Name: ARV
Members: Frederik Hillestad (vocals), Jens Hovden Storaker (bass), Marius Bowitz (guitar), Christian Nordheim (guitar), Bjarne Burger Olafsen (drums)
Interviewee: Frederik Hillestad
Nationality: Norwegian
Current release: ARV's new single "Forsaken" is out via Vinter. The song is taken off their upcoming full-length album Curse & Courage, slated for release May 2nd 2025.

If you enjoyed this ARV interview and would like to stay up to date with the band and their music, visit their official website. They are also on Instagram, and Facebook.
           


When it comes to experiencing the sensation of “energy” as as a listener, which albums, performances, and artists come to mind?

Bands that I really appreciate when it comes to the right kind of energy are Black Breath, Tragedy, Cursed, Breach, At The Gates and many more.

It is about more than the music itself, of course. In my opinion the real energy comes from bands and artists that truly believe in what they do. Both live and recorded. You can feel it.
                   
There can be many different kinds of energy in art – soft, harsh, healing, aggressive, uplifting and many more. Which do you tend to feel drawn to most?

Aggression and frustration is probably the energy/feeling I get most out of in the music and performances that really hits me in the guts.       
           
I have had a hard time explaining that listening to death metal calms me down. When you listen to a song with a particular energy, does it tend to fill you with the same energy – or are there “paradoxical” effects?

I can absolutely relate to that. I don't get angry by listening to angry music. Quite the opposite. Minus and minus is plus?

But I can also get the same feeling by listening to anything that hits my spot. That could be Nick Cave or Roky Erickson as well.

In as far as it plays a role for the music you like listening to or making, what role do words and the voice of a vocalist play for the transmission of energy?

To me this means al ot since I am a vocalist myself, and have been for many years. As I mentioned earlier about bands that truly mean/believe what they are doing, the vocal for me is one of the first things I notice. As a drummer, would I notice drums?

That said, it needs to be pure and easy. Less is more. No pig squeals for me please.
                   
When it comes to experiencing the sensation of “energy” as as a creator, how would you describe the physical sensation of experiencing this energy? [Where do you feel it, do you have a visual sensation/representation, is there a sense of release or a build-up of tension etc …]

Hard to describe, but yes I guess.

The true, believing, pure and less-is-more feeling/energy we are talking about here, is sometimes resulting in a relief of whatever is bothering. But probably more connected to my own performances than listening to other bands.

Maybe the biggest reason for me playing music.  
                   
When it comes to composing / songwriting, are you finding that spontaneity and just a few takes tend to capture energy best? Or does honing a piece bring you closer to that goal?

It depends of course. The best thing will always be when the first idea that comes to mind is “the best”.

But it can also be very productive to dig down and discuss ideas until you've got things nailed. We do that a lot in ARV and I believe the best result possible often comes out that way.

Different people, different methods.
                   
How much of the energy of your own music, would you say, is already part of the composition, how much of it is the result of the recording process?

I would say it depends a lot. Without the song we have nothing to record, but a lot of the final touches happen in the studio.

With vocals I often make things 80% done before studio, and then we finish up the rest together. A nice way to for example find different rhythms and phrasings than I can't think of on my own.   
                   
For your current release, what kind of energy were you looking for? How do you capture the energy you want in the studio?

The main idea about Curse & Courage was to make an album as much as a band as possible, without digging too much down in one or another member's personal inspirations etc. Together we are ARV, and ARV is the energy.

I also believe we wanted to create an album that describes the time we all live in. Where anger and frustration are more and more dominant than hope and happiness.
                   
What role do factors like volume, effects like distortion, amplification, and production in general for in terms of creating the energy you want?

We care about all of these elements, as the word “dynamics” often comes up, both in the writing process and during recording.
                   
In terms of energy, what changes when you're performing live on stage, with an audience present, compared to the recording stage?

A lot changes when moving from recording to live settings.

Everything we do is with the intention of getting the music out live to the people. In your face. To be able to play our own creation in a setting where everyone - including ourselves - are vulnerable and open means a lot.

If I were to compare recording music with performing music I would say they're two totally different things when it comes down to energy and intention.
                   
How does the presence of the audience and your interaction with it change the energy of the music and how would you describe the creative interaction with listeners during a gig?

The main difference between an audience and no audience is that they are sending the energy back. A synergy. Like fuel on a fire.

Nothing apart from playing the setlist is planned. We go with the flow.   
                            
Would you say that you prefer to stay in control to be able to shape the energy or do you surrender to it and allow the music to take over? Who, ultimately has control during a live performance?

Probably goes both ways. But the music controls.

It is always a good feeling when the music and the vibes take over at the same time as we do what we planned to do.
                   
The energy that music is able to generate can sometimes be overwhelming. How, do you think, can artists make use of this energy to bring about change in the world?

It is always worth a try to make changes. We do what we do and if we inspire people in any way, that is something I believe.

No one can save the world on their own, but we should raise our voices. Let us hope this world will be a better place one day.