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| Photo by Sara Gewalt |
A lot of people are most familiar with you from your previous band The Oath which ended quite suddenly in 2014. But what came next was Maggot Heart. Can you tell us about the evolution of Maggot Heart and the origins of the band?
I was in a band called Beastmilk for five minutes, that evolved into Grave Pleasures. I brought my friend Uno into that band on drums and we did one album together. This band was on a major label and during this very intense time, at some point I just felt that it wasn't what I wanted. Coming from a situation before that where I felt everything was very wrong, and I pulled the plug because I just couldn't do it genuinely and with my integrity intact – and then moving on to Grave Pleasures that was very rewarding in some ways, and most of all very valuable for me in terms of getting comfortable on stage and playing a lot of live shows, but ultimately not something I felt I could stand behind wholeheartedly either; I ultimately just quit it all and took a step back to think about my values, what is important to me when it comes to art and music, and what kind of artist I want to be moving forward.
As a songwriter it became clear at this point that I had to learn how to front my own band and to sing. And I wanted to do this as an independent, self-released artist. Slowly Maggot Heart took shape. I am lucky to have some amazing collaborators – Uno came with me from Grave Pleasures, and his old In Solitude partner Gottfrid Åhman (also in Reveal) plays bass on both recordings.
What can old and new fans can expect from the the new music (which is killer by the way!!)?
Thank you. I'm proud to say that I think Maggot Heart is honest and fearless music and I strive to always keep an edge, which is more than you can say about most contemporary rock bands.
It must be incredibly liberating having your own project to mould solely by you and start fresh. Would you agree?
It's both liberating and challenging, just the way it should be.
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| Photo by Sara Gewalt |
Congratulations on your debut full length “DUSK TO DUSK" being nominated for a Swedish P3 Guild award in the category "Rock/Metal Album of the Year". What can you tell us about the album and the concept and/or ethos behind it?
Thank you! “Dusk to Dusk” is a 24-hour deep trip in the city. It was written and recorded very quickly. I think you can hear the urgency on there. Not sure what to say about the songs because they are very personal, but some of the themes explored are nightlife, violence, addiction/habits, cycles and observations from the street corners of the city I live in.
Its hard not to address the elephant in the room which is your former band mate from The Oath’s new band is also nominated for the same category. Is there bad blood there or are you happy you’re both out there doing your own things your own way?
I really don't care what she does, to be honest with you.
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| Photo by David Fitt |
I love the raw rock sound of Maggot Heart. Who would you say are some of your influences?
Sabbath, Motörhead, Patti, Stooges, Nick Cave, Voivod, Killing Joke, Dead Boys, Pistols, Plasmatics, Amebix, Wipers, Repulsion, Bathory, a bunch of old school Swedish death metal and so on – the list of music I love is endless I also love soul music and have a big soft spot for classic rock like Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top and so on. But inspiration wise, I think it mostly comes from people I meet and the life I live. My sound and style of writing is very cross-over.
And are there any new bands you're currently getting into?
I really love the Spite album that came last year. It didn't get much attention sadly, and strangely, because to me it's a raw black metal home run. Very solid songwriting and sound on that one. Somebody played me the Drones, which is new to me, and you could hear immediately that's quite unique. I also like what I've heard from City Hunter. A lot of friends are putting out great stuff, that inspires me most of all I think – being close to talented and creative people. Reveal for instance are releasing a new album this year, can't wait for that one.
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Photo by Wiktoria Wójcik |
Where do you draw the most influence from when writing music and lyrics? What are you most proud of when it comes to the new “Dusk to Dusk”?
These things are difficult to put into words, because it's all so abstract. But I always wrote about life and the people around me, as opposed to maybe more fictional topics. The whole hard rock retro craze of the past decade was on the whole very uninspired in that sense, I rarely felt that these bands truly wrote about something genuine or anything that would hit home on an emotional level. In the same sense, hard rock is severely lacking contemporary bands that say something about the times we live in today. Most of it is very cliche and very, very tired. For me, Maggot Heart is still very much an esoteric band, and I think the right people will pick up on that.
In Solitude were one of few heavy bands who really evolved and did something extraordinary, personal and very inspirational. They were and are still a big inspiration, as people and as a band. Henke was in my first band Sonic Ritual and I picked up a lot from his style of playing, I think. And now of course Uno and Gottfrid have both put their personal touch on Maggot Heart, and they keep inspiring me every time we do something new together.
I am most proud of the fact that I don't think anyone else does what I do, at the moment. And I am proud of the fact that I challenged myself on this album and that I did it full on.
Where do you draw the most influence from when writing music and lyrics? What are you most proud of when it comes to the new “Dusk to Dusk”?
These things are difficult to put into words, because it's all so abstract. But I always wrote about life and the people around me, as opposed to maybe more fictional topics. The whole hard rock retro craze of the past decade was on the whole very uninspired in that sense, I rarely felt that these bands truly wrote about something genuine or anything that would hit home on an emotional level. In the same sense, hard rock is severely lacking contemporary bands that say something about the times we live in today. Most of it is very cliche and very, very tired. For me, Maggot Heart is still very much an esoteric band, and I think the right people will pick up on that.
