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Band page - Aspera
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Band Profile
1. What is your name and your current position in the band?
My name is Robin Ognedal, and I am ASPERAs guitar player!
2. How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
I would categorize it as Melodic Progressive Metal. And yeah, in my spare time I actually play a lot of different genres to become a versatile guitar player. Some of the other styles that I like to play other than metal is: Funk, Soul, Blues, Pop and Fusion. I think this also influences the way I write and play in ASPERA in a very positive way!
3. What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
Our latest album, which is our debut album, is called "Ripples", and I think what makes this album worth the money is first of all that it contains 10 really good tracks! No fillers here! And also that it is very well played, and has a awesome production done by the great Jens Bogren (Opeth, Symphony X, Paradise Lost amongst others)
4. Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
The band was formed in 2005 under the name "Illusion". I met drummer Joachim in another band I was playing in at that time, and we knew Nicko (keys) from another band. All three of us attended music high school in our home town, and that's where we met Atle and Rein. The biggest highlights of our career was definitely getting Manuela Froehlich on board as our manager, this kick started everything. Then being support act for Tarja in Spain and Switzerland, and of course getting signed on InsideOut Music! If not a highlight, it was also a great feeling walking into the CD store today and seeing our album for sale there!!
5. Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
I have always believed in our band, but I was kind of worried when we were done recording and mixing Ripples, but discovered that many labels - despite liking our music - would still not want to take the risk to sign a brand-new band in the current economical environment. In the end, it fortunately turned out great!!
6. Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
My number one favourite moment was walking out on stage at "La Riviera" in Madrid 8SUPPORTING Tarja) in front of way over 1000 crazy Spanish metalheads! Another great moment was like I said when we got the confirmation from InsideOut Music! Those kinds of moments definitely make it worth all the hard work!
7. How is the writing process in the band?
Usually someone has an idea for a riff, a groove or a chord progression; they present it to the rest of the band, and then we all work on it together until everyone is completely satisfied! So we are a very democratic band, and everyone contributes to the writing process!
8. What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
Actually, I wanted to play the saxophone ever since I was a little kid, but that didn't happen. My uncle bought me a guitar instead, which only collected dust over the years. Then it happened one day, on my way to school, I overheard one of my neighbours playing Metallica - Battery on his guitar. That was the moment I got hooked, I asked him to teach me some basics and took it from there.and the rest is history as they say! My dream always was to become a musician, nothing else, that's what I love!
9. Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
Well, I don't have any idols that I look up to in every possible way, but I can certainly say there are a lot of musicians, who inspire me more than others. To name a few; Marco Sfogli, John Mayer, Jørn Viggo Lofstad, Leiv Inge Kvilhaug, Markus Lillehaug Johnsen, Nuno Bettencourt, Mats Haugen... I could go on and on!
10. Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
Absolutely not! All the old Illusion EPs and stuff has given me plenty of knowledge and experience and helped ASPERA to become what it is today.
11. Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
No, I don't think so. At this time of our career we can say we are still proud of everything we wrote so far. Ask me again in 10 years after we release our 5th platinum album, then I might have a different answer for you :)
12. How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
The lyrical side has become more important lately! Rather than using the lyrics as a medium to express our opinions, we now use it to create also different moods within our song! So the lyrics contribute to setting the right tone for each song, as much as the musical side does!
13. What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
I haven't had anything to do with the music industry before, so I can't really compare. But the music industry seems a very tough business! A lot of people download music these days, instead of buying a CD, which of course hurts not only the potential income of the bands, but very much the labels and publishers, aso. This causes a chain reaction to have less money for finance touring, and that way it only gets harder and harder to make the big break-through. But we're still hanging in there!
14. What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
I really don't think it's any use trying to fight piracy.. No matter what you intend to do, there will always be someone that manages to find a way around it.. Unfortunately! So the only thing to do is to encourage music fans to buy CDs instead of downloading, with special booklets, additional features on the CD, pictures, etc. and hope that some people keep on supporting the bands.
15. Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
Well, I can't really say that I have a life philosophy as such, but I believe in making things happening for myself, rather than sitting around waiting for fame to fall into my hands!
16. Can you describe a typical day in your life?
Usually I get up at around noon - I hate early mornings, and love to do stuff at night - and have a relaxed breakfast. Then practicing for a couple of hours, more food, work out, practice, eat, spend some time with my friends, and then either playing a gig if I have one, or practice more or write some new music.
17. What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
Most of all working out in the gym, but I also like spending time with my friends and my girlfriend. Enjoying a good movie is great, too.
18. What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
Maybe not the kind of crazy you had hoped for.but I would say we had the craziest experience for us after the show in Madrid. We didn't have an album out, almost no one had ever heard of our band, but still we had to take pictures and sign autographs for two hours after the show! We never expected people to go THAT crazy about us!!
19. You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
Oh! That's a hard question! If you asked me the same question in a week, the answers would probably be completely different, but here we go!
Albums:
Alex Argento - Ego
Jason Mraz - We sing, We dance, We steal things
H.E.A.T - H.E.A.T
Movies:
Anchor man
Avatar
Old School
I never read books, but I would probably bring "Mötley Crüe-The Dirthe"; always wanted to read that book, but I never found the patience to do it.
20. What is your favourite joke?
Can't think of one specific right now.. But I laugh pretty hard almost every time Will Ferrell opens his mouth!
21. Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
ASPERA's future plans is playing live as much as we can, hopefully doing a support tour as soon as possible, promoting "Ripples" as good as we can, and writing songs for our next album!
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
No problem, it was a pleasure!:) Thank you for showing interest in our band. I would like to thank everyone that has bought our CD, seen our concerts, or just took the time to listen to our stuff! Feel free to spread the word about ASPERA and we will hopefully see you on tour some time soon in the future! Thanks! Take care, and rock on!
Added by Steen - 1/31/2010
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