BLIND ALLEY
BLIND ALLEY is the
brainchild of MAGNUS OLSSON, a Swedish multi-instrumentalist who
has been making music for 20 years now. He recorded some great
stuff as FORTUNE in 1990 and recently an awesome AOR/Westcoast
album as BLIND ALLEY, but he is now about to release his first
official CD titled ‘Infinity ends’ with BLIND ALLEY.
Without a doubt, this is the best CD he has released, filled with
high quality pure AOR. Check out the reviewspage for a review of
the CD. In the meantime, I had an interview with Magnus, here’s
what went down...
OK, let's
start with the beginning of your career, when did you first
picked up an instrument?
I started
out as drummer in the age of 11 or so... but when I first should
join a band, they already got a drummer, so I had to pick up a
guitar instead. That was around the age of 14 or so... and since
then it's mostly guitar. But when MIDI was invented I also
started to play keyboards. Could’ve been 1982 or 1983 or
something like that?
What were
your influences back then when you started?
Well, as
most Swede's in my age we were influenced by ABBA (though we
never admitted it
But also of bands like Sweet, Slade, Thin Lizzy etc.
So very
70s influenced music?
Yes, but
as you mey notice the "melodic" variation of the 70's.
Not so much of Zeppelin, Sabbath and stuff like that (though I've
later learned to appriciate that too)
What was
your first recording (demo or single)?
That
depends on what you mean. My very FIRST recording was me and a 10
watt electricguitar with a spring reverb that could perhaps be
interpreted as pre-modern punk... but the first recording which
has been saved to the afterworld was a single with a band called
X-hale. The songs were called "Hero" and "The ufo
and me" (though in Swedish)
That is
interesting, what style was this?
Well, WE
thought it was "Thin Lizzy"-like, but a reporter said
"I didn't know you were playing PUNK" So I'd say it was
a pretty poor version of lizzy
What was
next?
Well, I
was drafted to a band called Pipe Line, but in the merge we
changed name to Fortune. And that was the band I played in for a
long time... and that's where I meat Hasse (who sings at a lot of
the songs on Infinity Ends)
I really
love your album with FORTUNE, please tell me more about how you
wrote the songs?
Oh,
thanks, I think it's a rather lousy production... Well there's
the story about one of the fortune songs called "lounge
Lizzards"... it's actually named after a (sierra) computer
game called "Leisure suite Larry in the land of lounge
lizzards"and I had a friend in mind who reminded me very
much of "Larry" in the game. Well Turning point was i
real P.I.T.A. to finnish... That is not uncommon in my writing -
I've got a .lot of songs that are halfdone. Though Turning POint
(sadly) hasnt any special meaning to me, perhaps it was a hope
that the release would make the turning point
I guess
TOTO influenced you a lot?
Yes
definately. The chords in "turning point" riff is
heavily influenced by a toto-song (sorry don't reme,mber the
name)
What other
bands influenced you back in the late 80s?
Well,
we've always liked Steve Perrys vocals in Journey, and Lou Gram
in Foreigner. Come to think of it, good singers is the best
influences
yeah, its
amazing you have used 3 great vocals on your new album?
Well
*blushing* I was once a lead-singer in a band and the reviews in
the local papers was "the lead-singer was awful"...
they were
wrong!
...but
since then I've learned to use my voice. But it wouldn't be
possible to make the record without the wonderful voices of Hans
and Pierre... and I think perhaps that what makes the record
intresting still after 10 tracks is that we actually change lead
vocals. Yeah, no doubt. I could sing SOME songs, but I couldn't
sing lika Hans or Pierre does. They're very talented and a huge
part in the sound we have created.
did Hans
and Pierre sang in other bands before BLIND ALLEY?
Hans sang
in Fortune. Pierre has been a member of a band called
"Stargazer" , but I donb't think he ever was the lead
vocalist.
back to
the first BLIND ALLEY, is it ever gonna get an official release?
Well we
are getting VERY CLOSE. I have in my hand a record deal with AOR
Haeven, and since Georg seems to be a nice guy I can't see why
this wouldn't turn out into a proper realese
great, but
you have done 2 BLIND ALLEY albums now, right?
are they both gonna get an official release?
Well yes.
"On the way" was kind of a very mixed release with no
focus at all. But still some great songs (me
thinks)...."Infinity Ends" is much more a thoughtful
release where everything sticks together and the production is
more solid.
i know, it
sounds bigger and ROCKIER! however the melodies are on both
albums excellent!
Well yes
that was the purpose! As I mentioned earlier, after breaking up
Fortune, I wanted to try some different musical styles... and
that ended up in "On the way". But when we finnished
that album I felt that I REALLY wanted to "get back to the
roots" which means the heavy guitar riffs, the keyboard
riffs and lots of choruses
yeah and
it surely shows BLIND ALLEY at their best! but shouldn't this be
called the MAGNUS OLSSON BAND? I mean, you do everything on
your own?
Well,
thank you. I think that melodies has always been a major part of
my songwriting. Yes I do everything on mt own, at least
legeally... but of course there are a lot of influences in my
life that affects the writing. I've always claimed that
"misery" is your best foundation for writing good
songs... but the last years I've not been miserable and things
turn out fine anyway
can you
make a living with music?
My boss
today don't hope that I would make a living out of music (ha ha)
Seriously, the genre we'rein is dedicated but not huge. MY hopes
for the release on AOR is that everybody involved get reasonably
paid, but I doubt it will make anyone rich
Sweden is
very AOR minded, EUROPE and MALMSTEEN were very important for the
scene, did you feel that there was a lot of bands playing your
bands back in the late 80s in Sweden and how is today?
Oh yeah. We were constanlty competing with local
"Europe-wanna-bies"!
how's the
press in Sweden for BLIND ALLEY?
