Interviews: Peel

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Alternative Rock band Peel from Norway. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you plan it or come out just like that?

Holten: We had a few alternative band names floating around for a while but Peel kinda stood out. It’s short and recognizable, and we liked how it visualised peeling back layers to eventually reach some form of a core. The core probably represented different things to everyone in the band from nailing the perfect song to achieving an elevated state of consciousness or simply feeling content and having personal ambitions fulfilled. There was always a lot of thought, ideology in some sense, and philosophy behind everything Peel did.

2. Why did you want to play this genre? 

Holten: We’re not really sure how to answer that question since it has always been unclear to us how we fit into any specific genre. People in the band come from various musical backgrounds spanning from metal, rock, pop and folk to electronic music and that is all well represented in the Peel catalogue. Everyone brought their own personal musical experience and preferences into the band and it’s probably just a natural evolution musically that has happened.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed? 

Holten: Growing up being a freak outcast in rural Norway kinda makes you gravitate towards the few other weirdos around, so yeah, we all knew each other from school, bands and various musical projects. And partying of course haha.

4. Each band member's favourite band? 

Holten: Our musical influences are so diverse… not really sure anyone has favourite bands anymore. The way we listen to music and how we relate to bands and artists has changed so much in the last decade and a half that I think most of us have favourite songs now and are perhaps not so interested in the artists the same way as before. As musicians, we are constantly seeking to expand our musical horizon so we do seek out different artists and genres all the time but we kind of end up finding a lot of new songs without perhaps checking out the artist's catalogue to any extent. Sad, but I think that’s the case for most people nowadays where everything happens so fast with social media and so on. If we had to pick a few favs… a-ha, The Cure, Pearl Jam, The Weekend, Crowded House, Slipknot, Wovenhand, Iron Maiden, The Beatles, ELO, The Foo Fighters, Abba, Depeche Mode... Seriously, that list could go on forever.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs? 

Holten: Inspiration is such a fleeting state of mind and hard to define. Personally, I try to stay aware and keep myself open to impressions when listening to music, watching movies, reading, talking to people and in my daily life. Also, the more you do it the better you become at it. Sometimes an idea just drops into your head in the form of a melody, a chord progression, a lyric, a title or even a whole idea for a song. This is the initial phase of songwriting that is often a bit impulsive and creatively free and then it moves into the hard labour phase haha… that’s where you sort out parts and decide where you want to go with it. Peel usually has a fairly clear plan before songs reach their final recording phase.

6. Where was your last gig?

Holten: Our latest gig was at a beautiful festival called “Sliuln-festivalen” way deep in the dark Norwegian woods. Really cool! We’ll be focusing on recording and finishing our upcoming album “Big Sundown” this autumn and winter so look out for that in the new year!

7. Where would you like to perform? 

Holten: Peel is a band that always thrives in larger venues and on big stages so the bigger the crowd the better. Our goal is definitely to reach a level of appreciation that enables us to tour larger venues around the world.

8. Whom would you like to perform with?

Holten: It would be such an honour to perform with our fellow countrymen in a-ha. One of our all-time favourite bands and such a huge inspiration, not only musically, but also in their mentality and artistic integrity.

9. Whom not? 

Holten: Can’t really think of anyone in particular. We could probably get something cool out of performing with just about anyone.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Holten: Oh man... We are no strangers to nerve-shattering stage fright haha. You just gotta do it no matter how much you’re freakin out, trust your uniqueness, really go for it when playing live and don’t hold back. It gets a lot easier as you gain some experience, but it never really goes entirely away. It’s good to have butterflies and jitters before playing live… keeps you on your toes a bit.

11. What bands have inspired you the most? 

Holten: There are definitely bands that have had a significant impact on our songwriting and playing but it may not be so obvious in our final recordings. Peel is perhaps a band that draws inspiration from typical musical eras more than from specific bands. Genres, production techniques, song arrangements, instrumentation, and lyrical influences from the ’60s to ‘24 are all in there, but it might be hard to point out specific bands. It’s always interesting to us when other people talk about what influences they hear in our music. It’s usually really surprising to us.

12. What do you think of your fans? 

Holten: Our fans are called “peelgrims” and they are awesome! We have fans scattered all around the world thanks to sites like yours, streaming, and social media and that is really cool.

13. What do you think of our site? 

Holten: Your site looks great! The help that sites like yours offer bands that are having a hard time getting mainstream press exposure is invaluable. Keep up the great work!

14. Something to add?

Holten: Thank you for featuring Peel on your site and we hope to speak with you again soon!