Interviews: Krvvla

In this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Black Metal band Krvvla from Belarus. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

D: It just happened during one of our rehearsals.

V: Yeah, that was kind of wordplay on our native language. There was no specific story or legend under this name.

A: I only remember that I was talking about native American tribes and it was somehow related, or another version, we were making lots of demos that time, and I was trying to find funny names for them, maybe one of them was krivula. We just changed it a bit to look like a really trve kvlt blck mtl band.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

D: Actually, we got together to play doom/sludge and kept trying to play it for a year, I guess. But then I realized that nothing good comes out; plus, at our jamming sessions there were always parts with tremolo picking. On top of that, A. had always wanted to play black metal, and I myself was getting more into black metal stuff, so we just agreed on trying to make something more in the black metal field.

V: Tremolo picking was that starting point! Playing aggressively fast was also some sort of a challenge for us.

A: I just like blast beats, so I put them everywhere, even in doom.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

A: Yup, jammed before the band formed both with D. and V., we shared the same scene.

D: Yea. Although, the first time I met V. was at our first rehearsal.

V: Our local alternative/underground scene is not huge, local bands have always shared the same 20 musicians and we were visiting same gigs so I would say we knew each other before we met at our first jam session. As I remember our story began in comments to D.’s post on Instagram like “I’ve got fresh strings for my guitar. Anyone wants to jam?”. I’ve quit my previous band Coat where I was playing drums half a year ago before that and as a musician, I was getting bored without all that musician routine so I decided to try myself in a bass player role. 

4. Each band member favorite band?

A: Ulcerate, Aluk Todolo, Krallice, just relevant to our band that forms my vision of drums.

D: Oof, that's a tough one. Favorite bands kinda change with time. Recently it's been all Deathspell Omega, Altarage, Abyssal, Rebirth of Nefast, Almyrkvi. And if to talk about the non-metal artists, then it’s Wordclock, Treha Sektori, Desiderii Marginis.

V: Huge fan of Krallice, Beyond Creation, Gorguts and The Faceless. Weather Report is the current favorite non-metal band at the moment. Meshuggah, Cynic and Tool are my all-time favorites.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

D: It has never been a case of me taking my guitar, sitting down, and thinking "This thing happened to me today, and I'm gonna write a song about it". Never. Usually, I simply take my guitar and, well, go explore. Sometimes I get this feeling that I need to take the guitar and start playing because there's a riff sitting somewhere inside; sometimes a riff pops up in my head all of a sudden (mostly when I'm not at home). Though I'm not saying that nothing in the world affects or inspires me to write songs. There are things, definitely. But all the “processing”, so to say, happens subconsciously without me even realizing that this or that thing affected me to that point.

V: I’m not into songwriting in the band, D. makes most of that at home. Then we meet at our rehearsing spot where the Inspiration itself finds us and the magic creative process starts to happen. I think lots of musicians act like that, rehearsal are sacred for us.

A: I did write some riffs before, but I’m happy we don’t play them, as I’m not that good with guitars. Lots of ideas are appearing during jams and learning new riffs D. brings from home. 6. Where was your last gig?

D: It was in Minsk, at a bar called "Graffiti". The stage was tiny!

V: The stage was really tiny and the whole place was very small so it was really loud there that night. That pub is sort of a cult place here in Belarus that gave a solid start for many bands and musicians.

A: Probably it was the smallest place I’ve ever played, I barely managed to set up my cymbals. V. and D. had to stay still. 7. Where would you like to act?

A: Roadburn!!!

D: In a cave 

V: To play a gig on the beach near the sea has always been my dream.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

D: Check out those guys from the "Favorite bands" question.

9. Whom not?

D: Probably with someone who has completely opposite views on specific subjects.

V: Can’t stand anti-human ideology in any type or form.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

D: Sure, especially at our first gig. This fright also come back if we don't perform for a long time. How to beat it? Probably just take a couple of deep breaths, start playing, and it'll go away in a minute or two.

V: Sometimes. Entering the stage is always some kind of stress. What if we don’t have enough time for the soundcheck? What if there are technical issues with gear? What if I can’t hear well what I’m playing? What if people don’t understand the music? What if it’s too hot on the stage that fingers get completely sweaty? So yes, keep your gear in a good technical condition, don’t forget to change your strings regularly, learn your parts, love your music, stay sober before the gig, warm up your body well, take a couple of deep breaths and enjoy the moment!

A: My stage fright works this way: I’m feeling very sleepy until the moment I start playing. How to deal with it - take a nap.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

D: Not sure about the "being inspired" thing, but I just can't stop wondering how the brain of Hasjarl (from DsO) works. I mean, how he comes up with all this stuff.

V: Can’t name the bands but would say that every new piece of non-standard music inspires me. I’ve always been listening to different genres to capture some new ideas, I believe that that’s a great way to develop your musicianship. 

A: I agree with V, any music you listen would bring you joy, excitement, power, and a bunch of fresh ideas, if you do it mindfully.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

D: This is not a weird thing at all, but a guy asked for a picture once. It seemed weird to me as it was at the time when we were just starting out as a band. Though today it would still seem weird to me.

V: Not the weirdest one but we were on tour in Russia with my previous band and in every city there were guys who wanted to drink vodka with us. Some kind of a cult LOL

A: Send him nudes)

13. What do you think of your fans?

D: What fans?

V: Fan support is important for every band, that’s what makes us go forward. Love them.

A: I’m happy we have some, keep growing)

14. What do you think of our site?

D: Nothing bad for sure. Keep on spreading the music!

V: Great pleasure for us to be the first band from Belarus to be featured in your site. Thanks for reaching us!