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Interview With Patrik Janson - Platitude
With their second album titled Nine, the Progressive Metal band Platitude put out one of the best releases I have heard in a long time, read review.
So I decided to learn a bit more about this interesting young band and send them some questions, and Patrik Janson (bass) was up for the task.
Tommy: Hey there, hope you are well and in the mood for answering some questions?
Patrik: Hi, I sure am.
Tommy: I would like to talk a little about your new album Nine, what is the meaning with the title and is there something binding the songs together lyrically?
Patrik: The album is more or less built on ninth-chords, so that is why we decided to name it "Nine". Besides that it is a word that sounds nice when you say it, and it fits the music very good when it comes to the feelings that we're trying to generate.
The songs on the album do have a common thread even though they differ a lot. It's not a concept-album or anything. But all the songs handle different feelings that we have; we put tons of our selfs in this one.
Tommy: Something that is very characteristic about your music is the fine balance between complex structures and more down to earth and catchy elements, would you call that a Platitude trademark?
Patrik: Yepp, I would. That is one of the things that we're always going for, the balance I mean. We love progressive music but we still think that melodies must come in first hand.
Tommy: Something I really enjoyed was the keyboard work; extremely atmospheric, skilfully played and highly interesting, how come you chose to have two keyboards?
Patrik: We came across the idea more or less as a coincidence. But we soon discovered that it was a brilliant idea. Now we could do all those atmospheric keyboards as easy live as in the studio. It's boring when you can't recreate that same feeling. It's still possible to do it with one keyboard in a studio, but I wouldn't change our line-up for the world, the use of two keyboards are a GREAT source of creativity.
Tommy: Your debut "Secrets Of Life" was not quite as challenging or memorable, still a good album though. How would you describe the difference between the two albums?
Patrik: The first time we were more or less just happy that we got the opportunity to do a recording and we wanted to make music that people would enjoy. This time we wanted to make music that fits us more. We still play it because it's fun though, but it's more that that. Like I said, we put tons of ourselves in this one.
Also, we have widened our perspectives and started listening to a lot of new stuff. More about that on the next question.
Tommy: You seem to mix different styles of music with great success, is that something that comes natural?
Patrik: We realized that you don't evolve by listening to other metal-bands, you do it by listening to stuff that's not metal and creating your own thing of it. We get inspiration from a lot of stuff. And I do think that it comes natural, at least for us. There are a lot of fragments of different 80's pop in our music. We like a lot of different stuff, everything from Madonna, Michael Jackson and Dalbello to Dimmu Borgir, Symphony X and Mötley Crue. Not that it is any difference to me, it's all based on melodies.
Tommy: Nine has a very rich and tight production, how satisfied are you with the result?
Patrik: More than overjoyed. We knew exactly how we wanted it to sound before we entered the studio. Tommy Hansen had a lot of direction there and he's totally the man, he managed to pinpoint everything that we asked for. It was wonderful to work with him. Even though he's a Dane and we're Swedes, we spoke the same international language of music. (Laughs)
Tommy comes from the old school and likes producers like Mutt Lange and Trevor Horne so it's a very crisp polished sound, but at the same time very heavy with a lot of depth. Just like we wanted it. He's great!
Tommy: You are seven members in the band, is it easy coming to agreement when composing?
Patrik: Usually not, we have the same goals most of the time. I really think that's it's more of an asset because our compositions never gets boring. We all have something to add to the Platitude-sound, and that is what makes it special.
Tommy: Are you happy with the way your new album has been received by the press and fans?
Patrik: We are very happy! Thank you all! Even though we hoped for it, we couldn't really know what you were going to say since we went through a change since "Secrets of Life". We are really glad 'cause it seems like all of you understand what it is that we are doing!
Tommy: Has it become easier to be a young promising Metal band in the year 2004 than before do you think?
Patrik: That depends on what you compare it to. It has been a lot easier before than what it is now, but that was many years ago. I do think that the scene is about to have another breakthrough. So it's a lot easier now than it has been for the last couple of years. It's growing, and is getting a more accepted at a commercial level as well. Many times thanks to bands like The Darkness.
Tommy: What are your touring/festival plans?
Patrik: We have one festival booked so far and that is ProgPower Europe. We are going down there to play on 2-3 of October. Then we are going to do a European-tour around that time as well. No dates are set yet, so it's not really that much to tell. Be sure to check www.platitude.net for tourdates!
Tommy: What artist do you personally enjoy?
Patrik: My big time favourite is Devin Townsend. He is so great at transforming his emotions in to music and words. He always manages to pinpoint my emotions so I can really relate. I've never heard more expressive vocals. Another big favourite is Lisa Dalbello, for me she is the female version of Devin, great vocalist! When it comes to bass-players my nr. 1 is: Victor Wooten, he does the most amazing things and it looks so damn easy. Tons of groove!
Besides that I like a lot of different stuff: Dreamscape, Threshold, Children of Bodom, Soilwork, Freak Kitchen, Andromeda, Mötley Crue, Guns 'N Roses, Michael Jackson and Rush to name a few.
Tommy: Can you name a couple of favourite live experiences?
Patrik: The gigs we did with Threshold in Germany last year is probably the most fun I've ever had. Great tour, very professional over all. The audience was so great! They totally rocked to our music, great response. We love them! Besides that, the Threshold guys are really nice as well, which doesn't make it any worse.
Tommy: If you could pick anything you wanted, what five "things" would you chose for a perfect evening?
Patrik:
1. My closest friends (no girlfriend for the moment ;-) )
2. Great music
3. Guinness beer
4. Private jet to Florida (laughs)
5. Barbeque on Miami Beach
Tommy: Now you got a chance to say some final words to the RevelationZ Magazine readers?
Patrik: I would like to thank all the fans out there that have been writing in our guestbook and sending us mails. Thanks for all your kind comments, and for buying our album! You're the best!
Tommy: I want to thank you for answering this stream of questions, and wish you and the band all the best for the future.
Patrik: I would like to thank you for the interview and the review of our album. It was my pleasure answering these questions! Good luck to you!
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Written by Tommy - 5/30/2004 |
This article has been shown 13361 times. Go to the complete list.
RevelationZ Comments
| Comment by ecp (Anonymous) - Thursday, August 3, 2006 | Hi ho Silver, away.
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| Comment by Hanz Jocker (Anonymous) - Wednesday, August 23, 2006 | I would like to wish you much luck. And a lot of money. Thank you.
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| Comment by Blass Eun (Anonymous) - Monday, August 28, 2006 | Very many thanks for a good work. Nice and useful. Like it!
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| Comment by Kleon Indig (Anonymous) - Tuesday, August 29, 2006 | I would like to wish you much luck. And a lot of money. Thank you.
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| Comment by Solo Pack (Anonymous) - Thursday, September 21, 2006 | Very many thanks for a good work. Nice and useful. Like it!
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| Comment by Dulsinea Toboss (Anonymous) - Sunday, October 22, 2006 | Does anybody know any other guestbooks relating to this?
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| Comment by Tyra Nanks (Anonymous) - Tuesday, November 7, 2006 | Poem is a strange type of literature, isnt it?
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