A grounded sword

Metal band The Sword has never been to Trondheim, but their first meet with the city was positive.

• We really like it here! It’s beautiful. Yesterday we were at Kristiansten Festning and Bakklandet – Trondheim’s old town, and we’re really looking forward to the concert, says guitarist Kyle Shutt.

He’s backstage at Pstereo, drinking beer and relaxing.

• I’ll come and sit next to you, so you can hear me on your recording, he says, approaching me with a big grin on his face. I explained that I’ll be recording the interview in order to write it down.

Kyle enjoys himself at smaller festivals like Pstereo. He says that when they play at larger festivals, they often have to compete with bigger band, and they don’t know what the audience will be like.

• This festival is very diverse, and each band is different from each other. It should be an interesting concert!

Like a true artist, Kyle says that he’s inspired by all kinds of art in his music, and refers to one band in particular:

• I was a huge fan of Queen growing up, and especially the drummer, bassist and guitarist. Four persons capable of making that kind of sound – incredible!

Kyle likens The Sword to a rock ‘n roll band, and doesn’t like to categorize their music:

• People like coming up with monikers for bands, and we can’t really deny those. But for us, it doesn’t feel like we’re part of any movement, just like we’re a rock ‘n roll band.

Thinking about the future

In the future, we’d really just like to continue moving forward, admits Kyle.

• Being able to keep selling out clubs and making records is a really good thing to do, so that’s what we’d like to do.

Nevertheless, Kyle is not afraid of success, but admits that it can change you. It’s something you’ve always dreamed of, but it comes with some things you weren’t prepared for, he says. Especially if your foot’s on the gas pedal for ten years, it’s important to take time out to reflect.

During their career, they’ve already had time to tour with several other big bands, amongst others Metallica. Kyle mentions singer and guitarist James Hetfield, who played in Bergen on Saturday, as an example of a guy who hasn’t been changed by huge success.

• He’s a real sweetheart, and really just a lover of music. At the same time, he’s managed to rid himself of his alcoholism and was sober the whole time we were with them, he concludes.