With most of its members hailing from some of the best bands Sweden has to offer, it’s no wonder that Amason is becoming a serious act to watch in 2015. Amanda Bergman of Idiot Wind, along with Gustav of Dungen, provide a haunting and downright sultry vocal collaboration, while Pontus Winnberg of Miike Snow conducts a trance-like vibe on keys.
Amason also includes Nils Törnqvist of Little Majorette on Drums and Petter Winnberg on Bass. The supergroup’s freshly released full-length album Sky City is filled with vibrant yet tranquil melodies that take you on a sort of excursion of the senses; a staycation for the mind. Be sure to catch their NINE performances at SXSW this week. Details below.
Vinyl Mag: You just released your debut album Sky City – how has response been?
Nils Törnqvist: It’s been great! We have got much more attention than we thought, and not only from the hipster kids. Last week I got stopped in the supermarket by a old lady who said that she’s listening a lot to the album. Really fun!
VM: Can you tell me a little bit about the writing process for the album?
NT: We put up the instruments in the studio and see where it takes us.
Sometimes someone have a riff that we start with, sometimes a lyric, sometimes a rhythm. It’s a very loose and democratic process.
No egos.
VM: Who does the writing, or is it all collaborative?
NT: The lyrics mostly come from the one who’s going to sing it and the music from everyone.
VM: Do you have a favorite track on the album, or a favorite track to play live?
NT: My favourite on the album is “Moon as a Kite” but that changes all the time.
Live I will go for “Elefanten.” We have had guest guitarist friends who’s been helping us out with a never ending solo in the end of the song. It’s been fantastic!
VM: For having just released your debut album, you’re already lining up major shows at South by Southwest this year, including the Spotify House, Hype Hotel, and Blackheart. How did this come about?
NT: We have great people working with us! Management, Booking agency and record company. They are doing a fantastic job!
VM: NPR also included you on their Austin100 SXSW Preview (!) – how did that feel?
NT: We are very honoured!! Feels great!
VM: How many shows are you playing at SXSW this year/what are they?
NT: We are playing 9 or so, the ones that have been announced can be found at amasonband.com.
VM: Is it your first year at SX?
NT: With Amason yes, but we have been there a couple of times with other bands and artists.
VM: Who are you looking forward to seeing most at the festival?
NT: Looking forward to see a lot of good bands.
I don’t want to miss another Swedish artist that I’ve never seen live. Seinabo Sey. Love her music.
VM: Are you food truck people or barbecue joint people?
NT: Food truck lunch and barbecue dinner.
VM: What is next for Amason after SX?
NT: Gigs in Scandinavia and we will hopefully be back soon in the US.
