Per Gessle: “Clarence considers the new album the best since Joyride”

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Per Gessle is back in Stockholm from mixing the album in New York and has taken some time to answer some of your questions.

Roxetteblog: Hi Per! We have collected some questions from our readers this time. As you can imagine, many or, ok, most, turn around the new album and the world tour.

Per Gessle: Hello folks, thanks for all these questions, I’ll do my best to answer them.

RXB: So let’s start with the world tour 2011. What was the moment you knew: Now Roxette is back – we can conquer the world again, we will go on a worldwide tour? Was it after a concert this summer? If so, which one? (Chrissie R)

PG: Well, when we moved into Germany with the Night Of The Proms-Tour I could tell that Marie was almost ready. She was focused, she sang well and she finally got back her selfconfidence that means so much when you’re trying to make sense on stage. The last part of that tour was pure joy as well as working with her in the studio this year. And the summer concerts, of course, was a treat. Especially St P was a highlight in my book. And guys and dolls, don’t forget that the feedback Marie got from you during all those concerts is what made it happen for her. And me.

RXB: Your had been touring the world about 15 years ago, the music scene and the world have changed significantly, how does it feel to be on the road today? What are your expectations about this long tour? (honky tonk)

PG: Honky Tonk, hello! You know what, when you’ve been doing this for such a long time (I jumped on this train over 30 years ago) you don’t think that much anymore, you just do your thing. I’m not trying to compete with anybody, I just try to enjoy myself, challenge myself and do the best I can with my writing, recording and performing. I love being on stage much more today than I did in the 90’s, don’t ask me why…. Also, knowing what Marie has gone through it’s really a blessing that this upcoming tour exists at all. And, of course, in the end of the day I’m honoured and grateful that our music still means something to a lot of people around the world. That can never be taken for granted.

RXB: “Back with their greatest hits” – that’s what is written on Roxette tour posters and apparently the tour name. Is there a chance you will play more than just a few of songs from the upcoming album or will it be more like a 25th anniversary tour? You know, we are working on a setlist suggestion again…

PG: Yaheeyaaaa, that’s not the tour name, someone just made that up! Things like that happen all the time!! But of course the show will be based on the obvious hits, that’s what most fans want to hear and you know us, we aim to please!!! However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t play the odd album track or your semi-forgotten, hidden favourite gem. February is the rehearsing month, we’ll decide these issues then. I hope. By the way, let us know your thoughts on the setlist. We’re known to pay attention. Not Pelle, though.

RXB: Many people are also wondering: is this Roxette’s last worldwide tour, a kind of good-bye? Or now that you’re back on the studio and road, you are staying for good and there is already lust for more?

PG: You never know. We take it step by step. That’s the way Marie wants it and I support that.

RXB: During the last two years you did a rather intimate GOE-tour with a very pure sound and show on stage, which was, I think, very well received among the fans and allowed a closer contact between the musicians and the fans. This was followed by a couple of pretty huge and stylish NOTP-shows with new arrangements of some songs especially for a big orchestra. And then Roxette went on a mini Roxette tour in rather big arenas. What are your ideas for the upcoming tour? Will these completely different experiences have any influence on the character of the concerts next year? (ria)

PG: Howdy Ria. Yes, what we’re gonna do is very much based on what we did this summer. It’s basically the same band even though it looks like Helena is coming back to make us smile. I love the idea of playing in a somewhat well-tuned, slightly ambitious power pop band, losing a bit of the klicktracks and sequensers and make things happen “the real way”. That’s what I tried to do with my European Tour 2009 and that’s what we aim for with Roxette these days as well.

RXB: How would you describe a Roxette 2011 concert to someone who has never seen the band live before? (Ros)

PG: Ooops, I think if you only heard Rox on the radio you’re in for a surprise. It’s a matter of taste if it’s a good or a bad one…….

RXB: The tour agenda says “dates to be added”. Even if it’s too early to announce concrete dates, can you reveal which regions are likely to see additional concerts? (various)

PG: Well, we’d love to play the UK, Spain, USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and why not Iceland as well as the rest of the world. But you know, if it will happen is not really in our hands. Lots of things have to kick in. The right promotors, descent schedules etc.

RXB: Could you imagine taking some recording equipment with you on tour again in order to record some new songs while you are on the road with Marie and the band? The Tourism album is a really unique album that is very dear to all of us fans so it would be nice to be continued.  (Daniel)

PG: Hey Daniel, that’s such a cool thing to do. I won’t promise you anything but the thought definitely crossed my mind….

RXB: Moving on to the upcoming album, was there anything brand new used to record the new songs? For instance; new instruments, a new method of recording, something unusual introduced into the recording sessions? (damorox)

PG: Well, we started out with a “classic” setup using Jens on drums, Chris on bass, Clarence on keys and me on guitar. Then, after the short  summer break, we basically let the songs dictate their own production. So we started to use a lot of drumloops and old fashioned synths and hot spices from the 80’s…… It suddenly sounded like Roxette!!!! And, when Marie got into the groove it all started to become obvious we had something special cookin’. Clarence told me today he considers the new one to be the best Rox-album since Joyride. Maybe he’s right.

