Peter, Bjorn and John Interview (without Bjorn and John)

Swedish pop geniuses seem to be all over the place these days, but Peter, Bjorn and John are the only ones to have really left their mark on this summer. This time next year, when you listen to Writer's Block again, and find yourself whistling along, you'll think about this summer and everything that happened. And you'll listen to the album over and over again, partly for this captured feeling, but mainly because it's excellent. 'Young Folks' is just one great pop song of many - but it happens to be one of the best expressions of all the varied strands of what we call pop music this year. If you want to know more, and you should, Peter was kind enough to answer some questions.

How's the tour going?
We're having a break now, but are soon going to Germany. So far everything's been great.

Who do Peter Bjorn and John count as influences?
Too many to mention really, especially since they differ between the three of us. But our base is a love of good pop songs in all forms. That could be anything from Gershwin to the new Justin Timberlake single. John also loves hip-hop and John loves jazz. Lately I've been into a lot of old folk, like Bert Jansch and Fairport Convention.
The Writer's Block album has touches of that and also ESG, New Order, Jesus & The Mary Chain, John Cale, Brian Eno, Go-Betweens, Yo La Tengo, Shins, Sonic Youth, Beach Boys, Smokey Robinson and old Motown stuff etc. Tthat's what other people have heard, even though I quite agree. We never think of influences when we create songs.

On Writer's Block, all three of you share writing and vocal duties for the first time. How did this come about?
John had some songs for the first time and of course we wanted to hear them. They turned out to be great. The singing was a coincidence, I used to do it all. But it suited the songs to have different voices so why not?

Where did the title of the new album come from?
The opposite of "Writer's Block", "Writer's Flow", sort of as a pun and the fact that we live close to each other which makes up a different kind of "Writer's Block" so to speak.

Are you surprised by the success of 'Young Folks'? In Ireland, for example, it's receiving very heavy airplay.
In a way yes. We never thought it would go this far. On the other it's really special and catchy, it sticks out, so why shouldn't it be a hit?

Do you pay any attention to music blogs?
I've come across a couple lately, through them writing about us. It's a nice thing I think.

What is your live show like?
A lot of energy, passion, variation, some improvising, some stand-up-comedy, punk, pop funk and folk ballads. A good combination.

On your site you recommend a book by writer Willy Kyrklund, Solagne. Why is it so good? What other books/films/albums do you recommend?
Gosh, it's just a beautifully written sad love story from the 40's (or early 50's?) He has a way of handling sentences and words which mesmerizes and feels modern still.
I like a lot of french absurd stuff from the 50's like Raymond Queneau and Boris Vian. To mention something newer, what's popping into mind is Richard Ford, his short stories are great, like the collection Women with Men. I also like biographies and went straight from Ian Curtis (Touching From a Distance by Deborah Curtis) to this new interview-book with swedish actress Harriet Andersson, known from Bergman-movies. She is so funny, it's a great read.
Movies; let's see. I try to collect dvds, when I have money. Right now I'm watching the english tv-series from the 80's Brideshead Revisited based on the Evelyn Waugh novel. I love it. Anthony Edwards and Jeremy Irons are handsome, the language is great and so is the setting. Understated melancholy is my cup of tea, no doubt.
Brief Encounter, the David Lean-classic, is a must. And since I'm reading about
Harriet, I want to see Through A Glass Darkly again. Cassavetes is always watchable as well. I love anything that's good in all genres.
At the movies lately I liked Chabrol's "The Bridesmaid" and 'of course "The Squid & The Whale".
Albums: I'm looking forward to the new M.Ward and Yo La Tengo, but haven't heard them yet. Camera Obscura's new is great and so are Jenny Wilson and Love Is All, to mention some fellow swedes. And everybody should get some cd's by swedish indie-veterans Bear Quartet, they're really great, start with "The Angry Brigade".
John Cale's "Paris 1919" I always recommend that, the first Bert Jansch LP, Go-Betweens "Before Hollywood" and the Orange Juice-collection "The Glasgow School".
That should get you started.



Young Folks

Bear Quartet - I'm still her