Komisch. Ein vages Gefühl beschleicht mich und sagt mir, es würde sich niemand mehr so richtig dafür interessieren, was die Schweden-Indie-Popper Eskobar gerade so treiben. Nach dem überwältigenden ersten Album "'Til We're Dead" 2000 und dem Erfolg, das dies nach sich zog, eigentlich verwunderlich. Vielleicht liegt es an der (schwachen) Qualität des Nachfolgers, oder an der Übersättigung des Marktes mit schwedischen Bands, oder daran, dass Eskobar keine ‚The'-Band ist... Wer weiß, wer weiß... Nun ist jedenfalls das neue Werk "A Thousand Last Chances" auf dem Markt und das Trio verdient unsere Aufmerksamkeit zurück. Die Band besinnt sich auf ihre Wurzeln zurück und klingt dennoch frisch. Trotz eines voll gefüllten Terminplanes nahm sich Gitarrist Frederik Zäll netterweise Zeit, setzte sich vor den Computer und tippte fleißig die Antworten zu folgenden Fragen:
What does the album title stand for?
Daniel [Bellqvist; Sänger, Songschreiber] came up with the idea for it. Waking
up one morning after a night filled with bad behaviour, asking for one last
chance to make things good, but then bad things happened night, after night,
so he needed A Thousand Last Chances...
How come it took you so long to finish the new album?
The actual recording didn't take that long, but it took us a very long time
touring and promoting our second album "There's Only Now". When the touring
was over in 2002 we started working on the new album, but then suddenly we got
a major hit in France and Japan so we had to start all over again with touring
and promoting. That's why we had to postpone the recording of the latest album.
How would you describe the sound and moods on the new album? What did you
intend to bring over to the listener?
The first album was almost live and acoustic, the second album was very produced
and slick. This time we wanted to get back some of the 'live' feeling from the
first album. We decided to make 11 Songs instead of 1 Album. Different styles
and different production for every song. If one song sounded a bit like jazz,
we recorded it with a jazz production, and if another song sounded country we
made it with steel guitars and pedal steels... We like so many different styles
in music so we wanted to make a mixed album. Style wise...
Which music or bands did you listen to whilst making the album?
I didn't listen to any music while recording. It takes away my focus. I breathe
and eat Eskobar songs while making our albums...
Some songs on the new album sound slower and more romantic. Do you think
you have become more mature and thoughtful?
Maybe. Older and more tired. ;-) I think we always had it inside, but maybe
didn't have the guts to record it with such a deep touch. (Before this album)
What exactly is 'Violence' about?
We were on a party in our hometown Åkersberga and we saw violent behaviour.
The song wrote itself the day after. It's about violence within you and around
you. Wherever you look there is violence. This is a protest against that.
One song is titled 'Freedom'. There are many different definitions of freedom.
What does freedom mean to you?
To have this kind of life where you don't have anyone making you do things you
don't want to do. We record albums with the songs we write. We decide what song
should be released and how they should be recorded. We later tour the world
and enjoy our free life...
Your press photos always look very professional and beautiful. You have a
good taste in style and clothes. Did you ever think about working as models?
Haha, well we are very interested in clothes and fashion so we always try to
make sure the pics look good. Have never thought about becoming a model, but
as a child I actually did some modelling for clothes...
In the press information one gets to know that you liked the food on your
European tour. Which were your favourite meals? What did you detest?
One of our tour crew members can't stand to eat dill. When we toured Lithuania
they had dill in and on everything. That was of course very funny for us, but
I think he lost a couple of kilos there.. ;-) I remember a very delicious Schnitzel
in Vienna as my favourite meal on the European tour. The best food ever is without
any doubt in Japan. Every day was the best day ever, talking about food. I can't
eat sushi in Sweden since I hade a taste of the real stuff in Tokyo. Incredible...
It also says that you have a huge DVD collection. Which are your favourite
films? Did you ever think about starring in a film? Either as the band or as
actors?
I write scripts and try to make movies myself. Me and Daniel actually wrote
a 15 minute long horror movie. I filmed and edited and Daniel was the main character.
It's called "Hunden" (The Dog). I have also written a couple of scripts or music
videos, but I don't have the time to film them yet... My favourite movies today
are:
1. Spirited Away - Hayao Miyazaki
2. Wild At Heart - David Lynch
3. Ed Wood - Tim Burton
4. Once Upon A Time In Mexico - Robert Rodriguez
5. Repulsion - Roman Polanski
Do you have an explanation for the success and the quality of the Swedish
music scene? There are so many great bands in this rather small country...
It's a common question, but without an exact answer... One thing is that huge
bands like Abba and Roxette opened many eyes, so when people hear that a band
comes from Sweden they listen to it. We also have a very good opportunity to
learn instruments for free in school. It's also easy to get rehearsal rooms
cheap or for free when you are young and want so start a band...
What's your favourite Swedish band or artist?
Except for Eskobar I would have to say José Gonzales. If you haven't heard of
him, you should look him up. Fantastic! Byebye Frederik
Aktuelles Album: "A Thousand Last Chances" (V2 Music)
Internet: www.eskobar.nu
Marika Böhm