EMQ’s with THE UNITED ROCK NATIONS (T.U.R.N)
EMQ’s with THE UNITED ROCK NATIONS (T.U.R.N)
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with International Hard Rock/Metal band, T.U.R.N. Huge thanks to Swedish based vocalist Daniel Valberg & US based bassist Hammer Head, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Daniel: Hi, my name is Daniel Valberg and I’m the singer in this band. This band was at first thought to be a cover band, recording covers only but I’m not a huge fan of just recording covers, I wanted to make our own original music, so me and Hammer decided to make this band an original! Then we brought in Graham and Des and at last, after a long time, we got hold of Spencer, our drummer.
Hammer Head: I’m Hammer Head, I play bass guitar. I grew up loving 80’s rock but struggled to find other musicians who liked the same music as me. So, I started contacting YouTube musicians and tried to do covers. Daniel was someone who really stood out in his ability to sing and music similarities. Once we figured how to do this internet band thing, we found the other musicians and haven’t looked back since.
How did you come up with your band name?
Daniel: Our first band name was actually “Lagoon” but that was copyright protected so Des came up with United Rock Nations and I said if we put “The” first and make it T.U.R.N.
Hammer Head: It actually came from my brother Des Samita. It’s pretty obvious how. Daniel lives in Sweden, I’m in California. Graham lives in England. So just sorta became “The United Rock Nations” (T.U.R.N)
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
Daniel: I’m from Sweden and I have lived in Umeå for the past 10 years. I’m originally from a town called Robertsfors. That’s where I grew up. The Metal/Rock scene in Umeå is big for a small city, I would say! We’ve got Nocturnal Rites, Cult Of Luna, Naglfar, Meshuggah etc and in Robertsfors we’ve got some Sahara Hotnights, Summoned Tide etc.
Hammer Head: We are from all over the world. We are the most popular in Sweden. The rock scene is pretty good there. I live in rural California and don’t think it’s much.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
T.U.R.N – “The United Rock Nations” is our debut album, which was released in February.
‘Demons’ (Audio)
Who have been your greatest influences?
Daniel: I must say Guns ‘N Roses.
Hammer Head: I’ve always been a fan of the greatest of the 80’s (Van Halen, Scorpions, Guns ‘N Roses, Def Leppard, Etc)
What first got you into music?
Daniel: My Stepdads Vinyl/Cassette of 50,60s rock music! Little Richard, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Creedence Clearwater Revival etc. GREAT MUSIC! Love it!
Hammer Head: My friend and I got hold of his Dads Beatles albums, and ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ is my first real memory of a song I love.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?
Daniel: Hmmm…I would say Guns ‘N Roses but that would probably take too long to finish 😉...so, maybe Halestorm or Judas Priest would be cool.
Hammer Head: That is a really good question, probably Sammy Hagar.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Daniel: Sweden Rock Festival, biggest rock festival in Sweden and they always have great line-ups, a good mix and its “Hometown”.
Hammer Head: Download in England. Seems like a cool popular rock show.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Daniel: Never got a gift from a fan.
Hammer Head: Don’t think I’ve ever received a gift!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Daniel: Aim for the stars and never give up!
Hammer Head: Work hard and treat others with respect.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Daniel: Freddie Mercury.
Hammer Head: Eddie Van Halen
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
Daniel: To be creative and make music. Hate that we have got too few hours in a day.
Hammer Head: I enjoy expressing myself in a different way. I hate not being able to express the way I feel. Haha!!
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Daniel: It’s sad but will most likely happen in the future that physical music will be completely gone…I hope and wish it will never be.
Hammer Head: Something along the lines of giving more money/royalties for streaming services. It’s the way the industry is, and the musician always gets screwed.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Daniel: Ooo, this is a hard one….I choose Black Sabbath – :Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”. I played the shit out of that album when I was younger.
Hammer Head: Def Leppard – “Pyromania”
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Daniel: Vinyl no question. It’s something special to take out, that 12″/7″, from the cover and then put it on record player and bring down the needle and hear the sparking. Nothing beats that!
Hammer Head: I Like CD’s
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Daniel: I’ve never played live!
Hammer Head: Probably the barn show. I grew up more rural and had a barn and another band at school wanted to play a show, so we made a stage out of hay. We loaded up the street and the cops came, neighbours called to complain. Said we could do anything until 9:30. So we turned it up louder and played until exactly 9:30.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Daniel: What I’m doing now, working in the Metal production Industry.
Hammer Head: Agriculture. I love animals and growing crops.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Daniel: Joan Jett, Rob Halford, Lzzy Hale, Zakk Wylde, Jack Black.
Hammer Head: My band, Daniel, Graham, Des and Spencer.
What’s next for the band?
Daniel: To work on our 2nd album.
Hammer Head: We are starting to work on album 2. Also hope we’ll play a mini tour together one day.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
www.facebook.com/theunitedrocknations
www.instagram.com/theunitedrocknations/
www.twitter.com/TURNTHEBAND
www.youtube.com/channel/UCt8uzqTZ6SeJ-nZI2AupE5Q
www.distrokid.com/hyperfollow/turn/the-united-rock-nations
Jaffa Cakes! Are they a cake or a biscuit?
Daniel: Never tasted Jaffa Cakes! But by the looks of it, 100% a biscuit. I’m a Swede and we have a lot of “Fika” so believe me It’s a biscuit!
Hammer Head: Never heard of it. I’ll guess biscuit!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Daniel: Wanna thank you guys for makin’ reviews/interviews to keep the music flow alive and spread new music out to the audience and I want to give our fans a big thank you for listening to our music! ROCK ON!
Hammer Head: Thanks for interviewing us. It was great remembering our musical journey! Hope you enjoy the album! Thank you.
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
