ATP
What is the title of your CD? How did you come up with
the name?
FUSSKALT
ATP
Is this your first CD and if not, how is this one different
from the others?
FUSSKALT
It's the first one we plan on releasing in physical
form (as a self-financed demo), so I guess it's different
from the previous 2, digital 3-track EP's (Songs for speedin' and crashin' vol. 1 and 2). "Overdrive" is
also different, because we've all been involved in the
writing process much more as a band.
ATP
Did you write all the songs before going into the studio
or did you write them as you were recording?
FUSSKALT
Yes, all of them we're done prior to entering the studio.
It saves time and frustrations.
ATP
Walk us thru the process of writing your music?
FUSSKALT
In the past, it would usually be me creating the music
at home with my rig and Pro Tools. And it'd be presented
to the other guys as "homework for next
practice session".
Then we'd play it, tweak it and fine tune it, till we
were eventually all happy with it. But recently and
for most of the tracks on "Overdrive", the songs have
been created from a few riff ideas, over the course
of a few practice sessions - in their basic form anyways.
There's always a tweak here and a modification there
to be implemented over time. But it helps the process,
to get something down and then take it from there -
a draft, so to speak. Even Lars will start humming something
incoherently at the very early stages of the creation
process, and when he is ready (or not always ready)
for it, we'll do some simple test recordings to see
what works and what doesn't.
ATP
Where did you record and why?
FUSSKALT
We're actually recording everything, where we
practice.
Usually over the course of a few weekends - and our
producer, Henrik Hjortnæs, who's been with us from the
very start, helps us set everything up and takes care
of the technical aspects of the recording process. It's
starting to feel familiar and comfortable, and we know
most of the kinks and possibilities by now. So usually
we (or Henrik) will try to change small things in the
process from one session to another, just to try different
things out.
ATP
HHow did you pay for your recording?
FUSSKALT
Ouch. Right in the bad conscience. We still need to
pay him (as I'm writing this). But we pay for the recording
with our devotion and love. And bananas. And money,
which we get from our employers at our respective day
jobs ;)
ATP
Did you have a producer or did you self-produce? If
so, what kind of input did the producer have. If your
self-produced, why?
FUSSKALT
As mentioned earlier, it is Henrik Hjortnæs (and Fusskalt)
who produces everything... Fusskalt. Henrik usually
has a lot of great inputs, ranging from getting our
recorded sound as close to what we actually sound like,
rather than making us sound like something we can't
reproduce live. And he has small ideas for how to start
a song, or how to end it... little effects here and
there. He get's involved on many levels, which is great
because it shows he cares not just about the process,
but also the music. Mostly though, he refuses to make
dirty, fuzzy sound... So we fight about that a little...
and I usually end up loosing. But he's the best. And
he always makes us sound the best we can. We're very
happy to have him with us.
ATP
Did you try to capture your "live sound" or did you
go for something else?
FUSSKALT
We're trying to match our live sound, pretty much down
to every guitar preset - though Lars is singing a few
vocal harmonies - something we've not yet managed to
live. We hope to do so in the future. But yes, we wan't
the recorded music to capture a fair amount of living,
human beings playing proper instruments.
ATP
Did your record label have any input into the music
you recorded?
FUSSKALT
Since we're not on a label, that'll be a no.
ATP
Are you pleased with the final product?
FUSSKALT
Yes, very much so. The 5 tracks on "Overdrive" ranges
from the slowest, to the fastest song in our current
set. And everyone has been much more involved in the
creative process than previously. We hope the audience
will welcome it, and play it often... and loud.
ATP
Where will we be able to pick up a copy?
FUSSKALT
Yhose details aren't in place yet. But we'll be sure
to inform everyone when everything is settled.
ATP
Will you be touring to promote your CD?
FUSSKALT
We would really like that. Most likely we'll try to
set up as many jobs as we can, with some cool, upcoming
bands.
ATP
Would rather be recording or playing live shows?
FUSSKALT
Nah, both. Recording is great - and leaning back while
listening to a proper recording of your music (without
actually playing it) is great. But it just makes you
want to get back on the stage even more.
ATP
Anything you would like to say to your fans?
FUSSKALT
Cheers from Lars, Janus, Thomas, Jonas and Nick.