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Last August, The September When reformed for a special concert in Stavanger. Who's idea was it to get the band back together? We got an offer to do a big outdoor concert in Stavanger at the end of August. Suddenly we all agreed it was a good idea. How did it feel being back on stage with "the boys"? It was great. I really like some of those songs. And the guys. Like them too. So, you're all still friends after all this time? Yes, we didn't split because we didn't get on. That's a strong quality of this band, we do get on very well. Was the concert filmed for a DVD release? It was filmed, but I don't know if it's good. I haven't seen it. Following the concert, you all decided to go back to the studio to record some tracks. Yes, there were such a good positive spirit. Where did you go to make the recording? Vega, a great studio in Provence That's South East France for the non-geographers out there. What made you head there? I went to Preovence last year for a holiday, and I saw this studio in a local newspaper. It just looked great. How did you all get on after such a long break from recording together? Provocally smooth. Any tensions from the past make a re-appearance? Not really. Everybody found their place, and there is more trust between us now. Was it a successful time in the studio? Of course it was. We're just releasing the session. For it was a session. We've just found out how to do records. The same way we did them before. I've forgotten that. You've got to work it all out in one session, then release it, if it's good. If it's not good, don't release it. How long did the whole process take? We recorded the backing tracks in two weeks, then we did the overdubs and mix at Elektrolüd in Stavanger. How many tracks did you record? 12. Good question. Does the reformed TSW have a different sound to the old one? Very much. We're a totally different sounding band now. It's very exciting. It would be embarrassing to sound like we did before. Do you have a title for the album? Judas Kiss Great title, but where does it come from? It's from the bible, innit? Which do you consider to be the best track on the album? I just like the whole album. It's going somewhere. Did you all contribute to the song writing? Just like before, really. Some we wrote together, some I did. Did you use any additional musicians on the album. If so, who? Only the guy who runs the studio where we recorded, Vega. Who produced the album? Borge Fjordheim went down with us to keep a good spirit, and the house engineer Bertrand Montandon came back with us and did vocal overdubs and mixed it here in Stavanger. Are we likely to see TSW back on the road touring? Not touring as such, but playing live, yes. Anything specific in the pipeline? We haven't set any gigs yet. Can we expect some live shows in early 2009? Yes, they will be announced on the website. Is the new album likely to be released outside of Norway? I don't know. Do you think there will be any more TSW albums in the future? As long as the spirit is there, we should record it. It might not last too long. What are your plans for 2009? None. Just follow the rabbit. Always a good idea to follow the rabbit... I really just want to work more in the studio. I've got a lot of songs that I need to get out of the system, so I can write more. Will there be another Morten Abel solo album? As long as the spirit is there I should record it. It might not last too long. Tell us about the track "Alkoplatz". It's a song I recorded with Jørgen Træen and Børge Fjordheim for a future solo album. Where did you hear that? I have my sources ;-) Earlier in the year, you went on a trip to Ethiopia. What was the purpose of this trip? We did a gig in Addis. A club. It was great. Embassy initiative. Interview by Suzie Dent for www.mortenabel.com, November 2008 |