Nazca

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Interview : Karstein from Nazca

When and how was your band created?
In Oslo, autumn 97. I had just quit my old band to concentrate on my own material. My friend Freddy Holm helped me record a four song demo. I moved to Finland 98 and put together a band. Been at it ever since.

Where is the name of the band coming from?
Nazca is a desert area in Peru, near Lima. It's famous for it's geoglyphs. It also looks great typographically and has a nice mysterious ring to it.

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Syd Barrett, Joy Division, Big Black, Godspeed You Black Emperor, A Silver Mt.Zion, Pixies, Dead Kennedys, Kraftwerk, Laika & the Cosmonauts

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician in Finland?
Positive: Great original bands pop up all the time, meet a bunch of nice people.
Negative: To little diversity. The music scene has been shanghaied by a heavy metal mafia, making it almost impossible for bands working in other genres to get distro, promo and gigs.

How could you define your style of music?
Rock. Intelligent. Dark. Melodic. Psychedelic. Political.

During the years how has your musical style changed?
More diversity, better melodies, lyrics and arrangements.

How do explain these changes?
Growing older and smarter. Seems like we've learned a thing or two along the way.

What are topics you treat in your songs?
Media, politics, emotions, memories true and false.

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
A new microsong called 'negative'. It feels fresh and fun to play.

Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
Both sides have their advantages and drawbacks. Personally I prefer concerts, but others in the band prefer studio work.

During the process of making a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
When it all clicks together and you can't stop playing it.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song?
Impossible to answer, sorry.

What is your opinion, as a musician, regarding internet?
A great tool. Let's hope it lasts.

What are your projects?
Future plans are at least doing a new album, we got all the material ready.

What "image" do you have of French music?
Serge Gainsbourg, Air. I know far too little about french music to have any general opinion, sorry.

Is there one French song that you prefer? If so, what song is it?
Bonnie & Clyde

Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2006