In Solitude were one of few heavy bands who really evolved and did something extraordinary, personal and very inspirational. They were and are still a big inspiration, as people and as a band. Henke was in my first band Sonic Ritual and I picked up a lot from his style of playing, I think. And now of course Uno and Gottfrid have both put their personal touch on Maggot Heart, and they keep inspiring me every time we do something new together.
I am most proud of the fact that I don't think anyone else does what I do, at the moment. And I am proud of the fact that I challenged myself on this album and that I did it full on.
You will be embarking on a European tour in February. What can crowds expect? And how daunting and exciting is to get to play the new material live for the first time?
We've actually already done two tours in support of this album, first with Voivod in September and then with Slaegt in October.
We're playing some places we've never been on this upcoming tour though, and I'm really looking forward to the shows together with Okkultokrati.
It always really pumps me up to seeing bad ass strong women in heavier rock bands who are not afraid to just rock out. How did you first get involved in music and what remains the driving force for you when it comes to music?
I played several instruments as a child, and went to music school from the age of 10 where we had choir singing and music theory on the curriculum. My father was into stuff like the Stones, my brother listened to hardcore punk and metal, and my mother was overprotective – all in all a perfect storm for me to gladly get washed away by the wave that is rock n' roll.
I've felt spiritually connected to all types of wild music ever since I was a child. At the same time I listened to pop like everyone else in school around the age of 12-13, and I still love a great pop song. I became obsessed with Guns N' Roses and wanted to be like them, so I taught myself how to play the guitar.
The driving force is something unnamed deep inside of you that is part of your core as a person and keeps you connected to whatever source it is derived from. I never question why I do this, and I will do it forever, with or without an audience.
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| Photo by Dave Swales |
Can you talk a little about the artwork concept and aesthetics behind Maggot Heart?
Like the music, I think it's a mix of a lot of artistic influences from punk and metal, old fanzines, post-punk and so on. I like handmade collages, because it is so simple yet effective. Kristian Valbo did the artwork for “Dusk to Dusk”. He is a very talented drummer and artist.
There is no doubt that your passion and true wild abandon for rock n roll shines through in the album and through you personally. How do you keep that creative fire burning and keep yourself busy creatively?
Thank you very much, that is the best compliment I can ask for.
I have long periods of writer's block and I've learned not to worry about it too much. The trick is to recognize and act upon the sparks when they do come. I'm not one of these people who treat their art as an office job, where every day, through routine, constant creation is key – although I can appreciate why that would work as well. To me it's so closely connected to my emotional state. I take breaks where I don't write at all, unless I come up with something of course. I record absolutely everything once I do sit down and write. And I set deadlines for myself, working towards small goals is always good. Going out and observing life around you is also part of the creative process. Putting yourself in situations where you don't know what will happen. Letting loose. Going deep. Lastly, I try to trust myself and believe in my own abilities.
How would you describe the band dynamic? And how different is it in comparison to previous bands?
This is my band, so there's no question about that. I really love collaborating musically with other people, so I still have that. But there is no time- and energy-consuming headbutting about stuff that ultimately is not important. I never felt comfortable with social media and the extreme image selling that seems to be so important to a lot of bands these days. So I am happy not to have to do that anymore. The collaborators I do have, both in the studio band and the live band, bring out the best in me as a musician and I trust them dearly. They help me make Maggot Heart the best it can be. All in all I have decided to never compromise my vision or to not listen to my gut feeling, ever again. Life is too short.
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Photo By Wiktoria Wójcik |
When it comes to writing lyrics and the band ethos, what themes do you address and what’s most important to the band?
It's completely subconscious, I don't plan these things. Berlin is very inspirational to me because there is a tangible darkness, but still so much hope and excitement here. “Dusk to Dusk” is a very dark album, we'll see what the next one will be about.
What’s next for Maggot Heart in 2019?
We will hopefully tour in the US. We have some festivals coming up in the summer. And then I will record a new album at some point. I think this will be a very good year for me, I can feel it in my bones.
MAGGOT HEART LIVE 2019
FEB
8 OLDENBURG, DE
9 GRAUZONE FEST, NL
10 COLOGNE, DE
11 FREIBURG, DE
12 LEIPZIG, DE
13 KIEL, DE
14 GOTHENBURG, SWE*
15 AALBORG, DK *
16 COPENHAGEN, DK *
MAY
25 WOLF CITY FEST, DE
JUNE
21-22 HOUSES OF THE HOLY, AT
* W/ OKKULTOKRATI
FEB
8 OLDENBURG, DE
9 GRAUZONE FEST, NL
10 COLOGNE, DE
11 FREIBURG, DE
12 LEIPZIG, DE
13 KIEL, DE
14 GOTHENBURG, SWE*
15 AALBORG, DK *
16 COPENHAGEN, DK *
MAY
25 WOLF CITY FEST, DE
JUNE
21-22 HOUSES OF THE HOLY, AT
* W/ OKKULTOKRATI
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| Photo by Sara Gewalt https://maggotheart.bandcamp.com www.teratologysav.com https://www.facebook.com/teratologysoundvision |