Well,
we're all holding up for the "great release". Today
you're totally smoked if you don't got a record deal.... but I
hope that we're able to make it on the few stations here in
Sweden that is dedicated for AOR music.
lets talk
about the new album,. which is by far your best release and maybe
one of the best AOR releases in a long time, it took some time to
compose it, right?
Well yes and no... If you remember, I told that the approach for
recording would change with the new album, compared to "on
the way"... and my definite goal was to finnish the song
(melody and lyrics) before staring to record. That has worked
OK:ish
melodies
are very important for your type of music, how do you find a
melody, is it in your head suddenly, and then you write it down
or please tell me how you come to a certain melody...
Haha... It is SO very different. Sometime (like in the case bof
"shadow from my heart") I just yell it out and record
it on a tape-recorder.. and in other cases (like
"Hunter") it's more of a mathematical discusion (what
notes are available now)
and the
songwriting, are there any songs on the new album that have a
story behind it?
Well the
title (Infinity Ends) came to me pretty close to the end. But
suddenly I realized that a lot of the lyrics was about the
"aging" we're in.... and songs like "We still
belong", "One life", "S.O.S" and
"Here comes the heartache" are really all about the
same thing.
Can you
tell us about the included songs on the new album ‘Infinity
ends’?
1. All
figured out - This was the first song that I made after "On
the way", and I think it clearly stated where we were
heading ;-) The outro has some inspiration from Jim Steinman
productions - who always had about 9 or 10
guitars as a crescendo.
2. We still belong - Maybe the best vocals ever from Hasse. He
has a tension in his singing that keeps the song intresting the
whole way through. Also some great harmonies with counterparts
(is that the word in english?) that reminds of eagles or
something like that. I'm very satisfied with this song.
3. One Life - Now it's Pierres turn to "show off" ;-) I
had some trouble finalizing this song. Actually, I have had the
verse for a couple of years, but no chorus that would lift it.
But in the end I think it's a great song and Pierre does a
wonderful version. Especially in the break where he turn the note
upside down in the phrase "a look in the eye". Listen
to that, it's great stuff!
4. S.O.S. - also a long time to finalize-song. To make a riff of
S.O.S. (you know ...---...) has always inspired the
mathematician in me, and I think this is the third song I'm doing
on the theme. The fast guitars are VERY HARD to play tight (at
least for me) so when we changed the keynote 2 or 3 times during
the vocal recordings, I could hold myself from laughing... But it
was worth the retakes, I think. The lyrics are written by Inkan
(my wife) - and as always she's able to turn a crappy original
lyric from me, to a wonderful song!
5. Shadow from my heart - Very "Journey:ish" in
drums/keyboards and guitars. The solo is actually flirting
heavily with Niel Schon, though I don't in any way imply that I'm
that good guitarist.
6. Here comes the heartache - was written the same week as All
figured out and are in many ways a similar song. Uptempo, lot of
keybaords and guitars and hookes all over the place. Hasse is
doing the lead vocals.
7. From now on - Hasse is a sucker for westcoast ballads, and
thinks that we should do a LOT MORE of this kind of stuff ;-)
Anyway, this is the type of song where I find a nice chord
pattern and then woves a melody around it. Had some problems
finding the right chorus (hmmm - I think I always write the
chorus LAST?). Hasse does some great wailing at the end - in par
with "Michael McDonald"
8. Hunter - OK, back to the rock music ;-) Pierre is doing the
lead vocals, and it's made a bit rougher and darker. The chorus
has some very nice harmonies that adds a dimension to the song.
9. Stay the night - this is perhaps the song that sticks out
most. I wanted a song that starts smoothly and builds, and
builds... We had great playing with the new modern synths on this
one :D
10. Payback Time - The title was "invented" when Georg
Bush started his "war against terrorism", but the
lyrics ended up dealing with something completely different. I
don't know if I'm all happy about the intro, but I think the 7/4
part came out quite nice. And we had a great time doing the
football cheering thingie ;-)
11. Wild Rose - This is the oldest song on the album. Was written
when my wife went sailing in the west-inides... I've always loved
the guitars in this song, and it also have a touch of that nice
Irish melancoly.
BONUS TRACKS:
12. Internal affairs - A rough song in 6/8.
Perhaps the most "Metallike" we've done. So far...
About a friend of mine that was beaten by her boyfriend, but
didn't leave him. Great vocals again from Pierre and the
harmonies are tight as **!"#*
13. In your hand - The "hit" among parents with
preemature children ;-) Wonderful lyrics by Inkan, and actually
the first song I sang lead vocals on.
back to
AOR HEAVEN, when are you sure about signing to them?
Well, I
have the signed contract in front of me. It's an etter of me
writing my signature down
But seriously, it's all settled and the release will be in
November
this
release will be 'Infinity ends' + 2 older tracks?
Yep. Georg
of AOR HEAVEN wanted the "Internal Affairs" track and I
wanted the "In your hand".
I totally
love those songs too, Georg has made a good choice
thanks
so this
will be the first official release for you, on a label that is?
Yes, that
is actually true. When we realesed "Fortune" it was on
an own label which had the implication of not being released even
nationwide.... so it feels kind of strange being signed in this
age of days.
So this
will get a release party? Do you actually play live?
Yes, we
play live - but not Blind Alley songs. At least not yet And there
WILL be a release party, and you're welcome!
Finally,
what are the plans for BLIND ALLEY?
Well, we
*hope* and dream about the eighties coming back. That would mean
that I will make a FORTUNE!!! Seriously, we're all having a great
fun of just recording the stuff, and if anyone is intrested to
listen,we're delighted!
and are
there other projects where you are involved?
We're all
in a coverband called "playmates". And you can guess
how many serious proposals we get
OK, thanks
for the interview
Bye