Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Exclusive Interview with this week's feature Artist: Pound - Sweden






















Pound has been one of the most exciting band we have met here. The sound of their music is electrifying. It’s a perfect rock band with the right mix of electronics and melodic lyrics that created a drift of the modern and classic sound in rock sound evolution. We love the shouting, the beat and the drum that’s totally energetic yet doesn’t overwhelm the songs. There’s no compromise because there is none needed. It’s the exact proportion. Perfect.

Q: Shall we start with an intro of the band. How you all started the adventure? How the band came to the current combination now?
A:Pound was formed in 2004 in the town of Borlänge, located somewhere near the middle of Sweden, by four guys with a great passion for music. The band’s original members were Stefan Gustavsson, Janne Korpela, Mika Itäranta and Martin Haglund. Having played together a few years in the pop/rock band Universal Puppies, the guys felt that we wanted to put a harder edge to our music but still keep the great pop melodies - Pound was the result.
In 2005 we released our first ep “Phantom killer” which received great reviews. The music was heavier than before but Stefan was still the main songwriter so the great melodies were still present.
A few months after the release of “Phantom Killer”, Martin and Mika decided to leave the band to play full time with Astral Doors. Fortunately, during this time Stefan had gotten in touch and played with drummer Samuel Granath who was asked to join the band. Samuel in his turn had recently played with bass player Christian Larsson who was introduced to the other guys. After a jam full of good vibes, Chris joined the band.
Q: what’s Pound is about? Musically and how the heck you guys came up with the name?
A:Pound is the essence of what we believe is good music. The combination of riffs, pop melodies, melancholy and happiness. Our former guitar player Martin came up with it. We thought it sounded good. (boring story)
Q: you guys was under a record label before this. What happen? Did you guys created your own indie label to distribute your album? When will we be expecting any new EP or album?
A:We were offered a record deal with an English company last year but we didn’t think it was what we were looking for so we decided to do it on our own. We hired Tony Harnell as producer and recorded everything last year. Some good songs that were not going to be on the album were released as a free 5 song EP in July 2008. The full length album will be released in 2009 in some way. We have some very interesting offers to think about for the moment so we'll see...
Q: what you guys think about live performances? Isn’t that the greatest experience ever? So will you guys be playing any venue soon?
A:We played in Borlange, Sweden last night and we loved it! There will be plenty of more gigs next year. Hopefully more outside Sweden.
Q:Now the most crucial question of the whole interview. Who’s still single and available among you guys? HAHA! (there’s gotta be something for the girls out there to hope for!)
A:Samuel will have to deal with all that (he, he). Sorry he's the only single guy!

Q: seeing you are from Sweden, away from the British eccentrics, how would you describe the music scene in Sweden? Is it all rock and discotheque?
A:The music you hear mostly on the radio is what I call Swedish pop and it can sometimes be very boring. But it’s the only thing the music critics like. If you scratch the surface there are many great bands that you don’t hear so much about. The variety in genres is very big.
Q: what are you guys’ opinion on the whole online music era? The downloading and the promotion? You guys think it’s good or bad?
A:Both good and bad. Great if you want to be heard. Bad because it’s so much harder to earn money on music and that kills a lot of good bands.
Q: If anyone would wish to contact you all, or book a show with the band. How could they get hold of you?
Q:now before we go off, anything you guys wish to say to your fans out there and those that haven’t have a chance to hear you guys out?
A:We believe that 2009 will be the best year for Pound so far. With a new album and a tour and a lot of other exciting things. Hope to see a lot of you out there!
Great man. We love your music. And we hope to hear your new album on the radio wave really soon. All the best guys.

Jonathan
Evol, http://perfectlifestylemag.blogspot.com/

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