interview with immanu el
What does the name "immanu el" stand for? It's a jewish boys name with a lot of beautiful meanings. But above meanings all it's just a name.
What made you call the band "immanu el"? When we formed the band me and my brother thought the name Immanu El was a beautiful and timeless boys name with an alternative spelling. Most bands at the time had long meaningless names and we wanted to find a name that was different. The origin of the name also express hope.
How was the band formed? Me and my brother started to play music and write songs with some friends during high school.
What made you form the band? A longing to create this kind of music.
Can you briefly introduce your band and who you are? We are a band with 5 guys from Sweden.
Where are all bandmembers from?/Who does what in the band?
Per Strängberg (me) guitar, second vocals from Småland
Claes Strängberg, guitar and vocals from Småland
David Lillberg, keys and guitar from Vänersborg / Västergötland
Jonatan Josefsson, drums from Hönö / Bohuslän
Robin Ausberg, bass from Östergötland
What was the ambitions of the band when you started? We always had the ambition to write music we like and to fins listerners all over the world.
Could you explain your music to someone that haven't heard you? In short I'd say its a sentimental kind of alternative or post rock with a lot of vocals and pop influences.
Where was your first gig? Nässjö, Sweden
Where was the latest gig? Bielefeld, Germany
Who writes your songs?/ who writes the music who writes lyrics? All of us write the songs and arrange them together. Me and Claes write the lyrics.
Who has the best since of humor in the band? David!
Why did you pick that particular style?/What are your songs about? We just like this kind of music, it's as easy as that. Our songs have many different themes. Many of them is about love, hope and faith.
Do you write your own material or mainly covers? Only own material.
Have you made any albums?/If yes what are the Yes, we have released 3 albums worldwide. They'll Come, They Come (2007), Moen (2009 and In Passage (2011)
Do you have any clips on YouTube? Yes.
How old are you? What got you started in music? 25. Love for music got me started.
At what age did you start playing? Guitar and vocals in the teens
How old were you guys when you first stood on stage? 16-17
What year was the band started? 2004-2005.
How old were you at your first gig?/Best/worst gig you've played? 16. Hard to chose, one of the best was in Taiwan or Beijing last year. The worst must be in Chemnitz years ago.
What places will you be playing in in the imidate future? We are recording an album and will tour Asia, Europe and North America 2014.
Where have you played from then till now? more than 300 shows in 30 countries.
What songs are in your live set's? A mix from our albums.
Is it always the same set's live? No, we try to mix.
What has been the best/most promising gig so far? Again, Taiwan or Beijing among many others.
Have you had any bigger tours from start till now? Yes. We tour 3-4 months a year since 2008.
How big crowds do you usually play for? Everything between 100 to 2000.
What are the plans for the rest of the year? Write and record our forth album.
How do you get psyched up for a gig? A good day and a good crowd.
What are your goals with your music? Keeping on what we do and reaching out to a bigger audience.
When did you decide to go all in for the music? 2007.
Is it easier to get your inspiration from older bands or from bands more modern? Both of course.
What are your sources of inspiration? A large mix with everything from nordic folk music to electronic dance music.
What's the first step when making a new song? Writing a good melody.
How do you feel about the downloading of music instead of buying albums? People are free to do as they please but if you like a band you should support them in their making of their music.
What would be your dreams for the band? We are currently working on them. Keeping it up and getting it out to more people.
Besides your own music, what genres and bands do you listen to? A lot of different kind of bands. Mogwai, Radiohead and The National is always popular.
What do you hold most dear? My faith.
What would be your greatest fears for the future? No idea.
When you are on stage, what do you fear most then? Nothing. Maybe that the power goes out.
Have you been part of any other projects? Yes.
Have you been in any other bands? Yes.
What do you work with outside of the band and the music? We have different part time jobs and other music projects next to Immanu El. My part time job is on a sailing ship.
What would you do if there was no music? I wouldn't play it I guess.
How important are your fans? They are amazing.
What's the funniest/most memorable thing a fan has done for you? Maybe making a chinese porcelain plate with the bandmembers painted on it.
How often do you rehearse? 1-2 a week before a tour or when writing a new album. Otherwise we usually dont rehearse.
Where do you rehearse? In Gothenburg.
Name 2 of your own songs you like at the moment? Archers and The Threshold
What do you feel is the best liveband you've seen? Dungen or I Break Horses
What drives a band that isn't all that famous and renowned to try to make a living on their music and to keep playing? The passion for the music and the enjoyment of life.
Do you have any webpages?
Any pearls of wisdom for all other bands out there? Enjoy!
Describe your show, visually and musically We work a lot to have a visual experience that fits with the music. Videos, lights and effects are synched with the music on stage. Come and see/listen some time.
How do you view the musicindurty of today? A djungle.
What advice would you like to give other bands? Enjoy. Work with friends and people you can trust.
What are the biggest obstacles for a band? Personal issues. And getting kids.
What is best/worst with playing the clubs? The crowd.
Tell us about upcomming gigs and why we should be at them? Stay tuned with us on facebook or twitter, we'll post our upcoming tours there.
Whats your Pre-show ritual? We sacrifice a cow to the norse god Odin. No we don't have any rituals.
What Won't you spend money on? The greek stock exchange.
What do you feel a band/muscian should spend their money on? Good food and a good life. And to share it with friends.