Hello
Here is a new interview with the one-man folk/metal inspired band Romuvos from Lithuania/Israel who recently released their second cd "In Front Of Destiny" through "No Colours Rec." so if you enjoy folk music then defintly give this band a shot and buy the new cd.
Regards
Patrick
Interview with Velnias vocalist and instruments for Romuvos done by Patrick
1.Hello Velnias how are things going with you these days? Please introduce yourself to the readers?
Hails brothers and sisters, these days I live in Israel with my family, I was 6 years old when I left Lithuania at times where it was part of the soviet union, my family had to leave and moved to Israel, hehe yeah very different country indeed! Since then I am visiting once in a while, learned a lot from my grandparents and my parents about the Baltic area and till these day I have this longing for my past and what I feel and call home. I use my music to keep this urge alive and close to me, for feeling as much as connected as I can, through the music I can express my feelings and my history and tradition that I grow up on. I am 34 years old, father of my two little twins, married.
2.When did you first become interested in playing music what were the first instruments you learned to play?
At the age of 14, I was sick and it was winter and raining outside, I played my video cassets that I was collecting by recording head bangers ball MTv show of metal and such, “The Forest Whispers My Name” by cradle of filth played, I was so fascinated by the sound of the keyboards and how they played such an important roll by delivering such a great atmosphere to the music. I called all my friends asking for a keyboard, started to play in few bands, mostly black metal bands, made few ambient solo projects and few years ago started the Romuvos project, music that I always wanted to do.
3.Did you take lessons when first learning to play the instruments or are you self-taught? Are their any instruments that you would like to learn to play one day if yes what instruments would you like to learn?
I am self-taught, it is just the way it went, would love to know how to play many instruments, mainly drums, and many folk instruments like Kankles(Lithuanian plucked string music instrument) and Birbyne it is a kind of flute.
4.What gave you the idea to start the band Romuvos? How did you choose the name for this band and does it have a special meaning?
Well, first of all it was the folk metal issue that was waiting to burst out of my brain for many years, and finely I got the time to do so, what is better to just use it for my longing to the Baltic area and the pagan traditions and even better is to use the most suited name that can be, Romuva is the Lithuanian and Baltic people pagan traditions before Christianity took over, it is a great wide religious knowledge to obtain and very interesting pagan point of view.
5.Romuvos is getting ready to release the second full-length cd "In Front Of Destiny".How long did it take you to write the music for this release?
It took few months to get all the songs written both the music and the lyrics. It was already recorded and ready to release, I have contacted Steffen from No Colours and told him that I would like re-record it with real drums and get musicians and do it in a better production, so I have contacted few of my friends asking them to join and make Romuvos a full band that can go also for live performance. We have re-recorded almost everything and once it was finished I was way more happy with the result, you can hear the difference between the debut album to this one.
6.Where do you draw inspiration for the lyrics and what are some topics you write about of the new cd "In Front Of Destiny"?
This is a concept album, telling the tale of a group of Baltic men going for a quest and travel for far lands and seas, discovering new traditions, new ways of life and knowledge. Their journey reveals many aspects that combine paganism way of life with other point of views, though mainly most of the songs mark the Lithuanian gods and traditions and in some I use old folk songs like “The Return Back Home” which is “Grissim Grissim”, an old campfire folk song.
7.Have you ever made a video for any of your songs? Are their any plans to do one for any songs off the new cd? If yes which song would you like to see made into a video?
No, I haven’t made any video, we have plans to do so in the future though I cant say when or for which song, haven’t thought about it yet.
8.If you had the opportunity to work with any musicians{past or present} who are some you would like to work with?
Wow what a question! Well, without much thinking! Falkenbach, Summoning, Mortiis, Bathory!! The list can go on ;)
9.Besides Romuvos are you currently working with any other bands or projects? If yes please tell the readers about them?
No, besides Romuvos I don’t have any musical projects, I think that I just wont have the time and dedication for it in the near future, maybe later on in few years, probably more BM style.
10. Velnias you live in Lithuania what is your opinion of Lithuania's folk,metal scene?
So as I have mentioned these days I live in Israel, but I will answer it for both scenes, the Israeli and Lithuanian one.
In Israel the scene is at its prime, many great bands come to play here, you have Fear Factory, Paradise Lost, Sabaton, Mayhem, Marduk, Raphsody and many many more, the crowed is kiking ass, many come to those shows and there are few metal pubs and clubs in Tel Aviv(main city).
There are many talented bands here as well, Pray For Nothing, Desert, Orphaned Land, Ferium, Winter Horde, Eternal Decay. Most of the people here in the metal scene are deep into it and take it very serious.
In Lithuania, I think it is bigger, you have great gigs as well and the Lithuanian bands are very good!
Obtest, Lucifer, Ha Lela, Zpoan Vtenz, Žalvarinis, Peorth.
11.Who are your all-time favorite Lithuanian bands and artists?Are their any new bands you feel the readers should watch out for?
Žalvarinis, Obtest and Gyvata which is traditional folk band.
12.Besides the new cd "In Front Of Destiny" do you have any other releases or merchandise for the readerds to buy and if yes where can the readers buy it?
First of all, you can buy the album from me, not many copies left though I can sign on it.
Facebook: Romuvos Velnias. E-mail: Romuvos@gmail.com
The Romuvan Dainas LP limited to 200 copies will be out on june. So be aware as well!
In the future I would like to release Infront Of Destiny T-shirts as well. Will publish on the Romuvos page on FB.
13.When not working on new music or band business what do you like to do in your free time?
I paint, the paintings on both albums are mine, and I paint with oil and acrylic as well, mainly abstract things.
I love sport and work out 1-2 times a week, like to feel my body and feel alive, and I love the sea, and now I will surprise you buy I ride the waves, surfing is a big passion of mine, started when I started to play music at the age 14, I love to just be there in the sea at winter when the dark clouds are above me and rain pours down, out alone in the waters where no one can reach you, you and mother nature are dancing together, so much patience and so much instincts are involved, it is something that is hard to explain but worth dying for!
14.Thank you Velnias for taking the time to fill this interview out.Do you have any final words for your fans?
Stay metal, be proud, don’t judge and never…never be a fucking missioner!!
We all shall sail to our freedom and find our glory shining through the mist and cold vast void called life.
Hails!
Band Contact
https://www.facebook.com/romuvos/?fref=ts
Label Contact
http://www.no-colours-records.de/
