
I don’t know how to write anything else! I’m only half joking, but that’s the music I’m drawn to, and I try to combine a few different sounds or influences to make it a bit more interesting to myself, and hopefully the listener. I’d love to try to write something completely different though. Who knows what the next album will sound like?
How and why do you write the songs you do?
Sometimes I’ll have an idea on my head when I start, but that’s usually just a loose theme. I’m working on my debut album at the moment, and I decided a while back to theme it all around the concept of the afterlife in Norse mythology, so that’s been at the back of my mind for a lot of the writing I’ve done recently.
Most of the time I’ll just sit down and start playing without knowing what will come. Usually it’s those first few notes, or whatever it is, that will be the start of a riff, which then forms the basis of the song. I’ll then record that, and build from there. Sometimes I’ll have another riff that fits, or I’ll write something else that fits or contrasts nicely.
I don’t know how to write anything else! I’m only half joking, but that’s the music I’m drawn to, and I try to combine a few different sounds or influences to make it a bit more interesting to myself, and hopefully the listener. I’d love to try to write something completely different though. Who knows what the next album will sound like?
How do you decide what to play live?
I don’t play live, so don’t have to worry too much about that. I have given it some thought though, and some of the songs I have no idea how I’d play live – even with loop pedals and a full band! So there are probably a few that I’d have to drop, but I’d probably also stretch the songs out even more so I’d only need maybe 4-5 songs for a full set.
How do you decide what to play live?
I don’t play live, so don’t have to worry too much about that. I have given it some thought though, and some of the songs I have no idea how I’d play live – even with loop pedals and a full band! So there are probably a few that I’d have to drop, but I’d probably also stretch the songs out even more so I’d only need maybe 4-5 songs for a full set.
What plans do you have for the future?
Get the album out and see if people like it! I’ve got some amazing feedback on my first single, ‘Nornir’, so hopefully people will like the other tracks as well. After that I’ll just see what happens, and probably start working on new songs pretty much straight away.