Blissfulviolet: Thinking back to the time period of Orchid, What first memory
comes to mind?
comes to mind?
Mikael Åkerfeldt: That I forgot my book of lyrics on the way down to the
studio. We had to do a U-turn and go get them. Otherwise my life was alright. I
had a girlfriend, I was 19 years old. I was a complete metalhead and life was
great!
studio. We had to do a U-turn and go get them. Otherwise my life was alright. I
had a girlfriend, I was 19 years old. I was a complete metalhead and life was
great!
Blissfulviolet: Orchid was the first recording that started both Opeth and
your musical career. You had not even reached the age of twenty and were
already signed to Candlelight records. What inspired you to become a
musician and at what age did you pick up the guitar?
your musical career. You had not even reached the age of twenty and were
already signed to Candlelight records. What inspired you to become a
musician and at what age did you pick up the guitar?
Mikael: I started playing pretty early on. I got a classical guitar from my
grandmother when I was very young, maybe 6-7 years old. I ended up
smashing that guitar to pieces and didn't really start until I got my first electric
guitar. A black Les Paul copy, and this was when I was in 5th or 6th grade...so
I was 11-12 years old or something.
grandmother when I was very young, maybe 6-7 years old. I ended up
smashing that guitar to pieces and didn't really start until I got my first electric
guitar. A black Les Paul copy, and this was when I was in 5th or 6th grade...so
I was 11-12 years old or something.
Blissfulviolet: About how long did it take to complete the Orchid album? How
did the recording process go… and from what I understand the band at that
time did the entire production?
did the recording process go… and from what I understand the band at that
time did the entire production?
Mikael: 12 days to record and mix which is quite fast in comparison to what
we do today. We recorded with Dan Swanö who co-produced the record with
us. He had a small and not very professional studio called Unisound. It was a
16 track studio and we recorded on quarter inch tapes which doesn't really
exist anymore. The actual mix was done in real time, nothing digital, and it was
real exciting. Everyone had their hands on the faders and we went
"1...2...3...NOW!!". It was pretty cool!
we do today. We recorded with Dan Swanö who co-produced the record with
us. He had a small and not very professional studio called Unisound. It was a
16 track studio and we recorded on quarter inch tapes which doesn't really
exist anymore. The actual mix was done in real time, nothing digital, and it was
real exciting. Everyone had their hands on the faders and we went
"1...2...3...NOW!!". It was pretty cool!
Blissfulviolet: If you had to pick a favorite track off the Orchid album, which
would it be and why?
would it be and why?
Mikael: At the time "The apostle in triumph" was mine and our key-song...I
still like it, but I don't know if it's the favourite. Maybe "Under the weeping
moon"...we've been playing it lately and it's pretty great to play it, it doesn't feel
like it's over 14 years old.
still like it, but I don't know if it's the favourite. Maybe "Under the weeping
moon"...we've been playing it lately and it's pretty great to play it, it doesn't feel
like it's over 14 years old.
Blissfulviolet: What inspired the lyrics on this album, specifically ‘In the mist
she was standing?’
she was standing?’
Mikael: I can't remember really. I think that was about a dream or something.
Meeting a ghost in the woods...something pretty basic for me in those days.
Meeting a ghost in the woods...something pretty basic for me in those days.
Blissfulviolet: If you had to describe this album in one word what would it be?
Mikael: Energetic!
Blissfulviolet: Moving on and now with the current, how has writing for the
next album been coming along?
next album been coming along?
Mikael: Slow but alright. I haven't done anything fantastic yet I don't think. I'm
still waiting for the sanity glitches so I can come up with something great! So
far it's been pretty run of the mill standard "me"!
still waiting for the sanity glitches so I can come up with something great! So
far it's been pretty run of the mill standard "me"!
Blissfulviolet: You are also working on a side project. What can you tell me
about it?
about it?
Mikael: Nothing really. It hasn't started taking form. I'm waiting for Wilson to
come over and write with me, but he's busy with whatever he's doing so I
guess I'll write in the meantime and hope for the best.
come over and write with me, but he's busy with whatever he's doing so I
guess I'll write in the meantime and hope for the best.
