As was the case with their self-titled debut, Asteroid‘s second album, II (Fuzzorama), reveals its personality more and more with time and repeat listens. Many bands strive for this for their whole career — to make a record that gets richer the more you hear it — but to the Swedish trio of vocalist/bassist Johannes Nilsson, vocalist/guitarist/organist Robin Hirse and drummer Elvis Campbell, it at least seems to come naturally.

In fact, if there’s a word to encapsulate II, it would probably be “natural.” The band has loosened the structural reins somewhat compared to the first record, and in so doing has allowed a series of heady jams to take place within the songs that doesn’t just make the album different from what came before it, but introduces a creative freedom that wasn’t necessarily evident last time around. Very quickly over the course of a duo of solid outings, Asteroid is one of Sweden‘s brightest and fuzziest hopes.

Nilsson took some time out for an email exchange about the band’s shift in approach, the recording process that went into making II and where they think they might go from here. If this album is anything to judge by, that could be pretty much anywhere.

Was there anything different in the band or something you wanted to try that was a change from the self-titled? The self-titled felt really structured and this one seems more open that way.

Yeah, I think that’s a correct analysis of the two albums. I personally would define Asteroid as two different bands now and then. I mean, changing a member of a band, at least it was like that for us, is an absolute change. We have always built our sound around all three musicians and the essence of our new lineup is more than just “a new drummer.” We have a whole new essence and that affects the songs as well as the sound. But even more concrete, you pointed spot on the difference between Martin [Ström] and Elvis [Campbell], Martin being extremely structured and Elvis more improvisational. You never know what will happen behind your back.

Did you all play in the same room, or was getting a live feel just something you focused on in the mixing?

Besides what cleared out above, the recording session itself was a really inspirational experience. This time around we had the whole process in and, as you noticed, we gave loads of effort in capturing that live nerve. Or, rather, we did as little as possible in the mix. We always play together in the studio, even if we sometimes only record the drums, for instance.

What was the recording process like?

Usually we hate studio sessions, because it’s an “unnatural” situation for a band. Most bands are live bands, and the audience is an important component of the experience, it’s a dualistic relation and you can’t have that in the studio. But this time we all loved it. We took refuge in the middle of nowhere deep in the Swedish forest, with blizzards going on outside the windows. Whenever we needed breaks from the noise, we went outside and literally listened to the trees shrieking. Might sounds like a bunch of hippie stuff, but I think it has something to do with the Swedish persona. We don’t have deserts and don’t play desert rock; we have forests and snow as inspiration.

The whole session took us about one month, but we only used the weekends because of jobs and stuff.

Were you ever tempted to do a sequel to “Dr. Smoke?”

Aren’t all songs sequels to each other? All songs are processes; a mixture of the present and moods and other thing around you. If all those combine as when we wrote “Dr. Smoke,” then yes, you’ll have a sequel.

The vocals sound very confident on II, particularly in the harmonies. Having put the first album behind you, did you feel more at ease singing the parts of these songs? Also, with more extended instrumental breaks, do you think that led to trying some new things singing-wise?

First, thank you. As I stated earlier, the whole process in the studio were really inspirational. Don’t know if it’s the forest or snow or if it’s rather the songs themselves. For my account the songs on this album fits me perfectly voice-wise. Also the lyrics “demand” you to sing them in certain ways. They mean a whole lot to me.

Being a trio, we always have to fill the void with something, and we have always used our vocals for that. Of course breaks leave even more room to fill so I guess you could say that.

Are you pleased with the album overall? Is there anything you would change if you could? How do the songs on the album compare with the live versions?

Yeah, we are very pleased with it indeed. Even though we are modest persons, we won’t hide that we really like the outcome. In fact, even if it sounds a bit cocky, we love it, wouldn’t change anything. And working with Oskar Campbell in ‘The Planet of the Black Keys’ really did us justice. The album versions are as close to live versions as it gets, the only difference is that it’s not. Of course we have some add ons, but we don’t play things we can’t do live.

Do you see yourselves developing the Asteroid sound as more than fuzz instrumentally? How focused are you on trying new things and adding different elements to your songs?

We have never been tied up with any genre, in our opinion, and we have always mixed elements from various kind of music, from blues to Swedish folk music. We have never been afraid what fans would think, if the songs are in one certain genre or anything. Only those bands that concern themselves with these thoughts will grow stiff in a genre. Otherwise you will let the musical process evolve and let the sound evolve with it. So I think that Asteroid will continue as a musical journey.

Coming off making this record, do you feel you have space to grow as a band? Any experiments you might want to try going forward?

We are way beyond this album already, writing songs as well as trying new stuff. And we are motivated to evolve some elements we’ve tried on the record even more. If you have experienced us live earlier you will probably see some new elements. I think we are forced by the trio constellation to do and try new things all the time.

What are the plans for live shows? I see you’re looking to book May into June for a tour and are already doing a couple festivals. Anything else in the works?

Yeah, we will tour mainland Europe this May-June, and some festivals in Sweden this summer. Also planning for a UK tour this autumn. As you know we’ve never been to the US yet, but will try to make it possible soon. It’s our next step, live-wise.

Besides this, we are currently working on a new video.

Any other plans or closing words you want to add?

We have plans that hopefully will combine the music with plastics in a near future, if you know what I mean. Would also like to take the opportunity thank you for the great review of the album and we hope to be able to come to the States some time soon. Take care.

Asteroid on MySpace

Fuzzorama Records

Tags: Asteroid, Fuzzorama, Sweden

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 10:54 am and is filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.