Vinyl Floor
Daniel: drums
Rasmus: guitar
Charlie: lead vocals guitar
FAULT: What is the creative background of Vinyl Floor?
We have been together as Vinyl Floor since 2007 where we released a single containing 2 songs. From the very beginning our main purpose was to write original songs as the band consists of 3 songwriters, all contributing to the sound of the band. We all grew up together in a small town. Daniel and Charlie are brothers, and a friendship with our neighbour Rasmus flourished which resulted in us starting to play music together. From day one we urged to write our own material. Our aim has always been to write catchy melodic songs. The foundation of the instrumental setup is quite simple: bass, drums, vocal and guitars.
FAULT:What was the creative process of your debut album?
We recorded ‘Do You Still Dream’ at our own studio using our own gear. At first, we didn´t know we were making an album. We wanted to record a handful of songs in order to improve our recording skills, optimize song arrangements and to explore new sounds. At one point we had lots of songs which could work together and suddenly an album took off. The entire process consisted of several sessions. It was quite a long and exhausting process because we had to learn a lot while producing. We thought the process would be much quicker than it turned out to be. We experimented and added lots of layers to the songs, but we nearly ended up losing our grip in the studio. However, we are quite satisfied with the output. We all feel that this experience has made us wiser.
FAULT: What was the main inspiration?
We all hail from the same countryside and tend to share the same point of view. Even though we each have our own style of writing, the songs reflect that. The challenge was to combine those songs and make them fit together. Lyrically speaking, the songs are written from a personal point of view.
It depends. Sometimes we do collaborate, especially on the lyric parts, but often times a full song is brought in for the others to help arrange. Sometimes a verse and chorus gets brought in and one of the others finishes it off with the addition of a bridge, ideas for the middle 8, etc. We collaborate a lot in terms of development and expression. Everybody contributes ideas in order to make a certain song as good as we possibly can.
Do you write songs collaboratively?
It depends. Sometimes we do collaborate, especially on the lyric parts, but often times a full song is brought in for the others to help arrange. Sometimes a verse and chorus gets brought in and one of the others finishes it off with the addition of a bridge, ideas for the middle 8, etc. We collaborate a lot in terms of development and expression. Everybody contributes ideas in order to make a certain song as good as we possibly can.
FAULT: How was 2010 for you?
2010 was unusually quiet for us in terms of playing live. Primarily because we had to part ways with our former bass player with whom we just didn´t share the same musical ideas anymore – nor style. But in terms of promoting ‘DYSD’ it was an exciting year. We got radio airplay internationally, especially on American college stations and a few commercial radios as well. We´ve been aired in European countries like England, Spain and Austria, and we had a song in rotation on Danish national radio. We sell music on iTunes, especially in the U.S. In March we began working on what will become our next album. The process has been inspiring so far – and fun.
FAULT: What do you think of new music?
Charlie: Apart from the folk/rock scene, none of the newer musical styles has really caught my attention, to be honest. But I do appreciate old dinosaurs like Bob Dylan and Neil Young still being around.
Rasmus: I´m personally a bit tired of the modern rock hype. But I like what the Vaccines do. I prefer more clean music with an original and warm feel – vintage if you like. Music just has to be music.
Daniel: Generally speaking I think most new music lacks some important ingredients. When I write a song I always have something on my mind that I want to share. Things that other people can relate to. And by that I do not mean fancy cars and half naked women.
FAULT: What are you currently listening to?
Rasmus: My girlfriend just gave me a vinyl record player for Christmas. ‘Siamese dream’ by Smashing Pumpkins is on now.
Daniel: It depends on my mood. When I´m in the kitchen I listen to Jack Johnson. When I need something more deep, masterpieces like ‘Dark side of the moon’, Sgt. Pepper’ and ‘Lamb lies down on Broadway’ are frequently played on the vinyl player.
Charlie: My favourite bands are the Beatles and Pearl Jam. But I listen to a variety of music. Right now I have this Black Sabbath, the Kinks, Miles Davis period.
FAULT: What has been the biggest highlight of your musical career?
‘Do You Still Dream’ and the touring supporting it. In 2009 we went to Japan and played for 3 weeks there. We got a warm reception and had a great time. We met some nice people there and they still follow us. It was totally unlike playing shows in Denmark. The audiences were more reserved but very, very kind and receptive. We played with a handful of Japanese bands every night and stayed in an apartment in Tokyo, having this tour manager who drove us from show to show in a hired van. Luckily, the touring schedule made room for some day offs which were spent at the karaoke bars.
FAULT: How would you rate yourself as a band?
Everybody can play a good guitar, but we first and foremost see ourselves as good songwriters and we do have a strong belief that the world needs Vinyl Floor. With ‘Do You still Dream’ we took a step up the ladder, but we still want to improve our sound and our musical skills. With the new album in progress, we will explore new endeavours.
FAULT: What are you currently working on?
We are currently rehearsing for a couple of live shows before hitting the studio again. In order to shake off the live dust, we will play some stripped down shows and the first one will take place in a church. We´ve never done this before and surely it will be quite a special setting. We are also arranging the final songs intended for the new album.
FAULT: What can we expect from you in 2011?
We will record our new album which we hope to release by the end of 2011. We found this cool vintage studio in Sweden and we will record during two sessions, the first one to take place in April. We wish to do it much faster this time. There will be some fast and punky songs and there will be some slow and very beautiful sparsely arranged songs. We plan on doing this semi-concept that will tell a certain story. The lyrics will all contribute to this story but they can also stand alone. On ‘DYSD’ we experimented with violin bow on guitar and backwards reversed sounds. Next time we will come up with something fresh and new.
FAULT: Do you have any live shows coming up?
We might play some shows during the year in between all the album planning but we are also looking at touring possibilities in support of the new album. We haven´t settled on anything yet, though. And of course we´d love to play the UK sometime.
FAULT: Where can people hear more of your music?
Our music is available for purchase on itunes.com/vinylfloor and some songs are available for streaming on myspace.com/vinylfloor with more to come. Later this year we will launch vinylfloor.dk, our own official website, and once it´s up it will be possible to download our music, album covers and lyrics/chords on favourable terms. We always seek for new alternative ways to get our music out. So check it out when it´s ready!
FAULT: What is your FAULT?
Daniel: Frequently Adding Useless Lyrics of Thought.
Rasmus: It´s my fault that I showed the others how to play the guitar with a violin bow. Now they expect me to do it every time we play live and it´s tough like hell!
Charlie: It´s our fault that we put an album out in this world and it´s hard to look after your child once it has left home. Just try not to be an ass, let the karma wheel spin round, and hopefully you´ll be alright.
