Interview with an Artist - Anette Uvaas Gulbrandsen
Updated: May 8, 2020
Anette Uvaas Gulbrandsen has been credited as background vocals and choir in many works in the underground doom / black metal scene, but she became more of a recognizable voice after her contributions to Norwegian-German symphonic / folk metal band, Leaves' Eyes, most notably in "Kråkevisa" from the 2011 album "Meredead". Aside from her guest work, she is actively involved in a two-person project The Sabbathian that draws an unparalleled ion from the likes of Candlemass and Black Sabbath. With Anette at the forefront, her alto/soprano vocal stylings bring forth medieval choirs and haunting apparitions that complete The Sabbathian's style - a journey into darkness, a voyage into the cosmic void unknown.
Becoming more familiar with Anette through a mutual group, I got in touch with her to do an interview to get to know her works a lot better and her history in music, and to others who are just coming across through her best friend, Liv Kristine.
Joshua: “Thank you for taking the time to do this interview, Anette! How are you?” Anette: "Hi Joshua! Of course, I am delighted too, thank YOU for the support!! I am fine, no problems here! I hope that the same goes for you!"
Joshua: “I'm glad to hear everything is fine, it could be better over here with the current situation, but what can we do, right? Moving on, I see that you're starting to write new ideas for the next The Sabbathian album, how’s it going so far?”
Anette: "Oh, it's alright, I have good days and bad days. Some days, the creativity is like zero, and then suddenly it 'WAKES UP'! One cannot push it, as you might know. Right now, I'm in 'composing mode' so to speak! I have recorded some vocals ready for mixing, but I still have the majority of the songs left!"
Joshua: "That's right, one cannot just force out the creativity, you have to let it come naturally. As a new listener like myself, can you give us a bit of history of The Sabbathian?”
Anette: "Well, my friend Jonas told be about Chad who was looking for a vocalist, as the one he originally had could not do it. So there was one tune on YouTube without vocals where one could try to record something on. So I did, a little hesitant I must admit as this was my first time singing in this 'genre', so to speak. But he loved it, and the rest is history."
Joshua: "Interesting, you took a shot in the dark and got the part! The first time in this 'genre' you say, the music is said to be occult doom metal, how would describe that to new listeners like me?"
Anette: "Ah yeah, that's really not the case anymore, I guess we need an update. The EP [Ritual Rites] was for sure in that vein, but the record holds a far darker and 'waspy' sound in general (except a couple of tracks), leaning towards black / folk metal and the likes. Occult doom though is more like flirting with occultism, to understand what that is, it's better that people should google it, rather than me explaining. ;)"
Joshua: "Ah, thank you for the clarification. I have heard a few songs from the latest album and the production is very raw and stripped down like the ones we hear from the '90s. Is The Sabbathian a way of revival to traditional black metal into the modern era?"
Anette: "I wouldn't say that, we do not wish to try to set any trends or try to bring the '90s back. You have a point in the production, it's really what you say here. but it differs a great deal because of my vocals. I think it's interesting and it was really a challenge to make vocals on some tracks, but I hope it made me a better 'composer'."
Joshua: "How would you compare to the works of black-doom metal music of today than the ones we have heard decades ago?”
Anette: "Omg, I have no clue, haha! Sorry!"
Joshua: “No no, it's okay! We can't always have the answers, haha! In your own words, what has been the driving influence(s) to the music of The Sabbathian?”
Anette: "Well, Chad makes all the music so I won't directly answer for him but I can say that he is a skilled musician, which he is into many different genres, so it's really hard to say what influences him nowadays, haha! But on the EP, you got the inspiration in the description you mentioned earlier."
Joshua: "I guess I know this group more than I thought, haha! So The Sabatthaian is an international project with members from the U.S. and Norway, how did your paths with the other members cross and how do you all communicate when it comes to making new music?"
