Interview with Toni from Midjungards and Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (https://petesrocknewsandviews.com)
PD: How would you describe yourself or your band as an artist?
T: I describe Midjungards as a band that makes this music from the heart. All the lyrics that we’d something that is in our hearts and we need to express, otherwise, the band would not exist.
PD: Can you tell us briefly about your background – i.e. where you’re from, how you came to make music, etc
T: I am originally from Spain but I have been living in Finland for more than 14 years. I started in music with my first band hell-train around 2003, after 4 years of activities the band disappeared, then I continued my activity as a promoter in Heavy Metal Heart Festival, Visigoht Agency and Dark Rails Records, Midjungards existed for compositions but only 1 concert until 2022 when From Scandza was recorded and released in March 2023.
PD: Who and what inspires you to make music, both in terms of musical and other influences? What do you like to write about in your songs?
T: In our case, the band is based on the historical Goths. This is the main influence/inspiration. We think that the ancient Goths have a more interesting, large and successful history than the Vikings. Their adventure deserves to be sung. About the music, we like any kind of metal. We are more influenced by Thrash and Viking metal, but we like any kind of metal music.
PD: What are your aspirations as an artist?
T: My inspiration is to continue progressing for the band for many years. Release many albums and play in important places. We would like mainly to be remembered some years after the band disappears.
PD: What is the proudest moment in your music career so far?
T: For the moment it has been to play in Rock Imperium with bands like Kiss, Deep Purple or Helloween. We hope that we continue playing in that kind of event.
PD: Promoting one’s music is such a challenge these days, especially with so many new
artists emerging from bedrooms in the day of the home studio. How is that going?
T: I completely agree with you, there many bands, and it is very difficult and it is very difficult to be able to promote your music effectively. For the moment, we are promoting, we are making some advances in certain places, but we think that we still have a lot to work to do. And we think that it is the only way to do something, work very hard with them for a long period.
PD: And how do you book and promote your live shows and tours? Any performances coming up?
T: We are booking them with Visigoth Agency. For the moment, this year we have 4 concerts in Spain and 4 concerts in Finland, including festivals. We think that we will close soon more gigs, but nothing is to be announced yet. Our illusion would be to play in the USA, let’s see if we can do it someday.
PD: What do you think about downloading music online? What about streaming sites like Spotify?
T: I think that is the present. Digital music has taken over the physical format for a long time. This has the advantage that your music is easier to distribute and arrive in more places, but it also implies that monetization is much more difficult.
PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?
T: Desperate Cry by Sepultura. Because I think that is one of the best songs that I have ever listened.
PD: Is there anything you don’t like about the music industry, which you would change if you could?
T: Rith now, I would to change the fact that is very difficult to find concerts for bands, mainly if you are a new band.
PD: So, what are you working on at the moment?
T: We are working now mainly on getting more concerts and preparing the second album. Also, we would like to release a new music video soon.
PD: Where can we learn more about you and buy your music/merch online?
T: About us, people can visit our webpage: https://midjungards.com/,and our social networks: https://www.facebook.com/midjungardsofficial/ https://www.instagram.com/midjungardsofficial/
About buying music/merch online, we do it with Dark Rails Records: https://darkrailsrecords.com/product-category/bands/midjungards/
Midjungards links:
Band/Artist location – Helsinki – Finland
Website – Facebook – You Tube – Merch –
Instagram – Apple – Spotify – Deezer – Last Fm –
Check our page for Midjungards
