I was lucky enough to talk with them on one of the rare days off their label gives them. Juju and Nez shocked me with their honesty and humbleness towards their recent success. They have no reason to be humble. A sold out tour with Hole, their album “Baffled & Beat” produced by Linda Perry (audio on click) that’s about to be released this September, their songs available as Rock Band downloads. They have all the right to be the cocky rock stars one might expect. But they aren’t. They are two rockers who love what they do and are grateful for every moment.

Being a duo, Juju and Nez have strong similarities helping them make their music. But I think those similarities are actually less important than their dissimilarities. Nez is musically trained, Juju is not. Nez is a Beatles man, Juju is a Stones gal. This last fact shocked me considering the music they make. I would have pegged them both as Stones fans. But after a quick bit of consideration, their combination seems to make for a perfect duo.

Take “Darling Dear” as an example. It’s a two chord song. Can two chords be entertaining? Hell yes! It’s because of the dynamics, emotion, and different musical backgrounds that they both bring to the song which makes it what it is. Why not have a listen to see what I’m blabbering on about.  Also, download a free copy of the single ‘Baffled and Beat’ and hold out for June 7th to get the next single “Am I Crazy”.

We spent quite a bit of time on the phone chatting like old friends (oddly enough they happen to be friends with one of my oldest mates Tom who had just spent a week staying with Juju in her flat). Piecing this together into a cohesive interview proved to be quite a challenge. But without further ado…

Here is what Little Fish had to say:

dyson: How did you become Little Fish?

juju: We met on a rowdy night out in the deep depths of that Oxford jungle night life on a saturday night after a few beers in a fish and chips shop. I was being really loud and probably
nez: …abusive
juju: against drummers. I was talking to my friend about how there was never any role for drum solos in any songs and I thought it was ridiculous. At which point Nez, in true stoic fashion took a big bite of his burger and spat it at me and said “Fuck you, there’s always time for drum solos.”
nez: (laughs)
juju: and I was like, ok. Then we met a couple of days later and had a jam in my garage. We made a lot of noise and then formed a band I suppose.

dyson: You worked with Linda Perry on the album. How was that?

nez: Yeah, we first signed to Linda’s label and then she produced the album as well. We then recorded it at her studio in LA.

dyson: From the sounds of it, Linda is phenomenal but can be a challenge on a day to day basis.

juju: That’s a very good way of putting it.
nez: She gets what she wants a lot of the times. But there’s a reason why she’s good and so successful.
juju: She gave us our opportunity to do our record, and for that we are infinitely grateful.

dyson: How about your songs being available for download on RockBand? Have you gotten to play with that?

juju: We’re just getting that sorted. We’re trying to figure out whether we’ve got to get the Playstation 3 or the, the…Why
nez: …Wii
juju: yeah, the Wii version, and we don’t really know what to get. So we’re procrastinating on that one but we haven’t got to play it, but we really want to.

dyson: I’m not sure if you’d be amazing or terrible at playing your own songs…

nez: I really wanna have a go at the guitar and see what it’s all about. Problem is there’s no flute on RockBand.
(reference to earlier discussion about how Nez is a brilliant Piccolo and Flute player. Then somehow the conversation digresses into shirts coming off and Nez hanging candles from his man boobs…)

dyson: Not sure if you guys are aware that you’re going to probably follow a post about why I think Britney Spears “Toxic” is a perfect pop song. What do you think about that?

juju: Well, you love it.
dyson: I sure do.
juju: If people can relate to something and it makes people happy, for that, we can’t judge anybody’s personal taste.
nez: However our personal taste is that we’re into English rock.
juju: But when it comes to Britney Spears you can’t fault her dancing and her breakdowns. And her songs are great to dance to. When you’re drunk…

dyson: I have to ask everybody and I think I know the answer, but are you Beatles or Stones fans?

juju: Fucking hell.
nez: It’s Beatles for me.
juju: Stones for me.

dyson: Surprised, but that actually works for a duo.