Anette: "We're just two members as of now, and I mentioned the way I connected to Chad in a previous question, via YouTube really. I get the music sent to me, and I work from home on the vocals. I send him ideas, of which he comments on, etc. Finally, it gets mixed in the studio, so it's like many other projects I think." Joshua: “And do you two often get together for the final results of the album?”
Anette: "We have never met. So that answers your question, haha!"
Joshua: “Thanks for answering all about The Sabbathian, Anette! Aside from the project, did you have any prior works before the project, and maybe anything outside of that you’re working on by yourself or with others?”
Anette: "I had a band many many years ago called Mandylion. I have also done some choirs, duets, and guest vocals for bands both live and in-studio a few times. I guess your readers might be most familiar with Leaves' Eyes, of which I did choirs and guest vocals for on their record "Meredead", that was great fun! I also did backup singing on a couple of songs with Liv Kristine's at her latest concert in Nagold, Germany. Besides that, I do sing in a chamber choir, we mainly do church music, I love it."
Joshua: “That's right, it was through Leaves’ Eyes where I actually first recognized your voice for the track ‘Kråkevisa’ which turned 9 years old this month, can you believe that?”
Anette: "Oh wow. Yeah, it was actually my idea to have that one on the album, as it's a very well-known Norwegian folksong. Quite macabre though! It's also featured in children's songbooks here! So many great memories from that!"
Joshua: “Now I want to get to know you a little bit more in this interview, starting with how you began your career in music.”
Anette: "I wouldn't call it a career, but thank you! I guess when I was in a band in 2002, I began to explore music by making vocal lines and so on. I did sing long before that, and also as a kid, I loved singing! Later on, I have taken singing lessons in classical singing, from both men and women, and I have also studied it full time for 2 years. My goal was never to get a degree or something like that, I started too late for that. I was late with my singing for other people in general, that is due to a lack of confidence, really. I always thought my voice sounded weird but I have come to realize that it is actually quite versatile and I do have the ability to sing really low, and at the same time quite high. Not as a light soprano of course, but a mezzo, indeed."
Joshua: “I'm happy to hear that last part, but its never too late to start with something as long as you put your mind forth! But I see you have answered my next question which was if you have you went through any musical education or training for your voice, or maybe for music composing?”
Anette: "Oh haha, I guess I ranted on about this in the previous question, haha! But I can add that I would still LOVE to take singing lessons until the day I cannot sing anymore, cause I have so much I want to learn, strengthen and improve on! It's just so expensive! Composing wise, it really helps to be an alto, cause the alto almost never sings the lead, so we are used to doing the second voice. Of course, for instance, church music, the alto can sometimes have the lead too, as it kind of varies from composer to composer, etc. I had some training in making harmonies and so on, but I am so bad with music theory, so that was not my strongest feature haha."
Joshua: "That leads me to my next question mentioning music theory, going into a music profession, is there anything you learned that you think people don’t understand about what it takes to be a musician?”
Anette: "I think that many people do not know that it's also work. It's a pleasure of course, but making melody lines and harmonies take loads of work sometimes, and lyrics…. studio work and rehearsals. I have not been in a band for many years, but I still work very hard at home With recordings, I record myself and its very, very strenuous, I can tell you that. Also, there are many distractions, you know. neighbors, housework, work and life in general disturbing you. But I am still happy to do it!"
Joshua: “I can agree to that, is not always easy as it sounds. For inspiration, who did you always look up to that got you into music?”
Anette: "I would say other women singers of which were famous when I was growing up. My first idol was a singer called Anita Hegerland, then Carola [Häggkvist] (Sweden) and Sandra Kim! Then heavy rock got to me and I was into Europe, Thin Lizzy, Ozzy, Magnum, Deff Leppard, Tone Norum and so much more. Later on, I discovered industrial music, black metal, death metal, Gothic and whatnot. Anneke van Giersbergen and Liv Kristine have really been a huge influence on me since the '90s! Of course, my voice is so different from theirs, as I am an alto and they are both sopranos, but I can still be influenced by them, as I can of Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzy and David Coverdale of Whitesnake!"
