Interview with an Artist - Vibeke Stene
Updated: Apr 21
In 2013, the well-known former singer of the Norwegian gothic metal band Tristania, Vibeke Stene made a public statement that she was coming out of retirement from music and started by being featured in the project Gods of Atheists. Years later, the project lays dormant as it waits for its final touches on remaining tracks, and Asgeir and Vibeke had already set off on a new duo-project named Veil of Secrets that was revealed within this past and had already announced a debut album that was released in late November titled ' Dead Poetry'. With finally some new music out from these two musicians, I wanted to take the time to ask some questions with Vibeke which was really truly an honor, and wanted to get some updates on how this project began, their future, and other hobbies she had on the side.
Joshua: "Hello Vibeke, thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview, this is truly an honor! Your presence in the metal scene has been dearly missed, and I think I speak on behalf of the fans when I say 'welcome back'! Are you happy doing music again?''
Vibeke: "Thank you, Joshua! Veil of Secrets was my secret for seven years until the release of 'Dead Poetry', so I can with my hand on my heart say that I'm very happy to share. It's very revealing to me to work with and express through music. It makes me feel complete."
Joshua: "How was your time away from the public eye? Fans were aware that once you have left you had settled down and had started a family, how are they and how do they feel about your return to the music industry?"
Vibeke: "After leaving Tristania, I had to get used to silence and to be alone and not dependent on others. I never was very public, so the biggest difference was in the artistic activity level. I needed to rest at that time and I found joy and value in reading and studying.
My children don't take much notice of my return, since there is no live activity at the moment. To them, life goes on as usual at home."
Joshua: "For years, fans and reviewers have labeled you THE Queen of Gothic Metal from your years in Tristania, how do you feel about having this title?"
Vibeke: "That makes me feel very proud and honored. It makes me straighten my back and feel the urge to show me worthy of the title."
Joshua: "Looking back on, what can you reflect about your time with Tristania?"
Vibeke: "Tristania was my life for so many years, the band was sort of my family and every choice of the direction I did, was due to the band. In many ways, those years were the best of my life and I would never change the years with Tristania for nothing! I look back and see a lot of good times in studios, on stages, behind stages, the rehearsal room, on the tour busses... and there were some strong friendships. Those times have had a huge impact on me and will always be with me."
Joshua: "Have you ever been in contact with the band since, or have listened to their latest releases?"
Vibeke: "No, I haven’t, but I wish all my former bandmates all the very best."
Joshua: "Thank you for answering those questions, it's nice of you to share the experiences, and wishing them the best. While aside from music, you have shared a lot during GoA silence that you've taken part in theatre, particularly 'Skammens Gissel' which was a breakthrough for you. What sparked your interest in acting?"
Vibeke: "It has always been a dream of mine to work in theatre, and when I got the chance to do so, I got it confirmed that to act and work in theatre, completes me; it’s another way to play your body and voice as an instrument. The work of finding the essence of the characters, to work with other actors and make that interaction endure, to feel the mood of the words and the sound and the air that’s created. The feeling of putting on the character's shoes sets it. "
Joshua: "Are there any other plays have you taken part in or any others in the works?"
Vibeke: "I've participated in four plays and if I get the chance to work in the theatre again, I will do so. In one of them, we portrayed the topic of child sexual abuse, and in 'Kvinnemonologene' by Stine Sandnes, I did the monologue of a gothic girl. 'Kvinnemonologene' is a play put together by several monologues based on Sandnes's interviews with women. The monologues address different aspects of being a woman in today's Norway, put up to make people reflect on the reality of others."
Joshua: "Moving on to your current position, it has been 7 years since you'd announced your return to music starting with the Gods of Atheists project. What made you decide that it was time and how did you feel towards the reactions from fans that had really welcomed you back?"
Vibeke: "The years passed so quickly, by the time Asgeir and I started our collaboration, I felt an urge to and longed for being musically creative again. The Gods of Atheists project heard and looked good to me so I had no reason to not participate. I was of course honored by all the greetings I received. It gave me a whole lot of confidence to see and read that so many people would welcome me back. Of course, I wish for the project to get in port, but I’m not the captain."
Joshua: "'Dead Poetry' must have been in the works for years as the project previously mentioned has been silent for a while. What pursued the decision to start from scratch and form Veil of Secrets?"
Vibeke: "Asgeir and I co-operated well on Gods of Atheists, I asked to hear his doom materials after he told me about it and I immediately fell in love with the song we eventually called 'Fey'. After a week or so of listening to his materials, I'd already made a lot of my melodies and created a sound image for how this could end up if I got to put it to life. So I proposed to Asgeir for collaboration and after some days of thinking he, fortunately, was in."
Joshua: "2020 has definitely been a crazy year, but it has some excitement such as getting to finally hear new music from you and Asgeir! How are you feeling with this release now out?"
Vibeke: "First of all, I'm just so relieved to finally get to share 'Dead Poetry' as I'm an impatient soul, and to get it released has taken a much longer time than I expected. I'm very humble of all the streamings, the sales of the record, and the interest that is shown to it. I'm proud of all reviews and so glad that my fans seem to like the music."
Joshua: "What inspired the title for the album?"
Vibeke: "The title is linked to our lyrics, or poems, which are mostly based on personal experiences and life-changing occurrences we’ve lived and got through, or put a statement to. We have somehow put them behind us and so they are dead."
Joshua: "What do you hope fans would take away from the album?"
