Interview

Shining Talks "IX" Album And North American Touring Possibilities

Sweden's upcoming moody and reflective album "IX - Everyone, Everything, Everywhere, Ends" is set to drop on April 21st through Season Of Mist, which you can pre-order physically here or digitally at this location.

The band just wrapped up a festival appearance in Canada to support the impending release, and front man Niklas Kvarforth graciously checked in with us to discuss the show and album. For those who have long awaited a Shining live show in the United States, Kvarforth claims it may finally be happening next year for the band's 20th anniversary.

Find out what he had to say on the subject as well as what's happening musically and lyrically on "IX" in the full interview below.

xFiruath: You guys just did the Messes Des Morts festival for a rare North American appearance – how did you manage to line that up, and how did it go? Does this indicate the possibility of Shining in the U.S. or is that still off the table?

Niklas: We just returned from Canada which was actually our first appearance ever in North America. We have had several offers throughout the years to come over but we haven’t said yes till now because frankly, the offers haven’t been good enough. We would love to tour the U.S. too of course but again it’s a question about what kind of offers are being proposed as we’re closing in on our 20th anniversary and aren’t teenagers any more who are willing, or able, to perform for peanuts.

xFiruath: Fill me in on how this album came together – when was it written and how does Shining go about that process?

Niklas: I was sent a few ideas by Euge that sent me into a writing spree that lasted for about 2 weeks. That’s usually how it goes down with Shining. Two weeks of basically no sleep and a fanatical outburst of productivity. This time around, as said, others were involved in the actual writing process but usually it’s all down to me and me alone.

xFiruath: What was the recording process like this time around?

Niklas: As with our previous album, “Redefining Darkness,” we again returned to record at the Sonic Train Studios with our dear friend Andy La Roque. As for explaining in detail how we record, well, that’s just not interesting for anyone is it? What’s important is that we’ve got a new album around the corner and not what kind of gear we used to record it.

xFiruath: What different physical or digital versions of the album will be available, and will any of them contain extra bonus tracks not on the main edition?

Niklas: Apart from the regular CD there is a box set containing a digipak as well as some other things being released. This box set includes two bonus tracks and the same goes for all the different vinyl editions Season Of Mist are manufacturing. As for digital versions, I have no clue what digital versions are to begin with, so that’s a question I cannot answer.

xFiruath: What's happening with the lyrical themes on this album? Is the title meant to imply things ending on a personal level or is it more a concept about universal apocalypse?

Niklas: I would like to have our listeners make up their own minds on what the title might or might not represent. The lyrical themes are pretty hard to explain in just a few short sentences, but I did publish a book (“When Prozac No Longer Helps”), covering the topic a few years back and as the second edition is now nearly gone we’ll publish a third one containing the lyrics and translations of the new album too. If you’re interested in knowing more, or diving deeper into the darkness of our past catalogue as well, I suggest you pay a visit to our webshop.

xFiruath: Who handled the cover artwork and how does it connect to the music?

Niklas: This time around I managed to score a collaboration with one of my favorite contemporary painters, Mr. Daniele Serra, who is mostly known for his work in the horror-fiction scene I believe. Again, there are several connections between the artwork and the lyrical themes but I’d rather have our listeners figure those out for themselves instead of spelling it out for them.

xFiruath: It seems like there's a shift in sonic tone on this album – how would you describe the sound on “IX” and did you approach this one differently from past releases?

Niklas: I don’t really agree with that. I feel that it’s a musical evolution from the last album I did. Just as the album before that was a natural progression from the sixth. I started this band at a very early age and I guess as there are a couple of years between each album things just progress at a natural pace. Shining have always been quite schizoid in terms of arrangements though, but you can always tell a Shining song from a Shining song you know as there is always that intimate darkness and despair prominent throughout.

xFiruath: Are you currently active with any other projects or do you have any musical outlets coming up outside of Shining?

Niklas: Right now I need to focus on Shining and Shining alone, but you never know what the future might bring. I mean, I am involved in some things here and there but at the moment, and due to both physical as well as psychological obstacles, I have to invest all my time into Shining.

xFiruath: What's on the horizon for Shining after the album drops?

Niklas: We’ll be doing a few festivals during the summer, followed by touring in basically most European countries on the map. We’re trying to find a suitable partner for our invasion of the U.S. and will probably also return to Japan in the not too distant future. And then there is that damn 20 year anniversary next year so we’ll probably put on something horrible to celebrate that event.

xFiruath: Outside of your own music, what bands or albums have you been digging lately that you'd recommend to our readers?

Niklas: Actually, yes. There have been several good albums released in the last couple of years. At the moment I am listening to the John Carpenter solo album and the long-awaited second Mysticum album. Both are milestones and should be purchased immediately!

xFiruath: Thanks for your time Niklas!

Niklas: Thanks for your support.