Joshua: “From your experience, what kind of advice would you offer to someone if they want to get into the music business?”
Anette: "I do not know, to be honest. Get your music out there! Social media is the way."
Joshua: “As you mentioned above, a few months ago you had the honor to perform alongside Liv Kristine on her annual Christmas concert in Nagold, how was that experience?”
Anette: "It was so much fun! Liv is my best friend, we don't see each other very often, naturally. It was wonderful seeing her again, and Nagold was so much fun!!!! I can really recommend going there, so many nice people and the staff there is great!! It was over waaaaay too quick! I also spent some time with Liv and her fiancé Mikkel, we can be very childlike, all 3 of us. I was in Germany for a few days, and I just miss them so much!"
Joshua: “That all sounds very fun, I'm glad you all had a blast! So you and Liv have a very close friendship for many years now to the point where you two have guest in each other's album. What do think is worth mentioning when it comes to two artists having a good relationship and how should conflict/competition be avoided which is often common in the music industry?”
Anette: "With Liv and me, we would never compete. Our voices are very, very different that there would be no point at all. She is the experienced one, I am merely reaching up to her knees, haha! No, joking aside, we have different qualities and some of the same qualities as well. I could never sing for Leaves' Eyes or a goth band for instance. My voice is more fitting for doom or maybe heavy metal, I think. Besides classical music, of course, there is plenty of room for me there. I just have to mention that for instance, Bach has some incredible solo work for altos."
Joshua: “And would you say that you two have inspired each other in your own music?”
Anette: "I have indeed been inspired by Liv! But she has never been by me, for sure haha! She is so 'settled' (not in a bad way) and has been doing this for many years, so I would say she has found her way. But I do know that many established artists influence her."
Joshua: “Thank you so much for opening up about that topic. With that saying, The Sabbathian doesn’t really perform live at all, right? Would you ever consider doing a few shows in the foreseeable future?”
Anette: "No, we are just a project right now. But who knows, right? I would be up for gigs for sure!"
Joshua: “Looking back in the years you've been involved with music long ago, how much do you think you’ve grown as a songwriter and/or musician?”
Anette: "Oh, I have indeed grown, as a singer first and foremost. My choir educates me on a weekly basis nowadays, as we have so many great singers! But also just by listening to other singers, I learn so much. I have also been in a cover band a few years back, I learned so much from that! But practice does make you better, so I believe in just keep at it, as long as it is fun!"
Joshua: “From that question on, what do you think makes a good songwriter, and what makes a good musician?” Anette: "That's very hard to answer, but talent and practice. Some need to practice more, like me, haha!"
Joshua: “As you said before, practice makes you better. So outside of the business aspect in music, how has it affected you personally?” Anette: "I cannot live without it. Seriously. I have music for every mood and situation."
Joshua: “And what you think about the way music affects people’s lives, maybe even changing them?" Anette: "Not sure if I understand your question, but as long as it's positive, that's amazing!"
Joshua: “No, you got it. :) Now, how would you continue this sentence; ‘music is…’?” Anette: "LIFE!"
Joshua: "Before we head out, is there anything you would like to share that I may have not mentioned?”
Anette: "I think I've rambled on so much that people are thinking "finally, I can do something else now" Haha! I am thankful for anyone that likes The Sabbathian, listens to us and supports us! That includes you and your webzine! So thank you so much!
(And I am a RUSH fan, that's very important to mention.)"
Joshua: “Oh no, you're fine! This is YOUR interview after all, haha! My final question to you; what are your goals and dreams for the future?”
Anette: "To sing until I no longer have lungs, and to just have some decent work to keeps me alive on the side. ;)"
Joshua: “We have reached the end of our interview, is there anything you’d like to say for our readers?”
Anette: "Again; Thank you so much for the support and all the great reviews we received on our music, we were so amazed!
Joshua: “Thank you so much for being here, Anette!”
Anette: "Thank YOU! We are delighted, and let's hope you all like the new record, stay tuned!!!!"
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