INTERVIEW: Andreas Wiberg – Port Noir

Swedish rockers PORT NOIR have always had an interesting slant on the world of alt rock. Taking in influences from hip hop and more electronic bands and artists, they’re no strangers to allowing themselves to follow a personal inclination rather than a trend. With their new album The New Routine on the horizon, we caught up with drummer Andreas Wiberg about what’s in store, and the ins and outs of making the record.

Hi, hope you’re well! Firstly, how are you feeling now the album is almost out?

Andreas: Hey, I’m feeling great, thanks! Excited and happy to finally let everyone hear it!

How was the recording on The New Routine?

Andreas: The recording was great! We recorded drums, bass, guitar and synths with David Castillo (OPETH, KATATONIA) at Studio Gröndahl here in Stockholm but recorded all the vocals on our own. Mixing was handled by Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, IN FLAMES) and assistant mix engineer Lawrence Mackrory in Uppsala.

It’s a pretty cool title, does it have a significant meaning?

Andreas: Thanks! Yeah, it basically stands for ‘a new era’ or ‘a new start’. This is pretty much a new start for us as a band music wise, this is PORT NOIR. So we wanted the title to have something to do with that.

The album cover is also really interesting, are we correct in thinking it perhaps has some metaphorical purpose?

Andreas: I wanted to have something that felt modern but with a rock/punk vibe to it with some depth. I think it represent the music good visually. You can find a lot of metaphorical purposes, but I’ll leave that to the listener.

In terms of themes for this new record, did you have a set idea what you wanted to create when you went into writing, or did happen more organically?

Andreas: Yes, before we even wrote a note on this album we sat down and talked about what we wanted to do. It’s easy to just continue to do the same thing over and over again. We went back to the music we grew up with and the music that got us play music in the first place and combined it with the music we like today. So, we knew exactly what we wanted to do before we wrote the album. The hardest thing was to combine everything and how much of each influence we could have in the mix for it to feel the way we wanted it and to not feel forced. And the perfect mix of everything came together during the pre-production I would say.

Could you tell us a little about the singles that are out, Young Bloods and Old Fashioned? Are they drawing from personal experience or from a more general perspective?

Andreas: I would say both. Everyone has their own idea on the lyrical content and I think that is good. I want the listener to feel something and connect with all the lyrics their own way.

They seem very personal, the songs you write, and the melodies can be quite dark. Do you think that creating music helps you balance that side of yourselves?

Andreas: Yes, I like it that way! The music is the extension of ourselves for sure and I need it in my life.

There’s a hypnotic quality to the music you make, balancing the aggressive and melancholy with big bursts of sound. How do you brainstorm the specific kinds of sounds you want to create to accompany your lyrics?

Andreas: We always write the music first. So when the music moves us and we’re happy how it speaks to us, we will continue with the melodies and last the lyrics. So, we’re not thinking about the lyrics before the music is done. But it is important for us to leave room in the music for the vocals. Not just putting it on the top.

Speaking of sound, you have a very hip hop, synth influence to your style, while still keeping things pretty heavy. Do you think that the fusion of musical styles is important for the future of music?

Andreas: I think the most important is that every band/artist just do what they feel. That’s what we’ve done with this album. We didn’t care what we’ve done before or what everyone else is doing right now. In a lot of ways, you can say that we started over. And we have never been happier with the result and I’m really glad that we did this now and not just continue to do something that wasn’t us anymore.

PORT NOIR have supported a lot of influential and high rising bands, do you think those kinds of experiences have shaped some of the music you want to make?

Andreas: Hard to say music wise, but it is always something to learn when you support or touring with successful bands.

Looking forward to the rest of the year, are you looking to get back to touring?

Andreas: Absolutely! I can’t wait! It’s going to be so much fun to finally play these new songs live. We will start touring after the summer.

Finally, thank you for your time. Is there anything you’d like to say to Distorted Sound readers?

Andreas: My pleasure! I would like to thank everyone for the love and support. It means the world to us! Hope to see you on the road really soon!

The New Routine is set for release on May 10th via InsideOut Music.

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