Perhaps you've heard of Amason from the likes of NPR First Listen, which happens to be relatively spot on when it comes to predicting fantastic new talent. Or maybe your friend, whose musical instincts you trust with closed eyes, recommended them. Or maybe you haven't heard anything about this Swedish outfit yet.
I personally discovered them on NPR and couldn't get enough of their sound. Within the first 10 seconds of hearing "Älgen," the first track on Sky City, I knew I'd be hooked. I sent the link to a couple of other friends, one of whom wrote back saying, "I'm not even 5 seconds in and I already know I love this."
Another friend and I often talk about ASMR, the strange phenomenon that is debatable in factuality, but all the more real for people like me and him. With most, a tingly sensation runs up the back of the neck and head, when certain sounds and stimuli are heard. For me, the same thing happens with certain music. Amason may be onto something for any of you ASMR folks -- I can't hear "Kelly" without getting that tingly sensation.
I asked the band a few questions, just to understand a bit more about them and their music. My favorite part: their response to my first question. Read on.
You can purchase Sky City on iTunes or stream the album on Spotify.
What brought you guys together as a band?
Beer, family, schools and theft.
Who are some of your greatest influences in life? And who are your greatest influences for this album, specifically?
People and animals in different combinations. Ingmar Bergman’s film, Fanny och Alexander, if it would take place in the world of Blade Runner.
What's your favorite type of sound?
Animal sounds.
Where do you see yourselves as artists in 10 years?
On a stage in a galaxy far, far away.
I am all about the live show experience, and would love to catch you guys at a live performance at some point. Would you say there's anything unique about the performance/experience for audiences, besides creating beautiful live music? Any performance art aspects? Or is it all about the music?
We try to include the animal aspect in different ways, other than that it’s all about the songs and the music.
What was the process like for putting this album together? Did the sounds come first, then the lyrics? Or was it the other way around? (Or not at all like that?)
For the most part, we hooked up all our instruments in the studio and jammed for a couple of hours, then after lunch, Amanda or Gustaf had some lyrics. It was very organic and seamless. Everything happened sort of at the same time, writing, recording, producing etc.
Where does your passion and knowledge of music come from?
I think none of us ever thought about doing anything other than this. We pick up knowledge everyday. Learning by doing.
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