juju: I think that’s actually what’s interesting about us is that we’re dissimilar in some ways. If we were totally similar we would probably be more streamlined with what else is going on out there. I think that antagonism creates a bit of energy that makes the listener a bit comfortable and uncomfortable. Nez is very solid, well rehearsed, and trained.
nez: I caught a lot of scalding when I was younger. I think the best musical tip for anyone is the record player as well. For me I think it determines what sort of player you are really, if that sort of makes sense. I still love my 40’s, 50’s and early 60’s Big Band sort of swing jazz stuff. And then I was really into a lot the Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, The Who, and a lot of Pearl Jam. For me I think Pearl Jam is the most consistent rock band over the last 15-20 years or so. And that music is how I associate my sort of drumming with. That is your best musical tutor of any instrument, the record player. It doesn’t label you into one sort of particular type of play. It’s a varied collection of listenabilty as to how you play your instrument.

dyson: None of these dissimilarities have been calculated, but it sounds like that was the best random argument you could have ever had at the pub.

nez: I think you’ve heard it all and that’s why people get it and the chemistry is really good between me and Juju.
juju: And to honest I don’t think we knew what we sounded like and this album was all about discovery. We jumped from little Oxford to big LA not really knowing what we were doing. We came out with an album, learned a lot from it, and we’re really happy with it. It’s all still very exciting. For us it’s kind of what you see is what you get really. We didn’t really plan it all out but we’re really happy to go with the ride. We appreciate where we’re at, we know we still have a way to go, and we never know when we’re gonna lose it. We’re sure enjoying and savoring the journey. We have been really fortunate. We’ve got some fantastic management and when we start doing the bigger shows and supporting the bigger artists it really makes it all worthwhile. You start enjoying it and it gives you a really good goal. Something to aim for.

dyson: I’ll attest to it that you really have some great PR, management folks around you.

nez: Yes they are. And it’s good to have people around you to represent you and we’ve been really blessed with some really great names.  We did seven shows with Alice and Chains in the UK. Even for me, I was a bit wondering how it was going to go down. If the audience is only here for Alice and Chains you might as well just play. But we played to about 27,000 people over those two nights. And every single night was an absolute cracker. There must be something in the music that appeals and it’s fresh for people to listen to.

dyson: Ok, so if I’m at a bar, who do I have to worry about getting into a fight with more? You seem like a tough gal, Juju.

juju: I can start it and Nez can finish it. That’s the great thing.

Photo by: Pär Olofsson

‘Everything I am, and everything I want to be.
All I want to achieve, I already have in me’

Backed by a thunderous wall of fat synths and kicking bass, sharp guitar and cracking snares, carried on the silvered voice of an agathokakological angel sent from pop heaven on-high, these are the words of O’Spada, and as soon as you hear them you know them to be true.

O’Spada’s sound is the quintessence of fresh. It transports you to the past and future simultaneously, pulls your moneymaker forever in both directions, and forces your surrender on both fronts to the fundamental power of the groove. Listening to O’Spada is a time-quaking, chromosome-shaking mitosis of the soul, proving once again that Sweden is making the best pop music per capita of any country.

Here’s a taste (turn up that bass):

If that doesn’t get you moving, congratulations, you’re a corpse. Thankfully, there are many warm bodies across the globe getting down to this fledgling dance outfit, and after just two stellar singles released (their second, ‘Ten Strikes’, is one of 2009’s most joyous odes to infidelity (listen below), O’Spada has the world hungry for more. With an album set to drop a few months from now, I had the chance to chat with them for an exclusive trans-Atlantic interview.

This is O’Spada.

Our standard opener at dysonsound: Beatles or Stones?
Julia: Beatles. Better songs.

O’Spada Special: Prince or Stevie? Or: is there a third option?

Julia: I love both! Prince has probably inspired O’Spada’s sound more, but Stevie is a huge inspiration as a singer and composer.
Johan: Yeah, Stevie is probably one of the best singers there is.

How did you as individuals get into music, and how did you come together to form O’Spada?

Julia: We met when we studied improvisation together, and formed O’Spada in 2006. Our original keyboardist left the group in 2007, and Christopher joined. About the same time, we started getting more serious about O’Spada.

