Liv Kristine opens her heart and tells us details of her new work, solo career and her career in the bands Theater of Tragedy and Leave’s Eyes.
Liv Kristine is a complete artist! She has great ability to touch us with her voice. Her name is the inspiration for a legion of fans around the world, who are waiting for new work and miss seeing her more often. But in addition, Liv Kristine inspires many bands and artists, and even helped spread a musical genre. We had the immense pleasure and privilege to talk with brilliant artist. She shows us her views on various topics related to music.
Check out this interview, it’s totally unmissable!
Thank you Liv Kristine. We admire your work and will always honor your career.
Playfonic: Skylight is your last single released in December 2019. What is the inspiration for composing it and what is the song about?
Liv: It was composed by Tommy Olsson a while ago and he sent it to me. We’ve been exchanging ideas for a while now, actually since the beginning of 2016. I love his ideas and what really inspires me in his songs is that he leaves enough space for me to develop my melodies and lyrics. The lyrics are about feeling the loving and uplifting energies of deep and honest love, as when you’re looking into the eyes of your beloved one and you see heaven (skylight) in his eyes. Seeing the song unveiling to become a very special artistic piece of music is like going with a magic flow. I have ideas all the time. “Skylight” was recorded at Tommy’s studio in August this year. We both are really happy about we created together. Moreover, I am sure that this song will be enjoyed by my audience. “Gravity” is the second composition on the Nagold special edition single.
Playfonic: How many songs will the new album have? Do you already have the tracklist defined? What will be the predominant genre of the songs (More for a gothic metal, symphonic or heavy metal style)? Will there be a duet? And what is the likely launch date? We look forward to hearing your new songs.
Liv: We have about six songs ready with lyrics, vocals and instruments. I assume the album will have about 11-12 tracks. There are many more songs composed by Tommy in my mailbox. For all of you who love Aégis of Theatre of Tragedy and my last solo album “Vervain” will be in high spirits! Either the album or a live album will be released within 2020 and/or early 2021.
Playfonic: According to your official website, your new album will bring back memories of the “Aégis” of Theatre of Tragedy. What are the main similarities between these works? Do you intend to release more singles before the full album is released?
Liv: As already mentioned, yes, „Aégis“ has been and is a great inspiration for me in my artistic creative process, moreover, for my fans and supporters. The main difference will be the fact that I won’t use mail vocals as much as in the ToT compositions. „Skylight“ will be released as a single this year officially and with more tracks. The first edition was a special edition for my annual Nagold show. A second single will follow thereafter. The track is in the mix. As already mentioned, we are planning a live album for 2020 as well. That would be my first solo live album!
Playfonic: Tell us a little about the single “The Silence of the Tide” released on January 30th. It is a feat with “Basement Prophecy” and Tanja Hansen right? Will this single be part of your album?
Liv: It won’t be on my album, however, it is a different approach. Tanja is a dear friend of mine and she loves singing. She and Michael had this ballad ready and they asked me to write both lyrics and vocallines. It’s absolutely beautiful and it’s lovely to develop ideas together, especially with a very dear friend.
You can listen this single The Silence of the Tide here:
Playfonic: You have always been a very important figure in the areas where you worked. Despite this, you have already worked in bands where your role has not been valued in the way it should. In this new trajectory, how important is it to be in control of your own work and what is your current position in leadership and decision making about your art in this project?
