The group was created in 2013 in Tver (Russia). Its basis was the ethno-cultural association "Tverzha", created by us. There we were engaged in the research of the past of the Tver region of Russia. We did this in order to update the past in the present, folk songs especially. It means not just to perform old forgotten songs, but also to give them a modern sound, to revive them with hope for the future, with faith in the continuation of the tradition.
2.So far you have released 2 albums, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on both of the recordings?
In our opinion the albums are very different from each other. The first album was simpler and more authentic, a mixture of ambient and ethnics. The second one is completely different; it took much longer to create it than the first. We wrote it for 3 years, while the first record took us 3 months. Nonregnum is much more complicated than Zemmis Supnai. There is less ethnics, but more people were involved in recording, more instruments. As for genre in the sound appeared martial, neoclassic, post-folk, darkwave and even black metal.
3.A lot of your lyrics cover the Paganism of your home country, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?
Not of the country, but of the Tver region. True paganism is always local and consists of many original cults, especially when we are talking about large territories. The area of the Tver region, for example, is larger than the area of many European countries, such as Estonia, Czech Republic, Lithuania etc. The members of the group have come to paganism in different ways, and understand it in different ways. But all of us are united by the idea of the aesthetics of the ritual, the sanctity of nature and love for true Tver culture and Tver land.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Kreiviskai'?
In Old Prussian it means "In Krivsk", "Krivichi". Krivichi were a union of Balto-Slavic tribes, which have become an ethno-forming nucleus of the population of the Tver region. Before the founding of the Old Russian state and the transition to the Slavic language, the Krivichi spoke the Baltic language and professed the Baltic pagan faith. The Old Prussian language, which today belongs to the extinct reconstructed languages, was also a member of the Baltic language group. Denoting this ancient connection, we chose this project name.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
We think, there aren’t any. Kreiviskai is a studio project, never performed on stage.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
There were some ideas to get the project on stage. But so far we haven’t come to it and we don’t see any need in it.
7.So far you have worked with 'Casus Belli Musica' and 'Cold Dungeon Records on getting your recordings released, do you feel both of these labels have been very helpful when it comes to getting your music out there heard?
"Casus Belli" is an experienced label, and everything was organized more than well, in our opinion. As for Cold Dungeon Records, it's hard to be objective here, as it's our own label, created specifically for the Kreiviskai project. At a certain point it became clear that the creation of the album is possible only if we monitor it without someone else's guidance. Using the example of Nonregnum, we can say that we have succeeded.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of neo folk?
So far all the feedback we received is very good, but we can’t speak for all the fans of neo-folk. Kreiviskai is not particularly known or popular in the world of neo-folk. Yes, our music was appreciated by many, but realizing and understanding of the depth and complexity of the conceptual part, philosophy, meanings are still to come.
9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Most likely there will be a third album, and probably it will be the last one. Content and concept for us is more important than music. If there would be nothing to talk about and it would seem to us that we have said everything, the project will be closed. The first album was dedicated to nature, Tver folklore and paganism, the second - to the Tver Middle Ages. The content and the concept of the third album will remain secret for now.
10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
A special influence was made by Tver and Baltic folklore, the Lithuanian and Latvian neo-folk, the Wardruna project, the Belorussian ethnic and so on. We listen to music of different genres, from authentic folk singing to black metal and EBM.
11.What are some of your non musical interests?
Every member of the group has a hobby. We share such hobbies as publishing activity, popular scientific researches in the field of history and archeology, studying linguistics and languages in particular. And, of course, travels - pilgrimages to the sacred places of our ancestors, local history and mountaineering, ritual practices.
https://www.spirit-of-metal.com/en/band/Kreiviskai
