Founder and main editor Jens Atterstrand did an interview with Peter Siemandel from Zynic who released his critically acclaimed third album “Neon Oblivion” on february 24.
– Hi Peter! Your third ablum “Neon Oblivion” is now finally in our hands? How does it feel?
Hi Jens! Well, i am still blown away by all the positive feedback the record received so far! I was away for four years, I am not that much of a social media person like many others are and you can never tell up front if the people will like changes in style. So i was pretty surprised when the “Neon Oblivion” video got 1000+ clicks the first day!
– When did you begin working on the new album and what has the experience been like? Any obstacles on the way?
I started writing for “Neon Oblivion” right after “Blindsided”. I bought a modular system and had a lot of cv/gate fun experimenting and syncing it to my old analog synths. It’s a different way of working when you use an analog step sequencer but I soon had something I liked and that became the introsequence for “Free to Decide”. It often takes a lot of editing and a bit of tuning in the box but its worth it.
– Does it take you a long time noddling around until you’re completely satisfied with the end result?
Yes, when Olaf and I enter Nerdzone it takes forever. It’s often hard to find the right time to let go. When i am not sure I work on something else and open it again a week later. That helps in most cases.
– “Dead End” on your last album “Blindsided” (2013) was a twisted tale about a revenge on a lover and on the new one there’s a serial killer story called “Slice of Life” influenced by Dexter. Are you a fan of dark ironic and twisted stories like these?
Yes, I was always drawn towards the strange and dark things. As a kid I stayed up all night to watch old horror movies when my grandma was asleep. Scared the shit out of me, but i did it again! Now writing became kind of my anger management, working on songs like that helps me to get rid of some negative energy. Catharsis theory seems to work for me.
– Besides the music, are you into any other artistic expression like art or photography?
I used to work as graphic designer and still enjoy doing all the artwork and most of the photography. At the moment I’m digging deeper into Adobe after effects and the likes of those. I discovered endless possibilities during the making of the “Neon Oblivion” video.
– On every album so far and especially on your debut album “Fire Walk With Me” alot of the lyrics are socially critical like “Dreams in black and white”, “Soul for Sale”, “Who’s to Blame” and the then the likes of “Free to Decide” on the new one. What’s the process like when you write those kind of lyrics and your song lyrics in general?
It’s very frustrating that so much is going wrong and that there’s nothing you can do about it. I sometimes have to remind myself that things are not right just because we are used to it. The first lines of those songs come from the news most of the time and I keep adding till I have enough to shape lyrics that fit the song.
– You’ve also done one cover version on each and every album from three quite different artists in quite different genres. If you went on a three day hike in the woods and you could bring four CD’s wich ones would you pick?
For a trip in the woods I’d go for: Sinead O’connor’s “The Lion and the Cobra”, Arcadia’s “So Red the Rose”, Scandroid’s “Scandroid” and a Motörhead best-of in case I wanna get drunk!
– Besides Germany and a few other countries your music seem to be very popular among electronic fans in Sweden and ofcourse we have a strong tradition of synthpop and electronic pop with bands like Elegant Machinery and The Mobile Homes as well as commercial succcesses like Robyn and so on, why do you think that is?
I think swedish folks are a bit more enthusiastic about music, they love to sing and they are not afraid of pop. A lot of people in other countries love synthpop too but they hide it behind a grim industrial image.
– While talking about Sweden and rounding off this interview, is takes us to the 10.000 euro question: When will we finally be able to see Zynic live on stage? How are the plans going?
I never expected so much interest in live shows, to be honest. When I started Zynic it was kind of a self-therapy. I got the diagnosis of an eye disease a few years ago and major depression followed, also I’m a oneman-show and it requires a crew that I can trust to make it a bit interesting to watch on stage. All together that sounds like extra cash to spend that I dont have. I thought it would never happen but Thomas from Zedsdead and imyself will try to figure something out when the labelwork for the new album is done. Never say never…
– That sounds great! I really hope you’ll make it happen because I know many people who would love to get the chance to see you on stage. Sweden seem to have been extra fond of Zynic ever since you started. Any final words to all those fans (and the rest too, ofcourse) reading this interview?
Thank you all so much for your support, you keep me going! Stay Zynic!