Liv: I really have felt that, yes. A few things have gone out of my hands during the last 20 years. I was insecure and naive and gave away responsibility, sometimes to the wrong people. It’s my first rule now, after a few roller-coaster rides, to feel grounded and aligned with my work because it means passion to me and it comes from the heart. I don’t want to let that part go, never again. I have worked damn hard for what is my given way, namely to sing and to bring magic and beauty into other people’s minds and hearts. I want to inspire and to spread aesthetics. Concerning my past experience, I cannot change the fact that Torsten Bauer and Alexander Krull decided to exchange me for a new singer in my own band. I had to let my band go even if it feels utterly wrong, unfair and sad. The way it happened was disgusting and unfair. At first I thought we could find a peaceful solution for everybody, so that nobody would suffer any financial loss, however, I soon discovered that I’ve been seriously fooled and cheated upon. There’s absolutely no dignity in their decision. I only really wish that the remaining members would change the band’s name. Why not Elina’s Eyes? She is a talented singer, she is worth having her own band. The name Leaves’ Eyes has such a strong connection to my personality and Norway’s history – it’s a part of me still. What the band members are doing today has nothing to do with me. I will think of Leaves’ Eyes with positive emotions, though. I would say there is a special magic to our first two albums.
Playfonic: You have an expressive number of fans in Brazil and Latin America. Are there any plans to present these fans with a show in 2020?
Liv: I am so happy to hear that you are waiting for me to come over. I certainly will get those plans anchored as soon as my album is ready for release. It’s interesting – a promotor just got in touch with me concerning shows for 2020/2021. I really miss my Latin-and South-American fans. First I need to share my new album with all of you! I am endlessly happy to tell you this as I know the waiting time has been too long.
Playfonic: Your voice has the great ability to adapt to various styles. With that you ended up conquering a mixed audience, of anonymous listeners and artists. Today you are a reference and inspiration for big names in the music industry. How do you feel knowing that your career reaches so many people?
Liv: I am deeply grateful for your compliment and it means a lot to me. Singing to me is passion and a talent that I was born with. Everything I’ve learned is self-didactic. It is my way of passion to share music and love with the world. I must admit that a couple of times, when times were hard, it was hard for me to find reasons to keep singing, painting and writing, however, YOU were the ones who inspired me to keep up my positive mind and never ever think that this wasn’t my fate. Singing and giving it to the world is definitely my destiny and I will never give it up.
Playfonic: We would like this interview to be as complete as possible. However, we know that the time and space we have is insufficient to address everything we would like. Because we know you have a busy routine. Please use this space to tell us something important about your new moment that has not yet been said or asked.
Liv: I am just so happy to be back on track again. My new album honours the gothic metal-rock genre and will evoke memories of “Aégis”, which I remember as some of my best times with Theatre of Tragedy. In tight cooperation with Tommy Olsson, each song radiates a a unique paradigm of depth and width of sound with a high note of Romanticism. It somehow feels like coming home to the sound I am so much in alignment with.
Playfonic: For those who still don’t know your work, which song and / or album is the most suitable to start listening to that best represents you artistically?
Liv: I would say „Aegis“ of ToT, „Leaves’ Eyes debut release „Lovelorn“, „Libertine“ 2012 and „Vervain“, which was released in 2015, moreover, my upcoming album.
Playfonic: We greatly appreciate your attention and respect with us. Always count on our support and admiration. If you can, please leave a message for your Playfonic fans and readers.
Liv: I thank all of you who have kept inspiring me to keep on singing, playing gigs and involving in various projects, duets, moreover, acrylic painting and poetry. It’s a wonderful gift to be able to share all this passion with you. Thank you for interviewing me, by the way. It’s time to spread the news about the new releases!
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Liv: It was composed by Tommy Olsson a while ago and he sent it to me. We’ve been exchanging ideas for a while now, actually since the beginning of 2016. I love his ideas and what really inspires me in his songs is that he leaves enough space for me to develop my melodies and lyrics. The lyrics are about feeling the loving and uplifting energies of deep and honest love, as when you’re looking into the eyes of your beloved one and you see heaven (skylight) in his eyes. Seeing the song unveiling to become a very special artistic piece of music is like going with a magic flow. I have ideas all the time. “Skylight” was recorded at Tommy’s studio in August this year. We both are really happy about we created together. Moreover, I am sure that this song will be enjoyed by my audience. “Gravity” is the second composition on the Nagold special edition single.
