We discovered the wonderfull Norwegian 3-piece – I See Rivers – when they were supporting Cosmo Sheldrake a couple of years back. This year will see the release of their debut album and we are really excited about it – we find out more about the band.
We find it amazing that despite coming from three different parts of Norway you met a university in Liverpool! Tell us how you all met and created the band?
ISR: We moved to Liverpool separately, but met quite quickly after enrolling at uni. Being three Norwegians in Liverpool we kind of needed each other to understand the Scouse during the first few weeks. I’m joking, but we did become friends really quickly after moving over there, and forming the band just happened naturally after that.
We are so excited about the album which you cleverly created a kickstarter page for – can fans still donate on this page and when might we see a release?
ISR: We are so excited for you to hear it! We launched a Kickstarter campaign last summer to fund the recording of the album and within just a few weeks we had reached our target! It’s still quite mad to think about and we’re so grateful to everyone who donated to that campaign – the album would not exist without them! As the campaign is now closed, we can no longer accept donations through that page sadly, but as independent artist where funding is always a struggle, we will probably launch another campaign closer to the release date to help fund the actual release. We will keep you updated! We’re looking at September for the release of the album.
You released a beautiful music video for ‘We Don’t Get Time’ – tell us about your ideas behind the video and how it came about?
ISR: We are so happy about how the music video turned out! The song is our comment on the global warming crisis and for the video we wanted to include people in becoming aware and appreciative of the beautiful and magical places we’re surrounded by. The video is a collection of places and moments people would fight to keep alive. It was already a special project to begin with, but in the light of the current pandemic where more and more seems to be taken away from us, being able to release this as a collaborative project between so many people from so many different places in the world where the sole purpose was to be appreciative and grateful, just elevated the whole experience for us.
For those that haven’t visited Norway tell us some amazing places we should visit?
ISR: Being from three completely different places in Norway, we do kind of favor our own hometowns and we really recommend visiting all three.
Oslo, where Lill is from, is perhaps the most accessible one to travel to as it’s the capital and most flights will take you directly there. Oslo is small enough that you’ll be able to walk or bike almost anywhere you’d like to go, which is one of my favourite things about it and, in my eyes, a quite important factor when visiting. You’ll see a lot more of the architecture, parks and nature, and discover more than the few tourist attractions we do have if you use your feet!
Gøril: As I’m from the very top of this country I would recommend you to visit the north. If you like the sun, come visit during the summer as the sun never goes down! In the winter you can experience complete darkness day and night, northern lights and beautiful snowy mountains (but if you want to see anything during the winter you would have to come visit in March/April as exploring might be hard in the dark). It’s interesting how the mind works in the different seasons up here. Might be perfect if you’re working within music or art and need a drastic change of landscape for some new inspiration.
In the east of Finnmark it might be as cold as minus 40 degrees during the winter, so bring your whole closet with you..
Eline: I am from Jostedal in the west of Norway. Jostedal is a beautiful rural valley surrounded by mountains and glaciers and only a short drive away from the fjord. If you’re interested in being outdoors, this is definitely the place for you, as there is loads of hiking possibilities in the mountains and on the glacier.
What have you been listening to, watching, and reading recently? What recommendations have you got?
Lill: ‘Reply All’ – a podcast about deeply human stories through and about technology
‘Heavyweight’ – a podcast hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein where he tries to help other people face and figure out moments from their past. Super sweet, funny and quite emotional.
‘Aporia’ – Sufjan Stevens, Lowell Brams
‘græ: Part 1’ – Moses Sumney
Eline: Music: Tierra Whack – Whack World
Read: Shantaram – Gregory David Roberts and Why I No Longer Talk to White People About Race – Reni Eddo-Lodge
Finally, what is your tip of the day?
ISR: Give yourself a break!
Gøril: Buy yourself a plant or two to look after as we’re all going to be in our homes for a while. Gives you clean air, and some (weirdly enough) company.
We really can’t wait to get out to Norway to soak in all it’s beauty and as we do that listen to I See River’s – to keep up to date with their music please get subscribing on their website www.iseeriver.coms or you can follow them on Instagram @iseerivers and their Facebook!
To get updates and content from Minnis2Society, please follow us on:
Twitter: Minnis2Society
Instagram: @_minnis2society
