The mastermind behind the well known ambient acts, Penitent, Veiled Allusions, The Flux Komplex, Defraktor, Museum Of Transient Lights, Dense Vision Shrine and Arcane Art, is back, now under is own name; this project, as you can imagine, is completely dedicated to the bleak, minimalistic Ambient in its purest form… “Broken Whispers” is an absolutely astonishing work full of intense ambiances and good ideas. We contact Mr. Hamre to talk about this new entity, we send him some questions and he kindly accepts to answer those… Here is the result.

BB: First, it’s an honour to have you in Burning Black, many thanks for giving us this interview… Can you tell us about your beginnings as a musician?

It all started in 1994 when Penitent was formed, due to the urge to put music to my poems in order to enhance the atmosphere already present in the poems.

BB: Did you start, as a musician with Penitent, am I right? Can you tell us about the musical evolution of this band, from your “Demo ’95” to “A Shapeless Beauty”?

It did all start with Penitent. It is really hard to speak about the musical development of Penitent throughout the almost 12 years existence. It started with more synth/darkwave and went on there through gothic/darkwave sounds, a brief experiment with metal elements and then towards more industrial and ambiental sounds. It is better for people to explore it by themselves as words won’t be enough to explain the feelings of the music.

BB: What are you doing (musically) nowadays?

These days I have been more occupied with Dense Vision Shrine, Defraktor and The Flux Komplex material and also doing performances under the name Defraktor and Dense Vision Shrine.

BB: I would like to know why you decide to release you latest project under your own name… is “Broken Whispers” the material you feel most identified, as a individual, with?

I just wanted to make an album with songs that do not necessarily have to follow a certain direction or style which one often are more bound by when doing them under a specific project/band name. Just simply create music and get that out to the public.

BB: You are involved in many different projects, which one has been the most satisfactory to you? I must admit, you work as Karsten Hamre, Penitent and Defraktor have become my favourites…

I can’t say which one has been most satisfying as it all depends on which point in time we are talking about as it differs regarding what project I am currently more involved with at a given time. During the last few years there has been more focus on doing stuff under my own name as well as Defraktor as those has been the main ones for live performances and will also be in the future, maybe with the addition of Dense Vision Shrine and The Flux Komplex. The advantage of doing things under my own name, also in a live setting is that I am then free to pick material from all projects, and not be limited to one specific project.

BB: Each one of your musical projects has its own, personal sound; I guess there must be some concept behind each one… Can you tell us about it?

The most important thing is and will always be the music itself so I prefer that the projects are judged n the basis of the music itself. Nothing more nothing less.

BB: Can you define the sound of each one of your projects?

I probably could but I rather not. The music should stand for itself and be up to the listener to define on their own as that is what is the best in my opinion.

BB: How you split your time between Arcane Art, Karsten Hamre, Penitent, Defraktor, The Flux Komplex, Dense Vision Shrine, etc, etc?

It’s hard to say, as it’s not like I have to divide my time as it comes natural. I don’t sit down thinking which project to work on, I rather first make the music and then later find out where it fits.

BB: Can you tell us about your composition process? I can’t really imagine how you do that… How was the composition process of “Broken Whispers” particularly?

I couldn’t possibly explain the composing process as there are no structures in my ways of doing things. I work on some parts when I get inspired and then some later and at one certain point there is enough and I start mixing bits and pieces together.

BB: What were your sources of inspirations for “Broken Whispers”?

No specific sources of inspiration, both all and nothing, both whats inside and outside, both city life as well as deolate nature.

BB: When you compose, you do it thinking in a particular project? Or you just compose and then you find where the composition fits better?

As mentioned before I do not really compose with thinking of a specific project rather decide on that at the end when the songs has been created and are finished.

BB: You seem to be a pretty complete artist, musician, photographer and designer…I’m particularly interested in your work as a photographer, can you tell us a little about your quite eclectic and sober art? I understand you have studies on that… How you complement your music with your photographs?

The definition of photography is painting with light and music could be defined as painting with sounds, so in that respect they fit well together as they are both tools of creating atmospheres both visual and in the form of audio. Together they do indeed create a more complete picture as they stimulate both eyes and ears. I don’t know exactly what to say about my photos other than people should look and experience on their own, that is the way with art, people have different opinions and so it should be. 

BB: You have several albums under Trinity Records Hong Kong, how you get involved with this label? Why you decide to release “Broken Whispers” under Flood The Earth Records?

I got in touch with Trinity Records through internet, just as I did with Flood The Earth. The reason for releasing “Broken Whispers” through FTE was that they not only previously had released Vinterriket and also Vinterriket/Northaunt split, but also the fact that they showed a lot of interest in the material and offered me a deal for this release. I am very pleased with what they have done so far with the release as they do seem to do all their best to get it spread to all corners of the world.

BB: What are you listening nowadays?

I have been listening a bit to Tabor Radosti (CZ), one of the bands I recently performed live with in the Czech Republic for some Dense Vision Shrine shows. Other than that it’s a huge mix of different music.

BB: What have been the top ten most influential bands to you?

I try not to be influenced by other bands, and I don’t really have any top 10 to give you, sorry about that.

BB: Why your “Karsten Hamre” project, isn’t at your webpage?

There isn’t that much to write about it but you can also find information on www.myspace.com/karstenhamre

BB: What are your future plans? Do you have some new release in mind right now?

A new Dense Vision Shrine album entitled “A Voyage of Imagination” was released the 28^th of April on Epidemie Records (CZ), and there will soon be an announcement regarding the 2^nd The Flux Komplex album. I am currently also looking for a label to do the 2^nd Defraktor album “Through the Archway of The Fallen” ( www.myspace.com/defraktor).

BB: Thanks again for your words and your time. Is there anything else you want to add to this interview?  

Thanks a lot for this interview and opportunity to reach the readers of your magazine. For those who want also to check out more of my music, other than the already mentioned MySpace pages can go to: www.myspace.com/arcaneart & www.myspace.com/thefluxkomplex