PLATITUDE
Interview with Andreas (keyboards)
Q>>
Hi guys, what's up?
R>> Hey there! On a personal plane, I'm right now enjoying a plate of
strawberry pie - if we're talking about the band, we're in the middle of the
writing and practicing-process for the next album sessions and this spring's
upcoming gigs, which we're really looking forward to!
Q>> The press
feedback on "Secrets Of Life" seems to be a very encouraging one...
Especially in Japan. Tell me more about it. Did you guys tour there or are we
just talking about license-deals, CD sales and such kind of things?
R>> Yeah, it's been totally wicked - sure, we really like our stuff, but
we never imagined that the response would be THIS good! So far we're "only"
talking about a license deal with King Records and hopefully a healthy amount
of CD sales, but I really hope that we get a chance to play in Japan; it would
be awesome! Of course, any place where people want to hear us perform is a great
place to put on a show and I really hope that we'll get a chance to play for
everyone that enjoys our music!
Q>> I read
that your line-up includes young people exclusively... I know that wouldn't
be fair, but aren't you guys afraid that some people may think you're not serious
in what you do?
R>> Good question. Actually, this happens every now and then - but in
my opinion it says more about the people who have those kinds of pre-conceived
ideas than it does about us. Moreover, they usually change their minds after
they've met us - we're always 110% serious about the stuff that we do.
Q>> Neoclassical
Metal is not the easiest genre one could pick... Were you professionally trained
and coached in some way or are you just a bunch of gifted musicians?
R>> We've all been taking instrumental lessons of various kinds, but it's
never been at a dead serious level - most of our playing abilities come from
a lot of playing experience in different constellations and styles although
I guess that there's a healthy amount of talent in there too…;)
Q>> What
about your studio experience? Was everything cool when you started recording
with Tommy Hansen? Anecdotes maybe?
R>> Yeah, it was great - Tommy really is a great guy, and one of the most
professional people we've ever met. Concerning the anecdotes, Tommy was thinking
about building a cage for Erik for the next album recordings, due to his rather…eh,
"unorthodox" studio behavior. He's not exactly standing still; that
would be a way to put it. ;)
Q>> Can you
explain this whole big Power Metal (and related genres like the one you play)
phenomenon? How is it evolving in Denmark?
R>> I think that it's a combination of two factors; the rather high accessibility
of the melodies and the technical qualities of the performers - the first factor
is always of the greatest importance, no matter what style you're playing and
the other factor really adds to the excitement of it all. I cannot really tell
you what it's like in Denmark, since we're Swedes, haha - but over here, it
seems like our brand of music's really about to make its big public break in
the near future. It's really a pleasure to be in the middle of it all.
Q>> I saw
around that you were often compared with both Dio and Symphony X but I'd rather
compare you with bands such as Majestic, maybe because of those twisted keyboard
lines, I don't know... What bands are you actually really fans of?
R>> Hey, thanks a lot for the compliment, I really like that adjective
- "twisted"! ;) We're all into stuff like Dreamscape, Children Of
Bodom, Symphony X and Devin Townsend's various projects - but from there it's
really a mixed bag of nuts - Frank Zappa, Shawn Lane, Allan Holdsworth, Van
Halen, Rush, Queen, Abba, Spiral Architect, Freak Kitchen, Loudness, Jean-Michel
Jarre, Hans Zimmer, Angra, Count Basie, Art Tatum, Lale Larson, A.C.T…you
name it! It all depends on which one of us you're asking and the mood of that
particular person at the moment.
Q>> I like
"Raining Tears" very much. Tell me how the song came up...
R>> "Raining Tears" was written by Daniel, when we felt that
the album needed something a bit more dark and heavy, but still with great nuances.
I think that he succeeded rather well. ;)
Q>> What
about your lyrics? Do you have some personal touches here and there or is it
all fantasy?
R>> Sometimes we all agree on guidelines for the lyrics, especially if
the song calls for a certain kind of mood - but mostly they're products of Eriks
wild fantasy. ;)
Q>> Wanna
add something? About your future plans maybe?
R>> Yeah, sure! We're in the final stages of planning a tour schedule,
which is set to begin in early May - and after that, we'll be entering the studio
in July to record the follow-up - it's already written for about 75% - and it
really sounds totally wicked, if I may say so myself, haha. I hope that all
of you out there will get an opportunity to see us live on stage and a chance
to hear our record. I really hope that you will enjoy it! Thank you for your
support and the great questions - it really inspires us to push our limits even
further! See you on the road! Peace!
RNO