Heavy Feather: Rockband from Stockholm Sweden
Interview conducted on April 23, 2021
By Dan Locke
Roots rockers Heavy Feather are finally back with new music! Their upcoming sophomore album Mountain of Sugar will be released by The Sign Records in Spring 2021, with heavier 60s and 70s rock influences and amazing blues vocals at the core of the release.
Heavy Feather’s first album Débris & Rubble (2019) was praised by both press and audience, which spurred the band to go on tour of Europe. Now it´s time for their second album, Mountain of Sugar: an even rawer, heavier, and harder release than the previous one, but still with the roots rock and psychedelic touch holding it all together.
Mountain of Sugar consists of 11 roots rock tracks oozing with a 70’s sound and feel, filled with attitude and raw vocals from blues singer Lisa Lystam (who along with guitarist Matte Gustavsson both involved with Siena Root) Catchy hooks and roaring guitar riffs are based on influences from the greats of the 60s and 70s, drawing inspiration from bands such as Free, Cream and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Recorded at No Regrets Fonogram Studio in Stockholm, the band has created a unique and intricate sound that incorporates both their influences and their own creativity.
Just like their first album, this one was also recorded together with the producer Erik “Errka” Petersson. With some help from Pink Floyd’s former mixer table, he gave the songs completely new dimensions. In addition, the band had the honor to work with Magnus Lindberg, who has previously mastered bands such as Lucifer and Imperial State Electric
How did you discover music?
(Lisa) – I grew up with a lot of music in my family, my father played Ry Cooder and David Lindely for me since I was a baby, after that I discovered blues music by myself and for the last years Ive been more into rock, the music has always been with me
(Matte) – Buying vinyls and spotify
Tell me about the Lisa Lystam Family Band?
(Lisa) Family band is my first band. We started 8 years ago and we’ve been on tour since then (not during corona of course) It started as a blues band but today I would say that we are more mixed. Now we are influenced by rock, soul, americana and genres like that. Family Band is very important to me and the members are like my brothers.
How did you start to write music?
(Matte) I don’t remember exactly. As long as I played the guitar, I wrote music but I noticed that the older I get, the more fun I becomes.
Describe your music.
(Lisa) It’s a meeting between the past and the future, no fuzz, it’s the real deal haha
(Matte) Hard Rock from late 60’s
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
(Matte) Yes I have it left in my basement, it’s a strat copy. But it’s broken.
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model?
(Matte) My latest one is a Gold Top 56’ reissue from 2007.
How did you form the band?
(Morgan) We all met as heavy feather in late 2016. Me, Lisa and Matte had worked together in Lisa Lystam Family Band before and we wanted to do some rock n roll together. Then I called Ola and we recorded the first album.
How did your band gets it name?
(Matte) It was Ola’s wife who came up with that name after a while, some kind of homage to Led Zeppelin or Iron Butterfly. It’s maybe a meaning of both heavy riffs and feather light ballads. It’s hard to find a good band name but we all are proud and comfortable with this one.
What was your first performance at like?
(Matte) A great place in Stockholm called Akkurat. Sadly it’s closed nowadays
What makes a good songwriter?
(Matte) Someone who dares keep it simple both lyrical and musical
(Lisa) Someone who can wright about the highs and the lows. Music doesn’t always have to be complicated.
What is the process of writing your music?
(Lisa) Most of the times Matte sends me an idea, it can be a riff or a verse or something. After that I start to come up with a melody and some lyrics. Then we rehears and arrange. Most of the time it doesn’t take that long. We like to go with the first feeling. But of course some songs we work with for a longer period.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
(Matte) Nope
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
(Matte) Don’t remember but I think Waited all my life and Long Ride from the first album was early ones.
Did you eat the gingerbread band from Where did we go?
(Ola) Noo, we burned it up.
Tell me about your sophomore album Mountain of Sugar which comes out on April 9, 2021?
