Kamchatka has taken things a step forward with their brand new album. It’s all about the more rockin’ side of the band and that’s all over “Long Road Made of Gold”. Grande Rock contacted the guitarist & vocalist Thomas Juneor Andersson once again so as to learn all about the new album and not only…
Hi Thomas… I’m glad we’re given the chance to talk, after almost a year, about your wonderful new album “Long Road Made of Gold”.
T: Yes it’s a pleasure to talk to you again!!
Last time you told me that you have taken a step towards the rockier side of it all… is this what we hear on “Long Road Made of Gold”? It is rockier and more intense than your previous works – isn’t it? What do you feel?
T: Yes, both our previous “The Search Goes On” and this new one “Long Road Made Of Gold” is much more about the rock side of Kamchatka and we really like what we hear. Also working with Russ Russell on this new album brought even more of that element to the table.
I also think that you have found your “inner” balance with Per on the bass… you seem more focused than before – If I may say so. What do you think?
T: Definitely, me (Thomas Juneor), Toby (drums) and Per really enjoy each other’s company, on stage, in the studio, and on tour and this chemistry reflects everything that we do together.
The album’s title is a combination of the tracks “Long Road” & “Made of Gold”. How come and what it does declare in general?
T: Correct, the combination you mention is there but it’s also referring to the “Long Road” as a musician, evolving your craft, touring, meeting old and new friends along the road and the “Gold” in the title refers to the reward consisting of music and to be able to be part of something beautiful.
And how did the idea to feature yourselves on the front cover come?
T: We think that it was about time to present the band on the cover.
I’d like to read your thoughts about each track…
T: Take Me Back Home”: I like the way that this song evolves, it’s a cool journey starting with the banjo and I really dig Toby’s drumming here.
“Get Your Game On”: This one grabs hold of me with its positive chorus and its positive message about doing the best you can with what you have.
“Made of Gold”: Boogie time here! I always like to write and play shuffles and this song is about not judging other people no matter what they do or come from. Toby plays hell of a fine shuffle beat!
“Human Dynamo”: Per wrote this awesome track and I really think that it rocks! Great chorus as well as great vocal performance by Per.
“Rain”: I wrote this softer tune sitting in my kitchen on rainy day. I love rain so it’s a celebration to just that “Rain”.
“Who’s to Blame”: This is what I call a Per Wiberg trademark riff song and I love his musical language. Good one Per!
“Mirror”: I always like to play fast and snappy songs so I wrote this one and I like the way the chorus comes in as well.
“Slowly Drifting Away”: Another of Per’s songs and a beautiful one. He sings great as well as playing fine bass and I get to relax and focus on the guitar a bit more when he sings as well.
“Long Road”: Per had this slide guitar idea and Toby and I really liked it. Personally I really enjoy listening to the “breakdown” in the middle of the song. New for Kamchatka but I think it works out.
“To You”: This one is about relationships. We all experience this in one way or the other; going back and forth emotionally with the people around us. Music wise I think the chorus is strong on this tune.
How did the idea of cooperating with Russ Russell (Napalm Death, Dimmu Borgir, Amorphis etc.) occur? Didn’t you want to follow the same recipe of your previous album again?
T: We like the way our previous album sounds like, but we always want to do new stuff and after a show in London we met with Russ Russell who saw the show, sat down and talked about that it would have been cool to work together. A couple of month later we had recorded the new tunes and Russ had time in his schedule so that was it and we are super happy with the work that he has done!!!
There’s already a lyric video for (one of your top tracks) “Get Your Game On”. Will there be another lyric video or a concept one out anytime soon?
T: Yes there will be more stuff coming in the near future.
What are your touring plans?
T: We are doing festivals during this summer and then we will tour with “Long Road Made Of Gold” in different ways during 2015/2016 and we will present the tours as we continue the journey.
How to you dream to see Kamchatka in the near future?
T: We want this band to grow as much as possible to be able to do more and more shows because that is what we are all about, playing live and sharing the experience.
Time for our “weird questions”!!! Are there any funny incidents from the recording days that you’d like to share with us?
T: If people saw us during the recording process they would be bored I think. We work long hours, focus and then go to bed.
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
T: “John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton” from 1966 cause of all the great tunes and its energy.
Is the “free downloading issue” the main reason why the music industry has taken the downhill or there are other, more important reasons for that?
T: Hard for me to say, but there is a lot of changes that go on in the music business at the moment – how to make money, streaming vs. physical etc, etc. But I don’t think so much about those things and I believe that a good song is a good song on whatever format. It’s important to focus on what you do to make things work out in the end.
What do you think about this “Views, tweets & Likes” mania of our time?
T: It is what it is – people want to communicate, it’s in our nature and these days it’s with computers as well. But I prefer “real life” meetings and discussions. We use the social network platforms to promote the band.
Top 3 Horror movies of all time?
T: 1: The Exorcist, 2: The Shining, 3: Bram Stoker’s Dracula...
Beloved TV series that you watch this season?
T: The Strain!!!!!
Best pick-up line that has worked for you several times in the past?
T: 15 years ago I met my amazing girlfriend but I can’t remember what I said probably something stupid…
What’s the worst thing you can say right after sex?
T: “That was that then”…
Machine vs Humans… is humanity doomed to fall by their own hand eventually?
T: Yes, if you consider robotic weapons.
You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie-celebrity/porn-star of your choice. Who would it be & why?
T: I’m all good and sorted…
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins do you reckon is the one, that’s more likely to send you straight to Hell, in the afterlife?
