Having been part of several rock & roll bands, and especially on the mighty Hellacopters, Robert Dahlqvist, decided that the time was right in order to release his own very personal music work. Grande Rock had a small chat with Robert about his solo album and various other interesting things. Read below for more…
Hey Robert… It seems that after The Hellacopters & Thunder Express which later became Dundertåget, the time to release your solo work has finally come, huh?
R: First of all dude… sorry for my highscool-dropout-english. Feels like the time is right.
Which was that inner need that led you to go on solo?
R: I’m sick of being in a band at the moment. I want to be my own boss...
I read that the album was in the process for about two years. I bet you did things very carefully, right?
R: Hmm... well, I wrote songs for about two years, the actual recording was pretty fast. But that’s true… I choose the songs very carefully.
Which were those emotional situations that affected the songs themselves? Is that why there are some very emotive tracks and several rockin’ ones as well?
R: I’ve had a few bad years, being very low and sad. I guess that’s why the album sounds the way it does.
Why did you give the album the simplistic title “Solo”?
R: ‘Cause it’s me... going SOLO.
Whose are those female background vocals that we hear on the album?
R: Tammy Karlsson (ex-girlfriend) and Petronella Netterman (friend). Two girls that I love from the bottom of my heart.
What are the similarities and the differences between your solo album and your work with The Hellacopters and Dundertåget?
R: I can’t really answer… but I wanted to do something different, I’m so sick of rocking. I wanted to record an album that sounds like Robert Dahlqvist. Pure and simple. The Hellacopters was Nicke’s band and he was in charge, that was not a problem for me at all but when it came to Dundertåget when I wrote all the songs... I think it was hard to be in charge all the time and at the same time I wanted to be the boss. I guess that’s I wanted to go solo this time.
What’s the best way to describe the band’s sound?
R: Sad and honest...
Before we talk about the songs, do tell us… why did you choose to sing in Swedish? I’d prefer it to be in English to tell you the truth. It’s like you’re addressing your countrymen mostly or not?
R: I’m so sick of all the Swedish bands singing in English, the lyrics suck most of the time because they can’t handle the English language. I prefer singing in Swedish because that’s my language and it comes natural and the lyrics are way better. (i.n.: OK, that’s a very honest answer…)
Since I do not understand a thing, please tell us a few things about each one of the tracks…
R: “Jag Va Kott Och Blod”: About my father, he’s been a complete asshole to me for all my life.
“Det Tog En Lang Tid”: About me drinking way too much…
“Redo Nan Gang”: About people that say a lot of bullshits, complaining about everything, while they sit on their sorry asses doing nothing…
“Vi Tar Baten”: About my ex-girlfriend…
“Ingrid Isabel”: Instrumental…
“Sneseglaren”: My dad, once again…
“Inte En Dag”: Me, my daughter my ex-wife…
“Ta Det Kallt”: About longing…
“Det E Hon”: Ex-girlfriend once again...
“Ej Med Flit”: Me being a fool and fucking things up…
“Aker Tag”: I wrote that song while I was on a train to Stockholm… watching out the window I just started to cry. I wrote a few words about it. It was so beautiful.
You worked with Bjorn Olsson (Union Carbide Productions, The Soundtrack of our Lives) for the album’s recordings, mixing & production. How was the cooperation and did you finally get the sound you had in mind in the first place?
R: Best recording session I’ve ever done. Björn became like an older brother to me. We had the same goal I believe. Everything was done very easy and natural. I didn’t really have an idea from the beginning, the only thing I wanted to do was to record an album that I was really proud over.
Are you planning to shoot another video in the near future? If yes, for which song?
R: Yes.. “Bli Redo Nån Gång”. Check out my Facebook in the near future.
Now let me ask you about your other activities. Why did you call it a day with The Hellacopters? Don’t you believe that a band like The Hellacopters would have something good to say in today’s music? Oh, dude I used to fancy this band a lot!
R: Nicke was sick of all the touring and I guess he was sick of the band. So was I. But at the time, when we quit, I got really sad. I don’t think about it now though. We did a few really good albums but it’s important not to stay in the past.
Why and how did Thunder Express become Dundertåget and what’s next for this band?
R: I wanted to sing in Swedish, that’s about it. And I wanted something new, far away from the Hellacopters. Dundertåget is no more.
R: First of all dude… sorry for my highscool-dropout-english. Feels like the time is right.
Which was that inner need that led you to go on solo?
R: I’m sick of being in a band at the moment. I want to be my own boss...
I read that the album was in the process for about two years. I bet you did things very carefully, right?
R: Hmm... well, I wrote songs for about two years, the actual recording was pretty fast. But that’s true… I choose the songs very carefully.
Which were those emotional situations that affected the songs themselves? Is that why there are some very emotive tracks and several rockin’ ones as well?
R: I’ve had a few bad years, being very low and sad. I guess that’s why the album sounds the way it does.
Why did you give the album the simplistic title “Solo”?
R: ‘Cause it’s me... going SOLO.
Whose are those female background vocals that we hear on the album?
R: Tammy Karlsson (ex-girlfriend) and Petronella Netterman (friend). Two girls that I love from the bottom of my heart.
What are the similarities and the differences between your solo album and your work with The Hellacopters and Dundertåget?
