Munknörr is a project of Nordic and Celtic music with Shamanic elements and with Aethelwyne as a singer and important part for the project with her beautifully haunting voice. In this written interview the chance to dive into the project…
I am happy that you have found the time for this written interview, and we are all looking forward to hear more about your life and music.
Would you like to tell us about Munknörr and what kind of music you play?
I believe that we are not defined by a specific style. Moreover, the years, we have varied the sound of our albums according to what I am listening to at the moment or depending on what things are happening in my life. But in general terms we make Dark Folk with Nordic and Shamanic instruments.
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Damián, with an accent on the ‘á’ haha, i am 37 years old and i am a music lover since kid.
Where do you come from?
I was born in Radolfzell am Bodensee, south Germany, and I’m living in Uruguay since kid.
I know Aethelwyne is singing, are there others on your project?
No, just Aethelwyne and me, but we have made some collaborations.
“Munknörr” means “The ship of the mind” in old Norse, why did you choose that?
I saw that word in an Old Norse dictionary online, and i really loved it. It’s exactly what I wanted to transmit in our music, to make people journey in their minds and go to another place, another time.
For me, that’s the most beautiful thing an artist can do; it happens to me with a lot of music I like.
How long time have you played together with Aethelwyne?
Like 6 years, she left a comment on YouTube on the song ‘Cernunnos,’ and I went to her channel and loved her voice, and I thought “this is perfect for the music I am making”. That’s how we started talking about collaborations. There were so many collaborations that she basically became another member.
What music inspired you?
When I started the project, I was listening to Celtic music, which is why there are songs like ‘Cernunnos.’ But then I discovered a song by Heilung (I can’t remember which one) and started reading more Norse mythology, and that’s where the change came from. Although Dark Folk isn’t what I listen to the most, I think that has helped create a mix of different things in our music because I feel more the influence of other music styles i usually listen to.
Have that change though the years?
Yes, for example, i discovered Native American flutes and I fell in love with the sound and the effect it creates in our music. So, that was a big change in our music, but not definitely because we like to explore new sounds, but we love to return to a particular sound too and that depends, it is a kind of personal thing. I also fell more influenced by Black Metal sometimes , like in our album Eikthyrnir that has some dark arrangements , and orchestration
Have you played anything else before maybe?
Yes, guitar since I was a kid. So that is the instrument i can play better because I used to dedicate a lot of hours to playing the guitar, and went through many styles (classic , blues , flamenco, metal, fusion). I had some solo project of instrumental music with guitar and orchestration before this project, in the same Munknörr YouTube channel (I have those videos hidden there muahah)
Have you played in other bands?
Not really , nothing serious. Just having fun with friends , like jams.
What instruments can you play?
Guitar , Native American Flute, Egyptian flute , Lyres, Ocarina, Tagelharpa, etc.
Do you have any musical education, or did you learn it yourself?
I took guitar lessons for a short time but then i learned on my own because the guitar teacher was not serious at all and then I discovered, and I said …. wait I can learn on my own . It is easy for me to learn songs by earn since I was a kid.
Have you done any collabs with others?
We’ve collaborated with amazing artists like Runahild, Sigurbodi, Eldrvak, and Bjorth.
Do you make other kinds of music, than what we know you for today?
No, but I’m thinking to make a side project , maybe with an acoustic guitar. Something dark and atmospheric.
Where do you typically get your inspiration to compose/ produce music?
The composing starts in my mind, can be in the bus or in my home studio but most of the time the music starts in my head, and sometimes it is like a sudden inspiration and then I start to make some
beats, or drumming. Some of the inspiration came out of my mind traveling too , when I’m reading. And sometimes I also start with the shamanic drum and then the inspiration comes to me.
Are you a believer of the old ways or finding the history interesting?
I love Norse Mythology and i find interesting Mythologies from other cultures too , but I don’t know if I can call my self a believer of “the old ways”, that depends because i would not like to live a lot of things of that time. I am open with spirituality and beliefs and i think that is why i could not follow something in particular, but i can tell you I’m not a religious person and I’m not agree with fanaticism.
I really like the journeys that you take us on in your music, what will the next journey be?
Thank you, that is all about….the journey, and I really don’t know what will be. But I can tell that there will be many more!
Any of your songs that means more to you, than others?
Maybe the Ep Vinland, not because it is my favourite album just because it was a strange time (Pandemic) , and I remember that making those songs was an escape from the madness.
In you free time do you have other interests as sport or crafting maybe?
I like to walk on the beach , read , make exercise, and there are times when I play the flute more often than now , and there also times when I play computer games. And I like going out and eat delicious food
Any new releases of tracks or albums soon?
I don’t know how soon, but we are always making new music, and this time is not an exception. I have started some songs yes….
would like to thank you for answering my questions about your music,
and glad we could do this written interview, and I am sure many are interested in
getting to know you better….
Links:
Munknorr munknorr.com
Bandcamp munknorr.bandcamp.com
Spotify open.spotify.com/artist/1ggcmI8L0SRFmTvoAtrGcl
Linktree linktr.ee/munknorr
Apple Music music.apple.com/us/artist/munknörr/1457395839
Facebook facebook.com/munknorr
Instagram instagram.com/munknorr/?hl=es-la