Vibeke: "Well, I hope they’ll keep it and listen to it again and again. I hope the music somehow touches its listeners and may bring both enthusiasm and comfort."
Joshua: "With Veil of Secrets being a two-person project, you as the songwriter, and Asgeir being a multi-instrumentalist, how was the creative process into making the foundations of the album?"
Vibeke: "When I get the skeletons for a song from Asgeir, I always think my work should complete the songs. I listened until the music had become a part of me, and while listening I formed the constructions of the song. The mood Asgeir’s compositions set me in pretty much decides which melodies and style I choose, combined with the lyrics of course, that I find soothing.
Working as a duo provides the peace of mind that’s needed to fulfill thorough and solid compositions. Sometimes though, we both need to take breaks now and then during the process, to think over and accept each other's wishes. We both have a very strong will but most of the time we find our way with no complications. I guess Asgeir has to endure more than me since I change his material and give it an expression he may not have in mind. But we are both very proud of the result of our cooperation and look forward to working out our new material."
Joshua: "What can you tell me about it in terms of lyrical content, musical styles/influences, and production?"
Vibeke: "The lyrics I wrote are taken from important crossroads in my life. They depict either the outcome of working through difficult experiences or the experience itself. To write and express the words with music has been redemptive to me. Veil of Secrets is doom, it is guitar-based and strict but with a melodious contrast. It’s dark, sad, and melancholic, but sometimes there’s a bliss of anger, light, or even hope. We only use strings and drums and it gives the music its heaviness. We try to create an effect that crunch a little, that touches our inner strings.
Asgeir was influenced by Candlemass to make his doom before my time. Me, I have no actual influences, I find and create my melodies depending on other sound sources or feelings or thoughts or mood. We create what we like, what pleases us, what we want, and what we need. Asgeir and I found a common expression we both love and want to keep. As a duo and our own producers, it’s easy to keep a clean line and stick to what feels right. It is not a goal to cross boundaries but to stick to the organic sound that makes that special vibration to us.
Every now and then, I've been thinking about how lyrics work once they’re shared. There are so many feelings put into our lyrics, most of them served with lots of pain and silent suffering, and it was almost magic to put them to live as the burdens were relieved. Our lyrics mean a lot to us and in 'Bryd', I wrote that 'death can never die'. May the words come to life to listeners or readers who absorb them and somehow make them theirs.
Joshua: "For that last sentence, that brings me up to my next questions; what do you think about the way music affects people’s lives, even changing them?"
Vibeke: "I think music should be used more for the therapeutic properties found in tones and rhythms. For the good of the people's individual mental health, rich and safe communities, and joy to life. We're all born as musical individuals and so it'll always affect us to be exposed to music. As a teacher, I have the possibility through music, enrich other's life and unity with others. It gives meaning to open others' minds to their possibilities of living their life to the fullest."
Joshua: "How has music affected you outside of the business aspect and what had always inspired you?"
Vibeke: "Music has always been an essential part of my life and I couldn't imagine a life without it. I think it affects me in the way that it brings joy and comfort, it works as a source of relaxation and it’s a way to communicate somehow richer than in any other language and what inspires me the most is the feeling of satisfaction it gives, to be creative, and to convey what I carry inside. "
Joshua: "This may not be a fair question because this is like asking a mother who is her favorite child, haha! What song(s) you're proud of that has been challenging and have met the expectations on how you want it to sound?"
Vibeke: "If I had to choose one favorite, it would be 'Fey', it one of the old songs that Asgeir made long before he met me, and was the first song of his that I fell in love with. We didn’t change much to this arrangement from its origin. It works very well as it does with its guitars and structure and the atmosphere."
Joshua: "Going forward, what is your goal for the next 5 years; where do you hope to see yourself with Veil of Secrets?"
Vibeke: "The most realistic goal is to keep working with new music and to record another album. I don’t expect the work with Veil of Secrets to create such great upheavals in life, but I do dream. My dreams and longings make me dare to embark on new projects."
Joshua: "Once the pandemic is over, do you hope to see Veil of Secrets performing live or, if not, are you open to doing a live-stream performance?"
Vibeke: "I’m not sure I would feel comfortable with doing that. I’m afraid it wouldn't hit the nerve. We really hope we will be able to go live, it's an essential part of being an artist, to convey life and feel the nerve that’s created on stage and between the artist and the audience."
Joshua: "What is something you think people don’t understand about what it takes to be a musician?"
Vibeke: "I don’t think performing musicians necessarily get enough recognition for all the work behind the production or concerts unless some wealthy people behind them earn even more. It's somehow expected that musicians should and would work on a voluntary basis or they must be multi-artists to get to earn their own living. To get enough followers today, you have to bid a lot on yourself and preferably win people's hearts through competitions to be sponsored and supported. It's a run that I do not want to be a part of, and am therefore very grateful that my followers still support me."
Joshua: "How would you finish this sentence; music is…?"
Vibeke:"...the language of existence."
Joshua: "We have reached the end of our interview, is there anything you would like to say to your fans and our readers?"
Vibeke: "I really hope that you stay safe and healthy, that you share your time with someone you love, that you dare and are able to stand up for your rights and that you get the chance to fulfill your dreams. I hope that 'Dead Poetry' touches you, that I may see you at a concert in the future and I hope I can bring you more music in the years to come."
Joshua: "Once again, I want to give you many thanks for having the time to do this interview, it has certainly been a big honor having to chat with you, Vibeke! I send you good luck with the release of 'Dead Poetry'!"
Vibeke: "Thank you, Joshua."
-v
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