After several years in which Anneke van Giersbergen’s only activities in metal were her collaborations with other musicians like Devin Townsend, there’s finally a new project of hers devoted to heavier sounds: VUUR. We have now asked the charismatic singer about the lyrical background of her debut „In This Moment We Are Free – Cities“, the undeniable influences of her fellow musicians and her opinion on the #metoo debate among other things.
VUUR were created because you wanted to do heavy music again, while sticking to your softer side in your solo work, right? Where did this urge to do metal again come from?
I have always been involved in the heavy scene but I did a lot of other music in the 10 years I have been going solo. I love singing in different genres, I learn a lot and it keeps me inspired. In the mean time I have worked with artists like Devin Townsend and Arjen Lucassen, as well as bands like Moonspell, Within Temptation etc. However, I have never formed my own heavy oriented band and I felt it was time to do so now. I already created a project band with Arjen Lucassen, The Gentle Storm, and it felt so good to create and perform this album that I immediately started working on forming a band with the goal to make it last for a long time. I fell in love with the live band of TGS and asked them to hop over to the new band with me and they pretty much all said yes! So here we are!
Why was a new band more fit for this than the solo project?
You could say this is a new album in my solo career, I only gave it a band name just to make sure people know that this will be something other than a project. It is here to stay. And the band members are fantastic, all of them have so much character and charisma apart from being very skilled musicians. all these elements needed a band name and more of a band spirit than my previous solo albums.
Do you think the musical style of VUUR would be different if you hadn’t worked with Devin Townsend for so long?
I think so, yes. Devin, but also people like Arjen Lucassen, whom I work very closely with, inspire me a lot.
Your music can mostly be described as progressive metal but your songs show much variety. What, in your opinion, is the most notable trait of VUUR?
I think we are still finetuning our sound but I like the fact and the direction that the music in general is masculine and the vocals and the melodies are feminine. Though it is not resembling The Gathering or any symphonic style band. It is straight forward heavy with a lot of beauty.
The other band members have also built up a reputation within metal, for example in Hail Of Bullets and Stream Of Passion. How did you get to know each other and why did you decide to create a new band in this specific constellation?
I am so happy with all of the wonderful players in VUUR. I am happy and blessed to play with these guys, a few of the best metal players around! Arjen and I formed a live band for TGS to start touring after we had finished the album, and these guys, this band turned out to be so good.
When the time came for Arjen and I to go and create our own albums after TGS, I knew I had to ask the band if they wanted to join me for VUUR. They are also working with Arjen on his future live projects.
Do you think that VUUR is seen by too many simply as your own new band and that the other involved musicians don’t get their deserved share of acclaim?
No, I don’t think so. Like you said, these guys all have a rich history in metal themselves. Though it is my band and my ideas. But I want the guys to be as visible as I am. They really make this band as special as it is!!
How is your songwriting process – who does what?
The writing and recording of the album took about two years. I wrote the songs with Joost. And besides that, we also wrote together with my good friends Mark Holcomb of Periphery, Esa Holopainen of Amorphis, Daniel Cardoso of Anathema and our two guitarists.
We wrote the music together and I wrote all the lyrics. After the writing process the band learned the songs, upgraded them to maximum level and we recorded the album in a time span of about two months.
What do you perceive as your own musical talent and what is rather difficult for you as a musician?
My main talent is my singing for sure. I can write lyrics and perform well too. I would say these three elements I love to do most. Apart from that I play instruments, write, record, create ideas etc. but in those things I need assistance. I like that actually. I learn a lot from other musicians and even business people. I try to evolve every day in everything I do.
Your debut is called „In This Moment We Are Free – Cities“. It was inspired by the cities that you have visited over the years. How did you decide which city will get a song dedicated to it and which don’t?
As you know I travel a lot. We go to so many places every year to tour, and I found that in every town or city there is a different vibe and energy and that these places have a big influence on my state of mind. Which means that in a lot of cases I was inspired to write new music and lyrics. For a long time I wanted to create songs about the actual cities and now, with this heavy band I felt I could actually make this album with this concept.
Were there any songs about other cities that didn’t make it onto „Cities“?
No, there are two bonus tracks: Moscow and Warsaw. We released them separately. For the rest we didn’t make songs we did not use.
Was there a certain major city that left a special impression on you and on the other hand was there also a city that left no mark in your memory or maybe even an especially negative one?
Every city has a different atmosphere and spirit. One of my fave cities is Rio, even though it is not an easy city to be in, let alone to live in. Same goes for a place like Moscow. Huge city, difficult climate, environment and politically a huge challenge. Though, if you visit this vast city it does something with you. It is inspiring to say the least.
Can you explain to us how a city influenced a certain song musically and lyrically, using one particular track as example? Some of them sound quite majestic, other melancholic or hopeful. Are these the atmospheres that characterized these cities?
Every song and city has its own story. Take for instance Helsinki. The lyrics behind this song are, like in every song quite poetic. Helsinki is now a beautiful, peaceful, self-sufficient city but from the time it was formed until well into the 20th century the Finnish struggled with the occupation of Russia as well as a civil war.
I see Helsinki as a beautiful, pale and tall man with a pure heart, wanting to break free from the shackles of the past.
The passage „in this moment we are free“ is repeated during the course of the album’s lyrics. What’s the thought behind it? Can it be understood differently from song to song?
The title that appears in every song deals with the fact that we live in a dual world, we live with darkness and light. Every day we make choices, big or small, wether to go towards one direction or the other. And it is the one thing in which we need to find a balance. This is the underlying theme of the album.
Which track on „Cities“ do you personally favor the most and why?
That’s a difficult question, all the songs have a different quality and vibe. But I do like songs like Rio. It has a melancholic feel, which I like, and it has a wonderful heavy chorus. It is a positive song.
The record was released through InsideOut Music. How did it come to the cooperation with the label?
When I started my solo career, I was looking for a label for my albums to be released on. I chose IOMusic because they really care for their bands and help you out in more ways than just getting the album out there. I have had many talks with them on a personal level and they assist in my further career plans. Very nice bunch!
How will you continue with VUUR?
We have started writing new songs while we are touring with our debut album. I want to follow up rather quickly with a new record so the VUUR train will roll on and we can properly build this new name. Besides, I have a lot of new ideas and I can’t wait to give them life!
Let’s end the interview the traditional metal1.info-way – with a small brainstorming:
Water: Is flowing, is beautiful, is the key to life on this planet.
Rural flight: Will always be part of modern society. People and industry keep on moving trying to find balance.
Doom metal: Black Sabbath FTW!
#metoo: Serious discussion. Good that the truth finds the light and can be dealt with.
Supergroup: Devin Townsend – Mikael Akerfeldt – Mike Portnoy – Les Claypool
VUUR in five years: Bigger and better than we are now!
Thank you for your answers. If there’s still something that you’d like to tell our readers, you can do so now:
Thanks a lot! See you soon on the road!
Anneke
23. Februar 2018 Stephan Rajchl