Sweden has always been a guarantee for the export of epic pop melodies and famous rock-bands. However, this rarely combined in one band. Blowsight have internalized the essence of both worlds. Thus they have taken their unique ways with music making, touring, and much more in-store there is no stopping them! Frontman vocalist and guitarist Nick Red talks about the band's latest release and plans they have for the fans and themselves.
1. Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Blowsight.
Nick: My name is Nick Red, I am the lead vocalist and guitar player. I write the songs and produce the whole shebang, with a little help from my friends in the band. We got our own studio at my house, called "The Shed Evil Studio" where we jam, come up with new riffs and melodies. It's like a sanctuary for me, one of the few places where I feel 100% calm.
2. Can I get a backstory on the band/ band biography?
Nick: It all began in 2002, when me and Fabz and Seb went to the same places, the rock clubs in Stockholm, watching all these amazing underground bands and sharing a few pints together. Later on, I released some crappy tunes on a website called mp3.com, this was before the whole Myspace thingy happened, but it was quite similar. About a year later, guitarist Seb found the songs and saw potential, so we started jamming classic tunes by bands like Metallica, Machine Head, Slayer, that stuff, together with drummer Fabz. And it all clicked. We clicked. A couple of months later we had our first show in Stockholm, with our first bass player Flavia Canel. Nowadays our latest member Mao takes care of the bass frequencies, and we enjoy looking into the future rather than the past. It's been a rough road to get to where we are today. But the fruits are starting to show - supporting The Scorpions, Danzig, Trivium and other huge bands, alongside with amazing childhood-dream festivals like Wacken Open Air or Sweden Rock Festival definitely shows that we are doing at least SOMETHING right! *laughs*
3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Nick: We are based in Stockholm, Sweden. The country with approximately four months of sun, and the remaining eight in total darkness. These months are perfect for recording the darker songs, actually. The music scene in Sweden is and has always been very strong, especially in the rock genre. Sweden is the third biggest music exporting country in the world, so there must be something in the water over here..! *laughs* Almost everyone I know plays in a band. We all know bands like In Flames, Refused, Sabaton and those big names, but there are some really good bands that I found recently. One of my favourite new band is "The Durango Riot". They play some really high-octaned rock'nroll with tons of finesse, witty lyrics and amazing live shows. On top of that, the singer Fred is one of the nicest guys out there. Well worth checking out!
4. What type of band are you?
Nick: We just play whatever we enjoy playing, whether it's punk songs or more metallic noises, poppier parts - it's all about having fun and sharing that fun with the crowds. I'm tired of the whole macho crap that seems to be a constant theme within the rock world, and want to bring back some fun into the music universe again.
5. How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?
Nick: It depends on what songs you listen to, but I would, to make it as easy as possible, call it Heavy Rock Music. There is no better feeling than hitting those strings and produce heavy, bouncy riffs. Loud! I can only speak for myself, but what influenced me to start singing and playing the guitar, all comes down to one band. Metallica was the first band that really made me understand, though with a jaw down to the floor, that music could be so goddamn aggressive but at the same time very, very melodic. After that, especially with the album "...And Justice For All", it all went downhill! *laughs* I almost overdosed on metal music, all those Roadrunner bands like Fear Factory, Machine Head, Sepultura, Vision Of Disorder - the REALLY aggressive bands. My favourite bands in the metal genre nowadays are Meshuggah, Dillinger Escape Plan and Between The Buried And Me, that kinda stuff. The tad more technical stuff. They really push the limits, and I love that. But I'm into so much more music, not only metal. Listening only to one genre really limits musicians, and it's important for the evolving side to have an open mind. My smartphone includes everything. Frank Sinatra, Seasick Steve, Björk, Muse, Beyonce, Uffie, whatever makes me tick. Good music will always be good music, no matter the genre. I also think that if you categorize your band and your music into one genre, it subconsciously makes the band go "well, this is a good song, but is it US?". That's dangerous, very dangerous. That's what I love about being in Blowsight - say I [accidentaly] write a kickass country tune, we'll not put it in the corner, we'll keep it. The freedom is neccessary.
