We proudly present the Brazilian questionnaires that RoxetteBrasil.net did with all the band members during their stay in South America. All them responded promptly and personally commented their answers during the flights and hotels. A big hand to Dany Etchart who sent us this interview!
CHRISTOFFER LUNDQUIST
ROXETTE BRASIL: It is your first time in Brazil. What are your expectations?
Well I would admit since I don’t know much about Brazil, only from school, my expectations are very normal, warm climate, friendly people, different culture, etc. But already after two days I blow away by the friendliness, hospitality and warmth we’ve encountering. I love it here – already. And the audience reaction – wow…!!!
RXBRA: What are your biggest musical influences?
60’s and 70’s rock and pop music like The Beatles, The Who, Rolling Stones, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, etc etc. I seem to be especially close to music made between 1967 and 1973 for some reason, almost everything from that period seems to hit a chord with me. But I listen to lots of different music, classical music, I love opera, etc etc. There’s sooo much great music to discover.
RXBRA: How does it feel to be part of the Roxette world today?
Oh, it’s an honor, a privilege, an adventure, an education, and on a personal level it’s about doing fantastic things with your friends… it’s unbelievable really, what can I say?
RXBRA: How did you meet Per? (Was because of Brainpool) And Marie?
Yes, my band Brainpool was the first band Per signed to his Jimmy Fun label in 1994. And three months later we’re supporting Roxette on their “Crash! Boom Bang! Tour”. That’s how I met Per and Marie and on that tour I also became great friends with Clarence. Then Brainpool was asked to play on a couple of tracks on “World according to Gessle” and after that just stayed, I guess!
RXBRA: Soooo Christoffffffeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerr, say something for Roxette Brasil website readers!
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING SO INCREDIBLE NICE, WELCOMING AND FRIENDLY TO US!!!!! I badly want to comeback to Brazil now, I love it so much here already! Thank you all!!!!
HELENA JOSEFSSON
ROXETTE BRASIL: It is your first time in Brazil. What are your expectations?
Warm people, great friends! Lots of music and dancing! Great football players and beach volleyball players as well!!! (My sister is a beach volleyball player here)
RXBRA: Do you know another Brazilian singer besides Elis Regina? What are your biggest musical influences? (Helena sang a song from this famous Brazilian singer in the airport from Montevideo, Uruguay)
Yes, Astrud Gilberto. It’s hard to say who is my biggest influence… It’s like music is a basic ingredient for how to be good, just like eating, sleeping, moving, nature. Life is the biggest influence and also Kate Bush, Michael Jackson, bird song, Björk, Nina Simone and so on!
(For Astrud Gilberto, check Wikipedia or his website)
RXBRA: How did you meet Per?
I met him in Polar Studio, Stockholm during the recordings of Mazarin, 2003.
RXBRA: In Sandy Mouche´s CD, “…and poems for the unborn”, you appear looking at Look Sharp album. Were you a Roxette fan? What did you think about Roxette before working with Per?
I was more fan of Marie’s solo music, for example “Den Sjunde Vågen” and so on. But we listened to Roxette in the school bus and at my friend’s house. I think “Joyride” is my favorite song.
RXBRA: Helena, leave a message for Roxette Brasil website readers!
Thank you for all the love you give! Good luck with your lives. I wish you all that is good!
CLARENCE ÖFWERMAN
ROXETTE BRASIL: This is your third time in Brazil, right? (92, 95 and 2011). What are your expectations about this time?
It’s fantastic to be back in Brazil. I never thought it would have happened again with Roxette. It will be great to meet the wonderful audiences of Brazilians, and I hope to catch some sun, see some football on the beach and have a few caipirinhas!
RXBRA: You’ve always been on the road with Roxette. It´s been a long time. How does it feel to be touring again after such a long time?
It’s almost a miracle that Marie now is back on stage. It’s a dream come true!
RXBRA: Your father worked together with the great Sivuca (Sivuca is a Brazilian famous jazz accordionist; Clarence’s father is Rune Öfwerman, a famous producer). Were you involved in this project or in any other with some Brazilian musician?
I’m not quite sure, but I think I played some keyboards on one track on the album “Toots & Sivuca”. I also met him a few times.
RXBRA: Which album did you have most fun producing?
I’d say most of them were fun to work with, except “Have A Nice Day” and “Room Service” which were maybe the least inspired.
RXBRA: Clarence, leave a message for Roxette Brasil website readers!
I hope you’ll get the World Cup trophy back where it belongs in 2014! Thank you for being so nice and friendly!
MAGNUS BÖRJESON
ROXETTE BRASIL: It is your first time in Brazil. What are your expectations?
Samba, football, Bossa Nova, small bikinis and big hearts.
RXBRA: What are your biggest musical influences? Do you know any Brazilian musicians?
The Beatles, Roxy Music, Sparks, Kraftwerk, The Beach Boys, Burt Bacharach and The Beatles… (did I say that?) Gilberto (Referring to the Brazilian musician João Gilberto. He’s guitarist and singer)
RXBRA: How did you meet Per? And Marie?
I met Per on the Mazarin sessions and started to play with him some time after the tour. Met Marie at the first time when we did a TV thing for German TV. Bravo* something.
RXBRA: How does it feel to be part of the Roxette world today?
Fantastic! The band is great and the fans are brilliant. The crew is handsome! The most handsome crew on the planet!
RXBRA: Magnus, leave a message for Roxette Brasil website readers!
Keep on keeping on!
PELLE ALSING
ROXETTE BRASIL: This is your fourth time in Brazil, right? (92, 95, 99 and 2011). What are your expectations this time?
I’m really happy to be back here again! I thought it was no chance to comeback with Roxette again after Marie illness. It’s a miracle!
RXBRA: What are your biggest musical influences? Any drummers you can tell us about it?
The 60’s and 70’s! Ringo and Charlie!* Check out Wilco**, the best band right now!
* (Referring to Ringo Starr, drummer from The Beatles and Charlie Watts, drummer from The Rolling Stones).
**(For Wilco Band, check: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilco)
RXBRA: Do you know any Brazilian musicians?
RXBRA: You’re a very funny guy (drummers always are!) always jolly. What are you expecting to do in Brazil to have fun? Are there any places you hear about and would like to know?
I’ve heard about the area Lapa. I hope to go there some of the off evenings. The beach and some real good food! Check out Zsa Zsa Bistro in Rio.
RXBRA: Pelle, leave a message for Roxette Brasil website readers!
Thank you all for being so nice and friendly!!! Best wishes!!!
Curiosity: Pelle joked during the interview: “You Brazilians pronounce my name right, I thought it would be difficult because of Pelé, the famous Brazilian soccer player.
Thank you! Great stuff!
I found those handwritings interesting…They all remind me on my penfriends I’ve once had in Sweden…same style …at least a bit. I wonder if handwriting is sort of characteristic from country to country….Did ever someone explore that? Do Germans, Italians, Brazilians all have sort of typical handwritings? I have no idea but I noticed similarities in the different countries.