Svalbard: What lockdown has taught us

“I’ve been writing solo black metal record. It’s nearly finished and it’s coming out next year,” says Svalbard’s Serena Cherry. Like most musicians facing down the pandemic, the guitarist/singer has been left to her own devices during much of this year, navigating periods of lockdown by finding new ways of expressing herself.

“I didn’t know how to use recording software or how to programme drums, but I learnt how to do all that,” she says. “Not to sound mean, but writing all the stuff myself, means that I don’t have to compromise. With the band, we all write together and you have to learn that if someone doesn’t like your lead part then it won’t be part of the song. This has been different. It’s been really indulgent and great!”

Serena's solo outing will be released under the name of Noctule, the inspiration for which came as she developed a new daily routine.

“On one of my many lockdown walks there was a trail through a forest that outlined what types of bats there were on the walk, and one of them was a Noctule bat. I thought, ‘That sounds quite black metal!’” she laughs.

Despite the winged-inspiration behind the project’s name, the album’s narrative comes from an entirely different source.

“The name is quite divorced from the theme behind the album. One thing I’ve really got into again during lockdown is gaming, which I didn’t have time for previously. I’ve been playing Skyrim every single day so all the lyrics and song titles are places, events or people in Skyrim,” explains Serena, expressing her love of the open-world RPG. “It’s kind of melodically inspired by the soundtrack too, so the whole thing is basically an ode to a computer game!”

While Noctule has provided Serena with a different type of musical outlet, the prospect of Svalbard following up their universally acclaimed third album, When I Die, Will I Get Better?, has also been preying on her mind.

“I have to admit that we haven’t actually written anything since we recorded the album. Seeing the album being so well received has been amazing, but it’s also meant that we are starting to put pressure on ourselves in terms of where to head next because we don’t want to disappoint people who’ve discovered us through this album and who like that sound,” she admits.

For Svalbard, When I Die, Will I Get Better? is a huge step forward, the band’s trademarked hardcore heaviness being augmented by a series of more expansive and melodic elements. Asked about her current key influences, Serena picks out Japanese post-metal outfit Mono and French blackgaze outfit Alcest. So how do the band – who, along with Serena, comprise of guitarist/vocalist Liam Phelan and drummer Mark Lilley – intend to develop their sound further the next time around?

“The songs I like the most on the album are those that have those choruses with clean singing and the harmonies, the pretty guitar parts, and that whole post-rock, shoegaze atmosphere. I feel that’s definitely avenue that I’d like us to explore more the next time around,” nods Serena.

For Svalbard, the future remains unwritten, but Serena is keen to make the most of the lessons she has learnt in 2020 and apply them to the band.

“I think for me, personally I have grown more confident as a musician from writing the solo stuff and I’ll be bringing that into Svalbard when we start writing again,” she says.

“This year and lockdown has also taught me that you can’t always fight for everything to go your way,” reflects Serena. “You have to be able to listen to your honest self more. You can’t force things. It’s easy to look at all the things you could’ve done but, in the last couple of months, I’ve learnt to look at things that did happen. I’ve learnt to produce an album and I taught myself how to cross-stitch… which sounds really boring! I’ve also learnt more about exercise. And I didn’t know what a Noctule bat was this time last year! So I’ve learnt a lot and I’ve learnt to take the good with the bad.”

One of Svalbard’s most joyous experiences of late involved playing their first show since February, when they played a show at Blondies as part of our internet-dominating K! Pit series in association with Nordic Spirit.

Svalbard’s set will premiere on December 15 at 6pm (GMT), 1pm (EST) and 10am (PST) on our Facebook and YouTube.

As with all of our current series of K! Pit shows, the set was without an audience in attendance and in compliance with governmental guidelines. Since we couldn’t invite you along to the show, Serena and the gang will be joining us to hangout with you and to chat live during the stream itself. Ahead of that stream, be sure to check out When I Die, Will I Get Better?.

There’s also the chance for you to win one of 20 exclusive signed Svalbard posters. But that’s not all! Thanks to Nordic Spirit – the UK’s No 1 Nicotine Pouch* - you get the opportunity to win a hoodie and a rucksack full of swag which contains a beanie, a mug, a wireless phone charger and headphones.

Nordic Spirit are also partnering with Download festival. That means that during the course of the next few weeks, one person will get the chance to win a ‘golden ticket’ to attend Download in 2021. That ‘golden ticket’ will allow you and three friends to enjoy VIP access to the festival – camping included!

To enter the competition, you need to answer the following question:
What is the opening track on Svalbard’s When I Die, Will I Get Better?

Know the answer? Then fill in the form below! If you can’t see the form, head over here to enter the competition.

Nordic Spirit is a 100% tobacco-free nicotine pouch perfect for when smoking or vaping is not possible. You must be over 18 to enter this competition. Nordic Spirit products contain nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive substance.

Existing adult nicotine users can visit the Nordic Spirit site to claim a free sample.

*IRi Market Place, volume Share, Nicotine Pouch Category, Total UK, YTD to w/e 04/10/2020 - For more information or to verify, contact nordicspirit.co.uk/contact.

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