RXB: Now that the final mixing is taking place and the album looks like in final stage, could you share more information on the single / album such as approximate release dates? or anything else you might already be able to tell us now? (various)

PG: I wish I could. The last info I got is this: Album release in February + Single prior to that. Sounds like January to me. However, there are still meetings taking place. Dubious plans are dreamt up.

RXB: Who is your biggest musical influence right now? Have you discovered any new artist you would like to recommend? (Majdy)

PG: I always try to locate new things. Right now I find myself listening to LCD Soundsystem, Hurts, Jefferson Airplane, Eels and this morning I was even singing Max 500 (by Kent) in the shower. I’m easy.

RXB: This is the first time you go on tour instantly after the album release. How will you handle the album promotion, are TV performances planned for the tour breaks or will you cover all promo before the tour? (various)

PG: Aaaah, you working record company, si? Well, hopefully there’s time for some decent TV-shows and promo activities in between. But to tell the truth, we look forward to the tour much more!!!!

RXB: This year was full of surprises and good news. Can we expect anything else “big” before year end? How about a couple of new snippets as a kind of Christmas present to all of us?

PG: Nah, I just hope that everything will come out fine. The album sleeve, the right choice of single, a video maybe. There’s still a lot of work for us to do.

RXB: And before we end: can you choose a song you like the most from the new album and reveal at least one sentence/verse?

PG: Marie is singing the last track on the album featuring these lines of pure honesty: “-God, I know it’s final – I decided to release my love on vinyl”…. Must’ve been written by me……

RXB: Thank you so much for your time!

PG: You’re welcome, y’all. Don’t catch a cold. It’s winter.

36 thoughts on “Per Gessle: “Clarence considers the new album the best since Joyride””

  1. Would say this turned out pretty great again! Thanks to all who sent their questions in! 😀

    I’d rate Clarence more neutral than Per when it gets to judging their fresh output, so it looks we’re up for a winner! Just got goosepumps by thinking about Marie singing those lines…

  3. So what we know about new album so far…

    * 12 songs inside
    * all songs written by Per
    * some big ballads for Marie and some fast guitar songs for Per
    * more duets
    * simple, strong, short, effective songs
    * full of live instruments (guitars, piano, organ, cembalo), but with 80’s sample feeling
    * recorded in Stockholm and Vallarum between January and October 2010
    * additional recorings made in Halmstad, Arnhem, Rotterdam, Munchen, Bremen and Hannover between July 2009 and September 2010
    * simple production, not overproduced as previous albums
    * mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound in Big Apple
    * first single in January 2011
    * album in February 2011

    • Sorry, I am not able to open the front end at work (everytime I try I am logged off again), so I only can comment with a “reply” from the back end. All I have to say is: Great work, everyone. Great interview. And I am really looking forward to the album, although I remember they said it’s their best album every time, didn’t they? 😉 But I trust Clarence here..

  5. Great interview guys!!
    So we know that the name of the tour is still unrevealed, Anyway it was a cool title “Back with their greatest hits”, I wonder who made it up, there are posters out there for sale with that name (tradera and eBay)

  8. GREAT STUFF!!! thanks for picking my question!! ?

    I wanna hear Per singing Kent songs in the shower as a single-B-side ….. 😀

  10. The interview is really awesome!!
    Thanks to you guys who made it possible to send these questions to Per!
    And thanks to Per for taking his time to answer it that detailed!
    I enjoyed it very much!

  12. Thanks for choosing mine 🙂 I am so happy, I can’t stop smiling even though I got terrible headache 🙂 🙂 🙂

    ==
    “God, I know it’s final – I decided to release my love on vinyl”

    This is the best line ever 🙂 🙂

  17. Type your comment here

    abysmo :

    * additional recorings made in Halmstad, Arnhem, Rotterdam, Munchen, Bremen and Hannover between July 2009 and September 2010

    Where did you get that from? Didn’t read it anywhere else…

  19. abysmo :

    So what we know about new album so far…

    * 12 songs inside
    * all songs written by Per
    * some big ballads for Marie and some fast guitar songs for Per
    * simple, strong, short, effective songs
    * additional recorings made in Halmstad, Arnhem, Rotterdam, Munchen, Bremen and Hannover between July 2009 and September 2010

    Hmm, I believe not all of that is set:
    * Per recorded demos with MP, he could be a co-writer as well.
    * Did he say “big” ballads anywhere? Would be great!
    * Did he say “short” this time?
    * Recordings in those cities in 2010? I’d say between September and December 2009 – but only if they kept anything from the guide-/pre-recordings.

