 MILK: So, I guess the question on everyone's lips-why solo?
Peter: A couple of different reasons. I been playing on and off with Bjorn since high school and at some point you really need to do something all by yourself, however hard it might be to make final decisions. Also I constantly write a lot of songs, too many to fit into just one band with 3 songwriters. Now I had a bunch of songs I wanted to take in a more low-key folkie direction than the band, that seemed to fit well together. So I went ahead and recorded them. It's been a pretty long process. I think I workedabout a month on the record, but that month has been spread out over several years. I was in no rush. Now seemed a good time, with a hole in my schedule, to release it.
Tell us about the album. Why is it called The Last Tycoon? Have you taken inspiration from the film? What's the musical direction and mood?
I saw the film many years ago. First of all I like the sound of the title. It sets a special mood and in combination with the homey down-to-earth feeling of the music and artwork it feels kind of ironic almost to think of me as a tycoon, which 'of course I'm not. But the film and novel deals with different kinds of success and failure, on a business and personal level and the trouble of making yourself and your lifestyle fit together. Not the easiest of things. And the album deals with similar things, dealing with different situations in everyday life, trouble with communication between people, growing up etc. All personal stuff that seems universal. The musical mood is (as with the band) melodic popsongs, but this time around more, as I said, homey, low-key and singer-songwriter-ish, a lot of acoustic guitars and less drums. I love 60's and seventies stuff like Dylan, Bert Jansch, Leonard Cohen, Fred Neil, Tim Hardin, Paul Simon, Caetano Veloso etc, so I guess it's sort of in that vein, but still pretty varied. There's a lot of different instrumental stuff going on beside the acoustic guitar; strings, synths, percussion, but the voice and lyrics are sort of in the center.
How is the business of touring without the others?
I have'nt really tried it yet, I've just done a couple of gigs. But I'm looking forward to it, playing smaller, intimate venues again and creating a different sort of atmosphere. I will bring a friend as extra musician, so I won't be all alone. It'll be great!
Do you feel that this album is a more personal offering? That the songs are more searching or honest?
All PBJ's songs are pretty honest and personal, so it's not a big departure in that way. But of course, now it's all about me, I can spread out more. I love long storytelling songs, with many verses and I have been able to develop that side of my writing more on this album. I didn't feel I needed to be short, direct, snappy, poppy. I let things take their time. It's also very much of an album, rather than just a bunch of songs. I appreciate the longplay-mood still. I'm a bit old-fashioned in that way.
You covered 'Spanish Guitar' for The World Turns All Around Him: A Tribute to Gene Clark, released in 2006 on Swedish indie Groover Recordings; why did you decide on that particular track?
It's just a fantastic song. I love his more well-known Byrds songs as well, but it's hard to add anything to those versions, they're so definitive. I felt more free with this one. And the lyric is really good.
Are you looking forward to SXSW?
Yeah, it's always fun there, a special vibe, barbecue, Corona and sunny as hell. Different music going on all the time. Last year we played all the time, so I didn't see anything, maybe I'll see some stuff this year.
Are you playing many festivals over the Summer?
A couple I hope, but not too many. I have to rest a bit before 2009, when PBJ will tour the next record.
Are there any other Swedish acts that you feel should get a bigger mention than they currently do?
A new band called Park Hotel is really good, New Order-ish. Bear Quartet is a fantastic band from the north of Sweden that's been going on since the early nineties and have a cult following, but never made it big anywhere. I don't think they want to either. At their most accessible they're like a mix between Smiths, Neil Young and Television, but sometimes they are less accessible to say the least. Great lyrics. A duo from Gothenburg called Studio I really like. Manchester - lounge - Ibiza - vibe. First Floor Power is amazing. And Pugh Rogefeldt. |
