Bambook

Sweden just got way cool. Stunning new Tow The Line EP smashing it everywherel=

Interview by Ian Fleming

Bambook is Eiad and Hannes, a DJ/production outfit from Sweden that makes the sort of house music that’s more in common with Detroit and Chicago. In a country where techno seems to reign supreme, theirs’ is a sound that’s more influenced by melodies, a fact that comes to light once more on their brilliant Tow The Line EP on Hamburg label Jeudi. Sure to have a big 2015, Bambook are a duo we’re sure you’ll be hearing more from as the months roll by. Here, we caught up with them for a quick chat…

When did you first fall in love with electronic music? What made you fall in love with it?

Eiad: It was back in 1997 when I was studying at Manchester University and the mix album by DJs Sasha & John Digweed ‘Northern Exposure’ was just released. They came  to the University Union for a gig, I bought the tickets for the event and when I entered the venue and heard these magnificent sounds being played and people just moving softly to it, I was immediately mesmerized by the concept of electronic music. The rest is history!

Hannes: I was introduced to the world of electronic music via my oldest brother who was involved in the Stockholm underground scene. He always had the latest music out there. I actually felll in love with the music later on when I got my smoke machine and disco ball.

Who influenced you both back then?

Eiad: To be perfectly honest, I’m a Pink Floyd, The Door and Led Zeppelin fanatic so I draw all my influence from these masters as they prepared the way to what is natural for me today. Of course Depeche Mode, The Prodigy, Massive Attack have a big part too.

Hannes: Hip-hop, East Coast rap, Beastie Boys and RUN DMC – classical music and Motown.

Did you grow up around music then? Are your families musical people?

Eiad: Yes! I’m a 70s child so I didn’t have a choice but to be around music. My siblings had a big influence on me as I’m the youngest so all I know is what I have been exposed to by other generations in the family. Dad and Mon are both music lovers.

Hannes: I was in a choir and playing percussion in an orchestra when I was a child. My mom was singing in the church choir and playing a lot of classical music at home.

How would you best describe the music you make to people who’ve yet to hear it?

Blend of Scandinavian indie with texture deep house music.

Apart from music, what else takes up a lot of your time?

Eiad: I’m a father so maybe that’s sums it up…

Hannes: Living life until I become a father hahahaha…

What makes Sweden a great place for electronic music? Seems to be so many great DJs and producers from there, right?

Sweden has always been a great place to produce music and I believe it’s due to the professional mentality people have here. No bullshit, just get it done! Probably you have read in other interviews from other Swedish producers that it’s due to the long winters and cold weather – but allow us to set the record straight. It’s not true, it’s a myth! Swedish artists have mentality and the confidence to make it happen as this country has exported many successful artists, songs writers and producers over the year and specially nowadays.

Your new EP is just out on Jeudi Records, but it’s not the first time you’ve released there. Have you and the guys been friends for some time, how did your working relationship begin?

True, we have released our first single on Jeudi with our good friend Mennie called ‘Bones’. After that release we got to know the Jeudi crew on a personal level by having Skype meetings in our kitchens which led to an instant friendship, based on mutual love and understanding of the music. Lately we played the Jeudi label night in Berlin at Ritter Butzke where we had the chance to meet the crew in person. Top ppl!!

Why is Jeudi a good place for your music? Does it share an ethos similar to your own?

First of all we like and appreciate all the people behind Jeudi Records which makes it easier for us to release on the label and work with the guys. It felt very natural to have been asked to deliver an EP for the label. Jeudi is a great platform for our sound since the label has an open approach to what music should be on the label as long as it quality. In our case we wanted to present / introduced a different sound to what the label is used to and bring a new flavor to the label catalog.

How important do you think it is that you share a similar ethos to the label?

It’s crucial in our opinion! It takes the ego out of the picture and replaces it with creative understanding towards new opportunities and development.

And the EP itself, was it produced with hardware or software? Do you have a particular way of working in the studio?

We work in an analog environment, which allows the creative process to be more on point and genuinely executed. And thanks to Hannes’ involvement with other indie projects, it gives us the possibility to access the best studios in the city.

Do you even think the hardware/software argument is still relevant these days?

You can run a marathon with the best shoes ever made and still come last.

Do your moods influence how you produce musihe release is quite eclectic isn’t it? What was the vibe you were going for?

Moods are deceiving so we try not to get influenced by them. Indeed eclectic! We have combined deriving ideas from a broad and diverse range of styles and tastes to get to the vibe we were aiming for.

So did the EP end up as it started out?

Yes it did. We are very happy.

What have you learned about producing music over the years?

That your personality and ability to communicate negotiate and lead is as important as producing…or even a bit more.

Do you have a residency in Sweden?

We are global act not local act so we prefer to keep it that way.

Who’s influencing your music a lot right now?

This is very hard question as it’s impossible to pinpoint some names since there are so many good producers and music out there at the moment!