Interview with Nils K. Rue from Pagan's Mind

Author: Sisanu, December 28th, 2010

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- Hello! On behalf of Let's Rock Romania we would like to thank you for making time for this interview.

Nils K. Rue: Hi there and thanks for your interest!

- How was your Christmas compared to the previous year ?

- Pretty much the same except from the fact that I lost my father this fall, so there was an empty chair this christmas, I celebrated Christmas in the house I was brought up - my parents ranch.

- Where will you spend your New Year's Eve ?

- Probably in my own house, together with my friends and my girlfriend. New Years Eve is a romantic evening, and calls for good food, champagne, good laughs and time to reflect on the year that has passed. I always enjoy new years eve !

- OK, let me ask you about your new album, how is the work going, are you excited about it ?

- I'm really really excited. It will be released no later than march 2011 and most of the work on it is ready. I also have great belief in it, I think the material is extremely strong and that it represent sort of a "comeback" (since it been over three years since "God's Equation") I am sure both fans of Pagan's Mind and people who haven't heard us before will appreciate it a lot...

- What should we expect from it ? Do you have a different sound or approach ?

- There is no doubt it sounds like Pagan's Mind, as I believe we have a very distinct sound. It's heavy, melodic and at times intricate - but on the other hand we have shaken off some of the most extreme progressive elements, setting song -writing and melody in total focus. It's atmospheric, very catchy, very heavy, very good hehe!

- Who composed the songs ? Did one of the band's members stand out for this new album ?

- We all wrote the songs together, but Jorn Viggo has (as always) been "the conductor" securing the quality to the last chain of the production. He is the one in the band that puts the most blood, sweat and tears into this. We all contribute in our way and by our respective instruments to create an album.

- I know some songs are born out of interesting or funny stories and subjects; does the new album have tracks inspired from reality ? If so, can you give us an example?

- We're inspired by mystisicm and "the unknown" as always, but this time the lyrics also deal with stuff everyone can relate to. Our lyrics is often metaphorical, which allows the listener to make up their own opinion on the words and meaning - and make it their own personal "story". By making the music a little bit more "straight in your face", this time so is the lyrics. Nevertheless, the "sworn Pagan's Mind fan" won't be disappointed - there are enough mystic stuff here to blow your mind ;-)

To give an example on a lyric that deals with "reality" there are several, but some of the songs has a positive message that tells to believe in yourself and is upbuilding in terms of self esteem and the power of will, and yourself.

- Who's in charge with the artwork for the album ?

- I am, and I am actually working on it as we speak!

- Can you tell us if you have a favorite guitar / musical instrument you are most fond of and why ? It has to have an interesting story behind it... What about the other members ?

- Well I started to play the guitar at the age of 12, but never became a very good player. I have always used it during the song-writing process and when Pagan's Mind started up, I was the singer and the rhythm guitarist. I haven't touched the guitar in a couple of years, which is a shame. But I really enjoy playing and some people tell me I have a good rhythm and aggressive approach to my playing, hehe! I guess everyone is "fond" of their own instrument, me for example - I love to sing, it kinda balances me as a human being.

- I'm sure you travel a lot. What are your favorite locations in the world and why ?

- There are so many. But of course we enjoy to play in front of crowds that appreciate our music, and which are ecstatic and dare to "hang loose". In countries like Holland, France, USA, Spain and parts of eastern Europe we tend to meet the most "crazy" crowds, and these are the areas we also have the biggest concentration of fans, too.

- Are there any romanian artists you are in contact with ?

- I know that I have talked to a couple of Romanian bands both on MySpace and Facebook, but mostly minor ones and there has - unfortunately - not been any contact in terms of cooperation with any bands from Romania.

- Please tell us what music do you listen to these days.

- Right now I'm enjoying the fresh mix of the new Pagan's Mind album, hehe - but I also get a kick out of James LaBrie's newest solo album these days. Apart from that, I still listen a lot to classic metal, many hours a day.

- Did the financial crisis affected you in some way ? If so, can you tell us how ?

- The financial crisis didn't hit Norway as bad as it did with a lot of other countries, but people lost their job here and there. Norway has a solid economy and a social apparatus that cares economically if you get layed down, so no one here needs to be in a "crisis" anyway.

- We absolutely love you music and can't wait to see you on stage! Have you ever considered including Romania in your European tours ?

- Yes of course we have, and it would have been an honor to come to Romania, as I have never been there. I guess it has just been a matter of how the booking agencies'tour plans has been set up - but it's really up to promotors in your country to show their interest to our management, then it should be no problem setting up gigs in Romania.