Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with RunvAi
**RunvAi** is a Norwegian artist from Kristiansand, blending human creativity with AI innovation to craft unique musical experiences. At 49, he writes his own melodies and lyrics, using artificial intelligence to shape his ideas into fully realized songs. With a passion for storytelling and sound, RunvAi explores new frontiers in music, pushing the boundaries between artist and technology.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I had an older brother who loved music, so I was exposed to what was popular at the time from an early age. But it wasn’t until I discovered rock in the 80s that everything truly clicked for me. Bands like Mötley Crüe, W.A.S.P., Alice Cooper and Metallica opened up a whole new world — raw, honest, and full of energy. From that moment, I was completely hooked.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I’ve always been a creative soul. Before music, drawing was my thing. I got my first guitar when I was around 14 or 15, and even though the plan was to learn cover songs, it never really turned out that way. Everything I know, I taught myself — and learned together with the people I played with in my first band.
But my goal was never to play other people’s songs; I wanted to create my own. After I quit my rock and metal band around the age of 18–19 due to military service, I started a small pop-rock project. We actually got some interest from a music agent who wanted to hear more from us, but the band split up and that journey ended.
After that, it was mostly me and my sister doing music at home in the living room. Then in 2025, I found new music programs and tools that finally allowed me to bring the ideas in my head to life — and that’s when everything started falling into place.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
The RunvAi project began with a desire to build a musical universe that reflects both the bright and the dark sides of life. I wanted to combine human stories with modern tools — to use technology to enhance emotion, not replace it. The project is about expressing real experiences and thoughts through an honest and timeless sound.
How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard your music before?
My music is honest, melodic, and emotion-driven, often blending singer-songwriter, folk, pop, and rock. It has an organic feel where the voice and lyrics are always at the center. I try to let the production support the feeling, not hide it. Many describe the sound as both intimate and timeless — like a conversation set to music.
What’s one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
I’ve learned that not everything has to be perfect. Sometimes a line in a song can be too long — and that’s exactly what makes it work. The same goes for playing; you don’t have to hit every note perfectly. Sometimes that one off-note is what truly hits the heart, because it feels real.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I use a combination of guitar, vocals, and digital tools. An AI-based music program helps me shape ideas quickly, while BandLab and Cakewalk are where I build and mix the songs to make them sound more organic and human. But the most important tools are still emotion — and the guitar.
Which indie artist or song are you especially into right now?
I listen a lot to artists like Jack Savoretti, Dermot Kennedy, Sofia Isella, and Zandi Holup. They all have something real in their expression — they convey emotion in a genuine and human way without feeling overproduced. I’m drawn to artists who let vulnerability and strength exist side by side, and who let the story be the focus.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Most of what I write comes from my own experiences — both the light and the dark. Many of my songs deal with family, childhood, and relationships, but also with the battles we don’t always show others. I try to write honestly enough for people to recognize themselves, but open enough that the songs can become their own stories too.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
That they’re not alone. That it’s possible to carry heavy things and still find hope. Many of my songs are about standing strong, loving through the storm, and holding on when life shakes you. If someone feels a little lighter or more understood after hearing one of my songs, then I’ve achieved something meaningful.
At the same time, I hope the music can simply be enjoyed. Sometimes you just have to feel it — turn it up loud and let it fill the room.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
That things take time. It’s about being patient — even after years of sitting alone with just my own mind as my critic or audience. It’s been important to stand firm through it all. It took many years, but I finally managed to release the music that’s always lived inside me.
I remember when I released my first song, *I’m Sorry* — a track I wrote about 30 years ago. I was nervous, unsure if anyone would even like it. I didn’t tell anyone about it at first because I was scared. Today, I’m incredibly grateful that I took that step.
What’s a dream venue or festival you’d love to perform at?
It’s a difficult question, because there are still many things that would need to fall into place before I could do a live concert. I haven’t really thought much about specific festivals or venues in that way. But there are so many places and venues that would be interesting to try out — time will tell.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Johnny Cash, without a doubt. He had a way of telling the truth straight — raw, honest, and without filters. And if I had to pick a band, it would be Metallica. They’ve been my favorite band since my youth, and their energy, power, and emotion have always reminded me why I started making music in the first place.
Where can listeners find and support your music?
You can find me on all platforms distributed through DistroKid — including Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, YouTube, and many more. I’m also active on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook under the name RunvAi, and my rock project CTRvL can be found on the same platforms.
What’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I want to keep expanding the RunvAi universe, release more albums, and reach even more listeners around the world — while staying close to those who’ve followed me from the beginning. My dream is for the music to last, and maybe mean something to people I’ll never meet.
My songs have already been played in over 60 countries, but I also hope to build a stronger presence here in Norway. I want RunvAi to become a universe people can find strength and recognition in — no matter where they live.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
That everything I create comes from a real place. Behind the sound and the production, there’s just a person trying to understand life — like everyone else. I hope people see that RunvAi isn’t just a project, but a journey — a way of sharing the human experience.
