I have in the past been a fan of Swedish Band BESEECH. Then a while ago they decided to call it a day. So when I heard that THE MARY MAJOR is a band consisting of ex Beseech members (inc vocalist Lotta Hoglin - pictured above), I had to find out more. The music on offer from the new band is more in yer face kick ass rock. A review of their debut album "4:13" will follow shortly. Meanwhile, here is the interview that was kindly given to me by the male vocalist in the band (as he was in Beseech), Erik Molarin:-
The Mary Major has risen like a Phoenix from the ashes of Beseech, who were and still are one of my favourite bands. I am also a secret fan of vocalist Lotta - don't tell anybody :) Anyway, can you tell us more about the demise of Beseech and the rise of The Mary Major?
We were in the middle of planning a new album with Beseech, and we found out that we didn't think alike. Some of us had grown tired of the Beseech-sound, and the way things worked around Beseech. Daniel Elofsson (Bass in Beseech, Guitar in TMM) had a couple of instrumental tracks he had recorded at home, so I visited him and recorded some vocals. This was the start of TMM, and the songs finally resulted in the tracks 'Ambushed' and 'Moon Motel'. We had a talk with some of the other members of Beseech, and they decided to jump on the train. A couple of weeks later we decided to let Beseech die.
Although most of the band will be known to Ravenheart's readers from their time with Beseech, for those of us that have been stuck in a cave and cut off from civilisation for many years :), can we be introduced to the members of the band? The music is a lot heavier, although I still detect plenty of melody. Like a heavier Beseech really. I like it :) Was it an intentional move to take the 'heavier route' with the debut cd "4:13"?
The Mary Major is:
Erik Molarin - Vocals.
Lotta Höglin - Vocals
Daniel Elofsson - Guitars
Jörgen Ström - Bass
Jonas Strömberg - Drums
After playing with Beseech for a long time we got tired of slow songs. And we didn't like the polished sound that Beseech sounded like in the end. So we wanted to do something more dirty and raw. It turned out like straight-to-the-point kick-ass rock'n'roll.
I believe that you set up your own label to release the record. Seems to me like a good move as it must surely give you more control over your own music. Was this one of the intentions?
Yes, of course it's nice to not have someone that tells us what to do. But the biggest advantage with having your own lable is that you don't need to think about the time. You don't have to make songs under pressure, we let the music take it's time.
Curious album title I must say, "4:13". Would you like to elaborate?
I don't like to reveal secrets. :)
And where did you record the CD - and how was the experience in the studio?
We recorded guitars, bass and drums mostly at Jonas house, Jörgens apartment and Daniels apartment. The vocals were recorded in an old building, on an abandoned office-floor. We mixed the album at Evocation's studios with some help from our friend Vesa Kenttäkumpu (Evocation) and it got mastered by Beau Hill (he has worked with Alice Cooper, Europe and Ratt amongst others).
Apart from the obvious (Beseech), have any band members been involved or are still involved in other musical projects?
We all have different projects at the side. But nothing worth mentioning, it's just for fun. We put all our serious energy into TMM.
What has the media reaction been like so far to the new record?
We have only heard good things about the album, kind of scary if you ask me.
The female fronted rock/metal scene here in the UK could be stronger. What are your expectations of the rock/metal scene as a whole in the UK, Europe and the USA?
During our time in Beseech, and in TMM we have watched the female fronted scene get bigger and bigger. I think it has at least doubled during our time in the scene.
I actually set up Ravenheart Music in 2006 after hearing about female fronted rock and metal music being seen as a taboo subject in some quarters - some individuals in the biz seeing it as a male orientated domain (and some still do!). Has Lotta come across this in the past or perhaps even now?
I think one of the problems is that in school alot of guys team up and start a band, and the interest of being in a band isn't as big for a woman in that age. So the guys starts making music together, and later on they have bonded and doesn't want anyone else in the band. This makes it hard for the girls to get into the scene without sharpening their elbows.
Musically, who or what are your musical inspirations at the moment, and what/who do you listen to when you are chilling out or relaxing?
I can only speak for myself. And at the moment I take musical inspiration from Foo Fighters, Kent and Tony Joe White. When I'm relaxing I listen alot to drum n bass, like Noisia. Or artist such as Nick Cave and the bad seeds, A perfect Circle or Blind Melon.
And do any of you have any hobbies when not making music?
The only thing that comes straight to my mind when I read the question is Daniel's passion for motorcross. I have a passion for video games. Lotta and Jörgen both have dogs, so I guess that's an interest, right? We all like movies, traveling and all that usual stuff. :)
And what are your band's plans for the future regards gigging, and do you have any plans to perhaps tour the UK in due course?
We're trying to find gigs everywhere, because our goal is to spread our music in every country there is. At the moment we have nothing booked, but keep your eyes open!
Well, thank you for your time regards this interview and good luck in all your future endeavours. We at Ravenheart wish you all the very best for the future, and if you are Birmingham (UK) way, please come and find us, or we will come and find you! Finally is there anything that you would like to say to anybody across the world via this website?
Keep your eyes on www.myspace.com/themarymajor and join our group on Facebook. We will keep you updated there! Hope to see you all soon!
Dave Smith (Jan 25, 2010)