SOILWORK
December 15th, 2007
Long Beach, California
On the heels of a new album, and out touring with Lamb of God, Devil Driver, and KillSwitch Engage, I caught up with Bjorn from Soilwork on the afternoon of the show down in Long Beach, California. Amid a beautiful venue and row of buses, I found myself greeted by the members of SoilWork as they were coming alive for the day. Being a huge fan of Soilwork, it was great to see them all sleepy eyed and behind the scenes.
I knew Bjorn had a full press day, so on with the interview.
1) So you are at the end of this tour, how has it been?
Bjorn - Real Good.
2) Are you happy to be getting home?
Bjorn – (hesitates), Yes, I like Christmas, so it will be nice to get home.
3) Then you do not play again until February 14th, 2008?
Bjorn - Yes, in Stockholm.
4) I just got the new CD and DVD yesterday, so I’ve had little time to view, but I did notice Klaus from Darkane in the DVD. Is he a good friend of yours?
Bjorn - Yes, we come from the same city. They have been a part of the recordings as well, both he and Peter from Darkane.
5) Darkane was one of the first bands I ever shot as a photographer. It has been awhile since they have played the U.S.
Bjorn - Yes, they all have kids now. It happened within a month for everyone in the band. It was crazy. So they are spending time with that.
6) The video for "Exile" is very well done. I love it. Was it filmed in Sweden?
Bjorn - Yes
7) And the live concert video looks like it was all shot from the same location or venue. Where was this taken from?
Bjorn - Switzerland. Of course you can see it is not done with any super sound or quality. We did not want to make something too good because we are going to release a full length, official DVD sometime next year. But then it was good because it was cool for the fans to have a something, even if it was a bootleg version of us.
8) How does your music get written? Do you write the lyrics and then the music gets added or visa versa?
Bjorn - We usually write the music first and then I add the lyrics. For me the rhythm is so important. Of course the lyrical content is very important as well. But for me it has got to be the rhythm first. If I would do a lyric first then we add the music, then it would be a compromise.
9) Do you already have ideas or lyrics in your head?
Bjorn – I have ideas and some stuff written down but it is not like a full lyric. Then I will piece them together.
10) So when you write your lyrics, do you write then in your native tongue or do you write in English?
Bjorn – English, always. We have thought about doing a version in Swedish first, it would be interesting but to fit in the lyrical content again it would sound different.
11) Same question, when you are on tour in all the different countries do you sing in English?
Bjorn – Yes. I speak a little bit of German but to sing the lyrics in another language would not work, everything would sound too different.
12) How is it working with Devin Townsend? You have been with him for some time now?
Bjorn – Awesome. Yes he produced, Natural Born Chaos. He came to Sweden for eight months and helped us do that. I wanted to do the vocals and everything with Devin because he was the best vocal producer that I have ever had. He really made me feel relaxed even being such a big idol to me, it was just something in him that pushed me to sing my heart out.
13) When you run into a roadblock with your creativity, how do you overcome it?
Bjorn – Drink. Sometimes when I am sitting at home alone there is nothing there to inspire me, so I will grab bourbon. It usually works. Not always, but usually. I normally have three weeks before the recording of the album so that is how late into the process that I write the lyrics and you can find me drinking almost every day.
14) I read that "Exile" was chosen to be on Guitar Hero 3? You must be very proud of that?
Bjorn – Yes, it is very cool. We were all excited. I have not had the chance to play it yet but I know my Mom picked up from the post office because they sent us six sets with guitars and stuff at home. We are looking forward to playing the game. It is nothing like playing a song for real and I totally suck at it.
15) Do you watch South Park?
Bjorn – Yes, I do.
16) Have you seen the new episode where the boys get Guitar Hero?
Bjorn – No way. What season was this? Is it out on DVD yet?
17) I totally hurt him with a NO, answer and that it was just run recently, and it was the end of this last new season. So, you must be a huge fan then?
Bjorn – Yes, totally.
18) Terror 2000. Is the band still together?
Bjorn - yes, well it is kind of a project. We do it just when we want to have some fun and the time. It has been fun. But trying to find the time anymore to do it is hard. Because it is Klaus from Darkane as well. We have been together since 1999. I do not know if you have heard any of it? ( I reply, "I wish") and Bjorn continues with, you have to check it out. Especially our latest CD. It is good as well as funny. I like that combo where it is actually good music but it is funny still.
19) Is it metal?
Bjorn – Yes, it is like full on thrash. Crazy stuff. With crazy vocals. Like Chipmunk vocals. Everyone just messing around and making music. It is serious and yet a party album. The name of our latest album is Terror for Sale and is out now.
20) How many albums have you put out?
Bjorn – Three
21) Do you still use a vocal coach? I have read that on the earlier albums you used one, but nothing mentioned about the last few albums? Or do you think you’re as far along as your going to go?
Bjorn – I hope I will keep on developing. I’m there. As you said, I had a vocal coach in the beginning and that was just for half of a year. I just learned techniques. From then on I have been doing it on my own, singing many different types of music. What was different before this new album was that I joined a band that played seventies rock and blues, like Deep Purple old White Snake with a little funky stuff thrown in there too. So I think I have learned a lot from that. I feel there is more soul in my voice now.
22) You have some pretty intense song titles. People always ask what inspires the lyrics, but for me, I would like to know what inspires your song titles.
Bjorn – Yes… Sometimes I have to dig to find what I want to write. Sometimes I feel like I do not have anything. I do not have any opinions. What am I going to write about? I have no business writing about anything. So lately, I have been throwing myself into my writing. I would not say revealing myself, but leaving it open for you to see.
23) How long have you been at this?
Bjorn – I started when I was eighteen and now I am twenty nine. Seven albums later, I feel like where all the time has gone. Wow, it is pretty crazy. I don’t want to sum up all the years. I don’t know. Maybe a thirty year crisis (laughing). Actually I had the thirty year crisis a couple of years ago. Now I do not care.
All photographs are property of Angelwing Photography and NashvilleRock.net.
Special thanks to Bjorn of SoilWork and Charles at Nuclear Blast for taking such great care of me. I appreciate your generosity.