The Superjams: An Interview

The Superjams are a four piece band out of Stockholm, Sweden.  We did an interview with them, and we'll have more information about them in our next Band of the Week feature.  

Here's what we asked:

• Tell us about the history of the band.
• How did The Superjams get started? When?
• Do any of you have jobs other than being musicians?
• Where is your favorite venue to play? 
• What are your hopes for the band's future?
• What influences your music?
• How would you describe your music?
• What genre do you consider The Superjams to be?
• Tell us about upcoming tour dates and recent/future releases.

And here's how they answered:

The band actually has been around since 2007, when Joakim and Fredrik decided to quit their old band and started something more rock-oriented. They put out flyers to find a drummer and Max gave them a call. By the first rehersal Max (who lived safely in Solna, a suburb of Stockholm, his whole life) didn't find the place where they would rehearse, and pretty much ended up on the other side of town. Can't be easy being lost in the big city. Some years went by and the band played most of Stockholm's venues not only twice but sometimes three or four times. Fredrik also started playing live bass with electro/samba duo Adventure of, where Kalle played lead and arranged pretty much everything. One thing led to another and Kalle came to rehearse with Superjams, and everything worked out fine so he became a member. This is early 2012, and the band's sound drastically changed since both Joakim and Kalle sing and ofc there now are two guitars and sometimes some organ.

We're all students besides playing music, Joakim studies journalism, Fredrik media/management, Max studies Engineering and Kalle studies music. We got some other jobs also to get some extra cash, but those are not that exciting... Banks, Guitar teaching and so on.

We love to play the festival "En Midsommarnattsdröm", really small indie festival in the middle of Sweden, Hornstull strand and both of the Debaser venues in Stockholm. But mostly we like it sweaty, if there's a sweaty crowd we'll turn them into the English Channel and make the magic happen.

We really hope to get a lot of live following right now and that people keep on spreading the word about us. Also, we have been producing a promo EP that might hit the net soon, and with that EP we'll make a fresh start as a quartet. We're soon to go to Kingside studio in Gnesta to record an official EP, which we're super psyched about!

Our influences are kind of hard to pinpoint. Max listen to a lot of rap/beat, Kalle mostly to jazz and swedish beat from the 60's, Fredrik exclusively to Pearl Jam and Joakim to pop/rock. All this boils down to what we're about: a genuine love for music. Not that we would release a funk album or anything, but we absolutely draw our influences from a lot of good music with soul. If we were to describe our music that would be garage pop. It's a bit filthy but with a love for melodies and riff's that'll force you sing along. One of our newest songs are actually inspired by the Pointer Sisters!

We're going on an acoustic tour of Västra Götaland in Sweden this september, then we're hoping to play London for a week. Our booking agency is working on Germany! Besides that we'll go to smaller places around Sweden, like Lund, Katrineholm etc. Just to get to meet people and die at least once on every stage we set our feet on.

Band of the Week: Ducky and the Vintage

This week's "Band of the Week" goes to Ducky and the Vintage. The alternative/rock group is based out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The band's lead singer, Matt "Ducky Duke" Ryan, made an appearance on Season 2 of the hit television show The Voice. This is where we first found out about his band. Although he didn't get any further than the "Blind Audition" of the show, we were immediately impressed by his talents. Ducky covered the song "Tighten Up" by The Black Keys for his audition, which we posted below.

 



Ducky and the Vintage's music is usually classified in the indie rock genre, but Ryan classifies it a little differently. "My music is basically a rock 'n roll, bluesy country, soulful vibe with some pop infused. I think the songs put across a vintage sound coupled with a more modern approach and they really sum up everything that I am as a person and a musician. It's just rock 'n roll in my own way."

Ryan's soulful voice is perfect for the dark but upbeat style of music the band plays. If you are a fan of bands like The Black Keys, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, The Dead Weather, or the Doors, then you will probably enjoy Ducky and the Vintage. The band is signed with Decadent Suite Records and has recently released the EP Flowers on iTunes. You can also listen to the new EP on the player below! Enjoy!

 

A Few Words with Darling Norman

We saw Darling Norman at the Masquerade last week, and did a write up on what we thought of the night, which you can find here.  We decided to do a follow up interview with them, which went as follows.

Q. How long has Darling Norman been together?

A. We have been playing together for two years.

Q. How did you form?

A. We kept bumping in to each other musically and got together as a group one day and it totally clicked. The rest is history.

Q. What other music projects have your members been involved in?

A. David Drexler led the Atlanta band the Drexlers with his wife Annie. Daniel DeCriscio played in the bands June Fool and Zero Spanish (now Private Income) in Brooklyn. Derek Hensel and Dan played together in the band Son Aria in Atlanta. Dan Ra and Derek Hensel played together in 40 Watt Solar System.

Q. What and where is your favorite venue to perform?

A. We’ve enjoyed all the venues we’ve played at in Atlanta but we call Star Bar in Little Five Points home. It’s where we got our start, we love Luis, and their posh green room.

Q. Are there any bands or artists who influence your music?

A. Talking Heads, Television, the Pixies. That’s our comfort zone. But we all bring a lot of different tastes to the rock and roll buffet table. For example David grew up on REM and the Smiths while Dan the drummer secretly wishes he was Mike Bordin from Faith No More. Derek can play a mean 8 string bass while Dan Ra digs the Walkmen. Dan Ra managed to also get Dan D obsessed with GBV. It’s a tangled web we weave.

Q. What genre do you consider Darling Norman to be?

A. 70’s New Wave, Post Punk maybe? Wave Punk? When it comes down to it we just want to and want people that come to our show to have fun. No agenda. You’re free to throw stuff at us or throw your lingerie at the man playing the claves.  

Q. What upcoming tour dates do you have?

A. No formal tour. We’re playing our second year at NoPhest on Aug 23^rd at the Earl. Come one, come all!

Q. What is the name of your new EP and when does it release? Where will it be available?

A. Our EP should be done in early Sept 2012. On it will be three songs that will likely be on our forthcoming album which may be called “St. Peter and the Vacuum Cleaners,” “Gnarling Doorman,” “ROCK MUSIC,” or any other name that someone suggests that is significantly less lame than those, which should be easy. It’s being mixed in Athens, GA by Patrick Ferguson of FIVE EIGHT and is predicted to whoop a llama’s ass with a belt.  We’ll definitely get it up on CD Baby, iTunes, etc. Or just come to our shows!