Ani Even
Embark on a journey to Ani Even’s realm, where Psylectro Cave-Rave Chancore music is your guide to a self-healing odyssey. Ancient vocal techniques, from the haunting kulning to the powerful throat-singing, fuse with Gregorian chants, synths, and bass, weaving a sonic bridge between the old Norse and the digital industrial worlds. Feel the harmony of past and future resonate within you, and let Ani Even’s sound waves unlock your hidden potential.
“Timewine” sounds great, how long did it take you and what were some of the challenges or difficulties that you faced to complete this new release?
Timewine manifested itself. Timewine is a track from my latest release 'Lucid Confabulation', this release took two years to finish and revolves around the most tomoultus period of my life (so far). The song lyrics were written down while drinking wine with two people I really love and it was a time in my life where I felt happiness like I hadn't felt happiness in a long time. A technical obstacle I had to overcome was working with the Antares Harmony Engine, which is the layered voices you will hear on the track. This tool is so powerful, that it will smear butter all over your original voice, but balancing it to a point where it makes sense surely was a challenge - you will also hear this tool on my tracks 'Opposition' & 'Moons of Jupiter' from the same record.
What are some of the influences or inspirations that you drew from for your music?
When it comes to musical structure or challenging musical structure, the Belgian artist Flavien Berger, truly inspires me. He has an ability to create a mass vibe which I really dig! Another very important artist to me, is the Danish artist Hess Is More, who combines jazz, disco and electronica into a beautiful soup of sonic stories - he's not afraid of being himself and plowing his own path. I want that!
How do you cope with the pressure or expectations that come with being a musician?
It's my own shop and I can do what I want in this universe. My art and music is a tool for self-therapy travelling backwards in the rough wasteland of the past and present. My worst enemy when it comes to music is myself of course. I'm always in doubt about whether what I do is good enough, perfect or has any appeal at all, but I remind myself, this is something I do for me and hopefully it resonates with others.
What are some of the skills or techniques that you have learned or improved as a musician?
Composition and construction. Most of the songs I write and create begins with the discovery of a new technical aspect, whether it's mixing, composing, playing an instrument, discovering new ranges of my voice or catching a unique sample. When I began composing and creating, I initially stuck very much to the mainstream structures of songwriting (hence it works for the average music consumer), but after a catastrophic period of my life, I kind of just started using my ears when composing and let my feelings be the compass of composition: Where's this melody going? Does this feel like a pausing moment? Should I exaggerate this? etc.
How do you measure your success or satisfaction as a musician?
When working with my music, I listen relentlessly to what I am creating. I listen in the car, on the headphones, on friends speakers, on my monitors, any source really. When I'm not annoyed by what I hear, then I know the track is crowning and sonic birth will commence. It's difficult for me to measure artistic success, when I feel like my art is very niche.
Is it a success to earn money? To play concerts? I guess I would call my art success, if there's anyone who listens to what I do and hang memories on the musical coat hanger I've crafted - simply put: to help people cope with their lives through my music, art or lyrics would be my measure of success.
What's next for you?
After the release of my record 'Lucid Confabulation' on the 21st of july 2023, I will be closing the Danish art festival called 'Spirefestival' with a live set on the 5th of august after midnight. I'm super excited to share my voice and music with the festival goers and I've been practicing non-stop. In fall I will be finishing a mass project, this project is very drone-driven and will hopefully turn into a destructive-meditative journey for the listener.