R: I can’t really answer… but I wanted to do something different, I’m so sick of rocking. I wanted to record an album that sounds like Robert Dahlqvist. Pure and simple. The Hellacopters was Nicke’s band and he was in charge, that was not a problem for me at all but when it came to Dundertåget when I wrote all the songs... I think it was hard to be in charge all the time and at the same time I wanted to be the boss. I guess that’s I wanted to go solo this time.
What’s the best way to describe the band’s sound?
R: Sad and honest...
Before we talk about the songs, do tell us… why did you choose to sing in Swedish? I’d prefer it to be in English to tell you the truth. It’s like you’re addressing your countrymen mostly or not?
R: I’m so sick of all the Swedish bands singing in English, the lyrics suck most of the time because they can’t handle the English language. I prefer singing in Swedish because that’s my language and it comes natural and the lyrics are way better. (i.n.: OK, that’s a very honest answer…)
Since I do not understand a thing, please tell us a few things about each one of the tracks…
R: “Jag Va Kott Och Blod”: About my father, he’s been a complete asshole to me for all my life.
“Det Tog En Lang Tid”: About me drinking way too much…
“Redo Nan Gang”: About people that say a lot of bullshits, complaining about everything, while they sit on their sorry asses doing nothing…
“Vi Tar Baten”: About my ex-girlfriend…
“Ingrid Isabel”: Instrumental…
“Sneseglaren”: My dad, once again…
“Inte En Dag”: Me, my daughter my ex-wife…
“Ta Det Kallt”: About longing…
“Det E Hon”: Ex-girlfriend once again...
“Ej Med Flit”: Me being a fool and fucking things up…
“Aker Tag”: I wrote that song while I was on a train to Stockholm… watching out the window I just started to cry. I wrote a few words about it. It was so beautiful.
You worked with Bjorn Olsson (Union Carbide Productions, The Soundtrack of our Lives) for the album’s recordings, mixing & production. How was the cooperation and did you finally get the sound you had in mind in the first place?
R: Best recording session I’ve ever done. Björn became like an older brother to me. We had the same goal I believe. Everything was done very easy and natural. I didn’t really have an idea from the beginning, the only thing I wanted to do was to record an album that I was really proud over.
Are you planning to shoot another video in the near future? If yes, for which song?
R: Yes.. “Bli Redo Nån Gång”. Check out my Facebook in the near future.
Now let me ask you about your other activities. Why did you call it a day with The Hellacopters? Don’t you believe that a band like The Hellacopters would have something good to say in today’s music? Oh, dude I used to fancy this band a lot!
R: Nicke was sick of all the touring and I guess he was sick of the band. So was I. But at the time, when we quit, I got really sad. I don’t think about it now though. We did a few really good albums but it’s important not to stay in the past.
Why and how did Thunder Express become Dundertåget and what’s next for this band?
R: I wanted to sing in Swedish, that’s about it. And I wanted something new, far away from the Hellacopters. Dundertåget is no more.
Are you willing to give some songs or probably the whole album to the fans for free in the near future as some bands did… or you are not so much into this downloading notion? What shall an artist/band do in order to avoid losing money and time?
R: I don’t know man... I don’t download, I pay for the music. I buy records, I pay when I go to concerts. Why shouldn’t I? (i.n.: That’s the way it should be done dude…)
And some weird Questions now!!! If you could be a member of another band… which one would it be and why?
R: Bob Dylan because I want to write all those songs.
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
R: “Street Legal”, best record ever. The songs, the sound the lyrics... everything.
Which is the most overrated band/artist today?
R: Pretty much everything you hear on the radio…
Which music kind can’t you bear to hear at all?
R: Sleaze rock from LA…
What are those things that you do not like in the music industry nowadays?
R: Spotify and free downloading, and the fact that people don’t buy records. I love records!
Which is the strangest thing you’ve ever done?
R: Playing “Smoke on the Water” with Deep Purple in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music evolution, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
R: “Street Legal” – Bob…
You have the opportunity to sleep with the porn-star/movie-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be?
R: Christy Canyon…
What do you think of Charlie’s quote: Beers, Pizza, Hookers? Which one is the most tasteful of all?
R: Couldn’t care less…
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
R: I’d kiss her goodbye…
Thank you very much for this interview Robert… Please leave a note to Grande Rock readers… Take care!
R: Be nice or leave. Thank you!
R: I don’t know man... I don’t download, I pay for the music. I buy records, I pay when I go to concerts. Why shouldn’t I? (i.n.: That’s the way it should be done dude…)
And some weird Questions now!!! If you could be a member of another band… which one would it be and why?
R: Bob Dylan because I want to write all those songs.
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
R: “Street Legal”, best record ever. The songs, the sound the lyrics... everything.
Which is the most overrated band/artist today?
R: Pretty much everything you hear on the radio…
Which music kind can’t you bear to hear at all?
R: Sleaze rock from LA…
What are those things that you do not like in the music industry nowadays?
R: Spotify and free downloading, and the fact that people don’t buy records. I love records!
Which is the strangest thing you’ve ever done?
R: Playing “Smoke on the Water” with Deep Purple in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
Were you obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that would represent the whole human music evolution, which album would it be and from which band/artist?
R: “Street Legal” – Bob…
You have the opportunity to sleep with the porn-star/movie-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be?
R: Christy Canyon…
What do you think of Charlie’s quote: Beers, Pizza, Hookers? Which one is the most tasteful of all?
R: Couldn’t care less…
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
R: I’d kiss her goodbye…
Thank you very much for this interview Robert… Please leave a note to Grande Rock readers… Take care!
R: Be nice or leave. Thank you!