SOURCE – The second album Myriad comes two years after your debut album Feberdröm. Tell us about the songwriting and recording sessions for the latest effort – where do you see the major differences between the two records?
Emma Näslund (Vocals) – We recorded Myriad with the same guy we always record with. This time we did a lot of producing ourselves as we wrote the album. We also did a pre-production with all the recordings for Myriad before we went into the studio, so we were a bit more prepared.
On other releases some songs have been recorded live (without vocals) and not to a metronome, but not this time. For me it was the first time we went into the studio and I had every piece of lyric and the vocal arrangements done, which was nice and less stressful. But as always we pulled some improvised stunts in the studio as well!
SOURCE – How do you feel that Myriad brings Gaupa to the next level?
Emma Näslund (Vocals) – I guess you evolve with time. But mainly it’s still the 5 of us writing and playing music together. We are really proud of this record and we’re so humbled to have others enjoying it too.
SOURCE – You released three singles in 2022 – how did the recording sessions go for these tracks, and were you satisfied with the reach, response, and feedback you’ve received for this material?
Emma Näslund (Vocals) – The recordings went smoothly for every track.
There is a huge difference to have a label pushing for what you do. We are really happy with Nuclear Blast and our team over there and so thankful to have them in our court. We are very satisfied with the reach and response we’ve gotten for Myriad, for sure! The feedback has been amazing. People seem to like what we do, and that’s always nice.
SOURCE – How difficult of a process is it to pick which singles will be released to preview the album? Do you ever worry about the response between satisfying yourselves and your current following while hopefully gaining newer people into the fold?
Emma Näslund (Vocals) – It depends on how alike we think. This time it fell into place without any trouble and we also had the label’s opinion to consider.
SOURCE – Growing up with the tools of the Internet and instant communication at your disposal, what are your thoughts on the use of social media, cell phones, etc. in order to build the brand of the band?
Are you conscious as well as cautious as to how to present yourselves accurately and fairly while not offending your audience?
Emma Näslund (Vocals) – Social media is something you just have to do today. Like taking medicine when you’re sick. For us it doesn’t come very naturally, but we try our best! We don’t think a lot of how we present ourselves, we’re sort of low key.
People sometimes get offended online, but this is not something we consider before posting. We just try to come off as we are. You want to be nice.
SOURCE – How would you assess the musical chemistry and personalities within the two members of Gaupa? What do you think you each bring to the table to make you unique and special as a whole?
Emma Näslund (Vocals) – GAUPA is a band with 5 members. All of us are songwriters and contribute to the writing process. We are very different from each other and have different musical backgrounds so it’s a bit all over the place. You never know what turn a tune will take. It’s sort of like planting a marshmallow and harvesting a balloon. Jolly good.
SOURCE – How do you see humanity shifting in terms of their emotional/mental well-being considering the prolonged pandemic that shook the world to its core over the past few years?
Emma Näslund (Vocals) – I guess people adapt, when they have to. My pandemic lyric is Mammon – the god of greed. What was clear in the pandemic was that the economy was the most important thing, the show that would go on no matter what. We didn’t have a lockdown in Sweden, just restrictions. Some could work from home – but a lot of us couldn’t.
But a lot of people had to stay inside, like the elderly, and I think a lot of folks felt the stinging pain of being alone. To be alone can be wonderful but not if it’s forced upon you. Hopefully people are more careful and better at staying home when sick and hopefully people are going to be nicer to one another.
SOURCE – That would be all for this time, thank you for the interview, and I wish you all the best! Your last message to fans over here?
Emma Näslund (Vocals) – I would like to thank You for taking the time and having an interest in what we do. The support of people who listen to our music is everything to us and we are so thankful for that! Hopefully we get to see eachother out and about in the world at concerts!
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