Reykjavík Grapevine - 24.08.2012, Page 36

CONCERT
P R E V I E W
Sudden Weather Change
More Focus And Direction
How does ‘Sculpture’ differ from
‘Stop! Handgrenade in the name
of crib-death ‘nderstand’ in
terms of sound?
Logi Höskuldsson: I think it’s more
mature and we had many more influ-
ences, especially from ambient and elec-
tronic genres.
Bergur Thomas Anderson: The new
songs have more soundscapes and we
were thinking more about the atmo-
sphere we were creating than we did on
the last album. We focused not only on
having a list of songs, but having a cohe-
sive album that conveys the same atmo-
sphere or texture.
Logi: We also thought about the struc-
ture of the songs much more and moved
away from simple chord progressions.
Bergur: It’s definitely more focused.
Logi: There is also more experimenta-
tion.
Bergur: Our first album was more like
a collection of fifteen individual songs
whereas this album is more like a jour-
ney from start to finish.
Where do you get inspiration for
the lyrics?
Logi: Well I’m always thinking about
this man on a raft with no destination.
I’m not quite sure how that influences
the lyrics, but it comes to mind a lot.
Bergur: Everything is very much about
a typical day—really average content. It’s
not about mystical beings or outer space.
For our first album we would each write
and sing different parts, but there was
no connection; it was more like a collage.
But with this one we sat down and had a
conversation about the lyrics.
Logi: A good example is “New Motive,”
which we wrote in three parts. The first
is about a man who is a writer but is no
longer famous. The second part is about
the same man and how he is becoming
famous again now that he is old. And the
third part is about the publishers’ view
and the fans’ reactions. It’s about what
happens after becoming famous, and
basically nothing happens, and I think
it’s funny.
Less Drinking And Talking
How would you describe your
ideal audience?
Logi: We really thought about the au-
dience for this album. At performances
for our last album the audience didn’t
wear shirts, they were hammered, and
they would go crazy. They didn’t neces-
sarily listen to our music.
Bergur: They just wanted to get drunk
and dance around with us, which was
really fun.
Logi: Yeah, it’s great, but we want them
to really listen to our music this time.
Basically if people don’t talk during our
performance then I’m happy. I would
like them to just watch and listen. Pretty
much just not talk.
your past works all have a very
‘90s grunge feel to them. Can we
expect the same with the new
album?
Logi: There was once a review that
saw right through us saying that we
were trying to be this nineties band.
So for this album we made a conscious
decision to change our sound and make
more calculated decisions. We took out
a lot of the feedback we were doing be-
fore because we felt like it just wasn’t us
anymore. We wanted to do something
more and to find ‘our’ sound, not a ‘90s
sound. Maybe we are on our way to that
new sound with ‘Sculpture’ but it still
has ‘90s influence.
Bergur: We are still doing the ‘90s gui-
tar thing, but without this teenage angst
undertone.
A Slow Birth
What was the process of making
‘Sculpture’ like?
Bergur: The process was a slow birth.
We were a little scared while we were do-
ing it because we became so interested
in changing our sound and we lost a
band member in the middle of mak-
ing it, so we couldn’t quite decide if we
wanted to only have four members or
find someone else.
Logi: Losing a band member definitely
changed the outcome and allowed us to
be more focused.
Bergur: There is a lot more room or
space in the entire sound because we are
fewer now. There is not as much going
on.
Logi: Yeah, the lines are far more fo-
cused.
Bergur: And every detail matters.
Logi: There is no longer this wall of
sound with three guitars and one bass.
Bergur: We also aren’t yelling anymore,
or at least not as much. Before it was
often like a competition of who could
scream and play the loudest and fastest.
We would write songs with those kinds
of motives.
If your band had an alter ego
what would it be?
Logi: The Beatles: two vocalists, two
guitar players, bass and drums. And
that’s also our favourite band. We are
typical guys. - MELkORkA LICEA
Since they released their debut album four years ago, Sud-
den Weather Change have carved a unique nook where ’90s
lo-fi grunge meets tight-knit indie rock. The band, which took
home the 2010 Icelandic Music Award for ‘Best Newcomer,’ is
now back in business with a newly released sophomore album
titled ‘Sculpture.’ We took this opportunity to speak with Bergur
Thomas Anderson (bassist and singer) and Logi Höskuldsson
(guitarist and singer) about their new creation and what’s next
for these young up-and-comers.
36 The Reykjavík GrapevineIssue 13 — 2012MuSIC
Sudden Weather Change:
A Meta-Metaphor
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“
We really thought about
the audience for this
album. At performances
for our last album the
audience didn’t wear
shirts, they were ham-
mered, and they would
go crazy. They didn’t
necessarily listen to our
music „
Congratulations on your new album SWC! May you long prosper!
Alísa kalyanova