1
News
SPOKE, January
Danish rock band declares new independence ducer you
The United Kingdom and
sur-
rounding areas have a massive music scene with many bands gaining momentum worldwide. One roll such rock ’n’ band is Denmark's The Blue Van. They released their first album. The Art Of Rolling, on TVT Records in 2005 with the sopho-
more effort released Oct. 3 titled Dear Independence. Steffen Westmark, singer and Soren Christensen, organ and backup singer, Allan Villadsen, bassist and Per Jorgensen, drums and backup singer, say the new album sees a change in the direction of their sound.
“We
got a producer this time,”
“Took care of
sounds and stuff
“If you get the right producer you can get the right sound and every-
you get the wrong producer, a rock band can sound like a hip hop band or something.” Westmark thinks experience is a thing but
aspect
crucial process.
record a
the
in
recording
He said every time you demo or anything, you
learn.
the
“If you get the right producer you can get the
sound and everything but if you get the wrong producer, a rock band can sound like a hip hop band or right
like that.”
something.”
raunchy rock
’n’ roll”
new
is
whereas the
The Blue Van
bassistfor
more mellow with
is
music.
influence
this life
time
on the
“I don’t
“You
ed band
recording their second album, taking time to perfect sounds and redo tracks.
agree that
get a really
“Being on the road for so long and playing these full throttle rock songs every night, we just automatically started writing more melodic “I think we just needed to slow down a little bit.” The Blue Van did just that when
still
it’s
crucial to
good producer,” he
said.
have to be a strong-mindto
get exactly
what you
want. “I don’t feel like a final
answer
to
producer has the
the
whole thing
about making a fantastic record because we’ve even experienced well-known producers doing a shit job.”
A
phenomenon
in
the past five
years has been the indie rock move-
Villadsen said the output of recording an album depends
ment wherein rock bands are, for the most part, self-maintaining. Rock bands self-produce their albums and
somewhat on what kind of pro-
take out the people in the middle.
Christensen said they have gained a lot from the
movement. They have always played the same music, more or less, and were laughed at when
You wear your answers on your whether they're honesty, shock or disbelief. Your emotions face
are a strong factor in your
Denmark.” He said they gained a lot from
looking towards us
in
movement and hitched a ride on the wave it created. “But tlfe thing about that whole movement and what’s hip, it just comes back and bites you in the the
it
moves so
You know how
April 20
May
-
to
work hard
and are dedicated to completing your work. Be wary of those who notice
those qualities; don't be
taken advantage-of. You're skillful
dealing
in
you use
with
ensure
people;
your
that to
Taurus
Denmark in the late-’90s. “Then The Strokes and The White Stripes came along and the whole thing changed,” he said. in
“All of a sudden, people started
life,
overpowering at times. Check yourself and know when to let your emotions run wild. even
benefit.
Scorpio 20
October 23
November Your words flow like water when emotions are involved. When a certain someone catches your interest your mind goes blank. Don't let the cat get your tongue, say what you're thinking; you just never know.
-
21
Your body is not the only thing you enjoy exercising; situations that make you think and challenge your thoughts entice you. While some may feel physical is
except
the
way
to
everything
remember that mind over matter. be,
is
fast.
never tried to follow it in anyway, it just kind of picked us
Gemini
j
May
1
21
-
Sagittarius
June 2
November 22 December 21
said even now the changed in Denmark making them a band of the past in a way because of commercial bar-
has
riers.
Christensen said, “now you have to have a name that has something to do with the month like
The
Januarists and have a girl
that looks like a
dog
in the
You possess
amount
You have a keen eye and a quick mind enabling you to zero in on important matters. Don't
Have no worries; your good communication skills help you ease in allowing you to make a good first impression anywhere.
ignore these qualities as issues
may
will
need your
immediate attention
for resolu-
arise
that
tion.
band
and stuff like that.” Danish laughter fills the air. Joking about the next record, Villadsen said, “there’s going to be a Paris Hilton record.” Laughter fills the air yet again and
Westmark agreed. “We’re trying
a certain
of self-confidence, but find yourself asking "where do I fit in?"
to get Paris to
do
a duet with us.”
Capricorn June 22
July 22
-
You have a unique ability to understand and connect with people from
all
walks of
away
let this gift slip
life.
when
others push
December 22
muESfJi
January 19
You're an entertainer
them
aside.
Leo July 23
-
Determination
January 20 February 18
You
your strong-
is
when you want something
your
focus is impossible to break. Try to remember your surroundings, being determined is
good but intense focus can make you forget what else is going on in your life.
don't hide from people but
very few
know
the real you.
mask your deeper
drawn
to
who
What
they don't deserve to
know
you.
Pisces February 19
When
beauty and
it
comes
to matters
looking up. Don't get too excited though, nothing is carved in
with beauty, remember that appearances can be deceiving. Beauty is only skin deep, beautiful comes from within.
stone and characters, like the famous James Dean, who like to walk on the wild side, may attempt to take your place in line.
are
is
nothing
Tiffany
McCormick
is
a third-year
journalism student holding fate in the to their latest
work
at
an
electrifying
show
at
by Jason
The Government
in
Sherritt)
of
policing and security things are
good looking. wrong
While there
(Photo
-
March 20
tend to enjoy being surrounded
by people
feelings.
you afraid of? Don't live in your own shadow, be exposed and if people don't like it then are
Virgo
are
You
portray a lighthearted exterior to
August 23 September 22 You
matters
Aquarius
August
22
hold,
in
-
rounded by those you care for and love to see people having fun. Try throwing a dinner party and let your charm shine through as you play host or hostess.
Don't
you may
as
W^bdM,
of company. You enjoy being sur-
be the only one these people can turn to
The Blue Van introduced fans Toronto on Nov. 26, 2006.
-
Westmark
road.
songs,” said Westmark-.
been freeing for bands, not he said.
“It’s
just indie bands,”
trend soul music and
Libra September 23 October 22
-
21
up.”
a different inspiration and a differ-
One major
2007
April 19
“We
ent feel.
around
Jorgensen said the indie movement has been an important thing in
ass;
Allan Villadsen,
— Page 15
label.
playing
Westmark said the first album is more “straight-in-your-face, material
if
,
guitarist,
said Villadsen.
between the band and the music
get.
8,
2007
Aries March
(y\(f
By JASON SHERRITT
1
Week of January
8,
palm of her hand.