Interview date: August 1998
The release of their self-titled album, bought Amaze Me to my attention earlier in the year. In fact, this was a re-release of their 1995 debut album which was previously only available in Japan. I recently had the chance to have an email 'chat' with Peter Broman from the band and to find out what the band are up to now that they've signed to Z Records.
Q1. Your recent release, Amaze Me, is actually a re-issue of your debut album, which was originally only released in Japan. How did the re-release come about?
Peter's reply:
Since our first European album (Dream On) had really good sales and reviews, it felt natural to release the Japan album. It was reviewed in European magazines in -95 but it was never released here. We put on three new songs and Z-records did the rest.
Q2. Do you find it strange that there is sudden interest in an album that was recorded back in 1995?
Peter's reply:
Since this genre is very eighties oriented, I don't think it matters that much. The "hip factor" was close to zero in -95 so it can't be worse today, I think.
Q3. The second album, Dream On, was released by Now & Then. You have now moved to Z Records. How did you meet up with Z mainman, Mark Alger?
Peter's reply:
It was Mark alger that approached us on the behalf of the label 2MA, which was a label under Now & Then. Ashton and Alger cooperated under that label. When Mark decided to start his own label ( Z -records)it felt natural to continue our cooperation.
Q4. I have to admit that I haven't actually heard Dream On, but from what I've read, it saw a move towards more lightweight poppier material?
Peter's reply:
If it is , it wasn't a conscious decision.
Q5. What are your favourite songs from s/t and Dream On and why are they your favourites ?
Peter's reply:
From the Dream On album:
DREAM ON - I think it's a good chorus and a simple guitar riff. For many the dream of succes in the music business stays with that, being just a dream. I think it's important to have dreams. "Shoot at the stars . . ."
IT'S ALL OVER - I wrote that chorus 9 years ago when I broke up with a girl friend. I think It's "heavy" yet "light. Heavy guitar riff and a light and "hooky" chorus.
DANGER - I was asked by Per Gessles (Roxette) Publishing company to try to write a song for Cher. So I did. Danger was the song I made. Per liked it but he sent one of his own songs anyway. then we tried it for AMAZE ME and to our surprise it worked real nicely.
WHAT ABOUT HEAVEN - It's a very "strong" chorus. A few years ago the band SURVIVOR were meant to make a comeback and that song was on their list over possible album tracks. Somehow, back then, they disagreed on whom had the right to the name SURVIVOR. They must have solved that problem now since I saw that they are going to release an album soon, right ?
And from the "Amaze Me" re-issue:
YOU SAY YOU NEVER CRY - Strong chorus and the lyrics are from a situation I've experienced myself. It's tough to find out that your girlfriend has cheated on you but besides from that I think it's a good song.
I DREAM LONG DISTANCE - Once again, it's about a girlfriend I had that lived in another city. Beeing in love I called quite a few longdistance calls. When I slept, I tried to dream long distance. I think the song has a good feel to it.
NEXT TRAIN BACK - "You can't deny the past" how hard you try. I think it's a fact we often try to forget.
LOVE IS LIKE A FIRE - It's a different kind of song, for us that is, that has a nice groove.
Q5. Amaze Me is a two piece, with you playing all the instruments and Conny Lind providing the vocals. Do you prefer working this way, compared to a band situation?
Peter's reply:
Absolutely ! There is, in my opinion, lots of wasted time playing in a band. I want to be able to survive on working with music. Rehearsing lots of hours, having a few gigs and making very little money out of it - that's the reality.
Q6. Amaze Me is a studio project. Do you have any plans to get a band together and play live?
Peter's reply:
We have been talking about of appearing at "The Gods" in november this year, so - yes.
Q7. I understand from the news updates that Mark Alger sends me that you are currently working on your 3rd album. How is that going? What direction is the new music taking? When can we expect to see the results?
Peter's reply:
The third album "Wonderland" is going to be a bit heavier and more guitar oriented. We're going to put on the drums in a near future. My brother, Thomas Broman (Grat King Rat, Electric Boys, Send No Flowers) is going to be behind the drum-kit. Being one of the best drummers in Sweden, I think he's going to give AMAZE ME one more dimension.
Q8. Is Amaze Me a full time occupation for you? For example, I've read that you write music for radio commercials and songs for Swedish pop acts?
Peter's reply:
No, as I want to survive on working with music I do other things as well. I'm signed as a songwriter on Warner/Chappell, which gives me the opportunity to write for various artists and styles. Radio commercials are a very interesting way of makin' music from which i've learned alot. It pays good too.
Q9. What type of music do you like listening to? Do you think any of these artist's influences show through in Amaze Me's songs?
Peter's reply:
I have to listen to what's on the charts today to be able to work with the things I do. Other than that - lately I have for instance listened quite alot to the German band Ramstein which is a contrast. My taste is very broad ! AMAZE ME is about "makin' songs from the heart". It fullfills a need of expression more than anything else. If I strived to be rich on my projects I definitly should choose some other genre.
Q10. Any final comments?
Peter's reply:
Our next album "Wonderland" might be a positive surprise for some of you out there so check it out when it's time. To all of you who has bought our two released albums I would like to say thank you. If it wasn't for you AMAZE ME wouldn't exist.
Many thanks to Peter for taking the time to reply to my questions and to Mark Alger for arranging the interview. |
