1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the musical project since the recording of the new album?
---There has been a lot and I’m beyond grateful for it all, ive been focused on the upcoming west coast tour, and have been offered a few other tours, collaborative releases, I’ve been designing new merch too, other than that I’ve been just focusing on myself and the better life that is unfolding for me.
2.You have a new album coming out in June, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
--- I’d say its similar but upgraded from my previous album, but vastly different from when I was under the umbrella of the other genre I started out under.
3.A lot of your lyrics cover Medieval Lore, Ancient Battles and Fallen Empires, can you tell us a little bit more about the songwriting?
--- Honestly, there isn’t much to tell in the way I can describe with words, I just write lyrics about stuff I’m interested in.
4.You have also mentioned an interest in the writings of J.R.R Tolkien, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in his work and also do you have an interest in other fantasy authors?
--- Well, I grew up watching Lord of the Rings, and later on, The Hobbit movies, ive read enough about his books surrounding the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to where I became obsessed with the almost neverending lore, the inspiring stories of bravery, duty and honor have also inspired me to do the same in my personal life. George RR Martin is also a great author and I love Game of Thrones (though I love Tolkien’s work a lot more), The kingdom of the North in Westeros inspired me as much as Forodwaith in middle earth to let the listeners fixate on a frozen cold empire in the north of the world and that’s referenced a lot in my music.
5.You have also mentioned an interest in horror films, which horror films has the biggest influence on your work?
--- Id say first and foremost, Nosferatu, the original from 1922 and the newest remake from 2024, Begotten (1990), Headhunter, a handful of others I’d say.
6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Morningstvr?
--- Morningstvr is just Morningstar with a ‘v’ instead of an ‘a’, Morningstar is the nickname of Lucifer, the lightbringer. I chose the name because many people throughout my life have stated I’ve brought light into their lives, the spelling however was chosen out of the aesthetic of the original genre I was in, which was known as “Witch House Music”.
7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
--- The art goes along with the title I’d say. As part of my unholy trinity, I was greatly inspired by darkthrone’s unholy trinity. The photo is of me in a dark field, a sword in my right hand, and my left hand which is significant to my beliefs, is reaching up to my logo. To me, my music is what I am meant to do in this lifetime, it is my fate.
8.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?
--- With this project, I am strictly solo. The only way I would be open to Live members is if a major label who signs me asks me to do that. I have been recently thinking on having a side project for a medieval black metal band, however but I’m on the fence.
9.You have a live show coming up in April, what can we expect from one of your life performances?
--- I can say that it is one of the new instances when a one-man black metal band is on stage by themselves, that seems to be happening more and more and I am thrilled. But one can expect some kind of black metal the audience will be very new to hearing.
10.In the past you also did a 'Moonspell' cover, what was the decision behind doing your own version of one of their songs?
--- Moonspell is the band that got my into metal back in the summer of 2008, I hold them in very high regard and I love their music, but that song specifically was chosen because I was asked to be part of a 90s cover/remix compilation for a witch house channel in 2023.
11.You have also been a part of a couple of splits, can you tell us a little bit more about the artists and bands that you shared these recordings with?
--- “Vostok” was fun to do with KsureN, who is a friend of mine in Kazakhstan who makes multiple genres of music, from dark electronic to blackgaze and the other, “Amongst Two Towers of Novgorod” was with a friend of mine here In southern California, Incantations of Cadaver Mutilation which is a black metal noise project which I find fascinating.
12.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
--- I am definitely looking for a label again, but I am very picky of which ones I want to go for.
13.Where do you see yourself heading into musically during the future?
--- I see myself doing what I’m doing into my 70s honestly, my music is what I’ve always wanted to do as a career and that will not be ending anytime soon.
14.What are some of the bands or musical styles you are currently listening to nowadays?
--- Id say some of the second wave black metal such as Darkthrone and Gorgoroth, but mostly medieval black metal as I’ve become obsessed with the subgenre.
15.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts
https://linktr.ee/morningstvr