TR - I would say that every time we release an album, we get curious about how it will be received by our audience. We had already put some singles out, prior to the album release, which were received very well, as we understand. It's an exciting time for us all and we cannot wait to see how they will react to the new songs, when we will be playing them live on tour. So, in answer to your question, there's indeed a mix of curiosity and excitement.
BR – At the time that the album was recorded, between April and June 2024, did you have a clear idea already of how the album should have sounded like, on the back of your 2022 album like Navigation Blues which, to us, had a clear feeling of Blues, Soul and Rock And Roll of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s?
TR - No, not really. We never make plans ahead, when we start working on a new album and we never know what the end result is going to be sounding like. In essence, we just work hard on the new songs and hope for the best we can achieve. The way it works, normally, it is that I start writing songs, which are always very diverse from one another. This is not something I do purposely, it's just my normal approach to song-writing. The way the songs are going to sound like is something that happens during the process of starting to record and I would like to add that Søren (Bøjgaard – Bass Guitar and Multi-Instrumentalist) our bass player, since the very beginning of our project as Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado, he is the one that produces and mixes our albums, just as it happened for this one. We found out, in past years, that he had those amazing skills but, because he is a bit of a shy guy, he kept that a little secretive for a while (smiles) and he has been doing a fantastic work, in that respect. So, the way that any of our records should sound like, it goes through Søren, who is very interested in that area and he is the main guy, within the band, when it comes to the way we sound. Søren would listen to early demos of my new songs, then he put his own ideas on the songs' soundscape. We would then, all together within the band, discuss about arrangements and throw in suggestions democratically, of course but ultimately, the whole way we sound on record, it is thanks to Søren's hard work.
BR – In the few occasions that you and our website had the opportunity to talk about your records and the way you approach music in general, we remember you saying that you enjoy being the chief songwriter of the band, because you find difficult to sing songs written by somebody else. In that respect, how challenging has it been for you to sing, on the new album, songs like Said I Was Hurt and the album’s title-track, which were written by Joachim Svensmark (Electric Guitar and Multi-Instrumentalist)?
TR - To be honest with you, out of the whole album, the two songs that Joachim has written, the record's title-track and Said I Was Hurt, they are my favourite ones! No problems at all in singing them, because I really like them a lot. I could hear right away, when he sent the demos, that the songs were really perfect for me to sing, I could hear that in my head just by listening to the demos. They are definitely going to be part of the live set that we will be taking on tour, no doubts. I'd like also to say that is a great privilege to have such a great songwriter, within the band, a lovely added bonus to Joachim's many skills as a musician.
BR – In the history of the band, how much has the band's sound changed, in later years, with the addition of Joachim on guitar and now also on song-writing duties, in comparison to, say, 5-6 years ago?
TR - I guess that when new band members enter a collective, there are always some fresh energy and ideas brought in. Plus, Joachim is the youngest, in terms of age, among us and he is a very bright and smart musician. There are many of us bringing ideas within the band, not only me, or Søren but also Peter, Emil... I guess that Joachim brings that raw energy that make songs even more memorable, say, like that formidable guitar solo he did on the Already Gone song, which, by the way, was the first take we did of his guitar solo and he nailed it first time around.
Photo courtesy by Christoffer Askman
BR - There’s so much to unveil, in your new record. As per the great part of your discography and as far as we can feel, House Of Sticks it’s a marvellous journey in the world of a collective that lives and breathes music without having to stick to a sonic agenda, just happy to let your R&B, Soul and Funk trademark sound fly free to explore so many added genres, like Folk, Calypso, Blues, Roots/Rock, Ambient and so on. How much do the new songs you write change and take a different shape or direction, while you and The Black Tornado are in studio working on the making of a new record?
TR - I was just reflecting on what you asked me and I realize now that the songs I write don't tend to change anymore as much as they used to be on earlier records. One of the reasons is, in my opinion, when I have the song all written, I make together with Søren a demo of each of them, where he programs some drums, in order to create a sort of guideline to the rest of the band when we both present the songs to them. Before, Søren and I used to have a lot more discussion on how the songs should have sounded like, but now, I guess that we figure out pretty quickly how a certain tune should sound like and, just in case Søren has a last minute change of heart, while mixing a song, he would call me and ask whether I'd be happy or not to apply that last minute change to it. Personally, if I may add this to your question, with each passing album, I make more and more of an effort of writing quality songs. While in the beginning of my career, I would write a tune and when I got to a point, I'd say to myself "That's It, Thorbjørn, it's done", now I push myself more and more to write songs that have that extra layer of intensity I feel necessary to be expressed, on our albums, perhaps because I feel that I am a better songwriter now that maybe I was 20 years ago. I have also discovered that the hours of the day when my song-writing flows at its best, it is between 9am and 12pm and I very much throw myself, within that timeline of the day, to come up with the best writing I can possibly create. I guess I just discovered, through the years, that the morning part of the day is when my song-writing mojo is at its best.
