STREET TALK
"I‘m
very thrilled to work with such great singers..."
(an interview with
Fredrik Bergh)
Hi Fredrik,
RESTORATION is the third album from STREET TALK; it’s the so-called "make
it or brake it" record. So what do you think – do STREET TALK "make
it" with RESTORATION?
Ha Ha…that sounds very dramatic :-) well…I guess it‘s already a success if you look at the reactions from the fans and from the rock media…so I guess we made it this time…
On RESTORATION Göran Edman shares the vocal parts with Hugo (ex-VALENTINE / OPEN SKYZ). How did you get in contact with Hugo?
I first got in touch with Hugo when I was living in New York City during seven months in 2001. It started with that I gave Hugo a copy of the 2nd Street Talk cd "Transition" and after listening to the album Hugo became a big fan of Street Talk, which I thought was very cool since I’ve been a big fan of Hugo since I heard him ten years ago in Open Skyz/Valentine!
We hung out when I was in the states and with a mutual respect for each other we decided to work together on the forthcoming (third) Street Talk album. Hugo is really exited about participating on the new Street Talk album and he’s pleased with the way the album turned out…I think we will work together more in the future both with Street Talk and other projects as well…
Is Hugo now a full time member of STREET TALK or is it just some kind of project for him?
I don‘t think you can say he‘s a permanent member of Street Talk as he lives in New York and the rest of us are in Sweden…He‘s a guest vocalist on this album…
With Hugo and Göran you’ve got two fantastic and well-known singer on one album – so your life must be perfect, I guess?
I‘m very thrilled to work with such great singers, so yes, my musical life is pretty good haha…
I only did read fantastic reviews of RESTORATION. Something you expected?
I knew we had made a strong record and I‘ve been working my ass off with this album, so I knew it was possible that a lot of people would like the album!
Do you care about the reviews in magazines and e-zines?
Of course, Absolutely! Without them the melodic rock scene would be more or less dead…So I really care and respect the people who keep this scene alive…
Any tour plans? If so, will Hugo be part of the whole thing? I mean, he lives in the United States, so it would be a possible thing that Göran sings Hugos parts live on stage?
We haven’t been playing live for a long long time and we have no concrete plans for a tour at this moment…but I hope we can go out on tour in support of "Restoration"…Or at least I hope we will be able to play at some melodicrock festivals or something…any offers? I guess we will discuss the touring line-up of Street Talk when the time comes for a tour…so I really can‘t say if both singers will participate on stage…
I can’t remember STREET TALK played in Switzerland... Something we can look forward in 2002 or 2003?
Nope, I‘m afraid we never toured Europe ever so, no we have never played in Switzerland…but I would really love to do it someday! Hopefully very soon :-)
If so, please let us know, ok? Well, last year you were in New York for some months. What’s the difference for you as a musician between NY and the place you live in Sweden?
NYC is a million times bigger..lol…that‘s the main difference. Well, to be serious for one second, I would say that NYC is a very inspiring city to be in if you’re a musician or an artist, and that‘s mainly the reason why I went there. My hometown in Sweden is very small, so the music scene here is more or less dead...
Is it ok, when I say that sweden is more kind of "traditional" in rock music than the United States?
I don‘t know….I haven‘t thought about it that way, but maybe you can see this better than myself as you live in a different country…
Sometimes it looks like every swedish musician is involved in many different projects and bands. What about you? Anything else beside STREET TALK?
I have some stuff on the side, and hopefully the projects I‘m involved in will be released on record in 2003…I don‘t wanna mention any names of the projects I‘m involved with…as I wanna finish the recordings first before I reveal anything ;-)
The first time you got in contact with us was about two years ago – since then we kept in touch from time to time. How important is it for you to keep in touch with online rock magazines?
I think the contact with you guys are very Important as you support the music I create and you spread the word to rock fans all over the world! Keep up the good work! :-)
Last but not least, tell our readers why they have to buy the actual STREET TALK album RESTORATION – why do they cannot live without?
Ha Ha! Well… all you people out there simply have to buy the new album because we have worked so very hard with this new album with the writing and the production and we have two of the genres absolute greatest vocalists in Goran and Hugo on the new album!
I feel Restoration is easily the best album we’ve done so far in the Street Talk history…I feel everything is better, the songs, the production the performances…So do yourself (and us :-) ) a favour and go out and pick up a copy of Restoration today!!!
Well, to be honest, we didn't get a copy for doin' a review, but I bought the album anyway - and it's really a cool album!
When we do interviews, we always put a little "game" at the end of the talkin‘... We tought it would be funny to name you some bands’n song-titles and you give us your thoughts on them, ok? Here we go...
O.k….I‘ll do my best…:-)
NICKELBACK – How you remind me
Pretty good song! But not my cup of tea…I would never buy the record…
KISS – God gave rock’n roll to you
Cool song….cool movie :-)
Yngwie Malmsteen – Judas
What can I say, amazing guitarplayer! And what an amazing vocalist! This is a cool song that Yngwie co-wrote with Goran Edman…I have the album on vinyl…lol…
Bon Jovi – It’s my life
Great song, great band…I grew up on Bon Jovi back in the good old 80‘s :-)
Manowar – Warriors of the world
Never heard the song…
Extreme – More than words
Very gifted band…and the song is a classic…
Shotgun Messiah – Heartbreak Blvd.
Never heard the song, but I met Zinny Zan when we did the Swedish rock charity song for the September 11 tradegy…
Puddle Of Mudd – She hates me
Never heard the band… (you lucky one *lol*)
Warrant – Cherry Pie
Party band! Not the deepest and smartest lyrics in the world, but it works after a couple of beers..lol…
Ok.. that’s it :-) Thanks for takin‘ time and all the best for you and STREET TALK!
Thanks mate!!! And happy new 2003!!!
(Interview by Ralph)
Questions/Thoughts? (or whatever):