Interview
(Progressive Newsletter Nr.55 04/06)
excerpts from an interview with Petter Sandström (Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Sloppy Acoustic Guitar & Harmonica)
Simon is the shy one, Johan is the cute one, Anthon is the funny one, Tobias is the sarcastic one, and I'm that other fellow.
Which musicians/bands have influenced you the most?
I guess I'll have to say "The Beatles". I grew up listening to them as my mom and dad are big fans of the fab four. About a couple of years ago I realized how lucky I've been growing up with bands such as: The Beatles, 10CC, Supertramp, Cat Stevens, Bruce Springsteen. I'll have to thank mom and dad for that. As for the progressive rock bands I guess I have to mention Genesis, there's something magic surrounding their music. Musician, I have to say John Lennon. I wanted to be him, still do. (laughs)
If you have to characterize your debut album in a few words, how would you describe it?
Summersounding, dreamy and melodic. It works well sitting on a carpet under a tree on a nice sunny afternoon. But I've discovered that it works just as fine while doing the dishes. (laughs)
The vocal arrangements play a leading role in your music. How do the compositions evolve? Do you start with the lyrics or with the music?
The music mainly comes first, but there are times when they come at the same time. You got the chords and the melody and you just sing out whatever words come to mind. This happened on "Dance Across the ocean", the words came along with the melody, and most of these nonsense lines made the final cut. I'll guess it's quite unusual to work in this way, but it works. The melodies are of great importance to us. At the end of the day that's what we all prefer listening to, nice melodies. That's why the vocal arrangements are so well crafted, if I may say so. We work with the vocal melody until it satisfies us, if we have to change the lyrics because of a beautiful vocal melody we do. There are so many words you can use in the lyrics anyway, but there's only one melody you can use. The right one!
Who is mainly responsible for the compositions and arrangements?
Someone brings an idea to rehearsal, or a theme, or a verse, a chorus, could be the entire thing, and then someone throws in something from another perspective. And as the song is evolving, someone brings in this cool rythm that we can't leave behind. Everyone kind of throws in their own ingredients, and then we just let it fry in the pan for a while, until it's ready to be served. Supper's ready! That's how we compose mainly. As far as the arrangements go, the one with the best idea is the arranger. And then of course the choir arrangements that Simon makes. You just give him a vocalmelody and he thinks up the darndest choirs you've ever heard.
How did it happen that Tomas Bodin produced your album?
We contacted Tomas when it came to mixing of the first demo, we sent him an e-mail and he liked what he heard. We sent him a song called "Lovely Rain", which is kind of our tribute to The Beatles, Supertramp, Jellyfish. A very funny and catchy little tune. Tomas listened to it with Pernilla, and the song brought smiles to their faces fortunately. While mixing the demo he started speaking about making an album. I guess the record wouldn't have been made without him seeing our potential. He's just an incredible person. We owe him...... a million dollars!!!
How were the reactions to your debut in the prog press so far?
The reactions have been excellent so far. Some 9's, some 10's, some 4's, some 5's. But someone out there is probably sharpening his knife, waiting to slash us into tiny little proggy bits. Hopefully it won't happen.But it's been good for the soul that the reviews been this great. It's inspiring and it sure puts a little pressure on ones shoulders for the coming album. But that's good anyway. At least now we know there are people besides us that likes, and listens to our music.
Moon Safari started with a brilliant debut album. Where do you expect Moon Safari to be in let’s say 5 or 6 years?
Then we are close to a 10th anniversary. Moon Safari have toured around the world and seen wonderful places and would then be working on the 7th album entitled: "Onion Music - The Cry Album". Moon Safari has sold tons of records from which Johan got the money to buy a flying car. Me, I'm just a lawnmower, you can tell by the way I walk...
If you should participate on a tribute sampler which band would you like to cover?
I know Simon wants to do a Hi-lo´s cover. But what about Grobschnitt? Perhaps we'd do "Ernie's Reise".
Hey – you know GROBSCHNITT ?!! How do young Swedish musicians happen to know Grobschnitt??
I guess we just know good music that´s all, Grobschnitt "Rockpommels land" especially is on both mine and Johans top ten progalbum lists. I actually bought the Grobschnitt album when me and Johan were in Stockholm to see the Yes 30th anniversary. We had time to kill and was on a record hunt. There's two stores in old town in Stockholm we always visit. One of them had this special cd, a nice looking cover reminiscent of Roger Deans. It contained 4 tracks, with songs ranging from 10 to 20 minutes... and it just had to be fine prog!! However, after the Yes gig, since I had brought my cd-walkman with me, I listened to it and was completely blown away. I shouted at Johan that he just had to hear this band called Grobschnitt!! He listened for a bit on "Ernies Reise" but wasn't all that impressed, mumbling something about Yes ripoffs or something. But a month or so later he found it on vinyl and then all the pieces seemed to fit as he loved it...
Jürgen Meurer © Progressive Newsletter 2006