Interview with Sebastian Tvedtnæs from NiteRain
INTERVIEW WITH SEBASTIAN TVEDTNAES FROM NITERAIN
Date: December 22, 2016.
Interviewer: Mark Horvath
WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE EVER ENERGETIC AND CONGENIAL SEBASTIAN TVEDTNÆS, NITERAIN’S LEAD VOCALIST, TO DISCUSS ABOUT HIS BAND NOW BEING A FULL-TIME JOB AND WHAT THE FUTURE MAY HOLD FOR HIS GROUP AND THE ROCK MUSIC MARKETPLACE. NITERAIN ARE INTERESTING IN THAT THE BAND HAS MADE SO MUCH HEADWAY ON ITS OWN RELYING ON THE BAND MEMBERS’ OWN MUSICAL AND BUSINESS CHOPS TO FORGE AHEAD WITH SOME IMPRESSIVE MILESTONES ALONG THE WAY. WITH THE RELEASE OF NITERAIN’S SECOND ALBUM ‘VENDETTA’ LAST MONTH, SEBASTIAN IS LOOKING TO CLIMB NEW HEIGHTS.
Sleaze Roxx: When did you guys start the band?
Sebastian Tvedtnæs: We officially started April 2010.
Sleaze Roxx: Right, I remember seeing the song for ‘Dirty’ on your MySpace account back then. Your debut album ‘Crossfire‘ was a very well-received and critically acclaimed album in the hard rock scene. When did you write those songs?
Sebastian Tvedtnæs: Thank you, we had a great time with that album. Caused a little buzz in the music scene. You know, most of those songs were written when we went to high school together. I remember writing the lyrics for ‘Dirty’ in a math class. Didn’t pay attention to classes ever, ’cause I had to get my lyrics done, you know. I even remember me and Jeremy who used to play guitar in NiteRain at that time, we used to skip school just to finish up the song ‘Make My Day.’ When we went in the studio, the producer said we had to record another song for the album ’cause it ended on 30 something minutes. So we had an 80% ready song called ‘Shot Down In Memphis’ which turned out to be ‘My World‘ so instead of ‘Welcome to My World’, it used to be ‘Shot Down In Memphis’ “Shot down! Shot down [laughs]! Good times!
Sleaze Roxx: How long has the current line-up been together? We heard that Addy on lead guitar is the newest member?
Sebastian Tvedtnæs: Yes that’s right. Jeremy left the band in 2012, two weeks prior to our third L.A Guns tour in Europe! We knew about Addy and his skills on the guitar. The fact that he and I are HUGE Van Halen fans with David Lee Roth of course, didn’t hurt either. He’s a great guy. He wings me perfectly onstage. And I think I wing him pretty good too.
Sleaze Roxx: That’s great. He seems to fit like a glove. NiteRain seem to have accomplished so much in the last few years hitting several milestones such as playing Rocklahoma and winning a spot to play at the Sweden Rock Festival last year. How did these events happen for you?
Sebastian Tvedtnæs: Sweden Rock Festival was a big surprise. Every year, they put a band contest up and fans can vote for their favorites. I dont think we even ended up on the poll the previous years. But this year, we actually won the whole thing. I was in Spain doing some business and soaking up some sun, and Morten called me like at eight in the morning, “Dude! We won!” That was a milestone. When it comes to Rocklahoma, we had a shit gig in Vegas and Stacey Blades’ [L.A Guns, Let It Rawk, Bobby Blotzer’s Ratt] girl hooked us up with one of her friends in Vegas and BOOM!!! Got the gig. We’re coming back in 2017 too!
Sleaze Roxx: It’s certainly exciting! You must have picked up a lot of new fans with that kind of exposure. Who are NiteRain fans when you look out into the audiences you play to?
Sebastian Tvedtnæs: The hottest chicks and the coolest guys. NiteRain fans are the best rock n’ roll fans you can have. Loyal and fun! And it’s all kinds of people too, you see like three piece suit lawyers, judges and police officers to metalheads, rockers and strippers. Everybody loves rock n’ roll deep inside.
Sleaze Roxx: I totally agree! What are the goals for NiteRain with the release of ‘Vendetta’ and following tour?
