Interview
(Progressive Newsletter Nr.56 07/06)
excerpts from an interview with Johan Wallén (Keyboards) and Peter Nylander (Guitar)
Johan: On our last album "Kallocain" we were exploring the use of loops and modern technology. Steven Wilson’s mixing meant a lot for that sound as well. After touring extensively after “Kallocain” we felt that we’d like to record more live in the studio this time. We wrote, rehearsed and recorded the songs in our Green Genie Studio. The creating process of most of the songs started by us improvising together in our studio. Often did we write and rehearse a song during one three-hour session and then recorded drums, bass guitar and keyboard for the song live the next session. The feeling of a take was more important than everyone playing perfect. We weren’t afraid to keep small mistakes on a take if the feeling was right. This led to the more organic feel of the album. I guess that this can be viewed as rockier.
What’s the connection between the album’s name “Silence of another kind” and the cover showing and a hang up man in the background?
Johan: Stefan is a big fan and friends with the artist Hans Arnold, who made the painting. We all agreed that we would like to use a painting by Hans for the cover and this picture suited the album.
How did you choose the guest musicians and how did you decide in which songs or parts do you want them to participate?
Johan: Jonas Wall appeared on our first album “Timeloss” as well as on “Silence of another Kind”. When we felt that the song “Not a Sound” could need another dimension in form of a baritone sax, we choose to call Jonas, who is a fantastic musician and great friend. We are all big fans of live strings, so when Anders Nygårds were willing to help us out with his viola and violins we were more than excited. Anders, who has written film music among other things, recorded the string arrangements in the deep forests of Dalarna and sent the sound files to Green Genie. There Petronella added cello to Anders arrangements for the songs “Not a Sound” and “Is that all?”
On “Kallocain” Steven Wilson helped you on the production side. Were there also thoughts about asking him for the current album to help you out?
Johan: Steven did the mixing of Kallocain, we have produced all our albums ourselves. We didn’t plan to involve Steven this time. It was very exciting to work with him on Kallocain and his style was really perfect for that album. But, it all happened by accident. Stefan just happened to have SMS correspondence with Steven while we were rehearing for the recording of Kallocain and Steven asked if he could mix it. We would love to work with him again. I guess we have to keep up the SMS contact.
In which ways did the tour with The Gathering influence the band?
Peter: We haven't consciously tried to create similar moods to the Gathering. What happened is that touring with the Gathering, in the fall of 2004, made Paatos a little harder and heavier. This is natural when playing your music for larger audiences and being confronted every night with the music and message that you're delivering. It feels good to dig a little in the dirt, and our new album spoke to us in this way.
In 2004 you’ve also played for the legendary TV show “Rockpalast”. Which memories do you have from this special gig?
Johan: My biggest memory was the audience, which was completely into the Kelly Family, who recorded for the show the same night. We had never heard of the Kelly Family, but I guess their fans where completely indifferent to what we were doing on stage. I think you can see it if you have seen the show. They had been waiting all day outside the club for the Kelly Family and when it was finally time for them they didn’t show up even if they had done the sound check and all.
Are there also other side-projects from the different band members in the works at the moment?
Johan: Huxflux has his solo project; Puckspony. He is recording his second album, on which Petronella will do some vocals and I will play some keyboards. Peter has his jazz quartet among many things. Him and Huxflux are playing on David Wilczewski’s - who played flute and clarinet on "Timeloss" - new album. They will be touring with him this spring. Stefan will reunite with Reine Fiske, Peter Nordins and Niklas Barker of Anekdoten for one concert with Morte Macabre early next year. I have recorded some keyboards with the band Landscape and Man.
Kristian Selm © Progressive Newsletter 2006