6. What lyrical theme do you guys use in your music? What message do you want to send?
Nick: It depends on what the individual song screams for, but lately, especially on the latest album "Life & Death", I focused a lot on the oh-so-important message to avoid being shaped by the society, and to do what you want to do. Stop listening to other people and be who you are. I have one religion. Me. That's the only thing I can believe in, the only thing I must rely on completely.
7. How did you guys come up with your band name?
Nick: It's a word play on the word "oversight". With "Blowsight", instead of handling issues and problems such as agony, depression, heartbreaks, you name it - you blow through the problem instead. A more aggressive way of tackling things that brings you down. But throughout the years on the road I have heard literally hundreds of different interpretations. Pornographic ideas, pictures of a place where you can blow up things. Everything is warmly welcomed by me, I love it when people actually have to think.
8. What got me into you guys was the video and song for "Days Of Rain" off your album "Dystopia Lane", can you tell me briefly about the song, video, and album?
Nick: The song was recorded in the studio during a rainy day a couple of days after a midsummer. Me and the piano, some candles, very gothicly romantic *laughs*, and since we never really had a ballad on the previous albums, I thought it was about time to try it out. It's about a friend of mine who was in a very dark place at the time, thinking very, very destructive thoughts. This was my tiny way of showing her she's not alone, and that I got her back whenever she's about to fall. The video was shot in a village in the outskirts of Cologne. The director Jörg [Tochtenhagen] found an old cinema, and the scenery really fitted the mood of the song.
The album "Dystopia Lane" had some really depressing lyrics, I started dealing with a lot of my personal demons on that album and used my lyrics as a channel to kill most of those demons. It was way more personal than the first album ['Destination Terrorville]. I also focused a lot on the theme I call 'Norm f*cking", to try to once more think outside the box created by society, and to be proud of how you look and who you are.
9. How do you think the band's style, appearance, and sound has evolved from that phase in Blowsight's musical career?
Nick: Oh, good question! We really evolved. With all the experience that comes with all the touring we did the last years, we realize how much we enjoy playing heavier, faster songs live, so the songs definitely tend to get more aggressive. The sound oozes a lot more confidence nowadays and we explore more and more music styles to embed into our songs. The latest album 'Life & Death' has got country influences, electrical parts, a collaboration with [Swedish hip hop artist] Pato Pooh, filmatic passages, horror movie feelings, etcetera. That's something I'm not sure we'd dare to do, say, 5 years ago.
Nick: It's a title that shows everything. I have the two words tattooed on my wrists, as a reminder to myself to embrace life, but acknowledge death. There is nothing before life, and nothing after death, so let's do the most of the ridiculously small time we are granted on this planet...!
11. Who produced Life & Death?
Nick: I produced the album in the Shed Evil Studio. There's both good and bad things about producing your own album. The good thing is that you have total control of the production, but the bad thing is that, well, you have total control of it! And as a control freak, you never get 100% happy. I guess that's what make me continue to record and produce music - there is always things you can do better, there is always that one snare that is too loud, or that clean guitar that is too low in the mix... you know, "well, maybe 1dB louder here?" *laughs* I always produced our albums, but maybe in the future we'll put our guards down and find some cool cat for the job.
12. Who did the cover art for Life & Death and how much input did you have on it?
Nick: We wanted it as simple as possible, no bull crap, so there's actually not much more going on than our band name and our "Skully"-logo. The first batch was very dark, and before the actual release we brought that batch with us on the European tour we did with [German band] Oomph! last autumn. It worked out well, since it was like a "shadowed" version of what was about to come. So this might be our version of Metallica's green version of "Ride The Lightning" - a rarity!
13. Was your songwriting and recording process any different than usual for this CD?
Nick: No, not really. Well, working with Mao, a very calm guy definitely made the whole recording session a lot more laid back than previous sessions. He had fresh ideas, which definitely colored the album in new shades. But all in all, it was not very different to the previous recordings. I do the skeleton, and the other guys come to the studio and throws flesh on it until it's some kind of a creature.
