*When did you really get involved into music in general and into metal specific? Who was responsable for your interest in (metal) music?

Music has always been a big part of my life. I probably owe my access to harder music to my mother. I found metal through friends when I was younger. First there was punk and oi for me and then gradually came metal. I was 12 years old or something

*Which artists or bands did influence you the most?

There are some, although I never wanted to sound like anyone. I think my main influences for FIRN are Moonsorrow, early Thyrfing, Menhir, Falkenbach, Bergthron, Windir… FIRN is an old school bastard.

*Which instrument do you play and how and when did you learn to play? Did you had lessons in school or private lessons? If so, was that because your parents expected that from you? Or did you learn to play the instruments by yourself? Do yo still follow some lessons?

I’ve been playing the guitar since I was 7 years old and I’ve also had lessons at different music schools. Now I teach myself everything. Besides the guitars I play bass and sing different styles. I also play a few folk instruments, but at least they don’t play a role in FIRN.

*Do you listen to or are you intrested in other styles of music beside metal? If so, what is the kind of music you prefer to listen to?

Besides metal, I listen to German neo folk and folk from all over the world. In addition, German Punk and Oi have always accompanied me since my youth.

*Is music a full time job for you now or do you have a job beside music? If so, what kind of job are you doing? If you would be really succesful with music, would you quit your other job?

I have no other job besides my music projects. I wouldn’t have time for that. You work almost 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even if most people can’t imagine it and see a romanticized image when you say “I’m a musician”. I started my own business as a freelance artist about 4 years ago. You can just about survive and pay bills through the multitude of projects in our family, even if that is on the brink during the Corona period, but it’s the only real thing. I need my self-actualization and independence, my family and my music collection. No villa, no expensive cars, no branded clothes, no world travels and no financial security could make me happier.

*If you could start a complete new band (something like an all star band) with other musicians on other instruments, which artists would you pick for wich instrument and why? Would you still go for a pagan black metal band?

Yes it would be a pagan black metal band and I have my ideas about who would be in it, but I don’t have any “stars” in mind. There are enough musicians who are closer to me.

*If you had been banned to an uninhabited island and you may pick 5 albums to listen to, wich albums would you choose and why?

Depends on the island. A South Sea island with palm trees and stuff or an island in the North Sea? The choice would be very different.

*Every new album of a band or an artist is the best one, so they say. – We do know it’s the first album for FIRN. – So here is a chance to promote your album. Why should a music lover buy your album? What are the standout tracks for you on this new album and why?

I think FIRN is for nostalgics and dreamers. People for whom authenticity is important, who take pagan metal seriously and don’t just expect Viking stuff, methorns, battle noise and clichés from it. I don’t have any favorite songs on the album, the listener should decide for themselves. I don’t want to influence anyone by making recommendations.

– See “CD-Review” for a review (written in Dutch) for the new FIRN album ‘Frostwärts’ (Einheit Produktionen) –

*Is there a chance that you will promote these songs through live concerts? If so, would you prefer small clubs or big festivals? And is there a chance we can see FIRN in Belgium?

So far it is not planned to play live with FIRN, but if it should come to that, I would like to keep it exclusive and only give concerts at selected events. I don’t care whether it’s a club or a festival.

It has to feel right.

Of course I would come to Belgium, I know some Belgians who would be very interested. 😉