SOURCE – How do you manage listener expectations for full albums in an era increasingly dominated by singles and shrinking attention spans?
Martin Utby (Drums, Synths) – First and foremost, we want to write music that we enjoy ourselves, and we want to tell a larger story—something that concept albums are well suited for. At the same time, we aim to make the songs as engaging as possible and, hopefully, keep the listener’s attention throughout the entire album. While there are a few songs that work well on their own, ideally, we want the listener to take the time to experience the album in its entirety.
SOURCE – After releasing your latest album, what were the initial reactions from fans and critics, and did any of them surprise or challenge your expectations?
Martin Utby (Drums, Synths) – The reactions have been very positive. Most people say this is a stronger album. The songwriting, performance, and production have all leveled up. Some still feel that we’re a bit too close to our influences, but not as much as on the first album.
SOURCE – How would you describe Waving at the Sky as the latest Avkrvst album?
Martin Utby (Drums, Synths) – We’re following much of the same formula as before, but this time with a slightly more direct and perhaps a bit heavier approach. We’ve tried not to feel the pressure of the so-called “difficult second album,” and instead focused on creating the kind of music we enjoy—on our own terms. The inspiration for the album is drawn from a horrifying true story, which has shaped the overall mood of the songs.
SOURCE – What did you enjoy most about the writing and recording process for the album? How involved were you in it this time? I found it a bit unclear when trying to find information online about who participated in the recording.
Martin Utby (Drums, Synths) – We approached it the same way as we did with the first album. Everything starts with some cabin trips with Martin and me. We create all the basic ideas together before involving the rest of the band. The album was mostly written and recorded at my cabin—bass, guitars, and vocals by me; programmed drums and some keyboards by Martin. Additional keyboards were recorded later by Auver and Øystein at my own studio in Oslo. Drums were recorded at Ocean Sound Recordings in Giske once the songs were nearly complete.
SOURCE – In your opinion, how has the shift to streaming affected the traditional concept of an album? Do you believe the idea of an album as a cohesive, full-length experience is still relevant in the streaming era?
Martin Utby (Drums, Synths) – Maybe I’m being naive, but yes, I do believe the concept of an album is still relevant—at least in the genre we play. Still, I think it puts more pressure on each song to maintain the listener’s attention. Weak tracks are often skipped, and we try to avoid that. I hope people’s listening habits will continue to shift back and forth, and that longer listening experiences will remain relevant.
SOURCE – The development of AI has become a major topic recently—especially regarding its impact on the entertainment industry. What are your thoughts on how this technology will affect the music industry?
Martin Utby (Drums, Synths) – We’re seeing significant development in everything from songwriting to mixing, but AI doesn’t have emotions like humans do. I believe genuine human expression will endure.
SOURCE – What lessons have you learned from previous promotional campaigns that significantly influenced your approach to your latest release?
Martin Utby (Drums, Synths) – We’re trying to post more on social media and keep the release relevant for a longer period. To do that, we’ve prepared more content to share and are aiming for greater variety. With the positive feedback we’ve received on the album, we want to use that to reach as many people as possible—with the goal of getting them to listen to the album.
SOURCE – What are your thoughts on virtual shows and online events as alternative revenue sources for metal bands? Have you seen a meaningful financial return from such events?
Martin Utby (Drums, Synths) – We don’t have much experience with this, but we saw a lot of it during COVID. Still, I believe the live experience is more powerful and can’t be fully replaced.
SOURCE – Beyond album promotion, what other plans do you and the rest of the band have moving forward?
Martin Utby (Drums, Synths) – We want to play more shows and hopefully go on tour. We’re also in the early stages of planning our third album.
Photo Credit: Kristian Rangnes
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