O’Julia, your vocals are astronomically beautiful. Was there a specific point in your life that you sort of found yourself vocally, when you realized you could do what you do with your voice? Who inspired you to sing?

Julia: Thank you! My first big inspiration was TLC when I was 11. I practiced and practiced and the voice came little by little. During my teenage years, singers like Stevie Wonder and Curtis Mayfield were my main inspiration. I didn’t sing in public until I was 18 years old, when I started studying jazz and taking singing lessons, which of course affected my sound. By the same time, I injured my vocal chords (permanently)from screaming too loudly at a jam, and that affected my voice too.

How would you describe your sound? What makes O’Spada’s music what it is?

Julia: The combination of the stubborn vocals, often expressing strong emotions, and the puzzle-like arrangements, where noone plays very much, but when the pieces are put together, there isn’t much space left. Our grooves are often based on many small riffs.

Samuel: It can also sometimes be atmospheric and a kind of “wet”sound, but still, we always keep in mind the groove and the rythm and we would never allow it to get smudgy.

Julia: Our first songs (e.g. Time) were made 3 years ago when O’Spada was very much my own project. Pretty soon though, that changed, and we became a proper band, which of course affects the sound. I don’t think anyone of us would have guessed we would sound like we do now, and that’s the beauty of it, we didn’t know this sound until we created it, little by little.

Samuel: We definitely know more now of how we want O’Spada to sound, and our next album will hopefully be written during a shorter period of time and probably, because of that, more uniform.

The first time I heard ‘Time’ was through Youtube (the DIY video) and it made my heart pop out of my chest and my brain burst into flames (semi-figuratively). The unexpected discovery of brilliant music can have that effect. What music has made you do that in the past (your formative years), and what music has made you do that most recently?

Julia: Why, thank you! I remember the first time I put on my first P-funk record, (Parliament’s The Clones of Dr. Funkenstein) I immediately felt it was the beginning of a long and wonderful friendship. Another example is when I first heard the Swedish band Little Dragon a few years ago.

Samuel: I get that feeling from music so seldom that it’s sad, but last year I actually had three favourite albums that I loved and listened to almost exclusively. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus, Miike Snow – Miike Snow and Justice – Cross (I know; I was late on this one). I need something new now though, please help me.

Are your songs written by an individual or collectively? How did your first singles evolve, and can you listen to the end products at this point and allow yourself to think: DAMN, that’s us?!!??

Julia: I have written the lyrics and the vocal melody to all of our songs so far, but all of us contribute with beats and song sketches. We always work out the arrangements together, and that’s definitely the point when the songs become O’Spada songs.

Samuel: For me, it’s very hard to enjoy listening to our album since we’ve been working on it for such a long time. It’s  a bit like when you listen to your favourite album a little too much, you know it’s good music but you need to take a break to be able to enjoy it again. Despite that feeling (which might be only me) we’re all very proud of how this album turned out and that we made it all by ourselves. If people like our music, we’re the ones to take all the credit!

Who produced your recordings so far? How has the recording experience been?

Julia: We are our own producers – people often say they’re surprised how alike the music sounds live and on our studio recordings. Samuel is our recording engineer, so when it comes to recording techniques and sound effects etc, he’s in charge. Our album was mixed by Ollie Olson, so he added an extra touch to the sound, too.

Samuel: Since we had no money to buy studio time we had to record everything the DIY way, everything is recorded in our rehearsal place and in our apartments. I think we’ve learned a lot during the process of recording, how we want to do things, and maybe even more how we don’t want to do things. Some things could’ve been done much smoother and better, but since we did it all by ourselves and had noone to tell us what to do we had to learn the hard way. We don’t now how the next album will be recorded, but if it’s going to be another DIY record, we’re ready!

