EMQ’s With Patrick of Tonic Breed
EMQs With Tonic Breed
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 Patrik Kvalvik Svendsen. I do vocals, guitars and songwriting for Tonic Breed. Tonic Breed started as a band in Sarpsborg, Norway, and over time it has changed into a one-man project with guests.
How did you come up with your band name?
It was more or less two words smashed together. Now it’s about owning it.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
I am from Sarpsborg in Norway. Norway has a strong rock and metal history, but it is also a small country, so you cannot just sit around and expect things to happen. There are good musicians and serious bands here, but getting outside your own circle takes work. That probably makes you a bit stubborn, which is useful.
What is your latest release?
The latest release is the EP Name Dealer. It includes last year’s The Die Is Cast and Anew, featuring Michael Gilbert and Chris Adler, plus the newer songs Close In and Name Dealer. Close In is the more emotional side of Tonic Breed, and features Charlie Engen on drums, orchestration by Ben Zimmermann, and production, mixing and guitar solo work from Adrian Bjerketvedt. Name Dealer is more direct, with Tommy Aldridge on drums and Joel Hoekstra on guitar solo. We also made a music video for it in an old industrial location in Sarpsborg, with fire, smoke and drones.
Who have been your greatest influences?
There’s too much to choose from. A thousand bands between Black Sabbath and Ghost.
What first got you into music?
A lot of things, but what really got me addicted to metal for the first time was Sonata Arctica. As a 10-year-old, that music hit hard when not used to heavy drums and guitars.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician, who would it be?
You mean as a next project after Tommy Aldridge and Joel Hoekstra? Jake E. Lee or Jason Newsted would be amazing.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Tons of Rock because it’s close to home. Wacken Open Air because the size. So many great festivals out there. Can’t pick just one.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Thanks for listening and for giving the newer version of Tonic Breed a chance. I know the project has changed shape, but the core is still the same: heavy songs, riffs, hooks, and honest work behind it.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Dimebag Darrell.
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
The best part is hearing a song become real. It can start as a rough idea in a room, then suddenly there are real drums, vocals, solos, mixes, artwork, and a video around it. That still feels good. What I hate is the amount of noise around releasing music now. The admin, the formats, the algorithms, the constant need to feed platforms.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Metallica – Master of Puppets. Not the most original answer, but it is honest.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
Vinyl gives the best vibe.
What’s next for the band?
More music, more writing and hopefully more collaborations when the songs call for it. The next step is simply to keep making Tonic Breed sharper and crafting more songs.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
The best place to start is the official website and streaming platforms.
Website: https://tonicbreed.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/77xERzMN8ghZCov8PRbCVR
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tonicbreed
Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonicbreed
Facebook: https://facebook.com/tonicbreed
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
I am Norwegian, so I am probably the wrong person to settle a British bread war. I will say bun, then row away before anyone starts throwing flour. RO, RO, RO!
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Just thanks for having me. Name Dealer is out now, and it is probably the clearest picture of what Tonic Breed is at the moment. It has the heavier side, the more melodic side, and the guest format working the way I think it should. If people are new to the project, that EP is a good place to start.
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