Shining feature (http://damnationfestival.tumblr.com/)
Starting out as an acoustic jazz quartet twelve years ago, it would be hard for anyone to predict that Shining, (not to be confused with the Swedish black metal band) would be playing the diverse, yet definitely metal orientated, Damnation Festival. Luckily multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Jørgen Munkeby was on the phone to talk us through how the band ended up here. “We were into metal before we started studying jazz, and because of this non-jazz background we always attracted an audience from outside. We also played in rock clubs, so even though I could never have imagined the band ending up where we are now it feels very natural.”
He’s also quick to point out that Shining still play in many venues outside of the metal world, as well as festivals that are less diverse, and isn’t afraid of not fitting in. “I’ve learned not to be skeptical about more narrowly focused festivals. There are more than enough people who are open minded and interested. The problem is that they are not introduced to new things because the media of afraid of introducing it. At least that’s my view.”
They’re also no strangers to some of the bands on the line up, especially headliner Devin Townsend who they toured with back in March, and have recently announced their support slot for one of his upcoming London shows. “It was very nice playing with him in Finland. All the guys in the band are great guys; they have the same interest in music as us. I also think a lot of their audience would suit us and vice versa. They’re also neat and tidy!”
Working with someone like Devin, who has never been afraid of progression, as well other like minded bands such as Enslaved; Jørgen reflects on how much the people around him have influenced Shining’s path. “My main influences are changing all the time. There was a time when everything was John Coltrane, just 60’s and 70’s acoustic jazz and then current composers. I had a lot of years where I was rediscovering metal music, and incorporating it into my music. A lot of bands have been an influence on me: Enslaved, I would also say The Dillinger Escape Plan has been really important. The kind of bands that are doing something like what we are doing. What is important is their willingness to expand their boundaries. They might have different styles and come from different places to us but what is the same is their approach to music”
Their most recent album Blackjazz ended with a little surprise, a cover of 21stCentury Schizoid Man by King Crimson, something they had worked on and used since 2007. After talking so openly about his wide array of influences, why was this track the one they chose? “We were invited onto a radio show, and the idea was that we would go on and present one of our influences. I asked the guys if they had any ideas and our guitar player was a huge King Crimson fan. We listened to some songs and we ended up covering that song. It became a standard part of our set list, and then with the idea of Blackjazz we thought it could provide some kind of anchor. It would be interesting to hear what the King Crimson guys think of it.”
And as for any other possible cover versions in the future: “I have considered doing a covers album but I haven’t had the time or energy to follow that up. There are loads of songs I would like to cover, but we would probably have to rework them a lot. A lot of Muse tracks for example which would have to be made harder.”
The possibility of a covers album aside, Blackjazz showcased a sound that was more akin to Shining’s live shows. Jørgen goes on to talk about the reasons behind this. “The transition from the studio to the stage has been easier, and it’s a truer representation of the band…on the old songs I felt the need to rearrange and pull them into the Blackjazz soundscape, which was difficult because I was in a different place when I wrote those songs. The old songs didn’t come to life like the Blackjazz material did.”
After the critical success of Blackjazz in 2010, work has turned to a live CD/DVD which is approaching completion, “it just needs to be programmed into the DVD”, but unfortunately our conversation happens 24 hours too early to find the official release date though he does let one thing slip: “Damnation will [probably] be the world premiere of the release.”
At this point Jørgen notes that Damnation is full of spectacular live shows this year and discusses why Shining should be on everyone’s list of bands to see. “I’ve always said that ‘we stand on the shoulders of giants’ and that we are part of a huge set of bands who have the same attitude, but we do have something special. We’re jazz musicians, we’ve spent over ten years tweaking and learning and that’s a very big part of our music. A lot of bands come from metal and move into jazz, but we come from the other side where both jazz and metal are something we’re confident with. I think this makes us special, the fact that we are in the middle. It might not always sound like jazz, but it’s an approach, the way we play our music.”
The interview ends on a rather down note as Jørgen tells how he’ll struggle to see any of the bands playing. “I always have so much stuff to do. Preparing myself and sorting out my equipment, because I play a lot of instruments. I also have to keep everything together. I do all the interviews, I’ll be the tour manager but I would like to see as many as possible. Ulver, Devin Townsend. I’d like to see the whole line up, but unfortunately I probably won’t see a single band.”
Matthew Tilt
http://damnationfestival.tumblr.com/post/11322573998/7-shining
