Liv Kristine

Interview by Mark Fisher

Current Leaves Eyes and former Theater of Tragedy vocalist Liv Kristine is about to release her new solo CD SkintIght (releases September 14th, 2010 on Napalm Records) and Colossal Pop's Mark Fisher caught up with her to talk about her new solo CD, the joys of motherhood and how she feels about being categorized as a Gothic Metal artist.

Hi Liv! How are things in Camp Kristine?
Thank you, Mark, all is good. I am busy with promoting my up-coming solo album; apart from touring and recording new songs for my other band Leaves' Eyes. Germany's extremely hot at the moment - we're spending as much time as possible "cooling" down in the water.

So, the world is finally treated to another Liv Kristine solo album. What made now the right time? Especially considering the worldwide momentum Leave's Eyes has at this time.
After having signed a deal with Napalm Records, I immediately began composing new songs for my 3rd solo album. My favorite co-writer is Thorsten Bauer (Leaves' Eyes), and my producer is, of course, Alexander Krull (my husband) at our own Mastersound Studio.  It's been four years since my second release (Roadrunner), and all this time I've been aching to record my ideas on an album. It feels like a relief, really.

What immediately surprised me about Skintight is how much different it is from your other work- whether solo or with a band. What were your goals for this album when you first set out to bring it to life?
 I actually had only one goal for this album: just compose, write, record and feel free. I just did exactly what my mind, heart and soul told me. No limits, no interruption.

Were there certain musicians or authors that you were keen on when writing for this album? It has much more of a Pop Rock/energetic feel to it than your other solo works in my opinion.
Tori Amos has always been a great inspiration for me. There is probably also some Coldplay in there. And perhaps some J. Cash? I realized that as my album was finished.

 "Twofold" may be my favorite track in your entire discography. Can you tell our readers a little about that song and how it came to be?
Thank you! That's my favorite track as well (if I'm allowed to have one). "Twofold" actually has some Cash influence to it. Thorsten just started playing as I was sitting next to him. Then I started singing, and the words were instantly there. That was one of many magic moments we had during this production. The lyrics are honest and bring a question to the surface, an important question concerning our daily lives, living in partnerships. It's about being honest about love and what we feel for each other. Moreover it’s about how to keep this flame strong and eternal, despite hard work, stress, lack of time etc.  It's fatal when you wake up one day and realize that you don't know your partner anymore.

 I really like the dynamic feel of the songs going back and forth between acoustic and electric (even within the song itself). Was this a purposeful effort or how the songs evolved naturally? Did you have a hand in writing the music as well as the lyrics?
I had in mind to strip down the complete production, by using less instruments, no external songwriters, only my own words and Thorsten's and  my ideas to add more feeling and more of myself and my character to the whole production. I wanted to make as much as possible myself, in cooperation with Thorsten and Alexander. The songs came into existence by coming together in the studio - Thorsten with his guitar, me myself and my voice. Like you already mentioned, we let the songs evolve naturally.  This album is me, straight from the heart, just very down-to-earth, natural and personal. It really "deserves" the title "Skintight".

Is there a track on Skintight that you can point to and say "Yes. That is exactly right. That is exactly how I feel right now."?
It is "Wonders". Being a mum, I spend as much time possible to experience and see the world through my son's eyes. These are the true "Wonders" in life, and it's wonderful to travel back in time into my own childhood, as well as learning so many new things from my child. "The Rarest Flower" is what I sometimes feel like when I am "on the road", or when I have to deal with serious music business matters. Just take a look at the music business - it is extremely tough; many artists just "pop up" and become "pop" over night, then soon they just disappear, write a book about what went wrong, and money's gone, of course. I can't even believe the fact that I've been "around" for 16 years now.

How has motherhood affected the way you approach your music? Or has it remained unchanged?
Motherhood is something that changes your life completely, especially when your first-born child is born. Since I became a mum, I have become, I would say, a better person, I see my goals in life much clearer, and my voice somehow changed in a positive manner.

I think Skintight will open a whole new group of people's eyes to your wonderful voice. If people are hearing you for the first time on this album, what do you hope they take from it when the album ends?
Thank you, I really do hope so. I hope that I am able to touch you hearts with this album, just make my listeners feel, and enjoy. 

What is more important to you- how the listener interprets your lyrics are what they mean to you as you are writing them?
(That’s a) difficult question. Firstly, I really do hope that I am able to have found the right words for some emotions we all carry within us from time to time. Secondly, I hope you like the (my) voice expressing them, i.e. singing them. If my music is soothing to your ears and hearts, then I am happy.

Do you ever feel that people have unnecessarily categorized you as a Gothic or Symphonic Metal artist because of your work with Theater of Tragedy (a band that was never able to shake the tag off despite trying very hard to do so) and Leave's Eyes?
Yes, sometimes, however, as I am saying this, it comes to my mind that my solo work actually always has been inspired by the color white, if you e.g. take a look at my covers. Moreover, I've always been attracted to the light, bright colors, and the sun. "Gothic Metal" is a musical category or "drawer" I was part of founding, together with Theatre of Tragedy back in 1993/1994, and of course still am part of. I love contrast in music, i.e. the bringing together of new and "daring", sometimes opposite, elements.  You see the light more clearly if you contrast it or put it next to the dark.

Thanks so much for your time. Skintight is an excellent, excellent album and I hope it sells millions and gains you much attention. Do you have any parting thoughts you'd like to leave our readers with?
Thank you so much, I really appreciate talking to you and a million warm thoughts and thanks to my fans and friends out there! Thank you for staying with me all these years.