The Storm is
a danish Rock group composed of the former Swan Lee singer, Pernille
Rosendahl, and her husband, the former bass player in Mew, Johan
Wohlert.
Since the band was founded, The Storm has been one of Denmark’s
absolute most renowned and talked about bands in both the media and
amongst musicfans.
Their debut album has
already sold platinum. And while nations abroad are curiously
monitoring the band, The Storm is currently touring Denmark with
nothing but sold out shows, quite an achievement for a band that has
only existed since 2006.
During her time as a member of Swan Lee, Pernille Rosendahl developed
her charismatic voice and electrifying stage presence. Whereas Johan
chose to leave Mew in favour of spending more time with his family.
This decision was made despite of Mew’s great commercial success,
during which the album "And The Glass Handed Kites" had received
remarkable reviews in all serious magazines and newspapers all over the
world.
By the end of the summer of 2006, The Storm became a reality. Universal
was chosen as the record label, and The Storm went to Arizona’s
desert to record their debut album with the legendary producer Roy
Thomas Baker (Queen, Guns N’Roses, Mötley Crüe, Ozzy
Osbourne...). In February 2008 they released their first album, "Where
The Storm Meets The Ground" including 12 thundering good songs.
The Storm’s brand new second album "Black Luck" is out now, electric, powerful and brilliant like a storm...
Interview with Johan Wohlert member
of The Storm :
S: When and how was The Storm
born?
J:
We started writing songs back in 2004 when we were still in our
previous bands. We wrote a song called "Lullaby" and thought it was so
good that we decided from then on that we needed to do something with
this new music. Enter The Storm.
S: Where is the name of the
band coming from?
J:
We just wanted a name that would really fit the music. We wanted drama
and grandness.
S: How and when did all begin
with music?
J:
I started playing together with the boys in Mew when we were about
16-17 years old. It was such a great way of spending time together at
an age where we were too old to play with toys but still need that
element in our life. The guitars became our new toys. It still is!
S: What are the positive and
negative sides of being a musician in Denmark?
J:
We get a lot of govermental support compared to a lot of other
countries. This is good in general but it's also what makes a lot of
creative people "lazy" in our country. They don't need to "want" it or
fight for it as bad as artists in other countries and a lot of times
it's this "hunger" that creates great art.
S: Do you feel anxious before a
show?
J:
Always have, always will.
S: What musicians or artists had
an influence in your life and in your work?
J:
I try to listen to as much different music as possible. If I have to
mention some artists that have had an influence on the way I write it
would be: Red House Painters, The Cult, The Pixies, Rammstein, and of
course Mew.
S: Do you remember what was the
first CD you bought?
J:
I remember the first LP I got was Eurythmics "Revenge" which is still a
great album.
S: Do you think the emotion is
different between a song in English and in another language?
J:
Sure, I love the swedish band Kent and they sing in swedish. It's
pretty magical when they do this as I understand Swedish but it's not
my first language which gives the music this exotic feel.
S: How could you define the
music of The Storm?
J:
Melodic, melancholic and massive.
S: Do you agree with Victor Hugo
who said :"Melancholy is the pleasure of being sad"?
J:
Ha ha, that's good! Melancholy has always been a real strong emotion in
me. I have a tattoo thats reads "Born with tragedy in the blood" which
is my own little selfcomment.
S: When you write a song you
follow your heart, your brain or your hand?
J: I try to
follow the song most of all. But I think all songs need heart above all.
S: What is your favourite song
of The Storm and why?
J:
At the moment I think "Death & Dust" from our new album is the
best thing I've written yet. I just love a good anthem. You just can go
wrong with a little bit of "Springsteen"! I always prefered my music
"big". I love the fact that a song can embrace a huge crowd and make
them all feel like they are part of something greater than themselfs.
That's why U2 are the biggest band in world!
S: As musician, what is your
feeling about Internet?
J:
I think it's so full of opertunities. You just have to think up some
great ideas.
S: What "Friendly Advice" would
you give?
J:
Try to think about other people before thinking about yourself.
S: You turned both into a darker
side comparing to your previous bands Mew and Swan Lee, how can you
explain it? Is it an electrical storm effect caused by the
collaboration between two of Denmark’s best musicians and
performers?
J: I think
we both had always wanted to make music that was heavier and darker
than what was possible in our old bands. It was the one thing we agreed
on very early on, the music had to be dark, grand and melodic.
S: What do you think about the
new album of Mew "No More Stories...", the first as a three-piece?
J: I think
it sounds 100% like the 3 of them. They have made a great record. The
mood of it actually reminds me more about really old Mew dating back to
when we first started out and Jonas (singer of Mew) would sit alone all
night long and come up with these really weird and wonderful songs. I
think it has more in common with those very psycadelic early days,
than the last two albums we did together.
S: What would you say to your
son if he tells you he wants to be a musician?
J: Great!
Here's your first guitar!
S: Can you describe what is a
typical The Storm's day?
J: Writing
music, emails, cooking and playing with the kid.
S: What are your hobbies aside
music?
J:
Football, I LOVE football, Chelsea FC is my team.
S: Are
you venturesome person?
J:
I don't know? I guess having a band with your girlfriend/boyfriend is a
bit "crazy"?
S: Where would you like to play
in the future, is there a place in the world you would love to visit?
J: South
America, would be great! Japan is always great fun!
S: Are
there any things, which you are afraid of? Do you have any fears?
J:
Small men with big guns!
S: What is the best moment and
best place to listen to your music?
J: Pump up
your car stereo. This music makes you wanna drive your car!
S: As
our website is related with Manic Street Preachers maybe can you say
some words about them?
J:
Cool band. James Dean Bradfield is a great song writer and singer. I
did a tour of Scandinavia with them once and they were super nice to
us. Very down to earth chaps.
S: I
know it’s a difficult question, but if you would have to keep
just one album from your CD collection what album would it be?
J: "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" by Genesis! Best album in the world!
S: What was the last song you
listened to before the interview? And, if you know, which one will be
the next?
J: "Night Electric Night" by Deathstars...
S: Can you tell us the name of
one French song, or singer, or band?
J: Phoenix.
Cool cats...
S: And say something in French?
J:
"Cool chats"
S: What are your plans for the
nearest future?
J:
Playing live and getting a release in the rest of the world.
S: And finally, what’s
the most important thing in life for you?
J: Our son,
no him, no me!
MANY thanks to Johan and The Storm for the interview!
More informations about The Storm:
- on their site:
http://thestorm.dk
- on their Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/thestormdk