Currently, O’Spada has released two killer singles and has an album on the horizon. Which excites you more: having a stack of kick-ass singles to your name or creating the ultimate album experience for listeners? (Both is not an answer on this one)

Julia: Hm, that’s a very tough question. I’m really looking forward to releasing the songs that takes a bit longer to get into, but add very much to the atmosphere of our music. But most of all, we aim for hits that hit the listener fast and hard, so I guess if I have to choose, I’m going for the stack of kick-ass singles.

When will the O’Spada album be available to the yearning masses? Will there be a vinyl release (as I mentioned, I’ve burned a hole in my ‘Time’ single)?

Julia: The album is due in May, at least in Europe. I really hope for it to be released on vinyl, but we don’t know yet.

Is there another single preceding the album’s release?

Julia: Pay Off, probably in May.

I saw that you recently played London. Where else have you been? What has been your most exciting experience(s) as a touring band?

Julia: Actually, we’ve mostly played in Stockholm, with a few trips to other Swedish cities such as Gothenburg. London was our first foreign destination, and it was very exciting, we loved the audience and plan to go back there later this spring. I think for me, our coolest venue was an opera stage in Stockholm (Folkoperan), where we played this New Years Eve. We were up on the balcony in this old theatre, and it was such a rush playing there, blinded by the spotlights.

When in the name of all that is good are you coming to the US? We want to have a party (O’Party?).

Julia: We’re very eager to O’party in the US too! Hopefully, we’re coming later this year.

What is your ultimate goal as a band?

Julia: We’d really love for this album to find us new audiences, and to be able to go on a big tour with it. Ultimately, we want to be able to work full-time with music.

Feel free to answer any or all of these last couple questions. They are a little silly.

Which song, by any artist of any era, do you wish you had written & recorded? Why?

Julia: I’m a sucker for Human Nature…

Samuel: I wouldn’t mind being the writer of Toxic (Britney Spears).

Which song currently has the highest Play Count on your iTunes (or music player equivalent)?

Julia: Right now, our own album. It’s just been mastered, and we’ve listened to many different versions of the songs. Out of that album, maybe Pay Off, our upcoming single, or Rainbow, a lovesong in shuffle.

Favorite Movies?

Julia: Some of my favourite directors include Cassavetes, Fellini, Bunuel, Polanski and Allen. Last time I fell head over heels for a movie was Annie Hall.

Favorite Artwork?

Julia: Hm… I decorate my walls with Gilbert & George and M.C. Escher.

What is the coolest thing in the immediate space around you right now? (For example I have a big clock sitting next to me. It has a black & white picture of Alfred Hitchcock holding the slate from ‘Psycho’ on it. Is that cool? Who knows?)

Julia: A brass, 30’s style tape dispenser  my father gave to me 10 years ago.

Johan: A Monstera deliciosa plant.

Samuel: The vinyl cover of Pink Floyd – Wish you were here. I’m not into Pink Floyd, but that cover is just wickedly cool.

Do any of you experience synesthesia when writing, performing or listening to music? If so, what color(s) is O’Spada’s music?

Julia: I associate all kinds of stuff with colors. But I can’t pick a specific one for O’Spada. Time is orange, Ten Strikes is blue, and many of our songs are black.

Could you teach me how to write something in Swedish, perhaps with an oblique reference to famed Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus?

Samuel: “I utav adel och I andre som frie gods begären vad trängens I här rivens och slitens om ynka få gårdar? Drager dit till desse land som rödjer eder så stora gods och eder själv lyster och vars och ens makt tillåter! Jag skall eder med privilegier och frihet försörja, hjälpa och all gunst bevisa.”
- Gustavus Adolphus the Great’s speach to the swedish parliament in the year of 1617.

It’s old swedish, and I really don’t know what he is saying. Found it on Wikipedia…

O’Spada – Ten Strikes

If there was any band I really wanted to see succeed in the music world it would be the Crash Kings. Their music kicks ass. THEY kick ass. What more could you ask of a band?

I was lucky enough to have Tony Beliveau (keyboards and vocals) take some time out of their current tour and answer some questions regarding their sound, success, and what it’s like being a touring band based out of LA.

