intervju med Pitch Black Project
Have any of you played in other bands? Yes, we’ve all played in many different bands through the years. Patrik sang in band in the 90’s called Aardvark, Rikard is still active in an AC/DC tribute band called ”Hazy Dizzy” that play rather frequently (at Sweden Rock multiple occasions). Axel was part of a funk/pop/rock band called ”Windfall” at the verge of breakthrough in the end of the 80’s. There’s been a couple of more different band constellations for each of us. Also our roads have been crossed a few times way back.
What are your names? / Who plays what?
Patrik Johansson - guitar/lead vocals
Axel Haraldsson - bass/backing vocals
Rikard Hermansson - drums/backing vocals
Have you had other previous members? This is our original line-up, that has stayed intact since forming the band. We have had talks about adding a second guitarist when playing live, but not made any decisions yet. Now live gigs are on hold anyway due to the Corona virus.
Where are you from? We all originate from Emmaboda in Småland eventhough Patrik resides in Göteborg since 30 years. Quite a distance for rehearsing, but still doable. We rehearse all together every third week about 12 hours. Then we can also work on material and do progress independent of location as well. We share a lot via dropbox.
What year did the band form? I would say around 2015. Patrik had some ideas of songs and bumped into his long time friend Rikard at the annual Emmaboda Flea Market. Rikard played the songs for Axel that got interested. We got together over a dinner at Rikard’s and decided we’ll give it a go.
What's your style of genre? We bring in our own personal influences and end up in something that is our own brew. Perhaps groove metal/grunge?
What inspires you? Brave people who dares to stand up for a good thing. I’d say Greta Thunberg and Dalai Lama. Empaths.
Are you looking for a booking agency, and what are your thoughts around that? Not actively, but would of course appreciate help getting into playing rock festivals, that we all think would be a good way to enjoy us!
Are you looking for a label, and what are your thoughts around that? We have discussed this a lot. What we would like is to spend some time in a professional studio for a high level production. Some financial help from a label would be appreciated. Help to release the material on all platforms is also welcome eventhough much is possible nowadays without a label.
What are your songs about? Lyrically I (Patrik) put words to those seldom heard when it comes to bad treatment by narcissists/psychopaths, fear, suffering, introvert thinking but also mankind and climate in a bigger context. Loss of loved ones, hard choices, life as such. We don’t sing much about flowers and party.
Who does the composing and writes the lyrics? We all come up with ideas of songs/riffs/melodies that we explore together. Often Rikard at the drums explains/hums what’s on his mind for us to play. Axel is both a very good bass and guitar player and often spoil us with very complete demo songs to refine. I mostly deliver riffs nowadays to get the other guys going, and do the far majority of the lyrics.
Do you compose in a certain inviroment? Axel has his own mancave at home from where he every Friday send us song ideas by dropbox. Rikard get’s ideas the he remembers that we try out in the rehearsing room. I get a lot of ideas for melodies, lyrics and harmonies while riding bicycle to and from work. The phone is full of recorded embryos.
Have you done any covers live? No we haven’t.
What are the least and most people to attend one of your gigs? It has been around 60-150.
What ages are most of your concert attendants? The majority would probably be between 40-55, but younger and older as well.
Do you always play the same songs live, or do you vary? So far we have picked our favourites but changed a few based on how they felt live.
Do you have a regular place you play live often? Not really, but due to our 2 different home bases it’s happened to be in the Göteborg and Emmaboda areas.
What was your first gig like? Our live debut with this band was at a 50ths birthday party arranged as a rockfestival. 7-8 band, outdoor, great weather and happy faces.
What was your latest gig? We played at Sticky Fingers February 1, 2020.
Where have you played live this year? Sticky Fingers is the only gig, mainly due to the Corona virus. We are also writing new material and aim for being back live after summer.
When did you start to sell merchandise, and what do you have for sale? We were just about to print T-shirts in the beginning of the year, but decided to spend some more time perfecting the design. Then came Corona and we pushed this forward in time.
Where can people buy your merchandise? Sorry, nowhere yet, but when available through our facebook page and at concerts.
What do you think about people downloading music instead of buying records now a days? We don’t have any real problems with that. It’s what we do too, and now downloading changed to streaming platforms as Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon Music, Spotify Music etc. Of course, less charming than the days of physical media carriers as LP, CD and Tapes but convenient. Great accessability and a way for smaller acts to reach out.
How do you think the music industry have changed because of this? It is nowhere the same as before. Let’s put it this way. If the music industry was a company, it has transformed from a hierarchical to a very flat organisation. No control from top to down anymore.
What do you think of my work? It’s great that you increase the exposure of upcoming bands that needs to work hard for publicity.
How do you think and know that this interview will help you in the music business? Reader’s might check us out.
Do you have any role models or idols? Many. Musically we come from slightly different angles of harder rock. Axel is more stoner rock oriented, Patrik favour grunge and Rikard likes well played, technical and well produced metal. But common denominstors are bands like Alice in Chains, Devin Townsend, Pantera, Queens of the Stoneage, Queensrüche. Roll models are people who don’t accept things they can’t change but instead change the things the can’t accept. People with spines.
Why do you think that they exist? They touch our hearts in various ways.
Is it easier to find inspiration from older bands, or bands that are more active today? I think inspiration can come from everywhere. Even your mood. Sometimes it is more inspiring not to listen to music when writing.
What have been your biggest obstacles? We do have to distance issue between Göteborg and Emmaboda. Otherwise none really.
What advice would you give other bands or artists? Accept the circumstances and adapt. Create in the most feasable way. Distance has solutions.
Do you have any new material? We have a few songs ready to be recorded and a lot of material/riffs waiting for us!
What are your web sites? No web page.
Do you have something to add? Music is a healer. Create and enjoy!
