intervju med State of Droids
Have any of you played in other bands? We were named The News before we renamed the band to State of Droids. Robert was in Octupus Ride, Lashing Patsy, Rio DeFranco (with Klas), Idiots and played with Andreas in Uncool and Vita Huset in the -90s. Carl-Petter plays in Jämmerdal.
What are your names? / Who plays what?
Robert Carlsson - song, guitar
Andreas Karlkvist – guitar
Carl-Petter Berg – Bas
Klas Svahn – Drums
Have you had other previous members? no
Where are you from? We met in Malmö and play in Malmö, but all have a connection to Småland and Emmaboda
What year did the band form? State of Droids formed 2016
What's your style of genre? We play some sort of -90s indie-trash
What inspires you? Bad and good things in life, in particular bad and good music. On the good side: Pavement, The Fall, Brian Johnstown Massachre, Brian Eno, Kinks and Blur – to mention a few.
How have you developed since you started with the music? We are recording or stuff ourselves so its been a challenge to get the sounds on “tape”. Also there are four people in the band, each with strong opinions that need to be considered. Lets say we have matured taking decisions together (hahaha).
Are you looking for a booking agency, and what are your thoughts around that? Yes, we would need somebody to take care of all our bookings J.
Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that? We are actually on a label (MegaVolt AB) right now, with whom we released a 7’ single with two songs.
What made you decide to make this music? We cannot stop making and playing music. It is in our backbone. Something happens when we are in the studio or rehearsing. It is triggering the reward release system in the brain to the point where other drugs become useless
What are your songs about? Life in general, apocalyptic tunes about realationships, work/life balance, climate change and cool cars from the -60s.
Who does the composing and writes the lyrics? Robert usually composes a suggestion for the music, then the rest of the band fills in with their instruments. It is a very dynamic and creative process. Robert then writes the lyrics for the final music.
Do you compose in a certain inviroment? In our studio in Malmö and at home with the aucustic guitar. The motto being: a tune should sound good even with one instrument.
Have you done any covers live? Yes, “Don’t cry for me Emmaboda” which is a cover of Adrew Loyd Webbers “Don’t cry for me Argentina”
What are the least and most people to attend one of your gigs? 5-300
What ages are most of your concert attendants? 30
Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary? We try to vary among the 20 songs we have composed.
Do you have a regular place you play live often? NGBG-festival
What was your first gig like? We shared a gig with another band and were told to keep our stage time by the other bands singer. He later died for other reasons, rest in peace.
What was your latest gig? NGBG-2018
Where have you played live this year? No, been busy recording music.
When did you start to sell merchandise, and what do you have for sale? A 7’ vinyl single.
Where can people buy your merchandise? Rundgång Malmö and Runtrunt Stockholm. Send a to us directly message online and you can buy too.
What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records now a days? They go with the flow and musicians earn nothing.
How do you think the music industry have changed because of this? Yes, there are fewer professionals in the buisness.
What do you think of my work? It is great. A good channel to the audience.
How do you think and know that this interview will help you in the music business? Yes it might. I think we are important for people, they just do know it yet.
Do you have any role models or idols? David Lynch in film, Steven Malkmus in music.
Why do you think that they exist? They are creative geniuses
Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today? Both
What have been your biggest obstacles? Keeping sane and keeping the band together. We stubborn individuals.
What advice would you give other bands or artists? Keep it real, and to the bone.
Do you have any new material? Yes we are planning to record a new song called Friend for the upcoming album that will rock your socks off!
What are your web sites? stateofdroids.com
Do you have something to add? Thanks
