TSC: Hello Andreas!
It's with full respect I write these questions, I fancy your work really much and I am curious to hear and see what answers you might bring.
You're representing STORMFÅGEL, hopefully not unfamiliar to my readers. But please, introduce the band / the project!

Stormfågel: Well, STORMFÅGEL is a solo project that started sometime during 2004. I had been away from music for a couple of years but felt the urge to do something serious, something more then just hang out in a basement playing Ramones covers. The purpose with STORMFÅGEL was and still is to create a certain mood, a feeling of lost times. And with the help of some old speech-samples, marching drums and a key fiddle I think it turned out OK. I released a 4 track CDR called "Kinder der Vergangenheiten, Helden aus den grauen Zeiten" and was signed by Cold Meat Industry. On the following album, "Den Nalkande Stormen", I used the vocals from an old friend of mine, Eva Mag. She can be heard on "Ett Berg av Fasa" as well.   

TSC: Did STORMFÅGEL spawn out of nowhere or have you been involved in other bands before?

Stormfågel: I started playing in bands quite late, I think I was like 15 or something. Back then we played EBM, goth and I even sang in a punk band. A couple of years later me and some friends started EXCOMMUNION and I have to say that that is one of the best neofolk bands I have ever heard. Maybe it's hard to believe coming from one of the band members but it's true! We had a great singer, a good guitarist, a sweet little girl on violin and some really great songs. What more could you possible want? Unfortunately very few shared our taste...
So then we started a trip-hop project but that is another story.   

TSC: When, how and why did you discover folk music?

Stormfågel: Thanks to my grandfather Gunnar. As far as I can remember he has been playing Swedish folksongs. Mostly on guitar but also on key fiddle and violin. He also used to build both guitars and key fiddles. He can actually be heard on the last song on "Ett Berg av Fasa". It's he who sings and plays guitar. I also have to mention my old teacher Ulla. Every lesson, didn't mater if it was math or history, she turned into a music lesson. Often we sang religious songs, maybe not so appreciated by us at the time, but she made my interest in music grow.    

TSC: So, two albums released so far. I know there will be a third one coming. Is there anything you can tell about it? How far are you in the process?

Stormfågel: Oh, the horror... It seems it'll take forever before it's ready to be released. The work on this album, called "Eldvakt", has been followed by cutbacks and problems. There has been computer crashes, singers freaking out, lazy people and my constant struggle to just don't give up. Now all the songs are recorded and there is just some minor mixing left. Then it's up to Mr. Karmanik if he likes it and how fast he can release it. For the moment I hope to have it out before the summer. If that is possible I don't know.
The sound is the same as on the two previous records. You'll recognise is for sure.
Sometime during the work on "Ett Berg av Fasa" I realised that I was working on a trilogy. A trilogy concerning the end of a 14 years long relationship, the hard journey back to life again and now, learning to stand on my own two feet. Sound silly, I know. But that's what these three albums are all about.    

TSC: 2007 was the year of the STORMFÅGEL! Not only did you release your warmly embraced "Ett Berg av Fasa" album, you also recorded the four track EP "Svenska Visor", and there some other, not very cheerful events occurred. I will return to those later in this interview. But now, let's focus on "Svenska Visor" which was a very limited release. What what the thought behind it? It was also released on a label called Kultur & Politik. Was that a temporary label just for this purpose, or will we see it arise again?

Stormfågel: The whole idea with "Svenska Visor" was to have something new to sell on our concert in Augsburg. And the fact that I knew that those songs wouldn't fit on "Eldvakt", which I'd already start working on. But I like the idea to sell a limited record for just one specific occasion.
There will definitely be more releases on Kultur & Politik! And maybe not just records, I've some other plans but time will tell. "Svenska Visor II" is probably not so far away.    

TSC: On "Svenska Visor" you demonstrated some new sides of STORMFÅGEL. There were some guitar driven tracks for instance, which I really loved to hear. A hint of what the future will bring?

Stormfågel: Hahaha! Well, not so much on "Eldvakt" I'm afraid. There are some guitars in it but no guitar driven songs. But I think there will be more guitars in the future. Just as it'll be more acoustic instruments over all. Hopefully I'll be able to fit an old organ in my new apartment. My neighbours will love me!

