Okay, thanks. So.. What's so unique about Pain of Salvation in your opinion?
I have no idea. I think it sounds really pretentious if you're saying what's unique about your own band.
But it's true. I mean, you ARE a very unique band, you can't really be put in one of the boxes. So, what is that?
Well, yeah, I think that's what makes us a bit different. It's hard to pin us down, I think. We're not playing this particular music-style because we chose it, but because that was chosen for us by the fans or whatever. You know, the 'progressive metal' label. But we've never aimed to be part of that music style, and I think that's what sets us apart already to start with. Because I think most of the other bands are trying to be something particular. We're not trying to be anything particular, we're just trying to make the kind of music we want to make. I think taking everything serious in music and quality, but still keeping that humorous aspect, is a good combination.
I'm looking forward to hearing the new work.
*grins* It sucks. It's really, really bad. Nothing to look forward to, really.
*laughter* Yeah, I thought so. I'm not gonna ask you about this, because there're going to be a million others asking you about that, so I'm not going to. I was wondering.. When I first listened to BE, which is by the way the first time I ever heard you, I saw you had a lot of sources that you read..
Yeah, it just grew out of proportions completely. It's an extremely complex story that no one understands, which is really funny. *laughs*
.. I do like it. I've just wondered, did you read all those books and then come up with the story, or the other way around?
It was a mixture. Some parts of the story I already had. I have this folder system in my head of ideas that might turn into something some day. And they might stay there for tens of years sometimes before you find the right form. While constructing the concept I could make use of several of those different folders, because they started to interact somehow, conceptually. And then you have a lot of books in your 'reading bag catalog' or whatever, but as you start to get an idea of where you want to go with this concept, you start to read more books. So some you have and some you add as you go along.
In addition to that, what is your spiritual background? What makes you tick?
I don't know, I feel like I'm on the verge of stop ticking all the time. I guess it's just like a survival mechanism, to keep ticking.
And yours then, Johan?
Let's just say, I'm not really sure. I don't see myself as a religious person, but I see myself as a spiritual person and I try to keep those two things apart. I mean, every human being is spiritual in some way. Everybody has their own explanation about everything. And, of course, you can't be sure if it's right or if it's wrong.
There's a lot of people who think there's nothing, is that possible in your opinion?
I think every human being must have thoughts, otherwise you're a robot.
All photographs by Nina Voronova.