T: Greed…
It was fun to have you on Grande Rock Tomas. We’ll talk again in the future. Thx for the music dude keep on rockin’… take care!
T: Thank you guys and keep on rockin’ as well!!!
T: Yes it’s a pleasure to talk to you again!!
Last time you told me that you have taken a step towards the rockier side of it all… is this what we hear on “Long Road Made of Gold”? It is rockier and more intense than your previous works – isn’t it? What do you feel?
T: Yes, both our previous “The Search Goes On” and this new one “Long Road Made Of Gold” is much more about the rock side of Kamchatka and we really like what we hear. Also working with Russ Russell on this new album brought even more of that element to the table.
I also think that you have found your “inner” balance with Per on the bass… you seem more focused than before – If I may say so. What do you think?
T: Definitely, me (Thomas Juneor), Toby (drums) and Per really enjoy each other’s company, on stage, in the studio, and on tour and this chemistry reflects everything that we do together.
The album’s title is a combination of the tracks “Long Road” & “Made of Gold”. How come and what it does declare in general?
T: Correct, the combination you mention is there but it’s also referring to the “Long Road” as a musician, evolving your craft, touring, meeting old and new friends along the road and the “Gold” in the title refers to the reward consisting of music and to be able to be part of something beautiful.
And how did the idea to feature yourselves on the front cover come?
T: We think that it was about time to present the band on the cover.
I’d like to read your thoughts about each track…
T: Take Me Back Home”: I like the way that this song evolves, it’s a cool journey starting with the banjo and I really dig Toby’s drumming here.
“Get Your Game On”: This one grabs hold of me with its positive chorus and its positive message about doing the best you can with what you have.
“Made of Gold”: Boogie time here! I always like to write and play shuffles and this song is about not judging other people no matter what they do or come from. Toby plays hell of a fine shuffle beat!
“Human Dynamo”: Per wrote this awesome track and I really think that it rocks! Great chorus as well as great vocal performance by Per.
“Rain”: I wrote this softer tune sitting in my kitchen on rainy day. I love rain so it’s a celebration to just that “Rain”.
“Who’s to Blame”: This is what I call a Per Wiberg trademark riff song and I love his musical language. Good one Per!
“Mirror”: I always like to play fast and snappy songs so I wrote this one and I like the way the chorus comes in as well.
“Slowly Drifting Away”: Another of Per’s songs and a beautiful one. He sings great as well as playing fine bass and I get to relax and focus on the guitar a bit more when he sings as well.
“Long Road”: Per had this slide guitar idea and Toby and I really liked it. Personally I really enjoy listening to the “breakdown” in the middle of the song. New for Kamchatka but I think it works out.
“To You”: This one is about relationships. We all experience this in one way or the other; going back and forth emotionally with the people around us. Music wise I think the chorus is strong on this tune.
How did the idea of cooperating with Russ Russell (Napalm Death, Dimmu Borgir, Amorphis etc.) occur? Didn’t you want to follow the same recipe of your previous album again?
T: We like the way our previous album sounds like, but we always want to do new stuff and after a show in London we met with Russ Russell who saw the show, sat down and talked about that it would have been cool to work together. A couple of month later we had recorded the new tunes and Russ had time in his schedule so that was it and we are super happy with the work that he has done!!!
There’s already a lyric video for (one of your top tracks) “Get Your Game On”. Will there be another lyric video or a concept one out anytime soon?
T: Yes there will be more stuff coming in the near future.
What are your touring plans?
T: We are doing festivals during this summer and then we will tour with “Long Road Made Of Gold” in different ways during 2015/2016 and we will present the tours as we continue the journey.
How to you dream to see Kamchatka in the near future?
T: We want this band to grow as much as possible to be able to do more and more shows because that is what we are all about, playing live and sharing the experience.
Time for our “weird questions”!!! Are there any funny incidents from the recording days that you’d like to share with us?
T: If people saw us during the recording process they would be bored I think. We work long hours, focus and then go to bed.
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
T: “John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton” from 1966 cause of all the great tunes and its energy.
Is the “free downloading issue” the main reason why the music industry has taken the downhill or there are other, more important reasons for that?
T: Hard for me to say, but there is a lot of changes that go on in the music business at the moment – how to make money, streaming vs. physical etc, etc. But I don’t think so much about those things and I believe that a good song is a good song on whatever format. It’s important to focus on what you do to make things work out in the end.
What do you think about this “Views, tweets & Likes” mania of our time?
T: It is what it is – people want to communicate, it’s in our nature and these days it’s with computers as well. But I prefer “real life” meetings and discussions. We use the social network platforms to promote the band.
Top 3 Horror movies of all time?
T: 1: The Exorcist, 2: The Shining, 3: Bram Stoker’s Dracula...
Beloved TV series that you watch this season?
T: The Strain!!!!!
Best pick-up line that has worked for you several times in the past?
T: 15 years ago I met my amazing girlfriend but I can’t remember what I said probably something stupid…
What’s the worst thing you can say right after sex?
T: “That was that then”…
Machine vs Humans… is humanity doomed to fall by their own hand eventually?
T: Yes, if you consider robotic weapons.
You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie-celebrity/porn-star of your choice. Who would it be & why?
T: I’m all good and sorted…
Which of the Seven Deadly Sins do you reckon is the one, that’s more likely to send you straight to Hell, in the afterlife?
T: Greed…
It was fun to have you on Grande Rock Tomas. We’ll talk again in the future. Thx for the music dude keep on rockin’… take care!
T: Thank you guys and keep on rockin’ as well!!!