EMQ’s With HÅBRAND
EMQ’s With HÅBRAND
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Swedish Ambient/ Industrial band HÅBRAND. Huge thanks to their Guitarist/ Bassist, Johan Niemann, 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?
My name is Johan Niemann. I play bass and guitar. This band came into existance when Carl Westholm (keyboards) texted me about making a record in an unusual way. The premise was that we would send each other song ideas and we could add whatever we wanted – no questions asked. And we would go back and forth until we felt that a song was done. Then move on to the next song. Maybe I should add that we both play in Hollingshead together and we’ve known each other for years.
How did you come up with your band name?
Carl is a fish enthusiast and Håbrand is the Swedish name for the porbeagle shark.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
We are Swedish and based in Stockholm. Rock and Metal is very much alive and vibrant here. Plenty of established bands like Opeth and Candlemass. And also a new generation of metalheads is on the rise with bands like Bloodstain and Eradikated.
What is your latest release?
Our debut album is called ”Shining. But Dead”. And we have two videos out. One for ”Mother” and one for “Varning”.
Who have been your greatest influences?
Both me and Carl are progheads. We love Genesis, ELP, Yes, King Crimson, Van Der Graaf Generator. All those bands. I don’t know if you can hear their influence in our music, though.
What first got you into music?
For me, it all started with Kiss and Iron Maiden. I started playing bass when my fifth grade music teacher put together a school band. Been playing ever since.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I’d love to work with Robert Fripp. Terry Bozzio, too.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
I’d love to play the Fuji Rock Festival, because I’ve been to Japan once and I want to go back.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
A cup with the fan’s face on it. Mine was on there, too. But still…
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Keep listening to and supporting your favorite bands. None of us would be here if it weren’t for you.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Frank Zappa, both musically and otherwise. I think he would have a thing or two to say about the state of the world. He is sorely missed.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I love the creative aspect of making music. Writing, coming up with parts. Love touring, travelling by bus. My least favorite thing is airports and doing fly-in, one-off shows. Waking up before you go to bed, to be at the airport at stupid o’clock. No, thanks.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
I would make sure that everyone got paid for the job they do.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Olivier Messiaen’s “Oeuvres Orgue”. It is trancendental.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
I don’t know. There is a certain thing with vinyl, probably because I grew up with that format. But sonically I can’t tell the difference between them. My hearing is so bad these days.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
I’m not really that sentimental or nostalgic, so looking back doesn’t interest me.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I’d be a Zen monk in Japan.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Steve Harris, Igor Stravinsky, Jeff Goldblum, Salvador Dali and Hakuin Ekaku.
What’s next for the band?
More songwriting and gathering of ideas. Recording.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?
Probably, yes.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for having us. Much appreciated.
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