Per for Aftonbladet
Sun, 11/23/2008 - 02:20 — carpalex
Per will soon be 50, but he has no plans to unwind.
Instead, Per Gessle steps into a higher gear, with a new solo album, and plans for both Roxette and Gyllene Tider:
I have three great Roxette songs that are waiting in the box, he said.
The silence may never be long.The current English album, "Party crasher" was written directly after the "En handig man" tour, last fall. In January, he went into the studio.
When I work, there is no particular view, until it suddenly says boom. I had no plans for a new disc, but I started to produce some grooves, based on ideas gathered in many years.
Speaking through other
During the interview, Per makes many references to the Beatles, Neil Young, ABBA and Bob Dylan. At 49 years, he talks all the time by quoting others, like a living encyclopedia of music history.
Benny Andersson once said that he was so happy that the whole world had the same taste in music as he had: that they love ABBA. As it is, I am my biggest music fan.
There has passed just over a year since the last plate. Why is this happening so fast?
I've done a lot of albums in a short time, so I really shouldn't make another. But the pace that normal artists have today is three or four-year cycles. It doesn't work without the plates being accelerated. What should I do otherwise?
What do you do between discs?
I always do discs (laughter). I always have a project on time. I think there will be more Roxette and Gyllene Tider, Swedish and English projects.
Are there concrete plans?
I have three great Roxette songs in the bureau drawer and just as many good Gyllene Tider songs. Everything is there.When the prospect?
It depends on what feels right. Gyllene Tider's problem today is its greatness. If we'll do something more, we must have time to get new energy in this Gang.
Roxette, by its very nature, has slowed down, but now Marie is out there and running in the "Stjärnklart" tour, so we'll see. It might be Roxette.Is Marie Fredriksson willing to do it, too?
I'm sure. We have done some songs together on the collection plates so, sure, it's going to happen.
Will there be an age barrier with Gyllene Tider and Roxette, soon?
No, but there will be other logistics. Just look at Roxette, between 88 and 95 we toured and we worked continuously. There were seven years and we can only do this once in life.
"Age ruling" has been nice
You turn 50 in January. How does it feel?
How do feel at fifty years old? I feel great and feel that the "old age" has been good to me. I live a good life, healthy and well. In my work, I get more self-confidence and knowledge all the time. And I think that it will be better.
Any disadvantages?
The only thing I feel I can't get back is naivity. That love texts you write when you are 19, you can't write at 49.
Does it feel awkward to grow old?
I can think about what happened to Marie and that I could have been sick. But I could also be run over by a car on the way home. Everybody follows his line and I am not worried at all about getting older.
About your make-up and your cool styling: how important is the appearance as a performer?
Damn, I must stop thinking about it as I get a little older. I do not train as much as I should. But in videos and photo sessions, I would like to appear as good as I can for my conditions.
Is your son Gabriel, 11, a music fan?
Mm, he is. He tends not to say that he likes my songs but I find that he goes and sings them. He likes AC / DC and can play Stones, "Paint it black" on his guitar.
Your home in Halmstad is very lacking in transparency. Have you been retiring through the years?
No, but when the house was built, it was a prerequisite for being a nice place for me to retreat. Before, it happened that I was in my hammock and people came for autographs. People are not wise.
Source: Aftonbladet
I stay in love - Mariah Carey
