How does 'Across The Acheron' reflect your musical journey and growth as an artist?

Very good (and difficult) question. It’s a bit hard to measure your own growth. Some day it feels like you haven’t changed a bit during all these years. The other, everything feels different. Must admit that this recording was difficult for me. It was born in the moment of bad stress and fatigue; I suffered a severe burnout last Christmas and the writing of songs did not have any direction. There were no clear structures or patterns, just bits and pieces everywhere. I was not sure how it would end and had lots of difficulties to memorize what I had written. To be honest, it was a mess. Just like me. For months.

But eventually, everything just clicked together. So, my musical journey with this record seems to have walked hand in hand with my recovery. What comes to growth, it feels like my mental landscape has evolved during all these years and is capable of producing music despite of hardships of life. At least this is what I believe. You cannot control your mind. And you should not either. Free mind (at its best) sometimes offers surprises. This is what happened to me. Despite of all the mess, I was able to pull off a rather harmonic package. On certain extent, this is some kind of maturity, as well.

Can you talk about the recording and production process for 'Across The Acheron?'

As mentioned, it was a mess when I started to think about putting these songs on tape. Today, I cannot even remember the whole process. Anyway, when recording, I realised that I have lots of material and it seems to manifest itself in clear order. It was a total surprise to me. Like someone else had sorted everything out for me and I just played them in. It was a strange, but pleasant feeling. To be surprised by yourself sounds a bit mental, but I accept it. It was a very difficult and serious situation I was in for a long time, anyhow. And I believe anyone suffering from similar symptoms can agree.

So, I eventually managed to pull off the recording in two days. But editing and mixing took weeks. Editing, for me, is hard labour. It is very tiring and drains me completely, for a long time. You are yourself’s harshest critic, after all. Anyway, as the weeks passed, I finally had them mastered. After this, I still had to wait because I needed a break. Today, the EP’s out and I can move on.

What has been one of your favorite memories along the path to making 'Across The Acheron?'

It was when I realised that despite my gut feeling, the songs actually were there. As a whole package.

What has been the most memorable experience or achievement in your music career so far?

The greatest achievement for me has been understanding that I still have something to offer. I still have the music in me, and I still have that fire burning. Also, I am still determined to do my music. Memorable moments? There are many! They are the moments when I see that someone understands the art I’m making. It speaks to someone. I cherish these moments.

How do you balance the artistic aspects of your music with the business side of the industry?

Easy! For me, there is no business side. Of course, you have to think the marketing and promotion, and it needs funds. But I tend to keep things simple. I understand that I will not get millions of streams, but it’s ok. The best thing is, no-one else defines my artistic aspects, I have a total freedom. In order to keep on going, artistic freedom is essential. So, I do not feel pity I do not have a record deal. As long as I can be true to myself and there are people like You, what could possibly go wrong?

Official record industry cannot smother the underground. It has always been there, it will always be there. Independent artists, labels, journalists, bloggers, enthusiasts, fans are not going anywhere. And this is good. Right?

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