aaamusic | On 17, Nov 2010

AAAMusic: Let’s start from your new album, Heavy Metal Fruit: this is the first time you worked with an external producer, Kåre Vestrheim. Why?

Motorpsycho: Kåre is an exeptional musician and arranger.We like his soundworld and modality and figured it could turn out for the best.

It is important to break the routines when it comes to writing and recording .Vestrheim gave us that new approach.

AAAMusic: Has this producer choice changed the way you work?

Motorpsycho: Not really.But with  his help we was able to track the songs live in the studio. He would accompany the trio from behind his Rick Wakeman keyboard altar. He was like a fourth member. Too bad we can’t bring him on the road. He is a busy man.

AAAMusic: How would you describe Heavy Metal Fruit compared to your previous albums?

Motorpsycho: It is a conglomerate of all our past efforts. It took us 20 yrs to make it. It is much closer to our live-sound/feel than any other record.

AAAMusic: Heavy Metal Fruit is the third album in two years. Aren’t you afraid of overexposing?

Motorpsycho: Not at all. We are not big sellers. It is crucial for us to keep playing and recording when we have hit a rich songwriting vein. We have never had any carefully laid market strategies/plans .

AAAMusic: Child of the Future has been released in vinyl format only to celebrate your 20 years of career. Considering that vinyls sales are reporting a growth, what are your thoughts on vinyl as a format compared to the digital one and what do you think of this rediscovery of the old fashionable media by the audience?

Motorpsycho: The Vinyl still sound superior to any other format. It will outlive the CD. Hopefully we will have digital media that can compete with the vinyl sound/pricevise in the near future.

AAAMusic: Do you think Internet is more an advantage or a disadvantage for artists and the quality of music created?

Motorpsycho: It is all a matter of knowing how to use these tools. But mostly what you see and hear is artists willing to compromise and do anything to get attention. It is really bizarre.

AAAMusic: What do you think of the Norwegian music scene?

Motorpsycho: It is a small but healthy scene. Here in Trondheim we have had a strong outlet of musicians and projects from the jazz-conservatory, many of which we collaborate with; Arve Henriksen, Ståle Storløkken ,The Source++

In general the activity is bigger compared to 20 years ago when MP started. We were almost the only band touring outside of Norway.The whole scene has become more professionalised and the government grants are ever increasing.

Author: Roberta Capuano