  20. Great selection of questions!!! And we got some new info (date, possible tour countries) which is always nice. Isn’t it January already?

  21. Great interview, do you mind if i put it on roxette.ro as well? Of course with credit for roxetteblog .

    Great to see Per’s sense of humor high as usual. Still i wish it was a question regarding meet& greet like in other tours.

    Good job with that interview. Maybe one day you will have a video interview, maybe Thomas or Judith can achieve that.

    I’m bringing my kids to the concert. They already are fans .

  22. @Raëlian and Sascha, this is what I find…

    * Short songs, only Per as a author…

    – “The songs are short and effective.”
    – “Marie hasn’t written anything for the album.”

    http://www.dailyroxette.com/node/18751

    I don’t believe MP will be listed as a co-writer. Last Rox song he cowrite was She Doesn’t Live Here Anymore back in 1995. He also didn’t write any songs for GT album Finn 5 fel. But is he help Per to write another Listen To Your Heart or Queen Of Rain, it would be great.

    * Great ballads…

    – “Vi har spelat in nio låtar hittills och det känns fantastiskt bra. Vår ambition har varit att göra ett klassiskt Roxette-album, typ ”Look sharp” eller ”Joyride”. Stora ballader där Marie får ta för sig och kaxiga, envetna poplåtar med smittsamma hooks, säger han.”

    – “We have recorded nine songs so far and it feels fantastic. Our aim has been to make a classic Roxette album, like “Look Sharp” or “Joyride.” Great ballads where Marie will make a strong and sassy, obstinate pop songs with infectious hooks, “he says.”

    http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/musik/rockbjornen2010/article7199960.ab

    Hope it’s true, it’s time for big dark ballads again.

    * Cities of additional recordings…

    Roxette / Per recorded during Night Of The Proms in Arnhem, Rotterdam, Munchen, Bremen and Hannover between Oct-Dec 2009. But also in Halmstad. Recordings demos started in July 2009, last message about making the demo is from the begining of September 2010. So I write all cities and whole time period.

    It’s all only pieces of informations taken from many /articles/interviews/FB tweets/etc, sometimes older more than a year. So the result could be completely different. I tried to complete every new album informations during last 18 months and made a story about making new album. But it’s in Czech only.

    Shorter – http://www.roxroom.wz.cz/roxette2011short.php
    Full – http://www.roxroom.wz.cz/roxette2011.php

    • Thanks for your investigations, abysmo!

      I don’t know if the Swedish “stora ballader” goes more in the direction of bombastic, “big ballad” or rather great in the sense of good. What love some dramatic ones! Now I understand your point about recordings in September 2010, was a bit misleaded by the cities first. We’ll see if the songs made it to this album.

      How about writing your making of the album story in English for RoxetteBlog? Would be cool.

  23. Good work roxetteblog team!
    I consider Crash!Boom!Bang! the best since Joyride!
    And I prefer Malin on tour, but… so exciting news!

    C’mon the 2011 and the new album!

    Thanx Per, Marie, Clarence & band!

  24. Thanks for the interview, really a good work hah..:)
    I’m happy to hear that they’re doing something like ‘back in the early ’80’..
    use more drum sounds…
    Love Marie and Per..

  25. I find it quite strange… I’d like to know WHAT they were recording during the NOTP period. Is it supposed to be demos, live performances? Who knows…

  26. Great work, like always. Fantastic that Fans had their chances to ask some things. Still, since years I’m longing for another Per vs. Gessle interview again. That was one of the funniest interviews I’ve ever read and showed yet another time how creative Per can be.
    And to the infos… best album since Joyride is really fine with me. Okay, could have been the best since C!B!B! as well, but I’m not complaining here 😀

  27. Thank you so much for picking my question! It’s a real honor to me getting such a nice personal answer from Mr. G.
    The whole interview is great. I’m looking forward to a very exciting Rox- year 2011!!! 🙂

    Daniel.

  28. Sascha, ok, I can try to translate Making the album into English. But give me some week for that. 😀 I think that highlights and breaking news will be enough, some shorter version of my ‘shorter version’. 😉

  29. I’m not that thrilled about his answer about how they will sound in the tour:

    “what we’re gonna do is very much based on what we did this summer” … “losing a bit of the klicktracks and sequensers” … “that’s what I tried to do with my European Tour 2009”.

    Pity. I love when they put all the little sound effects to their live shows, like all the hidden crazy sounds you can hear in the background in The Look or in Joyride. I don’t like the Party Pleaser sound at all.

    Besides, why make a new album full of “drumloops and old fashioned synths and hot spices from the 80’s” if you’re going to make a garage-band live show?

  30. Clarence (+ Christoffer) considered Party Crasher to be the best Per’s solo album, but I think most fans would agree that Mazarin, or The World According To Gessle are better than PC. So maybe it would be better if Clarence disliked Roxette’s new album 🙂

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