- (Lisa) We are very proud of this album. We’ve but so much more into this one. The first one was more spontaneous and we weren’t sure about how we wanted it to sound. We were just having a good time. For the second one we’ve been thinking it through much more. We’ve worked with the production more detailed and also the song writing. Feels like we’ve grown up a bit haha.
How was it to work with Erik “Errka” Petersson?
(Ola) An amazing ride, he taught us a lot as a band and me as well. He creates such a feeling and tension in the room that makes it easy and fun to work with him.
Tell me about the making of the video “Mountain of Sugar”?
(Lisa) We didn’t have much of a budget, so we decided to hire our friend Ida Bang who recorded everything. We did it in our rehearsal room and just used some black blankets for the background. Then we tried to get our energy out and hopefully people can feel what we felt during the recording.
What is your favorite track on the album?
(Matte) Let it Shine
(Lisa) Asking in need
How do you stay healthy while performing?
(Matte) Beer and good food
(Lisa) Talking, chilling, hangin out. Trying to spread good energy
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
(Ola) Fun with all the numbers and stats, that you can follow and see all the fans all around the globe. I can even see that right now (as I am writing) there’s 16 people listening to us!
Digital vs. vinyl?
(Matte) Vinyl
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
(Lisa) Feel like making love – Bad company, I just love it, Paul Rogers voice is amazing and I love the dynamic
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
(Lisa) Of course is has and yes, it will probably affect the music industry in the future. Hopefully people don’t need to travel for administrative meetings or contract signing. That could work thorough zoom or skype as well. Im just hoping people will get out and pay for live music after this. But I believe they will. Maybe people realize how much the miss it, now when its not served to them anymore, at least I do
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
(Lisa) Studying and planting. Ive tried to stay busy and I’ve succeeded. I also met my sister a lot, she lives in Stockholms as well and are included for my “quarantine family”, that’s been really nice to finally spend some quality time with her.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
(Lisa) Haha yes, like I just wrote, planting! Love it. Right now I’m working on tomatoes, paprika, chili, zucchini, and some other good stuff. Like meditation!
95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?
(Lisa) Probably SVT play and Cmore
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
(Lisa) Feels like the algorithm and the rules change every day. We’re just trying to keep up with it and try our best to spread the music. Facebook probably don’t prioritize rock music. There’s probably other businesses (than the music business) that can offer them the big money, it sucks.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
(Lisa) Some of them doesn’t, Its sad but I believe that many bands has given up during this pandemic. The “good” thing about this situation is that everyone is in the same boat, I think its easier for people to be patient and understanding
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
(Lisa) We’ve never done it but I know bands that does
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
(Ola) Why not?
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.” .”
Will this help save the industry?
(Ola) Only we, the people creating the culture and art can save it, we just haft to keep on keeping on, with or without money (like it’s always been).
In the past if a musician stop doing music they find a new career. For example David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants.. If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
(Ola) Farmer or carpenter.
What is your happy place?
(Ola) Making and playing music with friends.
Danny Wimmer Presents just announced their 2021 Festival Calendar: Which includes the following live shows:
DWP Partners With Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival For July 23-25 Event In Mansfield, OH
Louder Than Life Set For September 23-26 With Newly Added Thursday Night Celebration In Louisville, KY
Welcome To Rockville Expands To 4 Days And Shifts From Spring To November 11-14 In Daytona Beach, FL
Aftershock Set For October 7-10 In Sacramento, CA, Almost Sold Out
Would you be willing to play these shows and what precautions would you like to have in place? Remember the US is the number one country for the Covid-19 to date? And you may have to be quarantine 14 days before the show?
(Ola) guess we would play ANY show right now.
Spotify just deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. Was your saved?
Ola haven’t heard about that, but yes there still there. Though we are in corporation with The Sign Records.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
(Ola) that’s the longest interview this far, hope you and the reader got to know us better.
