Signed to their native Copenhagen Records, ALPHABEAT’s melodious cheese-pop was inevitably destined for overseas success. Current hit ‘Boyfriend’ proves that these Danish creations beat any pastry I’ve ever come across – and I’ve had my share. We decided to explore this bright corner of the popular music sector with the band’s drummer Troels (pronounced like the little men with the hair).
XYZ: You have already been hailed by some as “the best thing since Abba”. Is this Scandinavian pigeon-holing a positive thing?
Troels: I think it’s a good thing that England and the UK in general are opening up to Scandinavian music, because we have been listening to it for the last ten years. I think it’s great that lots of bands are getting big in the UK, like Robyn and us. Lots of bands are looking to Sweden for their inspiration.
Troels: I think it’s a good thing that England and the UK in general are opening up to Scandinavian music, because we have been listening to it for the last ten years. I think it’s great that lots of bands are getting big in the UK, like Robyn and us. Lots of bands are looking to Sweden for their inspiration.
So, having been playing the songs that you wrote a while ago, are there new influences to the sound today?
Yes. Anthony, the songwriter, is listening to a lot of R’n’B and we’ve been listening to some hip hop and lots of Swedish pop music. We’ve been working really hard on new stuff. On the UK tour people will be getting a new, fresh set if they have seen us in the last year. It’s great for us, suddenly we have four new songs to play on tour, it’s just great!
Yes. Anthony, the songwriter, is listening to a lot of R’n’B and we’ve been listening to some hip hop and lots of Swedish pop music. We’ve been working really hard on new stuff. On the UK tour people will be getting a new, fresh set if they have seen us in the last year. It’s great for us, suddenly we have four new songs to play on tour, it’s just great!
How did it feel to be nominated for Best New Pop Act at The Digital Music Awards?
It’s great to know that your name is out there, that people have seen us on tour or whatever, yeah.
It’s great to know that your name is out there, that people have seen us on tour or whatever, yeah.
As a band do you strive to play such a thing as ‘pop’. If so, has it always been that way?
We have always been playing pop music, you know? Back in the day, in our rehearsal space we were the only band that actually had a keyboard! Everyone was just playing indie rock and heavy metal, that sort of stuff. I think that it’s great that pop music doesn’t just have to be Sugababes (although I think they play great music) but pop can be Lykke Li and artists like that, they can be seen in the charts too.
We have always been playing pop music, you know? Back in the day, in our rehearsal space we were the only band that actually had a keyboard! Everyone was just playing indie rock and heavy metal, that sort of stuff. I think that it’s great that pop music doesn’t just have to be Sugababes (although I think they play great music) but pop can be Lykke Li and artists like that, they can be seen in the charts too.
I hear the track “Boyfriend” was originally inspired by a Swedish lesbian film. Please explain?
It’s a very straightforward pop song, as are lots of our songs. That one was inspired by a teen movie that, you know, everyone watches when you are a teenager. It’s just a song about loving who you want to love. You go on a date with someone that your closest friends don’t like but you actually like as a person, so it’s “fuck off” really – I am with this person – so I can do what I want.
It’s a very straightforward pop song, as are lots of our songs. That one was inspired by a teen movie that, you know, everyone watches when you are a teenager. It’s just a song about loving who you want to love. You go on a date with someone that your closest friends don’t like but you actually like as a person, so it’s “fuck off” really – I am with this person – so I can do what I want.
Alphabeat’s self titled album is available now.
www.myspace.com/thisisalphabeat
www.thisisalphabeat.com
www.myspace.com/thisisalphabeat
www.thisisalphabeat.com
Words by Tom Sargeant, November 2008
Sharing's Caring:
