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Band page - TYR
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Band Profile
What is your name and your current position in the band?
Heri Joensen: My name is Heri Joensen. I sing and play guitar.
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
HJ: I would agree that the best term for what we play is Viking/Pagan/Folk Metal, but I don't feel confined to any style. If one thinks that categories really are necessary, then we just happen to fall into that category, that's all.
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
HJ: "By The Light Of The Northern Star" is our latest album, released a few days ago. I think it is our best effort so far. It is faster, harder, heavier, more epic, catchier and less progressive than any of our previous albums.
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
HJ: We starded in Copenhagen in 1998. We all knew each other from playing together in an earlier band in the Faeroes. We released our first album in 2002 on a Faeroese label called Tutl. One of the most important points in our career was when we signed to Napalm Records in January 2006. I can't think of any low points as such. It's all been good since then. Maybe some of the line-up changes we have been through have been low points, but I tend not to dwell on issues like that.
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
HJ: No, never. When the band had formed we decided to work towards becoming international professionals, and that has remained our goal ever since.
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
HJ: Wacken 2007 was a very good festival and a very good time for us. Tours are always great, and it's impossible to pick out one in particular. Let me try though; Going on a tour in a tourbus for the first time was a fantastic experience. That was the 'Riders On The Storm' tour with Die Apokalyptischen Reiter in November 2006. The tour with Amon Amarth in December 2006 was also a very great experience. Going to America for the first time with the Paganfest in 2008. I could go on and on. Touring is just the best it gets.
How is the writing process in the band?
HJ: I write most of the music and send GuitarPro files to the other guys. Then I record demo versions at home with programmed drums and show the other guys.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
HJ: When I was 14 I bought a guitar and ever since I have been playing guitar, singing and writing music. I did concider doing other things with my life. I would probably be a post man or a linguist of some kind if I wasn't a musician. But at this point I feel that I don't have a choice but to be a musician. I have been devoured by the muse of Metal.
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
HJ: Christopher Hitchens. He's very intelligent, very eloquent in speech and in writing, he's not afraid to hold an unpopular opinion, he drinks and he happens to agree with me on most subjects.
Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
HJ: No regrets of any kind. The one thing is that I wish I'd found out sooner that I wanted to be a professional musician. Well, not 'wanted to be' really. More like 'can't do anything else'.
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
HJ: Torsteins Kvæði. For a lot of people it is the best Týr song. We did a lot of production work on that song, and in the end it had become incredibly complicated, even though it does not sound so, to the point where it is almost impossible to play live. I'm very fond of the melody, but the arrangement could have been more fortunate for a live situation.
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
HJ: Lyrics are half the song.
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
HJ: It's fine from my angle.
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
HJ: I think the music industry should get its head out of its ass and start giving people the formats they want AS SOON AS THEY ARE AVAILABLE!
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
HJ: Religion is bullshit!
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
HJ: On tour
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
HJ: Linguistics, politics, keeping up with science, chess.
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
HJ: At a concert in Poland a guy came on stage and tried to strangle me. Fortunately he failed and I kicked his ass.
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
HJ: Cds: Dehumanizer by Black Sabbath, The Final Cut by Pink Floyd and Wintersun by Wintersun.
Movies: The Thirteenth Warrior, The Lord Of The Rings and Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels.
Books: Njáls Saga, Føroyinga Søga, Silmarillion.
What is your favourite joke?
HJ: It's a very long joke including a refrigerator, a cheating wife, a murderously jealous husband, an unfortunate neighbour and saint Peter. Too lengthy to retell here.
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
HJ: A few festivals coming up this summer, and then tours in the fall and winter.
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
Please buy our new album.
Added by Steen - 6/22/2009
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Band Information - Band Profile
(Steen)
Album Review - By The Light of The Northern Star
(Stuart)
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