Sebastian Tvedtnæs: We want ‘Vendetta’ to be a door opener and a stepping stone to the next whatever it may be. The goal is to be bigger and do greater things than the previous year. So far, we accomplished that since the very beginning. We are four guys with guts and balls and a real passion for what we do. NiteRain wants to get on a bigger tour with a huge headliner. That way, we can communicate with the world easier. That is one of the goals for 2017.
Sleaze Roxx: We have seen NiteRain do extended tours throughout Europe and some US dates in recent years. Is NiteRain a full-time job for the band?
Sebastian Tvedtnæs: NiteRain is definitely a full-time job for the band. I would say that every band in the world that works their asses off would agree with me on that. It takes a lot of time, lots of time you normally would have spent with your girlfriend, friends and others, now goes into the band. That’s how it is, but its my job and I love it. Wouldn’t change a thing.
Sleaze Roxx: That is really great to hear, and something for upcoming musicians to aspire to. Do you notice any difference in the fans from Europe versus the USA?
Sebastian Tvedtnæs: We’ve met fans all over the world and I gotta admit that its pretty awesome when you land on U.S soil and you meet people that ask you to play this and that song! Same thing goes to the European fans. The only really difference is that at American festivals, people bring their coolers and chairs during concerts. That’s something you wouldn’t see in Europe. At least. I’ve never seen it. Coolers and camping chairs belong to the camp site. But it sure looks comfy to sit and drink beer in the sun watching your favorite bands play. But in Europe, it’s full on mosh time baby.
Sleaze Roxx: What are your impressions of the music industry today, and overall rock scene?
Sebastian Tvedtnæs: The music industry is as it always has been, looking for potential artists that can make money fast. Its always been like that. The only thing that changed is the music itself. I would love to see more rock on the charts all around the world. But it’s alive and clubs are usually packed. I keep hearing rock is dead, which is completely bullshit. People thought rock was dead in the beginning of the ’80s. An the ’80s is now synonymous with rock. So you never know. I was born in ’89 so it’s in my blood to believe in partying and good times. Overall the rock scene is good.
Sleaze Roxx: Someone had mentioned that songs are already being written for the next NiteRain album. Any ETA on a release date at this early stage?
Sebastian Tvedtnæs: Its pretty early to say anything at this point, but I can always let some rumours out there. There will be a third album and there will be a live album. Within a year or so.
Sleaze Roxx: I think both ‘Crossfire’ and ‘Vendetta’ are independently released. What advantages does a band like NiteRain see with independent releases vs a big label?
Sebastian Tvedtnæs: We released ‘Crossfire’ on our own label NiteRain Enterprises. But ‘Vendetta’ is together with Live Management and Playground Music. They can kick in some doors that we couldn’t do by ourselves. Its always good to have someone backing up your stuff, Do it yourself is cool enough, and there’s so much you can do by yourself in these times we are living in, but business muscles is not a bad thing.
Sleaze Roxx: Agreed. The internet has been great exposure for so many bands as well. Lastly, what bands are you currently listening to?
Sebastian Tvedtnæs: Same thing as you guys do. But I recently discovered a Norwegian band from the early ’90s, which is so good you wouldn’t believe it. Became my top three favorite band of all time. They are called Sons Of Angels. All their songs are hits in my book, and the singer — Hans Olav Solli — is easily one of my absolute favorites. And I’m proud to say he and I are friends today. We need to cover some of their songs. Thank you guys for having me. And crank up ‘Vendetta’ whenever you can!
Niterain‘s “Come Out” song:
NiteRain Come Out (Single)
The new single from NiteRain!! This is featured on their upcoming album, Vendetta, Which is released the 5th of November 2016.
Niterain‘s “My World” video:
NiteRain – “My World” Official
Log in or sign up to view
See posts, photos and more on Facebook.
Niterain‘s “Rock N’ Roll’ video:
NiteRain – Rock N’ Roll MUSIC VIDEO
Music Video for the single Rock N’ RollMade by: Jon MancinettiGET THE SONG HERE!!iTunes:https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/rock-n-roll-single/id1048310799Spot…
Band Websites:
Official Website
Facebook
Twitter