I highly suggest going to see them play this Sunday 1/31/10 at Great Scott in Boston. (or try to catch a date on the rest of their tour) Their record is phenomenal but live is where they shine. I spent a few years watching, having fun, and getting to know Mike and Tony (sadly don’t know Jason yet) but what I do know is that they are the real deal. They don’t mess around with music. They play what they believe and play what naturally comes out of them. We just happen to be lucky as hell, because what they produce is always incredible.

Check out what Tony had to say:

dyson: First and most importantly, Beatles or Stones?
tony: Beatles

dyson: You’ve all been in bands in smaller cities. What’s the biggest difference you’ve found about being a band in LA?
tony: Well, first of all, it’s different for us cause this is the first true rock band Mike and I have really had together. Until this band, we were a couple of frumpy jazz jammers from Boston. Most bands I see in LA look real good, but lack a true vision and raw talent. When we started out, we looked like shit, but were always playing our east coast asses off. We aren’t into dressing flashy, cause it’s not us, but we’ve grown to appreciate fitted clothing. LA is a wonderful place to start a band. Can’t beat the weather either!

dyson: Can you put on your record and actually enjoy listening to it? Is it something you’ve ever put on and said “DAMN! That’s us??”
tony: I can. I don’t hardly anymore. The only time I might think, “damn..,”. Is when I hear our song on the radio. We’ve grown into our sound, and i think it’s safe to say that (Dave) Sardy had a lot to do with how we formed that sound…

dyson: How was it working with Dave Sardy? He did a hell of a job with the record. But as we all know, musicians and producers can clash. What was Dave’s best influence on the record?
tony: Dave was the perfect producer and mixer for our first record. He really helped with arranging the songs, and would often push us hard, when the clock was ticking. His contribution to the overall sonic outcome of the record was massive. Our record was very much a collaboration, and seldom did we ever not see eye to eye on any one thing.

dyson: What’s your preference: being in the studio or on stage?
tony: There’s nothing like the rush of performing. My drug of choice.

dyson: You guys have been touring pretty damn hard. You must have some great stories. But what is the one best experience you’ve had while being on the road?
tony: Probably playing ‘War Pigs’ with Chris Cornell at the Wiltern in LA.

dyson: If you had one band you’d love to tour with next who would it be? And do you have anyone in line to tour with next?
tony: Soundgarden. We’re working on a tour in march with a bigger act, but we cannot disclose this info yet. Should know this week though. [update: Touring with Jet]

dyson: How does it feel to be the headliners on this current tour?
tony: Headlining has been so crazy, especially in the cities where we’re being played on the radio a lot. People there just to see Crash Kings. Singing along! That’s a trip. You really get a sense of who your real fans are. And it’s so refreshing to see such a diverse group of people coming to our shows.

dyson: Tony, some might say you’ve got a ‘thing’ for keyboard rigs. Your current setup sounds incredible. What would be one thing you’d kill to have added in?
tony: Well, I’m about to add another secret weapon in the mix starting in late february. It’s a vintage kawai ep308. Currently it is undergoing the installment of midi. But it’s pretty much a portable piano with real strings and hammers. After that, I’d say I have to get a Hammond organ back into my rig.

dyson: For a trio your sound is HUGE and has an incredible range of audible greatness. What do you credit most for your sound coming from 3 guys?
tony: The piano and bass sounds like four instruments a lot of the time because of how we spread our chords out and double certain frequencies. The piano can make more sound than two guitars sometimes, and mike bi-amps his bass to make it sound like guitar and bass simultaneously.

dyson: When listening I’d think Jason pounding away on the drums was driving the tunes. But then I hear Mike’s bass hitting me in the chest and lean towards him. When you guys are playing, who feels most like they’re driving the tunes along? Or is a collective sharing?
tony: It’s definitely collective. We are all following each other all the time, taking turns leading.

dyson: What’s the album that you are spinning the most right now?
tony: I’m utterly obsessed with OK Go’s new record, “Of the Blue Colour of the Sky”

Enough reading. You’ve earned it:

Crash Kings – Mountain Man
Crash Kings – Saving Grace
Crash Kings – 1985