14. What are your expectations for the CD?
Nick: To get more people more confused of what we are about! *laughs* Some close minded people tend to get annoyed because they don't know what style we are. "They're a punk rock band", "no, they're a metal band", yadda yadda. I find it hilarious. I can't believe why it's that important, to label us.
15. What image do you think your music conveys?
Nick: Seriously, I don't really care. What matters to me is to hear the supporters and listeners mention what the songs mean to them. Hearing people get stronger because of our music, and breaking up with partners physically and mentally abusing them for years - THAT'S what matters to me. That's more rewarding than any Grammy will ever be.
16. How do you describe your music to people?
Nick: I usually just say "we play heavy rock music". That's our core. It would take too much time to get into what musical spices we use. But once again, I love being in a band like that. That's why I adore the Beastie Boys. Their core is hip hop, sure - but they do so much more. They started as a punk band, but throughout the years they've done jazz, salsa, electronica, rock, soul, acoustic songs - you name it. That's what I love with bands. The variety.
17. What are the biggest obstacles for bands?
Nick: Oh, where do I begin? I think the trickiest part is to actually find people that share the same dreams, the same goals, people you can hang around with and that you have a good chemistry with. That's more important than anything. It's not like you can get a rehearsal room and throw in Mike Portnoy, Devin Townsend, Flea and Adam Lambert and think they will do an amazing album just because they are kick ass on their instruments, you know what I mean? It takes more than that. The chemistry might not have been there.
18. How does music affect you and the world around you?
Nick: A lot. Being in a shitty mood and crank some Slayer definitely calms me down. To always have a guitar close is also important for my well being. Music has always been my best friend, music has never betrayed me. Music listens to me. It makes me be able to express things I otherwise wouldn't know how to express. It's amazing - just combining different notes brings out so many emotions. It's the closest thing to magic. I really think the world would a horrible place if it music didn't exist.
19. What advice would you give to fellow bands?
Nick: Most of my fellow bands already do really good. The "Degradead" guys do well, and we all know how good "Sabaton" is doing nowadays. Pär from Sabaton is probably the most intelligent business guy I have ever met. The way he comes up with idea after idea and prints them into his cellphone, like, constantly - it's impressive. But my main advice is the classic one - practice practice practice. And, unfortunately to some, mingle mingle mingle.
20. Has Blowsight ever played in the States or plan to do so in the future?
Nick: We did a tour in the states some years ago together with Suicide City, featuring Billy from Biohazard. It was an amazing experience, and they treated us really good. There is a whole different attitude between the bands over there that I envy and try to get to Europe. The comradely. To have one of the best hardcore guitarist standing rocking in front of the stage, and occasionally silently helping you out with words like "your guitar is a little low compared to the other guitar, turn it up", was mind blowing. Helping each other out like that. It inspired me a lot.
21. What can the fans expect to see from you in the future?
Nick: A DVD with a live show from last tour might pop up in the stores, and we got some cool tour plans on our desk. Also, we are celebrating 10 years in September so we are planning on doing a Blowsight Fest in Stockholm. So everyone, book your plane tickets now!22. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
Nick: We're on Spotify, not sure if you have it in the US? But we're on iTunes, Myspace, Facebook, Youtube, everywhere. To get a hold of our albums, you can order them from our website (blowsight.com) or directly from us when we're on tour! We would love to come overseas soon, and there are some offerings to look through regarding that.
23. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?
Nick: To actually love our music, or hate it! Everything in between is boring. *laughs*
24. Any final words of wisdom?
Nick: Sure, I got three things - F*ck the norm, go your own way and come play Borderlands 2 with me! Some links to use at your discretion:
For more info on Blowsight:
www.eclipserecords.com/Blowsight
Stream Blowsight via Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/eclipserecords/sets/blowsight-life-death
Download Blowsight via iTunes:
http://smarturl.it/dgvr6n
Buy CD via Amazon:
http://smarturl.it/8t1abr
Music Video ‘Hit On The Radio’:
http://youtu.be/gEgAPsuGk5U
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