AVKRVST Talk New Album, Single And More

Norwegian prog rockers AVKRVST reveal their second single – “The Trauma” which is taken from their forthcoming album “Waving at the Sky” released on Friday 13th June 2025 on InsideOutMusic. They spoke to us about the new record, single and more: 

 

Who is in AVKRVST, how did you meet and what do you play?

Martin Utby – Drums
Simon Bergseth – Guitars and vocals
Edvard Seim – Guitars
Øystein Aadland – Bass
Auver Gaaren – Keys

Martin and Simon are childhood best friends, grew up together. Martin met Øystein and Auver when they studied music, and Simon met Edvard at music school.


 

What is your earliest musical memory?


Probably our dads (Martin and Simon’s) playing with their band Tammatoys.


When did you begin songwriting?

Around the age of 6, when we got our first instruments!



 

You will release your new album ‘Waving at the Sky’ on Friday 13th June 2025. How did you want to approach the making of the album?

We approached it the same way we did last time: Just hanging out together over some weekends, isolated in a cabin, drinking beer and just make whatever comes to us right there and then!

 

Where did you record the album and who produced it?

We recorded it mainly in Simon’s cabin in Alvdal, Norway – except for the drums that’s recorded at beautiful Ocean Sound Recordings. We produced the album ourselves!

Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the album recording sessions?

We listened to a lot audio books about a gruesome case about abuse, which inspired the lyrical theme of the album. And we had a lovely weekend at Ocean Sound recording drums.

Did you use any particular instruments, microphones, recording equipment to help you get a particular sound/tone for the record?

We used an old, legendary Neve mixer with great preamps to record the drums, and we used a couple of Neve preamps to record DI signal from guitar and basses, which later got re-amped via Neural DSP plugins. We also used some Mellotron and organs as well.

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?

a) Families are forever
b) The Trauma
c) Waving at the Sky

 

Was it a difficult album to write?

Not really. We tried to not over complicate anything or let any pressure get to us. Just hung out at the cabin, having a great time and deep diving into music and writing.

Who designed the album artwork?

The legendary Eliran Kantor.

Your second single ‘The Trauma’ is out now. What was the story/inspiration behind the track?

 

The Trauma is the start (lyrically) of the concept of the album, which is mainly about abuse within the family. It’s inspired by actual events that happened many years ago in Norway.

The single is accompanied by an official music video. What was the thought process behind the video and who directed it?

It’s filmed and directed by Simen Skari, who also did our last videos. The video is portraying the «step dad» in the story and one of the victims being kept in her room.

What two things do you hope to have achieved once you have left the stage?

That people are surprised how good we actually are live and that we’ve gained new fans!

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?

Neural DSP Quad Cortex’es!

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

Oslo: The capitol, relatively small, quite busy, good music scene and good food.



 

How do you look after your voices?

We don’t!



 

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?

Probably «A charming mass suicide», a great novel by the Finnish Arto Paasilinna. Dark, but great humour!



 

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?

Mew, Extol, The Mars Volta, Opeth and Porcupine Tree.

Do you have any live dates in the UK/Europe for 2025?

We play in Portugal at the Comendatio Music Fest 22nd of June, other than that nothing official.

What makes AVKRVST happy and what makes you unhappy?

Happy: Being together, drinking beer and playing music.
Unhappy: Sun.