BR – As the bandleader, songwriter, singer and co-producer of the collective, did you feel any particular pressure at all, while working on the record or in general, have you ever felt pressure on any other previous record of yours, where you were still carrying exactly the same responsibilities ?
TR - I think that pressure is always there, trying constantly to achieve the best that you can do, when working on a record now, like it might have been 20-plus years ago. Every time, a new album presents different challenges and, deep inside, you know that, ultimately, the future of the band depends by the quality of the album and if you don't deliver, as a songwriter, then our future as a band may as well be at stake... As the years go by, I am more and more aware of the importance of the quality of the songs that end up on our records and on House Of Sticks, I have to say I am very happy with the end result.
BR- Thorbjørn, did you find any songs off the new album a bit more challenging to nail with the band, while recording it?
TR - I'd say maybe Climbed A Mountain, which is the most rocking track of the album. We had little obstacles, before perfecting the tune, although I think we might have been able to perfect it even more. We aren't what you would call a natural Rock band, but our record label liked the song very much, to the point of asking us to put it out as a single and making a video of it too. Hopefully, our fans will like it too, even though, maybe it's not what we exactly wanted, as an end product. But it has very good choruses, in my opinion.
BR - Your live performances, as the years go by, get more legendary with each passing record. How tricky is it getting for you and the boys to build the right setlist to bring on Tour, between playing new material and your biggest hits?
TR - You are right, to find the right compromise between hits and new material, it's getting increasingly difficult for us. On the Release Day Show, we played live about 8 tunes part of the new record and of course, some of the most well-known songs off our repertoire but, unfortunately, there is never enough time to play literally every single hit, when we're on stage. To strike a balance is always tricky but hey, that is a luxury problem to have! (smiles)
BR - Thorbjørn, judging by the tour schedule you and the band have put together so far, it looks like you guys will be covering extensively countries like your native Denmark, Sweden and Germany. Is there, at some point, a plan to take the new album on tour also in countries like United States or Spain, for example or are there few logistic issues still to be looked at, before planning shows in those necks of the wood?
TR - Yes, you are right about the logistic issues, about countries like the States and Spain, where we did very well on our last Tour in support of Navigation Blues but currently, we have got no definite plans to get back in those countries yet, sadly. For what concerns the States, well, let's just say that besides having an "interesting" new President, a serious issue for us is to obtain Visa permits, especially considering how many band members we have. It's hugely expensive and we cannot afford to break the bank solely due to logistic issues. It's also a bit unfair, I feel, that European musicians have to get a permit to play in the States, while it doesn't work in the same way when American artists perform in our continent. At least, it sounds like we might be able to play on, say, Blues Cruises, for example, because Visas are not needed and also, rather unfortunately, to find reliable Booking Agencies in the United States is not easy at all. But for Spain, it sounds a lot more promising, we might be able to make it this summer. Sweden and Germany are my absolute favourite countries where to play, even more than Denmark, believe it or not. Plus, they are neighbourhood countries, therefore it's very easy, logistically, for us to travel there very often (Smiles).
BR - Yourself, Emil (Balsgaard – Piano, Organ, Wurlitzer, Mellotron, Clavinet) and Søren have been playing together since the very beginning of your career. How important is it for you, when working on music, the fact that you can count not only on the support of two talented musicians but also two good friends in your personal life?
TR - That really means everything to me. To be able to play with the same guys for 20 years, it's the best feeling. With Emil, I think we have been playing together for over 30 years, even before I started recording, while with Søren, just short of 30, I think 25, give or take. It's such a great privilege for me and I'm so happy about it, long may continue for the next decades and counting!
BR - Thorbjørn Risager And The Black Tornado's popularity seems to rise everywhere in the world you guys go and perform. What is the secret behind the special bond that you and the band are able to create with an audience everywhere you go?
TR - I start from the principle that going to a live concert, especially one of ours, it should always be a party. We just want to spread joy and good vibes with the fans, making it lively and interact armonically with the crowds, creating a bridge between us and them. Especially our Horn Section... I tell you, those guys are not only great musicians but they have also great moves, on stage! We are firm believers that live shows don't suppose to be serious affairs, but fundamentally they should be all about having fun and listening to music. As we say in Denmark, it's all about the "Hygge" we try to create, hoping that our music would involve people, as the meaning of the word in Danish suggests, to feel our live shows as a celebration of relax and enjoying life at its best.
