D. Skoglund from Vargålder: "I evoke the most disruptive feelings"
How do you see the connection between art and rebellion?
I think it depends on the artist. I don’t know much about the motivation or reason behind other artist’s achievements but for me, the rebellion lies within what’s true in relation to what’s fashionable or what’s expected from you at the moment. Art is rebellious only if it bothers someone. For me real rebellion is not just about a song, a painting or whatever - it’s about courage, dignity and reaching new levels of saying “fuck off” to everyone else. It’s easy for people to pinpoint an idea or express certain statements or ideals based on what’s happening at the time, but I guess it’s much harder when the art can put both yourself and others in danger. I think most people today sees art as the embodiment of something joyful or subjectively beautiful, whether it’s religious, trendy or just an admiration for your senses to grasp. Rebellious art, on the other hand, is created from something else than just intuition; it’s a conviction. A conviction that should permeate the whole essence of one’s self. It demands a different kind of awareness and becomes more like a symbol than just art. It questions the beholder. It can also possess classic beauty ideals made with advanced techniques, but there’s something more than just art whether it’s religious in its essence or, like in modern times, mostly mundane or political.
What drives your creative process when writing music or lyrics for Vargålder?
Up until now my lyrics have always been a mirror of myself and my surroundings. I write about things I see, things I hear and things I believe. I honor the things I think is worth honoring and condemn the things I despise. It’s not hard to find lyrical subjects these days. Being a modern-day, middle aged man with a spiritual complex, living in a soulless, shallow and insanity-driven age on a planet that’s slowing dying from enormous losses of biological diversity can be either a blessing or a curse when it comes to writing lyrics. I try to channel all the frustration and anger to something strengthening and encouraging. The opposite of victim-mentality, if you will. I also try to express my gratitude for all the positive things in life - either it’s friendship, worship or the beauty of mother nature.
What themes or stories do your lyrics explore on the latest album?
The lyrics are mostly based around the concept of being alive in the modern world. I tend to dig deep within the human condition and the relation to nature, spirituality and other people in general. The hardships of being a misplaced animal in so many ways, with instincts and impulses that still overpowers the sanity of a civilized man, to the concept around war and the connection to the most destructive and frightening parts of our subconscious - which is also part of being human. Vargålder (wolf-age) is the age that precedes Ragnarök - a time where morals and virtues turns to greed and violence, where brothers turn against each other in bitter feuds and family ties are broken. Then there’s nothing left to do more than to adapt to the natural order.
What’s the most challenging part of bringing your music to life during live performances?
We have been quite selective with live performances thus far but we put a lot of time and effort into making each performance special. Me and Lundgren have played together in several bands and projects throughout the past 20 years; we are not only best of friends but also very likeminded and experienced musicians with extremely high standards. The rest of the band consists of friends of us and they are also very competent and fitting musicians, so the “live part” is nothing challenging in itself. For me, the reason why I’m standing on stage is crystal clear, otherwise I would not do it. I’ve got something to say and that’s the only thing I care about. When I’m up there I tend to totally empty myself of every thought that might come to mind. I evoke the most disruptive feelings and invoke energies to connect with there and then. I consciously put myself in that kind of state, where all that might raise me up to a higher level of consciousness becomes an outlet of my inmost self. A moment where I’m both the strongest and most vulnerable presentation of myself that I could ever show anyone else than my own reflection in a different context. So, to summarize; I do not think that much about what I’m doing when I’m up on stage. As far as I know it’s the same with the other guys. It’s full focus on each task but we’re also trying to be spiritually connected as a unit - something that I believe is our strength as a live band.
How do you approach the recording process to capture the raw energy of your sound?
There is a lot of work and experience behind the sound of Vargålder. Lundgren is not only a multi instrumentalist but also an educated studio technician. He knows how to do things right but also how to challenge habitual methods to bring out different sounds. We use real guitars and real amps, real drums and real energy. There is a lot of one-takes with “flaws” on “Framåt Skrider Dödens Tider” but that was the main goal; to make us sound authentic rather than arranged, which use to be the case with many albums nowadays. Lundgren recorded the whole album in our rehearsal space, which we use to call studio Gnipahålan. Our old time friend (and live basist at the moment) Elfvin helped me a lot with the vocal recordings but otherwise Lundgren did everything from recording to mix and master by himself.
What’s your perspective on the role of technology in music production? Does it enhance or detract from the authenticity?
It depends on both the situation and craftsmanship. If we were financially independent or had a major label we would probably record the album on analogue audio because it’s a cool thing to do. All of us are very much into classic rock and heavy metal so I guess that’s our sound archetype - We like real amp-distortion and singing toms. We didn’t use any digital plug-ins (except for some post-EQ and compression) or any lining, drum triggers, quantization etc during the recording process because we didn’t need to. We’re certainly not into hifi productions but the digital equipment allows ”ordinary people” to produce and record their own music and with the right amount of musicianship, knowledge and self respect you can create really powerful stuff with very basic and limited tools. After that it’s up to the listener to decide what sounds good or not. Ain’t no shame in the poor man’s game.
What do you hope listeners take away from Vargålder’s music?
There so much that we want to communicate and express with our music but I guess that we’re fine with anything. It’s up to the listener to decide, the music speaks for itself in so many ways. Hopefully it will give some kind of deeper insight or spiritual solace for someone. As a writer I hope that my lyrics will honor and acknowledge the beauty of the Swedish language and our rich tradition of poetry and storytelling. And I always try to connect with likeminded people around me, I guess they’re the only ones I write for except myself.
Do introspection or existential ideas play a significant role in your work as a band?
Of course, that’s the main drive behind my spiritual and musical motivation. It’s hard to understand what’s happening around you if you don’t know what’s happening inside of you. I’m very much into digging deep within my consciousness to question my self and to find answers and traces to the big questions in life, even if there’s a lot of dark and unpleasant shit going on in one’s head from time to time, but I also think that’s an important part of being alive.
What role do you think music plays in challenging norms or shaping perspectives in today’s world?
I wish that music had a greater impact when it comes to challenging norms of today but as far as I know there are very few bands that actually questions nor attacks anything of importance. But it’s definitely a great output for spreading challenging thoughts but also meaning for those alike and will probably always inspire those who actually care.
What inspires you outside of music?
Nature, literature, gardening, my lovely wife and our dog… I spend a lot of time outside hiking and exploring nature but I’m also engaged in different local associations connected to preservation and management of protected nature and different historical and archaeological monuments and sites in central Östergötland. I work voluntarily as guide at a nature reserve with rich biological diversity and a shitload of mighty Iron Age relics and rare historical environments. I’m also taking care of several Iron Age graves and stone settings in the same area, keeping them visible and accessible for visitors. I’m very honored for being trusted with that task. It have grown incredibly wholesome and important to me.
Do you think black metal reflects the human condition, or is it something more transcendent?
I would say both; it’s something that reflect the conditions of the human behind the music but the music itself is definitely a spiritual and psychedelic vessel for everyone to use for their own purposes. Black metal and the vague spiritual aspects of the genre seem to differ a lot depending on what path you’re walking.
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