The Obelisk Questionnaire: Leif Herland of Bismarck
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Leif Herland of Bismarck
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
First and foremost I’m an audio engineer and songwriter at Polyfon Studio, I don’t consider myself a musician although I play bass in several bands. At the studio I produce, record, mix and master music for bands, filmmakers and artists. I’ve been fascinated by sound and music since a very young age, and I started writing and recording music at the age of 16. I took a degree in Music Technology at Glamorgan University in Cardiff in 2011 and have been working with music and sound on a regular basis since then. I started Polyfon Studio in 2019.
Describe your first musical memory.
My first musical memory was my grandmother’s old Yamaha keyboard which had built-in rhythms and different sounds. I played with that a lot!
Describe your best musical memory to date.
I played a show with a band called Sworn at Garage in Bergen for 10-ish people in 2007. At the gig we got discovered by a German fellow who wanted to manage us and book shows for us. A few weeks later we played in front of 6,000 people in Germany, that was surreal and one of my best musical memories to date! We also got to play festivals and went on tour with Behemoth and Aborted!
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
I get tested in my work all the time. It’s important to stay open minded and alway try new things to achieve new sounds and new music! I try not to have any firm beliefs, neither professional nor private ones.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
In many cases artistic progression leads to better art. For me constant development and experimentation is key to keep my work interesting, both for me, my bandmates and customers in my studio.
How do you define success?
Success for me is when you can do what you love and make a living out of it. Most bands and artists strive to make this happen and when you’ve found your way and succeed it’s one of the greatest feelings there is!
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
I’ve seen some shit. I especially remember a foul website called rotten.com which had the worst kind of images and videos. I saw a man getting slowly beheaded with a knife when I was about 13 years old and that image stuck with me…
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
I’ve always wanted to create and release an electronic ambient doom album, and I work on it from now and then.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
I believe the most essential function of art is to give you something. Whether it is anger, sense of relief or provoking doesn’t really matter to me. If the art doesn’t give me anything it is not relevant to me.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
I’m currently renovating my apartment and I’m very much looking forward to getting it done!
http://www.bismarck.no
http://bismarck.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/bismarckdoom
http://www.instagram.com/bismarckdoom
https://www.facebook.com/bergenapollonrecords/
https://apollonrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://apollonrecords.no
