Hello Mats, it was great meeting you at Nearfest 2002;- you guys played a killer set! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and views with us.
Isildur's Bane name comes from the `One Ring' of JRR Tolkien's `Lord of the Rings.' Why that particular name?
That's a good question. Many bands that started out during the 60's and 70's found their names in literature (Soft Machine, Uriah Heep, Steely Dan etc). The name Isildurs Bane has stuck with us since 1976 and it's valid again today.
How did the idea and musical direction of Isildur's Bane originate? If you could explain the music of Isildur's Bane (to the uninitiated), in a few sentences, what would it be?
I am not the right person to describe the music and origins of Isildurs Bane since I don't have the perspective to do so. The question comes up regularly though. A swedish musicologist ended an article on by summing up IB like this: "emphatic, commited, entrepreneurial, stubborn and experimental". I thought that was a good description.
How difficult is it to progressive album by album while keeping that band's familiar sound? How do you go about the composing process? What instrument do you write on? What types of keyboards do you play?
The sound of a band is always important, regardless of genre, but I think the personality of a group comes more from the arrangements and the instrumentation. What is, for instance, a prog-rock sound? To use Moogs and Mellotrons exclusively would be very boring and you would also exclude the vast innovations within the fields of musical technology which has occurred during the last 20-30 years. To not use modern technology at all would be devastating as far as my curiosity goes. When I played the Mellotron in the 80's, I was not particularly fond of the machine itself. I was more or less shocked by how bad it sounded in real life, but there's no doubt that it has a very special sound. I work with 20-25 synths, Oberheim Xpander, Yamaha CS 80, Minimoog, Nord Modular, Nord Lead, Waldorf xt, EMU3, K 2600S and more.
Effects, computers: all Line6, Mutator analogfilter, Moogfogger mm. Mac, 24-kanals digital porta (Roland VS2480 (24 bitar 96 khz) and more.
The classic question. If you were stranded on a desert island (With a CD player and batteries), and you could have any ten albums, what would you choose and why?
That's a difficult question since I have just started to listen to music again. I haven't listened to much music for the last 10-15 years because of my hearing problems (tinnitus). It would probably be easier to mention music I definitely wouldn't want to take along, and I would be hard-pressed to choose any prog that IB are lumped in with. To make things easy, I'd go for the complete symphonies of Shostakovich.
What were your musical influences as a teenager and when you joined Isildur's Bane?
When I joined IB in 1977, my influences were Gentle Giant, Yes, Genesis and ELP. It was great fun to go and see these and other bands with their classic line-ups almost monthly during the 70's. Gentle Giant was my favourite band. I only saw them once, in 1976, but I think most of their music still holds up.
The audience at Nearfest 2002 really appreciated your set. How was it playing to 1,850 progressive fans at the Trenton War Memorial? Any stories (off and on stage)?
First of all: I think it is wonderful that Chad and Rob arrange this festival year after year. Their kindness and humbleness backstage was appreciated by all the members of IB. As far as the audience goes, I think it would be hard to fail completely in front of a such a knowledgeble crowd that know - more or less - what to expect of the bands. We sold lots of records and it was very nice to play the Trenton War Memorial Theater, but to be honest, I didn't notice any major differences onstage between the NEARfest-audience and the people who come to regular IB-concerts. The one negative thing about the NEARfest-audience was some of the criticism on the net that was levelled at our vocalist Christof Jepsson. Some people have been outright mean to him. I think Christof fits well in IB and I am looking forward to the new CD where he will play a very important part.
How's the Prog music scene in Europe? Do you mind being `labeled' as a progressive band?
I am worried about all of the so called progressive scene. I believe in the reconciliation of music and genres. I sometimes think that many "progressive" bands are dogmatic and deaf to new music. It is conventional in Europe to slag progressive rock off, which is a pity. The music is regarded as pretentious and introverted. But then again, maybe it's time for some self-criticism? I hope NEARfest doesn't turn into NOSTALGIAfest, and that young and experimental bands will be a natural and vital part of NEARfest. If not, there is a risk of an audience dominated by people with walkers within a not too distant future. Record companies and publishing companies don't really care about what kind of music a band plays as long as it makes huge profits. During the 70's, profit wasn't the only driving force, but it is a fact that the large companies of today have no intention whatsoever of upsetting a music market you already control with another type of music. NEARfest has taken hold of a genre. I just hope that the arrangers are serious about putting on a "progressive music festival".
What is your favorite book? Movie? Hobbies/interests outside music? Do you have a job outside of the music
business?
I read a lot of books and I am particularly interested in all forms of art between 1920 and 1930. I hope that 2020-2030 will be an interesting period for the development of the arts. Honestly, it would be a pity if you still had to go back to the 70's to get your musical kicks. I work with music exclusively and full-time. Almost all of my time is spent composing, to be more precise. My major hobby is chess. I play just below the élite level, my rating is roughly 2000. Obviously, my chess hero is Bobby Fischer.
It took you a long time to get to the US, will you consider a tour in America in the near future?
IB would love to come back to the USA and tour, but it is difficult considering that we travel with ten people (including an engineer and a road manager etc). If we get invited to the summer festival in Quebec, Canada again next year we plan to do something in the USA as well. We have our connections in Europe, unfortunately not in North America, but should we find an American manager, we would be more than pleased to come back.
Your work seems to come alive when you perform in front of an audience. Do you prefer the studio environment
or playing live on stage?
There are no opposition between studio and live work. They are simply different animals. To compose is one thing, to interpret the music is another, to listen is something else. In a way, they are unrelated. At the same time, the circle has to be completed or the process of musicmaking will be meaningless.
What do you think of the state of today's music in general?
I think it's a good thing that groups are back in fashion again and solo artists seem to be a little less popular. Musicians and composers organize themselves by forming record companies and releasing their music on their own labels. That brings hope for the future. After all, you have to believe in the creative forces that occur in new musical constellations.
What is next for you and lsildur's Bane? Recordings? Tours?
IB will release a CD with the Italian group Metamorfosi Trio during December 2002, and a new IB album will be out early next year. We are working in the studio at the moment and we won't tour until next summer, apart from the odd gig. We all work within other fields of music parallel to IB. Personally, I am composing two comissioned works during the autumn, one string quartet and music for a radio play.
You have an open forum. Do you have any words to the Prog fans out there? Or to young inspiring musicians?
Away with dogmatism! Do what you feel like doing! Faith, hope, love and reconciliation!
Thank you so much for this interview. Best Wishes and thank you for sharing you answers and thoughts.
Thank you Lee! Be nice to your pupils and we hope to see you soon. Give everyone our best at NEARfest 2003.
Best wishes from IB to you!
Mats Johansson