TSC: The last track on "Svenska Visor" was a reworked version of "Skoldmon", previously heard on "Ett Berg av Fasa". What led to that decision? Didn't the original version turn out like you wanted to? This leads me to the question of you often feel unsatisfied with your songs...?

Stormfågel: The original version is really good I think. This was more of an experiment to see what Berkan (Mikael) could do. I just asked him to do something with it and he did. And I think it turned out to be a good and fun version.
I haven't really thought about it. When I'm finished with a song I more or less forget about it. If I sat down and listened to some old songs I guess I would find several things I could've done different. But that is not the way I work. I like the whole punk attitude "Just do it!"(or was that Nike perhaps...). Anyway, I don't like spending days with one song, I don't want to go back and re-record some vocals just because one tone is false. I want to keep it ruff and fast. If I've worked on a song for a couple of hours and I'm not satisfied I just delete it. I don't have the patience, and not many things are worth struggling for.

TSC: In 2007 you also were honored with an invitation to Wave Gothic Treffen, something that maybe didn't turn out like you wanted to? You got in trouble. What happened?

Stormfågel: AFA got their marbles mixed up! They thought, I've been told, that I was on the same label as DEATH IN JUNE, and somehow that made me a nazi.
Since I wasn't allowed to go out and talk to them after the concert I tried to get in touched with them after I got home. I actually got some mails where they agreed that they were wrongly informed. I don't think they like my music but I don't think there will be any problems in the future. I'm still pissed of for the people they hurt and scared. If it happens again I'll go mental on them, football-fan style! ;)
Still fun with police escort though...      

TSC: So you're not like banned in Germany now? If so, do you care to clean your reputation or are you more like "screw it then!"?

Stormfågel: No I'm not. Not what I know about. There were no problems playing in Augsburg so...

TSC: There are still no gigs in our home country Sweden on the schedule?

Stormfågel: Well, maybe this summer actually. I'll keep you informed!

TSC: Reading peoples comments about your work, many voices speak about Eva and her fantastic voice, like something that defines your sound. In late 2007 she decided to leave STORMFÅGEL. Is this something you have the right to discuss a little? What led to her decision? How did this affect STORMFÅGEL?

Stormfågel: Well, first of all. STORMFÅGEL is and has always been a solo project, not a band. So it's more like I'm now working with a new singer.
But OK, she was an important part of STORMFÅGEL during the first two albums and she really gave them a unique sound. She will be heard on "Eldvakt" and I wouldn't be surprised if we do something together in the future. There is no bad blood between us.
She had some opinions about the genre and its "brown" aesthetic, she didn't feel she got paid enough and she wanted to focus on her own project.
What can I say about that? Well, I don't get paid at all myself so...  

TSC: Have you been able to replace her, or will future material come out instrumental or with your vocals?

Stormfågel: Yes, to all three!

TSC: I got the impression that you are very popular in Hungary. Since Eva sung in both Swedish and Hungarian, I wonder if she was your link to that country and if so, have you been able to keep contact with your Hungarian friends after she departed from STORMFÅGEL?

Stormfågel: Eva was the link to Hungary, of course. I'm thankful to her for showing me the wonderful music they have. Next to Swedish folk music I must say Hungarian is the best. I hope they will like the new record even do it not consists any songs sung in Magyar. Wait, there will probably be one song, the last Eva recorded.

TSC: Finally, I have my three-part question that will be a standard in my future interviews. What is your...:

a. ...dream collaboration?

b. ...dream song to cover?

c. ...favorite album, at the moment or of all time?

Stormfågel:

a: Oh, I've no idea! Would be nice if Marie Boine would sing on a STORMFÅGEL song.

b: For the moment; the slow version of the song "Psykopaten" by ASTA KASK.

c: Favourite album for the moment is "Mosaic" by WOVEN HAND.

TSC: Thank you Andreas of STORMFÅGEL, for your time and your support! Good luck with the upcoming album!
Is there something you would like to add before we put the dot? Do you have any wise words to end this interview with, or do you feel that I've missed something? Here's your chance to speak freely!

Stormfågel: Thank you! Keep up the good work.
No last wise words. Stormfagel will fly on, vi kanske ses någon annanstans!

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