It was a cool and wintry day when the Swedish Lake of Tears arrived for their moscow fans at last. Just before the show, there was a big signing session at the "VseSOYUZnyi" music store, after which I had a chance to meet the vocalist Daniel Brennare and bass player Mikael Larsson in a slightly more intimate setting. In the cafe's vibrating twilight, fueled by aromatic beer, the conversation begins. Short, yet one to remember...
You played a show in st. petersburg last night. What did you take away from your first appearance before russian fans?
M.: Everything was nothing less than great! Excellent audience!
D.: Yes, everything was perfect — the city itself, the country on our way, the audience. We had a lot of pleasure and a great experience. The only bad experience was maybe the hangover... (laughter)
"Forever Autumn" is the top seller from your discography here, did you know that?
D.: Yesterday evening we were asked to play a few more "Headstones" songs. Nonetheless, each and every song went down well with the crowd.
There was a seven-year period when you hadn't played a single gig. Right up to the "Black Brick Road" release. Was it hard for you to make a return to the stage?
We did a few festivals last summer, and before that, as you said, we hadn't been playing live for seven years. I couldn't say whether it was hard or easy to make a return to the stage. I think the hardest part was the initial moment — making the decision itself. Once we got in front of the audience, we didn't have a single doubt — as if there hadn't been any break at all.
What's more important to you — a glamorous, flashy show, or dedicated musical precision?
D.: Both. Actually, it really depends on the environment. If you can't connect with the audience, the evening is crap regardless of the show's intensity. When you have that connection, everything goes well.
You have no keyboardist on this tour...
D.: That's right. We would like to have a live keyboardist or an organ player in the band, but right now we don't have one.
M.: The personal chemistry is very important here. We haven't met the right person yet — someone it would be a pleasure to play with. But who knows what the future holds...
Some reviews have described "Black Brick Road" as a "dance metal" album...
(laughter)
D.: We are not exactly great at dance moves! (laughter)
M.: People go crazy every time we play. They slam, jump, bang their heads. But some moments are the real gems. Like last night, when a couple started actually dancing together in the crowd. st. petersburg is a very romantic city.
A new album means a new label. NOISE Records is your home now. What do you think of how they've started their work?
D.: It's hard to say so far. The people who were involved in signing the record deal were quite easy-going and friendly. In any case, they have shown a better understanding than Black Mark Productions. I hope our future with them is bright.
Black Mark recently issued a double compilation, "Greater Tears"...
D.: Yes, and it was a completely unfair move on their part! One day I got an email from a guy who had ordered this compilation, asking me something about it. But I had no idea what he was talking about. We contacted Black Mark management and got the response: "It's already been printed and will be available in stores any day now." For me, this compilation is not interesting at all — nothing but a few tracks from our older albums.
Daniel, you made the previous release, "The Neonai," on your own. Could you compare working alone to playing with a full band?
D.: I'm not that fond of making music all by myself. I like collaborating with other people. There was Magnus — our guitarist — and a few of the recording crew who helped me with "The Neonai." But in hindsight, I think that CD would have been much better if we had done it together.
Another question for Daniel. Not so long ago you were planning to start writing a book...
D.: Oh, this idea has been tormenting me for too long. But, you know, you can't just sit down and start writing — a special "tuning" is required. I plunged deeper into it a couple of times. If it had ever been completed, this world would have another magical children's story. But no completion happened. So far, I have no impulse to go back to it.
Any words of advice for younger musicians?
D.: Oh, I don't know what to say. There isn't a single way or formula for doing this. One person practices day and night, while another doesn't practice at all. One is great at singing, while the other is a brilliant guitar player. So I can't give a universal recipe. One thing is true — without full dedication and trust in what you do, you will certainly fail.
M.: And getting pleasure from playing is also essential. If you get no pleasure, you'll burn out in no time...
Coda. What's happening with the writing process right now?
D.: Oh, there's no writing process going on right now. We've just come up with a couple of riffs — not more than that. As usual, it's hard to say what the next LAKE OF TEARS album will sound like.
M.: We are very optimistic about what the future holds...
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See The MetalList review of "Black Brick Road" here.
See the live report from the LAKE OF TEARS moscow show here.
Special thanks to Bylkin Maxim () for arranging this interview.