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Interview with Magnus Pelander Of Witchcraft on the 21ste of june 2005 by Vera
If you are in for a change of time and mood, step into the time capsule of Witchcraft and you come out in another space and time. What this young Swedish band presents on their second album ‘Firewood’ is kind of impressive. Being on Rise Above Records and going on tour with Orange Goblin and Grand Magus, made them part of the doom scene, but I am sure that every nostalgic vintage freak will be fond of their extra-ordinary approach of music, because this is very retro. It is high time to check out ‘Firewood’. Magnus Pelander, the mastermind behind this music turned out to be a friendly and truthful music lover.
In spite of your young age, you produce one of the most remarkable retro sounds. How did you get in contact with that music?
It started when I was like fifteen years old and I discovered Black Sabbath. And from then it just went on with bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Blue Cheer and so on. I was kind of fascinated by that music and I thought to myself: there is going to be more bands of that kind, so I started to go to record fairs and record collectors.
And did you get in contact with it by friends or by elder brothers or something else?
Eventually my brother was into metal, so I grew up with thrash metal in the beginning, like Slayer, Metallica and all that shit. The first ones are great, like South Of Heaven and Seasons In The Abyss is a fantastic record. But I think, actually my brother used to play some Black Sabbath stuff at home, subconsciously it got into my mind.
Another name that struck me was Roky Erickson. Not that much people know him…
Yeah, I was always in some obscure but good music, so it was only a matter of time before I discovered Roky Erickson. I was introduced through a friend of mine. I heard his first solo album ‘I Hear Demons’ and I was impressed. I think that’s the title because it got different titles in different countries.
When you started the band, wasn’t it difficult to find the same minded musicians who were into that old stuff with retro sound?
Not really actually, cause in my hometown there are quite a few people I know from way back who like Black Sabbath and Pentagram. It was not too hard cause I knew them quite long, most of them.
And then you were lucky to be discovered by the famous Rise Above Records. Wasn’t that a kick?
Yeah, it was fantastic. I don’t know if you know that, but I was in a band before called Norrsken, that’s a Swedish name for Northern Lights, and that was between 1995 and 2000. And that was also very, very retro, not so dark as Witchcraft perhaps. From then I knew there were more people interested in that kind of music.
Then you started to buy some vintage old equipment. Wasn’t it too expensive or hard to find?
The first record we didn’t use too much vintage gear actually. I think we manage to get that sound anyway. On this new record we got more vintage material. It is not hard to find at all these days, it is just expensive as hell. It is just a matter of money. It is different to work with, but you got a much better sound with the old guitar amps. A warm, generous sound that makes music so much better.
I see that you worked twice with Jens Hendriksson…
Yes, that’s true.
So I guess he must have been a big help and become a friend in the meantime…
Definitely haha. Jens is actually Ola’s brother, the bass player’s brother and I know Jens for years. We have both discussed it a lot and were impressed by the old sixties/seventies sound. We decided, we are going to have that kind of sound and we are still working on it haha…
That’s good, cause there are more things to discover in future…
Yes, I think so. The thing is you got to find a perfect studio with the right equipment and stuff.
What about the one in England, why did you go there?
From the beginning we were supposed to record over here in Sweden. In a great studio. The guy who owns it was too scheduled, so we had to cancel it. So we talked with Rise Above about a studio in England. With analogue stuff, so it was good for us. But hopefully the next record can be recorded in that studio in Sweden. It is the best studio I know. The sound is going to be even more better. I did a demo tape there for a few songs, so hopefully next record is going to be there.
Do you write all the songs or is it a process of rehearse and compose?
The first record was mainly written by me. But now, the new record, was mainly written by me and John, the guitar player. He contributed a lot to this one, he wrote four or five songs.
So you evolve to working more together?
Yes, and I think that is much better cause it is more fun to work together. Next record is going to be more of me and John I think. Some songs I wrote on my own, and then John comes in and adds something or vice versa, things like that.
Concerning themes of the lyrics, are there certain subjects that inspire you mostly?
Most of the songs are about every day life, meeting people, relations, whatever… Some of them are made of stories, like ‘Sisters Are Weak’ on the first album.
What is reflected in the artwork?
I cannot say we got anything special to be reflected in the artwork. It is more about a place with the feeling of the songs, a certain atmosphere. The general flow.
Is your love for the sixties/seventies reflected in other parts of your life?
As a matter of facts, if you would visit my apartment, it looks like it is 1969. I used to go to flea markets about five years ago and found all my stuff there. Haha, it looks like a kind of vintage apartment indeed.
You live in Orebrö. Isn’t that the place where Dan Swanö is living too?
Yeah, that’s true. Do you know about him? He is a legend. He actually works in a local music shop here. We have got two music shops in town and I prefer the other music shop, but a lot of people admire his work. He’s got good ears, I am sure he can do vintage recordings as well if he is asked to. He is a big fan of the band Dust, he likes the second album very much. I once talked with him about it. I like them too, I have a part of the two albums because I got a live tape from them. There are also two unreleased tracks on it.
Do you know Leafhound?
Yeah, of course. They were one of the first bands I discovered in the scene. And do you know we played with them in England in March?! That is bizarre cause Leafhound was supporting Witchcraft. Very strange. I know they are reformed a while ago, but I think the only original member is the vocalist Peter French. But that day the original guitar player was there, watching them. He didn’t show up on stage, but it was a good show. The other guys looked a lot younger, in the thirties or so. I know they are coming to Sweden on the 22nd of July, very close to our town. Unfortunately we are going to be in Austria playing then.
We talked about older bands and he also likes the Belgian band Irish Coffee.
The release of the first album was followed by a tour with label mates Orange Goblin and Grand Magus. They played in Leuven (Belgium). What about touring this time?
I think there are plans to go back to the States. We played the States three weeks ago, just one concert on the festival Emissions From The Monolith. I hope we are going back in fall, October or something, for a five weeks tour. Nothing is really clear at the moment but it is definitely in the pipeline.
What are for you the main differences between the first album and ‘Firewood’?
Mainly the sound is a bit more cleaner, more polished. Some of the songs are even more like the sixties. For example ‘Mr. Haze’. I think there is progress in any way.
Do you have ideas about new songs already?
Yeah, we got ideas, it’s kind of the same style. It’s always going to be a mix of doom and hard rock. The next one might be a little more progressive. I have some progressive ideas lying on tape here that I want to use. I think it is about time that this material gets on earth, from tape into the band, descending from the minds of Witchcraft.
Are there certain bands you would like to go on tour with?
Am I permitted to dream? (laughs) The new band The Mars Volta. I think we should fit very well with that band. They are an interesting progressive rock band in any sense. I think supporting them would be very great.
Are there some bands you saw live in your youth that made a huge impression on you?
To be honest, the first band that I come to think of when you say that, is when I was fifteen or sixteen years old, there was a local band from our town and they were very talented. They were called The Strollers. Fantastic sixties-like Rolling Stones kind of band and later on they turned into more sixties garage rock. I remember the first time I saw them, I was fucking blown away (1993-1994). They got so much energy. I actually became friends with them later on and we have jammed together. I had the chance to see Strollers many times. They got two albums out, the first one in 1997 and one in 2000. You should check them out. I guess most people have a big name on their list when you ask about their favourite gig. I don’t know, I am often impressed by unknown, obscure bands. On the other hand I am not much of a concert visitor, I am much more like sitting at home and listening to music. If I go to a concert it has to be very specific and good.
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