The band Rabagast emerged as a counter-reaction to "typical rock." - The goal was to make rock that wasn't Harry. We probably have a bit of Harry tendencies, so the project has been a failure so far.
/ 12/04/2019 / Kristian DugstadThe band Rabagast emerged as a counter-reaction to "typical rock." - The goal was to make rock that wasn't Harry. We probably have a bit of Harry tendencies, so the project has been a failure so far.
Photo above: Daniel Arntzen
Name: Rabagast, Kjersti Synneva Moen, Bosse Krogh Kiønig, Morten Skårberg, Jakob Ø. Ottesen
Age: 23
Current with: The song No Friends
TONO members since: 2015
PS: it is bassist Jakob who answers on behalf of Rabagast.
Who is Rabagast?
Rabagast is a band based in Oslo. We play rock inspired by punk and garage rock, as well as other types of alternative rock. We like to play energetic concerts and write catchy songs.
The quote from SNL: "Rabagast, a devilishly violent, brash, brazen, carefree person, a wild man." How well does the description fit?
We're probably not particularly cheeky, bold or carefree. Our album "unsatisfied" says it all. The concerts can be a bit out of control sometimes, so wild driving is correct. We're definitely wild. So the description fits a bit.
How did you meet? How did the band come about?
We met at the Viken Folk High School in Gjøvik. Kjersti (vocalist) and I (Jakob, bassist) wanted to make something cool. We found out that we had a strong allergy to typical “rock”. The goal with Rabagast was to make rock that wasn’t harry, first and foremost. We probably have a bit of harry tendencies at times, which means that so far the project has been a failure.
What is their musical background?
Different. Everyone has played in many bands in different styles. We hope it can be heard a little in the music that we have a love for genres other than just rock. For example, we cover the song "sexyback" by Justin Timberlake. Great riff on that song.
You describe yourself as a tough rock band from Oslo. What makes you tough?
Difficult. I think it's because we're standing at the very edge of the stage and singing loudly all together. As opposed to having a sore vocal, and a fluffy dress, with way too much sound on everything. That's the opposite of tough, and that's not who we are.
The lyrics are in Trøndelag, then. Aren't you Trøndelag rock?
Yes, strictly speaking. But no. I think it's because we want to play at Vaterland and John Dee instead of local community centers. For something to be characterized as Trøndelag rock, it has to appeal to three generations of Trøndelag people. I think we appeal to one at most. That said, we have the cowbell. It's a very good instrument.
Speaking of lyrics. Your first EP is in English. How did you end up "changing languages"?
It was a big transition. In English you can say completely different things. In the seventies Norwegian artists translated American songs into Norwegian. “Tie a yellow ribbon round the ole oak tree” became “set en blomst i karmen til jeg går forbi”. For us it was important to avoid this type of transition. For us the lyrics in Norwegian are more personal and more prominent.
What are your songs about? Are they personal stories?
Everything is at least thoughts or something like that. At least I don't sit at a sidewalk cafe and look at all the strange people. It doesn't interest me at all. Most of the songs are based on negative emotions. "Pedestall" is, for example, a song Kjersti wrote about someone she was annoyed by. The song "Tusen" is about how shitty the world is and how shitty I am for not doing anything about it.
And how does music arise?
It varies a bit. Often I come up with a finished song and then we tinker with it together until it sounds really cool. Other times we go back and forth several times, so someone plays a riff they've made, and then someone else develops it on their own, and then we rehearse it again. It quickly takes a while!
Do you have instruments or other equipment that are indispensable in the writing process?
Personally, I use the app “Keep” for all my notes. Other than that, we are a fairly small, equipment-focused band. We also played a song for the first time in the studio when we recorded it. It went well! It’s called “Kline på Sofaen.”
You released the EP "Hold På Hatten" in 2018. Tell us about it?
It is probably our most pure rock release to date. Yet it diverges in several directions. On the EP we have both our longest song; "Hold på hatten" (about 5 min) and the shortest song; "Æ lik itj dæ" (clocks in at 1:00 blank). I think it will appeal to people who like rock. By the way, Kjersti has drawn the cover.
What are you working on now? What does 2019 bring for you?
We have recorded four singles that we will release little by little. The first one will be released on May 31st, and is called "Ingen Venner". We will also be playing in the mountains and on the slopes, including celebrating the single release on May 31st at Vaterland in Oslo.
What is your career highlight so far?
On the release of the Utilfreds album we played at Cafe MIR and it was packed. It was a lot of fun. Personally, it was fun to stage dive at Sørveiv in Kristiansand. As a bass player, stage diving is often not my thing, but in a strange way it was. Weird stuff.
What is the strangest thing you have experienced as a band?
We once went to a nightclub where there was poop on the floor. It was weird.
What do you do when you're not making music?
We live pretty normal lives, even though that might be a pretty boring answer. We have a bit of a Flåklypa everyday life, with different things, but also a lot of silence.
What is your greatest musical experience?
As an emo, I had a big emotional reaction when I first heard Tears Don't Fall by Bullet for my Valentine. When I listen to it now, I have a different reaction. As a band, it was really cool to hear our song Verst for Meg recorded for the first time. We had been working on it for a really long time and I think the result was really great.
Is there anything we should have asked you about?
Do you like sweet pastries?
And what is the answer to that question?
Yes, sir.