Given the time differences between the US and Norway, guitarist Tchort of Green Carnation e-mailed me answers to a few questions.
Were there any member changes since the last GC release? If so, who’s gone and who’s new? Did these new members affect GC’s decision to create an all-acoustic album or had this been a goal of the band from long ago?
Anders Kobro (drums) was replaced with Tommy Jackson after the recording of The Quiet Offspring. You could say that was because of “musical differences”, but all in all, it was a decision made to keep up the quality of future recordings. Kobro had been in the band since the year 2000, and during this period, he got more bands, got more kids, full job, etc. so it was hard for him to find the time we required of him. Tommy is a long time friend of the band and knew most of our material by heart already, so the change was a smooth one.
Regarding the decision on making an acoustic album, that came from the fact that Green Carnation had its 15th anniversary in 2005, and we wanted to do something special for the fans. Since we already had released a full length album earlier the same year, we decided on doing an acoustic album, which would be a new thing for us as well as the fans.
The strings on Acoustic Verses are beautiful. Did you bring special guests or is there a member of the band who was talented enough to write and record those string parts? Have you ever considered adding a strings instrument (violin, viola, or otherwise) to your line-up and/or touring show?
The string arrangements were written by the band members, but performed by friends of ours who own and play the violin and viola. Due to our strict deadline during the recording of the string section, we had to use a sample for the chello, but its hard to tell, when its mixed with the violin and viola. Adding a string trio to our live shows, would be great, but we have a hard time as it is already, just to have the promoters to accept the 8 people that we are (6 band members + 2 technicians) hehe However, we are planning on doing something special in the summer…
On your upcoming tour of North America, will you be playing your usual metal live-show or will you be busting out the acoustic instruments and toning it down with some tracks off of this new album?
We dont know yet, but i imagine that we will do both, but how its going to be specifically, we dont know yet.
Given the characteristic thrashing guitars of metal, how do you think the tranquility of Acoustic Verses will go over with your fanbase? Were you thinking of the fans when you wrote this album? Do you have a different target audience for this album or are you trying to diversify the music of your established metal fanbase?
We have been blessed with a open minded fan base (but i guess you have to be open minded if you want to be a green carnation fan) and they have been very acceptive of all our albums and our changes. The acoustic album is a lot different – again – but on the other hand, i believe it captures the essence of Green Carnation; atmosphere, Progressive and melodies. Maybe in even more now than on the other albums. Its sometimes easier to bring forward the essence when you only have an acoustic guitar and vocals. Its easy to drown stuff when you have 26 drum tracks, 8 guitars, 6 different keyboards, pads, etc.
we have done some acoustic versions of our old songs, that were used as bonus material on the DVD we released 2 years ago, and we got some really good feedback from the fans on those songs, so i not only think, i am sure that they will enjoy this album as well 
I’ve never been a fan of metal ï¿Â½ heavy, death, or otherwise ï¿Â½ but after listening to your acoustic album, I decided to check out some of your older stuff. To my surprise I wasn’t cowering in the corner, covering my ears and wishing I could reach the stop button on my computer. In fact, I’ve found a pop element in your songs on the internet that I quite enjoyed. Do you think your acoustic album will be a crossover that will help introduce people who were previously afraid of anything termed “metal” to your music?
Much possible, if they get the chance to hear the album, that is. Metal people are usually very open minded when it comes to music, but “normal” people are not so open-minded when it comes to metal music. I think the album can appeal to both sides of the “fence”, at least thats what we`ve been told by media and those who have listened to the album already. To us, its an album that we approached in a different way, but put just as much effort and time into, as we have done with any other album. I believe that we managed to capture the soul and heart of Green Carnation with this album.
Can you remember first album that you ever got (purchased or received as a gift)? Do you still listen to the band or music like it?
I cant remember exactly, but i am guessing it was a Kiss album (cassette). I later collected all they released up to Crazy nights. I still listen and i still like Kiss a lot!
What would you say is the one album that has most influenced or inspired you to create music?
holy cr**… Thats a hard one! I think maybe i would have to say Deicide / Deicide. I got a real kick from it, and i wrote a lot of music after hearing it. It opened a new world to me. Anyways, its not an album that could see in connection with what I am doing in Green Carnation today hehe
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