100 Musicians Answer the Same 10 Questions

Part Sixty-Five: Johan Angergard of The Legends, Acid House Kings, Club 8

instigated by dave heaton

Johan Angergard's place in my version of music history was made secure a decade ago, with his role as half of the breezy pop duo Club 8. That group is still going strong, but he's also a central member of two other already-classic Swedish pop groups, whose songs are absolutely infectious and inspiring. There's the singalong pop quartet Acid House Kings; and also his own more-or-less solo project The Legends, an inspired dreampop band with more of a rock edge than the other two groups. The Legends' new album, their third, is titled Facts and Figures. It's out now on Labrador, the label that's released recordings by both the other groups as well. For more information, check out the Club 8 website, Acid House Kings website, and The Legends Myspace page.

**************************

What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?

Writing songs. I'm in the process of writing songs for the new Club 8 album right now, and I only make very simple demos of the songs. It's great being able to concentrate on the songwriting only and not think about production, arrangements and all the polishing it takes to finish an album. Writing the songs is the easiest, and possibly most fun, part of making an album.

What aspect of making music gets you the most discouraged?

It's rarely discouraging. But sometimes I wish I could just snap my fingers after I've written a song and it would translate into a finished recording. Only sometimes…cause I mostly find the production really exciting and rewarding. I love trying out new sounds.

What are you up to right now, music-wise? (Current or upcoming recordings, tours, extravaganzas, experiments, top-secret projects, etc).

See above!

What's the most unusual place you've ever played a show or made a recording? How did the qualities of that place affect the show/recording?

The most unusual place for a show was Acid House Kings at Virgin Megastore in France 1994. I don't think anyone was there to see us, we couldn't hear ourselves playing at all and it must have been the worst show ever. Not only by Acid House Kings, but the worst show ever. Afterwards we were showed to the manager's big fancy room where we should make smalltalk and drink champagne.

In what ways does the place where you live (or places where you have lived), affect the music you create, or your taste in music?

Sweden's full of good pop bands there days, so that's quite inspiring. I can't write or record when it's summer and nice weather, so the fact that we rarely have warm and nice weather is good for the creativity.

When was the last time you wrote a song? What can you tell us about it?

This Monday. It has a really strange feeling to it. It sounds as if it was written by desolate trolls.

As you create more music, do you find yourself getting more or less interested in seeking out and listening to new music made by other people...and why do you think that is?

More interested in seeking new music in the early stage of recording an album. Especially music that sounds quite different from what I'm doing is good for ideas.

Lately what musical periods or styles do you find yourself most drawn to as a listener? (Old or new music? Music like yours or different from yours?)

New music.

Name a band or musician, past or present, who you flat-out LOVE and think more people should be listening to. What's one of your all-time favorite recordings by this band/musician?

Television Personalities. I think Dan Treacy is the most interesting and important present artist and everything he does is worth hearing. He an be anything from good to the most wonderful music you can hear, and in either case it's always very personal and interesting music.

What's the saddest song you've ever heard?

The Smiths, "Asleep". It's sad in a beautiful way, as opposed to being depressing.

Acid House Kings photo above taken by Kjell B Persson.

To check out the rest of the Q&As, click here.