Have you written the music and lyrics on this album as
well as on the debut?
I have written all the music and my wife has written all the
lyrics with some help from me.
Are the lyrics about anything special? Last time it was a
theme album, is it so this time to?
This album is not a theme one but the content in the songs
has a main theme that runs through the songs, this time the
songs is about life itself and how destiny can affect the
choices we do, both the conscious choices and the sub conscious
choices.
On the previous album you had a lot of different musicians
along with you, on this one you have a steady line up, how come?
I was a bit confused on the debut. I have released one album
before “Entering the spectra” called “Universe” and didn’t
really knew how I wanted things to be in terms of the line-up.
Now on this album I have worked with a steady line-up and I feel
that we have a more “band feeling” and that is really nice.
How long did it take to write and record “Wheel of Life”?’
We started to write in December '02 until May '03. We
recorded it from May '03 to December '03. The album was recorded
and mixed in Reingold Studios in Malmö Sweden. It was mastered
and finished the 6th of February this year.
I think that Karmakanic plays symphonic/progressive rock,
a music style that can feel a bit hard-listened. On this album
the music feels a bit easier to listen to, what is you comment
on that?
I think that the production and the songs/melodies are
stronger. It’s better than the debut and it sounds more like US
prog than European prog.
Why did you chose Göran Edman to sing once again?
He’s simply the best.
What is so special about Görans voice?
He is great on carrying melodies and he is brilliant on
instantly nailing a song. He’s also quite stubborn, in a good
way, and it’s fun to work with him.
You have also chosen to put your Flower Kings colleague
Zoltan behind the drums again, why so?
Because this time it wasn’t metal as on the debut this time
the music is more jazz-fusion and that suits Zoltan’s way of
playing.
Who is Krister Jonsson? Has he played with any known bands
before?
He is a guitarist from Malmö who played with a lot of jazz
musicians. He has a very good music sense. He hasn’t played with
any world famous bands only local bands.
Who are the guests on “Wheel of life”?
Richard Andersson on keyboard, Roine Stolt on guitar, Tomas
Bodin on Hammond organ, Hans Bruniusson on percussion, Sal Dibba
on congas, Helge Albin on flute, Jakob Karlzon on piano and
keyboard, Ola Hedén on piano, Inger Ohlén on vocals and Alex
Reingold on speech.
Are you satisfied with the cover?
I think the cover on this album is more “back to the 70’s”.
It was really fun to do it as well and it’s a simple cover that
lets the music speak and not the cover.
When I interviewed you on the debut
you said that Karmakanic was a band and not a project, is it
still so?
It’s indeed still a band, the people on “The wheel of life”
IS the band.
How would you describe the music on the album?
I think the music on this album is in a more singer/song
writer tradition style compared to the debut. I also think that
the music has a strong connection to the 70’s music style.
According to the info note with the CD, Karmakanic is
going out on a big European tour this year, is that correct?
So far we have one confirmed show and that takes place in
Gothenburg Sweden on the 21st of August. I really can’t tell how
big the tour is going to be but it’s going to be at least 4 or 5
more shows besides the Gothenburg gig.
How do you comment the fraise that says in the info note
“Karmakanic is here to stay, remember Karmakanic”?
I have put a lot of hard work into this band and my ambition
is to record more albums under this name.
Are you happy with the album or do you think that you
should have done anything different?
I’m very happy with the album but of course there are some
minor things we ought to have done in a different way but I’m
very pleased with the outcome of the album.
Why is it only 8 songs on the album?
Because there aren’t any room for more music, it’s almost 70
minutes of music and that all that fits on an album but we have
one more song that’s going to be a bonus track on the US
version. The best songs in my opinion are “Alex in paradise”
because of the production and the best sound, “Wheel of life”
are the best composition and I love the guitar riff on
“Masterplan pt. 1” ‘cause it's a cocky start on the album.
If I say that I think that you are one of the best bass
players in Sweden, what is your comment on that?
Thank you Anders, what more can you say… I’m really happy
that people appreciate my bass playing. Without my bass I can’t
do what I do today, if you like my bass play then you like what
I do.
Have you got any date when the album is going to be
released in Europe, U.S.A. and Asia?
The album is going to be released in Europe today (7/6). In
the US at the end of June and import to Japan also at the end of
June. The Japanese people aren’t into this kind of music and
that’s why it’s only available on import.
How many interviews have you booked so far?
15 so far and I’m going to about 15 more. The interests are
bigger on this album and a lot of the major magazines are
waiting to do interviews with me.
Have you read any reviews on the album yet? What does the
press think?
We’ve mostly had positive reviews and I’ve only read one
negative so far. One magazine even gave us 9.5/10.
Your name is growing bigger and bigger within the
progressive / symphonic genre how does that feel?
It feels very good of course. It’s very stimulating that my
name is getting bigger. Maybe it’s so that the progg people are
more open minded than the metal people, but however I like any
kind of metal as well so I am not judgmental.
Are there any plans today on doing another album with
Karmakanic?
Yes, I have already begun writing new material. I probably
going to start writing seriously in July and we are probably
going to record album no. 3 in autumn/winter.
How does the co-operation go with your company?
Regain did a good job with the debut and they do what they
can to promote this one.
You and Zoltan have also joined the neo/classical band
Time Requiem, how come that?
Richard needed some help when both Peter and Dick quitted and
of course I helped him out.
Are you steady member of Time Requiem?
Yes I am. If Time Requiem is going to play live I’m up on
stage with them. But I can’t answer for Zoltan, you have to ask
him about that.
What is happening in The Flower Kings camp at the moment?
I’ve read that you have recorded a new album, when is it going
to be released?’
The new album is released in July and last week we did a mini
tour through Sweden that went over my expectations.
What does the other members in The Flower Kings think of
Karmakanic?
I have got some really new feedbacks by all of the members. I
got an e-mail from Roine and he wrote that he think that all
fans of The Flower Kings is obligated to buy a copy
What are your plans for the rest of '04?
I’m going to be a dad for the second time in June. The Flower
Kings is going out on a major tour on about 15-17 shows so far
and we are going to play on bigger venues than ever before. In
November I have a tour coming up with The Tangent and of course
Karmakanic is going out on tour. Richard Andersson is also going
to record his second album with Space Odyssey in my studio and
I’m going to produce a pop band in my studio as well. Me, Zoltan
and Krister are going to record an album besides Karmakanic with
jazz-fusion on it.
Is there anything you would like to say to the readers of
Metal-Rules.com?
I have to say like last time – Stay open minded to different
music styles and be open minded to all kinds of music.
I would like to thank all the fans that bought the debut and
thanks for all the support I get from my wonderful fans.
Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.
Thank you Anders.
Read our reviews of Karmakanic's releases.
More info on the band:
www.reingoldmusic.com
Label:
www.regainrecords.com
How
did the debut with Karmakanic go? How did the fans / press
receive it? 