Blissfulviolet: Opeth is confirmed to headline the JOENSUU ILOSAARI
FESTIVAL in Finland. It’s the only scheduled date for 2007. Is the band excited
to be part of this festival?
FESTIVAL in Finland. It’s the only scheduled date for 2007. Is the band excited
to be part of this festival?
Mikael: I guess. To be honest we didn't plan to do any gigs during the
Summer but the Finish festivals are the best in the world so it's like a holiday
for us...play a few songs and have a few laughs....
Summer but the Finish festivals are the best in the world so it's like a holiday
for us...play a few songs and have a few laughs....
Blissfulviolet: I noticed Porcupine Tree is also on that bill, didn’t you also
collaborate with them a while back?
collaborate with them a while back?
Mikael: Steven Wilson as I mentioned above has produced a couple of
records for us and I've played/sang on one of their albums. They are my
favorite band of today.
records for us and I've played/sang on one of their albums. They are my
favorite band of today.
Blissfulviolet: What Cd’s are currently in your CD player?
Mikael: Beatles "Rubber soul" and Jan Johansson's "Jazz på Svenska".
Blissfulviolet: About how many guitars do you own and which is your
favorite?
favorite?
Mikael: Too many...maybe 20. My favorite is my PRS Modern eagle custom
24 and my Strat 1970 reissue. Oh, and my Martins are fantastic. I love the
beaten up guitars I've got too...I've got a cheap Seagull guitar that I've used
since the 2nd record and written a lot of stuff on. I also have a Landola
classical that was ruined in a fire...I fixed it up and that's the one I play the
most right now.
24 and my Strat 1970 reissue. Oh, and my Martins are fantastic. I love the
beaten up guitars I've got too...I've got a cheap Seagull guitar that I've used
since the 2nd record and written a lot of stuff on. I also have a Landola
classical that was ruined in a fire...I fixed it up and that's the one I play the
most right now.
Blissfulviolet: It seems with each release, Opeth has been gaining a larger
audience. Opeths last release Ghost Reveries hit the charts.
audience. Opeths last release Ghost Reveries hit the charts.
Mikael: In fact we hit the Billboard chart with "Deliverance" and "Damnation"
too. We had a lot of chart positions all over the world but I don't keep track of
them unless somebody makes me aware of it.
too. We had a lot of chart positions all over the world but I don't keep track of
them unless somebody makes me aware of it.
Blissfulviolet: Being an Opeth fan for many years, I have to admit your
music never gets boring, as other bands seem to lose their touch with the
times. I admire that Opeth sets no boundaries…It’s what keeps the flame alive.
Do you agree? What else would you say makes Opeth unique aside from
other bands?
music never gets boring, as other bands seem to lose their touch with the
times. I admire that Opeth sets no boundaries…It’s what keeps the flame alive.
Do you agree? What else would you say makes Opeth unique aside from
other bands?
Mikael: I don't know. I'm sure a lot of our old fans think we suck these days.
That's cool, people change faster than the bands so I really think that is the
issue. I don't like to throw shit at other bands but generally there seem to be a
lack of good ideas in the music of today.
That's cool, people change faster than the bands so I really think that is the
issue. I don't like to throw shit at other bands but generally there seem to be a
lack of good ideas in the music of today.
Blissfulviolet: Any final comments you have for our readers?
Mikael: Thanks for the interview and "Hey" to the readers!
Reminiscing back to Opeths debut CD Orchid, I began to realize
what fascinated me most about this band. It was definitely their
unique sound. Their music tells a story all on its own and that story
would slowly unfold with the creative lyrics. Guitarist/vocalist
Mikael Åkerfeldt is a musical genius. I was fortunate to ask him a
few questions regarding his first recording ever, Orchid.
what fascinated me most about this band. It was definitely their
unique sound. Their music tells a story all on its own and that story
would slowly unfold with the creative lyrics. Guitarist/vocalist
Mikael Åkerfeldt is a musical genius. I was fortunate to ask him a
few questions regarding his first recording ever, Orchid.
| Interview With Mikael Åkerfeldt By Blissfulviolet |