Interview With Kristoffer Ragnstam
Kristoffer Ragnstam hails from the great nation of Sweeden, known for its unique brand of pop which many of us wish to forget. Ragnstam breaks away from the pop mold and delivers his own version of pop/rock which waltzes outside of the normal confines of pop music. His album Wrong Side of the Room is one of my favorite albums released this year, and below is an interview with this up and coming star.Q. How would you describe your music to people have never heard it before?
A. It’s honest, straight forward Rock with influences from 60-90´s popular music such as Steve Miller Band, Ride, Dennis Willson, Curtis Mayfeild etc.
Q. Who would you cite as your biggest influences?
A. Everyday stories like girls, bars, fights, late night action and money. When it comes to music I get influences from people/Artists who do music with a lot of guts, pureness and in their own way.
Q. I’m sure you receive a lot of comparisons to Beck. How do you feel about those comparisons?
A. Yes many people compare me to Mr Beck. Many people need a reference before they listen to new music and I have no problem getting compared to Beck. That guy makes lovely music, so thanks! I think the main reason why we get compared to each other is that we both use the power of being a solo artist, where we can sound exactly how ever we want. Not that many rules, and I like that.
Q. Are you in the process of writing material for a new album?
A. Wow I just released a new album. Have/need to squeeze out every tour hour out of it first.
The album will get released in so many countries so a lot of promo and hotel nights which probably give time to write some sketches.
Q. How does the music scene in Sweden differ from America?
A. To begin with there are not that many people over here, only 9 million. So you guys got many,many,many more bands. In return, that gives you many, many, many more good bands but also some not so good. The scene in America could change if you only travel through 4 states. That’s the cool thing about American music. Although we do produce pretty good artists over here as well. I think some US states produce bands that are pretty similar to Sweden and Europe.
Q. Will you be coming back to the New York/New Jersey area to tour
anytime soon?
A. I just came home from a long European tour plus I have a new born baby so I want to be home for a while,.I guess I will come over to America in the end of the year. New Jersey hmm, I don’t know but I have a couple of friends there. Manager Chad Goonan and singer/songwriter Val Emmich would probably get angry if I don’t swing by and say hello.
Q. Wrong Side of the Room has plenty of layers, how does the song writing process go for you? Do you just start out with a simple song and add layers whenever you see fit?
A. It might feel like many layers cause we find a way to play the song without everyone playing the same note at the same time all the time. I often record it live with my band. The good thing about touring as much as we do is that we can try and fool around with sketches on sound check.
Q. I'm sorry, but I have one burning question. Are you referring to anyone in particular when in “2008" you say, “Nothing bores me than an overrated poet, with an acoustic guitar, and way to much to say”?
A. Ha,ha,ha,ha!! I guess I was overboard with the local singer/songwriters at that period. I love/respect artists like Nick Drake, Teitur who may do music in the so called "singer songwriter category" but I´m not so overexcited when it comes to an artist who just bought an acoustic guitar and decides to write 20 minute long songs with uber predictable lyrics about long lost years.
Q. If you were stuck on a desert island, what five albums would you bring?
A.
1:Babylon by Bus/Bob Marley
2:Blonde on Blonde/Bob Dylan
3:Seldom seen Kid/Elbow
4:Only by the Night/Kings of Leon
5:You and Me/Walkmen
Have to say that this is the list of this week.
If you ask me next week, I would probably give you a totally different one.
A. It’s honest, straight forward Rock with influences from 60-90´s popular music such as Steve Miller Band, Ride, Dennis Willson, Curtis Mayfeild etc.
Q. Who would you cite as your biggest influences?
A. Everyday stories like girls, bars, fights, late night action and money. When it comes to music I get influences from people/Artists who do music with a lot of guts, pureness and in their own way.
Q. I’m sure you receive a lot of comparisons to Beck. How do you feel about those comparisons?
A. Yes many people compare me to Mr Beck. Many people need a reference before they listen to new music and I have no problem getting compared to Beck. That guy makes lovely music, so thanks! I think the main reason why we get compared to each other is that we both use the power of being a solo artist, where we can sound exactly how ever we want. Not that many rules, and I like that.
Q. Are you in the process of writing material for a new album?
A. Wow I just released a new album. Have/need to squeeze out every tour hour out of it first.
The album will get released in so many countries so a lot of promo and hotel nights which probably give time to write some sketches.
Q. How does the music scene in Sweden differ from America?
A. To begin with there are not that many people over here, only 9 million. So you guys got many,many,many more bands. In return, that gives you many, many, many more good bands but also some not so good. The scene in America could change if you only travel through 4 states. That’s the cool thing about American music. Although we do produce pretty good artists over here as well. I think some US states produce bands that are pretty similar to Sweden and Europe.
Q. Will you be coming back to the New York/New Jersey area to tour
anytime soon?
A. I just came home from a long European tour plus I have a new born baby so I want to be home for a while,.I guess I will come over to America in the end of the year. New Jersey hmm, I don’t know but I have a couple of friends there. Manager Chad Goonan and singer/songwriter Val Emmich would probably get angry if I don’t swing by and say hello.
Q. Wrong Side of the Room has plenty of layers, how does the song writing process go for you? Do you just start out with a simple song and add layers whenever you see fit?
A. It might feel like many layers cause we find a way to play the song without everyone playing the same note at the same time all the time. I often record it live with my band. The good thing about touring as much as we do is that we can try and fool around with sketches on sound check.
Q. I'm sorry, but I have one burning question. Are you referring to anyone in particular when in “2008" you say, “Nothing bores me than an overrated poet, with an acoustic guitar, and way to much to say”?
A. Ha,ha,ha,ha!! I guess I was overboard with the local singer/songwriters at that period. I love/respect artists like Nick Drake, Teitur who may do music in the so called "singer songwriter category" but I´m not so overexcited when it comes to an artist who just bought an acoustic guitar and decides to write 20 minute long songs with uber predictable lyrics about long lost years.
Q. If you were stuck on a desert island, what five albums would you bring?
A.
1:Babylon by Bus/Bob Marley
2:Blonde on Blonde/Bob Dylan
3:Seldom seen Kid/Elbow
4:Only by the Night/Kings of Leon
5:You and Me/Walkmen
Have to say that this is the list of this week.
If you ask me next week, I would probably give you a totally different one.
posted by Jeff at 11:01 AM
2 Comments:
Interesting interview, and an interesting choice of albums he'd take with him! At least he didn't choose his own.
David - Thanks, so far I've asked that question to everyone I've ever interviewed, and luckily nobody has requested to bring their own record.
Post a Comment
<< Home