Blues Pills (Credit: Dana Trippe)
Blues Pills, vocalist Elin Larsson, guitarist Zack Anderson, bassist Kristoffer Schander, open up about the challenges and triumphs of recording new album ‘Birthday’, and how they’ve managed to keep their classic rock roots alive while embracing modern production.
Your new album ‘Birthday’ was recorded in just 10 days. Can you share what that intensive recording process was like?
Zack: We recorded the album at a studio called Recordia, in Varberg, Sweden. We had already made demo’s of all the songs beforehand so we had a pretty clear vision of how we wanted the songs before we entered the studio. We spent the first day or two just setting up everything. They have a huge live room, so we had it setup so that we could all be in the same room recording together, which was great so we could get as close to the feeling of playing live as possible.
Next, we just started doing takes of all the songs one at a time till we were happy with the main take, to be the foundation of the song, with the focus on having the best drum and bass take. After that it was a few days of overdubbing guitars, and finally some days of the vocals, and that was pretty much it. We liked to record at such a fast pace because it takes away the chance to overthink, and you’ve forced to make gut decisions, whatever feels best in the moment that’s what’s going on the album.
Freddy Alexander produced. What was it like working with him, and given he has worked with non-rock acts, how did he influence the album’s sound?
Kristoffer: Freddy is one of the best people you can have in a studio! Positive, creative, and always very solution-oriented. When we came into the studio, some of the songs already sounded pretty poppy and punchy, but he was incredibly helpful with the arrangements to keep things interesting throughout the songs. Some of my favorite parts of the album were guided by his sharp insights during our studio time. A very sharp knife, Mr. Alexander.
How do you balance retaining that analogue feel with evolving your sound to stay current in today’s music landscape?
Zack: I think the vintage sound in our music comes from the styles of music that we’ve been influenced by, and by the way in which we record. Playing the parts as live as possible and restricting ourselves to fewer overdubs, things like that. However, this album was done on the computer, unlike previous albums that we did on tape, which contributes to a more modern production, but mostly it’s our producer who mixed the album, that’s his style and sound of the way he mixes that music. We love mixing the old sounds and influences, while giving a modern twist to it.
‘Top Of The Sky’, is inspired by a social media tragedy. Are you trying to send a warning to your fans about the dangers of internet fame?
Zack: It’s not so much about internet fame, but more about the overuse of social media and smart phones in general. We live in a time where it’s totally normal to spend 8 hours per day on our phones. You walk down the street or sit in a restaurant and all around you can people are on there phones. Sometimes you meet friends and instead of hanging out together, they can sit staring at the screen. Our generation is the last generation that still remembers how it was when we were young before. It feels like some of the sense of being present in the moment was lost when the smart phone came. Not to mention it’s stressful to have so much information coming at you all the time. Smart phones are a part of the world we live in now, but I think we all could benefit by at least examining our addiction and reduce the time spent consuming social media.
Elin, you were pregnant and recording at the same time. How did you balance these two significant aspects of your life, and what advice would you give to other artists in similar situations?
Elin: In the end, I found myself struggling to keep my balance literally because I got so huge! It’s a constant puzzle to figure out how to manage it all. I’ve always wanted to have a family, and I have a strong work ethic, so just sitting around isn’t for me. I know I need to be prepared for less sleep and some tough times in the beginning, but I’m confident I’ll figure it out. Having a great dad in the picture helps a lot too.
I also want to spend as much time as possible with my son, so he’ll be coming with me on the road. If your main goal is to earn tons of money, maybe starting a family isn’t the right path, doing music ain’t gonna make you rich either. Luckily, that’s not my priority. I’d rather have a rich family life and focus on the people who mean the most to me even though I wouldn’t say no to a yacht or a penthouse in New York. But who would?
What makes ‘Piggyback Ride’ stand out, and what inspired it?
Elin: It’s a fun track that really makes you groove, and the lyrics are pretty funny too. It’s all about wild hogs in my hometown. I like it because it’s a truly freaky song with all sorts of weird things happening throughout. It’s not to be taken to serious.
How has growing up and creating music in Sweden influenced you?
Kristoffer: Sweden has always been ahead when it comes to culture and politics. When I was growing up, it was easy to find places to practice music and borrow instruments if you couldn’t afford them. The government’s support was a big deal for us music lovers. Unfortunately, it seems like that support is slipping away now, and young people are losing out on these important opportunities. It’s really disappointing to see this happening.
It’s been nearly ten years since you stormed onto the scene. How do you feel the band has evolved?
Elin: We’re playing better than ever. This is our prime. So, come to the shows and have a blast with us! You’ll regret yourself if ya dont!
You have forthcoming European dates. Given you have such a strong live presence, how do your live performances influence your studio recordings, and vice versa?
Kristoffer: Every time we go into a studio session, we want to bring the live energy with us. We try to record as much as possible live in the same room to capture the raw power of a live set. By maintaining this live recording approach, we ensure that the energy and cohesiveness of our live shows are reflected in the album, making the transition from studio to stage seamless and full of life.
What’s next for Blues Pills after ‘Birthday’ and the tour?
Zack: We are already excited for writing our next album, so we will be working on that as soon as we have a chance!
