BRINGING OUT HIS DEBUT ALBUM…
Entering the EMI offices and sharing a lift with a lady working in the Press Department that was in the interview room yesterday with Andreas Kleerup where he apparently left everyone spellbound with his piano playing, whilst wearing one pink trainer, and one blue. This was going to be interesting…
Hello Andreas. How are you?
“I’m good Dan, I have nearly lost my voice after a late night and some TV interviews where I have had to keep doing re-takes, but don’t worry, I enjoy doing interviews…”
Well, we all know when you exploded onto the worldwide stage… the fantastic number one single ‘With Every Heartbeat’ with Robyn – the song is about your life’s experiences – who was the girl you are talking about in the song?
“It was my then girlfriend, it was thinking about her that gave me all of the lyrics, she was the theme for my record. It was though she was speaking to me through the tune in a way.”
Now living in Stockholm, but you once lived in London?
“Yes, I lived with my brother in Notting Hill, he has since gone back to Sweden. I loved that whole Portobello vibe, we are eating dinner at The Paradise tonight which will bring back some happy memories. I felt at home there in West London.”
The new album ‘Kleerup’ – the ethos behind it was to create something “that sounded like how it feels to be alive” – what are your thoughts on the album, happy with it?
“My album is all about emotion, good relationships, doomed relationships, what life is about. I am so happy with it, and to also have some beautiful vocalists performing on it such as Robyn, Titiyo, Lykke Li, Neneh Cherry, Linda Sundblad – well it was a joy to make. I love the tracks ‘Hero’ and ‘History’. Also, because I went through such a sad time with depression some of my music I have made that when I am on stage, maybe some of the boys in the audience who have gone through bad times, my sounds make them smile and be happy. People sing along at my gigs, at times I feel like I’m a rock star, I look out at the audience and see people crying. It’s so rewarding because my lyrics have hit home, I know people out their have gone through what I have gone through in their lives and I hope I help.”
One of the heroes of your life is Frank Zappa – why the fascination? An amazing musician and film director, even if he did call two of his children Moon Unit and Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen.
“Ha ha. Yes, that’s true Dan. He has opened my eyes and ears to so much musically. His classical work is incredible, he opened up doors for me – he was amazing that he could just compose music in minutes with just a piece of paper and a pencil. His comical side of things he did, I also loved. I learnt harmonies and techniques from him, how to switch from on a Scale from scales such as C to a D – how to get that harmonic relationship just right – he taught me how to make beautiful music. He also had hints of Pop in some of his work and his music had such a heartbeat in it too.”
You are known to have many musical influences, Abba, Bob Dylan, Boards of Canada, Brian Eno and even Stravinsky – so what sort of other type of music and artists were you listening to growing up that has made you into the artist that you are now?
“Well, during the 80’s, the band Kiss were major for me. I had a lot of depression in those years, sometimes wanting to kill myself. I would be sitting in school in the classroom just dying for someone else in my school to have the same dreams as me, I felt very alone. I wasn’t bullied or anything, I just wanted to be an 18 year old rock star living in Los Angeles – the whole sex, drugs and rock n’ roll thing – not sitting in a classroom doing Maths and History. It was a very sad time in a way. So Kiss’s ‘Reason To Live’ strikes home with me, I just wanted everything to work out for me and that tune helped me through it. The lyrics hit me so hard and told me, yes, everything will be okay.”
Andreas’ beautiful girlfriend enters the room (well who isn’t beautiful in Sweden!!!?). Apparently he was lonely in his East London hotel earlier in the week and asked her to fly over!
‘With Every Heartbeat’ – chosen for Jo Wiley’s Radio 1 Live Lounge by the likes of The Futureheads and Girls Aloud plus countless versions on You Tube – what do you think has been the best version?
“Ha! Well, the Radio 1 versions were a real compliment to me and I thank them both. There have been so many weird covers of the track. But the best version was by a two year old girl on You Tube. Hilarious, check it out.”
Okay, you’ve now emerged into the dance music world – a great new single ‘Longing for Lullabies’ with some great remixes, but it wasn’t always like this. You were once in a Thrash Metal band – what were those days like? What was your part of the group and what was the band called?
“We were called PerceivedWell, I was the drummer and it all started from school, it only ended when the Bass player moved away, I really miss those days. I used to sit in school writing pieces for the group.”
So what was next musically for you?
“Well I then got into Jazz. I used to play in a lot of Jazz clubs opening up for people, artists like people like Simon Phillips. But you know, the whole Jazz scene is so full of backstabbers… it is so judgmental, you wouldn’t think it but it is. You are never as good as your last gig. Everyone judges you so much. Blah blah blah…”
And then…?
“I locked myself in a cellar with my computer and listened to the Aphex Twin for two years, got my mind thinking dance music properly. I still miss playing drums, but I am on a new road now.”
So no drum kits in your apartment then?
“It’s a lovely place, but with only one bedroom – the neighbours would kill me – so no. Also, the drums remind me of my days of depression, so I have to distance myself from them Dan.”
How many musical instruments can you actually play, I believe you taught yourself the piano and have Symphony Orchestra connections?
“Yes, I did, I love the piano. I can also obviously play the drums, guitar, Bass – I love a challenge when it comes to music, I have been a Musical Director for various productions. Talking about musical instruments Dan, do you know there are more Bacteria in the mouth piece of a Trombone than in your Rectum? A Trombonist friend told me that last week. Apparently it stinks like hell.”
What one musician or band in the world would you most like to work in the studio with?
“Easy, Brian Eno”
Favourite ever album?
“I love the Boards of Canada – maybe ‘In A Beautiful Place Out In The Country.”
When you were 14 you wrote your first tune to make a grown woman cry – your best friend’s mother – did she ever know your longings for her?
“No she didn’t…”
What is the Cyndi Lauper anger story all about? The tune ‘Thank You For Nothing’ tells the tale yes?…
“Ah, I’m glad to finally put this one to rest. It’s all bullshit. Just a rumour, I didn’t write the song because my tune didn’t appear on one of her albums. I actually made the record a year before I worked with her.”
You have won some amazing awards for your work, what has been the one that has made you the most proudest?
“Well, you know, life for me is all about ticking off boxes, winning three Awards at The Swedish Grammys was amazing, but the only two I cared about out of the trio were Best Composer and Best Producer. It was great that the People’s Vote was combined with a panel of judges making the choice – but I know if it was just judges, I would have won more that year.”
What other Swedish music artists do you admire today?
“I think that the guitarist Jose Gonzales is incredible. He is a good friend and fabulous. Gothenberg has some fantastic singers and songwriters exploding, it’s so exciting at the moment.”
What is coming out after this album?
“My baby is coming out next! I cannot wait. I am in the studio all of the time making new music, really Dan, I just hope that in ten years time people remember me for what I have created musically. I am planning a new album for next spring, a real worldwide collection of tracks with different people. For instance, I’m planning to go to Jamaica to work with Sly & Robbie – my best friend is from the island and he has hooked me up. Also, I have met some musicians who live in Nigeria who are going to be really interesting to work with.”
Thank you Andreas, have fun at The Paradise tonight…
‘Kleerup’ out on May 25th – go get it…
