Interview, Ai Phoenix, 2004 (page 3 of 6)

It says on the cover that you recorded in a studio this time: In what way was this different than recording in your kitchen? The music still sounds very organic.
Patrick: Yes, the music sounds organic because, even though we could, we didn't use plug ins, reverb and effects on any of the instruments, or on the vocals. We did that on purpose to make the songs more present.
Mona: The technicians are two old friends of Bosse and Patrick, so like before, this was a friends-come-together-and-do-their-best-project. Another advantage, if we could call it that, was that we all left Bergen for one week and focused only on the recording of the album. Before, the members came and went, between jobs, school, lovers and pubs. Also, the drummer didn't occupy the whole kitchen.

Some of the songs sound like first takes. Are they? Can you tell me a little bit about the recording process? What did you focus on? How did the arrangements come about?
Patrick: Almost every song are first takes. What we did was that we recorded rythm guitar and drums first. Then we recorded vocals. Finally, the contributors invented their lines upon the songs. Everyone had their saying. As a matter of fact, we didn't quarrel or disagree too much. But the tension was there. It made us focused.
Mona: Each musician put on whatever they felt would suit the song as soon as the elementary tracks were done. We could let the songs be arranged step by step because everyone had good ideas and noone felt the need to be the boss. In the mixing the best tracs are kept, and some are left out.

You mentioned that the most important factor would be to develop yourselves. In how far have you developed since the last project?
Mona: What we ment was that we wanted to continue playing songs. This has always been our biggest ambition. When it comes to developpment, I think we are more selfconfident, especially on stage, and tecnicially a bit better. When we started five years ago we were pretty unexperienced (honest lo-fiers), but with strong love for music.

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