A Q&A with Øresund Space Collective
Improvised Journeys into Cosmic Soundscapes…
What’s the title of your latest release, and what does it mean to you?
Our latest studio album is called Orgone Unicorn. It’s our 32nd studio album and 44th release since 2006, and also our first on the American label Lasers Edge. Every album is very important to me and means a lot. A lot of work goes into the recording, mixing, artwork, final track order, and being able to hold the CD or LP in hand is a great accomplishment.
What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
The hardest part is usually the track selection and order. Every time we go into the studio, we record 10–20 hours of material. We then have to sort through it and pick the pieces of music we want to focus on. Each member gets a chance to rank the music, and we take the ones with the most enthusiasm and mix those first.
Who produced the release – what did they bring to it? If you produced it yourselves what do you enjoy most about producing your own material?
We produce our own albums, and the mixing is usually split between me and Jonathan Segel. We don’t write songs in a traditional sense; we create spontaneous music. There isn’t really a traditional “producer” role. The joy comes from playing freely, then listening back to see what magic we captured.
What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
I want listeners to get lost in the music, drift off, forget about the stressful world, and disappear into the sound. We spend a lot of time on mixing to ensure the sound quality and experience are top-notch.
How does a track normally come together? Can you tell us something about the process?
We enter the live room, choose a key and a style (spacey, rocking, kraut rock, funky, etc.), and just create. What we play is what you hear. We rarely overdub, so these are truly spontaneous musical moments captured in time.
What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
Pink Floyd, Hawkwind, Alien Planetscapes, The Spacious Mind, and Ozric Tentacles are big inspirations—bands that combine rock and synthesizers in unique ways. Also, jam-centric bands like the Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers, who were musical explorers, disappearing into the music. We aspire to that same exploratory spirit.
What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
We’ve played all over Europe but never in Spain, Italy, Romania, or Hungary. I’d love to play in those countries before we stop touring. We played once in the US but it’s unlikely we’ll return due to expenses and visas. Some memorable venues include Dragens Hule and Loppen in Copenhagen, and Cafe Cairo in Würzburg, Germany. Dreaming big, I’d love to play Red Rocks in Colorado one day.
If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
‘Everyone is Evil’ from last year is an epic hour-long piece with distinct movements, and I’m very proud of it. It shows our capability for long-form improvisation and deep musical exploration. Another favorite is ‘In her Majesty’s Secret Saucer’ from our second album, It’s All About Delay.
What ambitions do you have for the band/your career?
We want to keep progressing musically, explore new genres, and continue creating music for people to escape into. We have a Bandcamp subscriber community who get exclusive music, and we’ll keep making new sounds for them and anyone else who wants to join the journey.
Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
Have a nice trip!!!
For more info about Øresund Space Collective, visit oresundspacecollective.com
