Raveonettes - Interview

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 20 / 10 / 2009

intro

In our third interview with 50s-influenced Danish garage rock group the Raveonettes, Anthony Strutt speaks to Sune Rose Wagner, the group's guitarist and singer, about their recently released fifth album, 'In and Out of Control'

Danish group the Raveonettes have recently released their fifth album, 'In and Out of Control'. 'In and Out of Control', which is the Raveonettes' most commercial album to date, follows on from 'Whip It On' (2003), 'Chain Gang of Love' (2003), 'Pretty in Black'(2005) and 'Lust, Lust, Lust'(2007). The Raveonettes consists of Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo, both who play guitars and share vocals, and their music combines a 50's rock 'n' roll sound with Jesus and Mary discordance. In what is our third interview with them and first since 'Pretty in Black', Pennyblackmusic spoke to Sune Rose Wagner about 'In and Out of Control'. PB: The last time we spoke was at the time of the release of ‘Pretty in Black’. Since then the Raveonettes have gone back to being a two piece. Was this because the band was dropped by Columbia after 'Pretty in Black', or had you fulfilled the required number of albums in your contract by then? SRW: We fulfilled our contract of three albums and decided to move on. Our live set-up varies all the time. Sometimes we're two people and sometimes we're five people. It just depends on what we're in the mood for. PB: You’ve been signed since 'Lust, Lust, Lust' to Fierce Panda in the UK and Vice in the USA. Is there much difference in the labels? SRW: Labels are very different. Yes. I absolutely love Vice. They're the best label so far... PB: Were the rest of the band cool about you losing them and what are they up to now? SRW: We never lost anyone. The Raveonettes have always been Sharin and I and that's it. When we play live we hire different musicians depending on what we want to do. PB: Why did you call the albums, 'Lust, Lust, Lust' and 'In and Out of Control'? SRW: The 'Lust' album was about lust and the 'Control' album is about chaos and control. PB: 'Lust' was quite heavy in feedback while the new album is more commercial in feel. Do you feel you have more control in direction now you are no longer on a major label? SRW: We've never had an A&R guy, meaning we've always been completely free to do whatever we want to do. PB: Which album was easier to write, 'Lust, Lust, Lust' or 'In and Out of Control'? SRW: 'Lust, Lust, Lust' was easier to write because it had only one theme and one sound. PB: 'In and Out of Control' was co-written by your producer, Thomas Troelson, which was a first for the Raveonettes. Why did you choose to go in this direction? SRW: We wanted to make a spontaneous album in a very short amount of time and see what would come of it. Thomas is an amazing guy and it was an absolute thrill working with him. I respect him very much. PB: 'In and Out of Control' has a rape song, 'Boys Who Rape Should All be Destroyed'. How did this come about? It is very strong politically but delivered in a very sweet way. SRW: I've always felt an extreme hatred toward rapists. I think they're disgusting cowards who have no place in society. I know several girls who have been raped and I've seen how it's affected them in their personal lives. PB: In between 'Lust, Lust, Lust' and 'In and Out of Control', Sharin got married, had a baby and you released a solo album, 'Sune Rose Wagner'. Why did you sing it in Danish when all your past albums have been in English? SRW: That album was written in Copenhagen and is about Copenhagen so I thought it appropriate to write it in Danish. PB: It's hard to get a hold of a copy. Where can you buy it? SRW: You can buy it on iTunes. PB: You have done download eps between 'Lust, Lust, Lust' and 'In and Out of Control'? Are there promo CDRS of these at all, and how well did they sell compared to physical copies? SRW: They are just digital and sold surprisingly well. PB: What are you future plans? SRW: We have been touring for a long time now and are going to be doing some more dates, but will also be making more EPs very soon and a new album too. PB: Thank you.

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