Superlynx

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Superlynx

Interview conducted on November 30, 2020

By Dan Locke

Superlynx is a three piece from Oslo, Norway, formed in 2013. The band exceeds genres with their distinct sound and melts doom, psych, meditative atmospheres, heaviness and droning rock together.

Members

Pia Isaksen – Bass/Vocals
Daniel Bakken – Guitar
Ole Teigen – Drums/Vocals

You are from Norway. Tell me about your upbringing?

We were all born around the Oslo fjord and were raised in medium-sized cities close to the coast. We had different upbringings, but our interest in playing music in an early age is similar.

How did you discover music?

At first while listening to our parents´ and older siblings´ records, and through radio.

How did you start to write music?

Pia: I wrote my first little piece on the piano when I was around 9, I remember it very well, as a big exciting feeling about being able to create music myself.
Ole: I don´t remember exactly when, but I always found it more interesting to experiment with the different instruments that we had in our home. I guess I started with the mandolin and then progressed through guitar, my father’s drum kit and later piano.
Daniel: I got my first guitar when I was 10, and I started then.

Describe your music

We find it hard to describe our music ourselves, or at least define it because it consists of a lot of different elements. Our influences are very wide, and when we make music, I guess all of these influences’ merch subconsciously into our own interpretation of the musical idea we work on together. But you could probably say our music is a heavy sounding dark rock with a psychedelic touch.

How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?

Pia: My uncle gave it to me when I was 13. I still have it, love it and write many songs on it.
Ole: I bought my first guitar with my first paycheck from working at a hotel in the mountains. I bought an acoustic steel-string Morgan guitar, a bottle of cherry liquor, a coke, and a Steve Harley and the cockney rebels cd. Good times. It is still with me.
Daniel: I got an acoustic Yamaha guitar for my 10th birthday. I sadly no longer have it.

What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model?

Pia: I have two basses that I really love, but have to pick my Fender Deluxe Active Jazz Bass as I tend to play that one the most. Sorry, not sure about the year.

Daniel: I use a Fender American Professional Jazzmaster and a Fender American Standard Stratocaster mostly.

What was your first performance at like?

We played the first Superlynx at a bar called Fiasco in Oslo in 2013. It was so great, a lot of people showed up and it was a very good mood in the audience. We had the best time.

What makes a good songwriter?

Not sure there is a fixed formula but honesty, hard work, and the ability to break conventions and let the truth of the music and the story come before limitations of genres goes a long way.

Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association?

Yes, we do, but not that one.

You have shared the stage with the likes of Weedeater, Sabbath Assembly, and Gold. Did they give you any words of wisdom on the music business?

No, we talked about other interesting stuff. We are not too much into the business side of music. That is not what motivates us.

What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?

I think we started writing Funeral Dress, Silver One, and Huntress around the same time, I don´t remember exactly which one was first. We recorded demos of Funeral Dress and Silver One, and later we recorded all of them for our first record.

How did you get hooked up with Marc Urselli?

He approached us after our gig at Inferno Festival in Oslo 2019 and told us he would love to work with us. We kept in touch, and he ended up our upcoming album.

How is the making of your next video coming alone?

The process has started, and we are happy to be working with some very talented people on it. We don’t have a release date just yet, but look forward to sharing it as soon as we can.

How is your upcoming album coming long?

The album is done, and up, and we are very happy with how it sounds. We will share more info about it in a little while. Looking forward to releasing it!

What is your favorite track on the album?

It varies, and we all have our different favorites. But I think we agree that the title track is one of them. All the songs have their different strengths.

How do you stay healthy while touring?

We don´t drink much and eat healthy. We also try to get time for walks or hikes if possible. And wash our hands a lot.

What are you’re feeling about streaming music?

A bit ambivalent. On one hand it is fantastic to have access to so much music and to be able to discover new stuff so easily all the time. But it is of course a big problem when it comes to the possibilities for musicians to make a living.
It would be great if more people would use Bandcamp instead of streaming channels who don´t pay the artists fairly. It is unfair that Spotify makes money and the artists don´t. It is a shame that music has become something that a lot of people take for granted. It takes a lot of time and money to make an album and now because of the streaming channels a lot of people expect it to be free.

Digital vs. vinyl?

Both. For different use. As long as it rocks.

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?

Ole: I woke up with “Here she comes again” by Royksopp this morning. I just think it is a beautiful song, it manifests the mystery of beauty.
Pia: I don’t know if it is because of the Pandemic, but I have «Spread your love (like a fever) » by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club in my head right now. It is such a cool song, and such a true message, expressed in a great way.
Daniel: The Devil and the Almighty Blues. Time Ruins Everything. I guess the title says it all.

Both Pfizer and BioNTech have conclude Phase 3 Study of the Coronavirus vaccine. With the vaccine it takes two shots. How many people do you think will take it and how many will forget to take the second shot?

No idea

Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?

Pia: I am sure in some ways, at least for a while. For instance, there are so many venues and clubs that are struggling and have had to close down. A year with almost no live gigs and touring is definitely leaving a mark.
Ole: I hope people will start showing up at gigs again after this, that more people will appreciate the live music scene like it was before Facebook.

Hellbotn Metalfest 2020 was postponed until next year. Do you think it will happen next year, with a lot of music event being cancelled including the Grammys?

There is no guarantee, but we really hope so.

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

We spent a lot of time working on and recording our upcoming album and planning for the release. There has also been time for more writing, walks in nature, and more relaxed life for a change.

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

Not really, but we spent some more time on things we already like to spend time on.

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?

We are no experts on this and don´t know enough to predict any change.

How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merch to them at the show?

By making great music. We have just focused on making the new album as good as we can. We just hope our listeners will be excited to hear our new music, and support us by visiting our Bandcamp and buying music and merch there.

Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet?

I it is still a thing, but we try to avoid it. We only do shows that we are intrigued to do. And we don´t pay anyone to get our music played.

What about Holographic concerts in our living room?

Nothing beats a live show. For live performances, it is best to be in the room when it happens.

If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?

Ole: I am also a beekeeper and I paint. I would spend more time doing this.
Daniel: Read books and travel.
Pia: I am a designer and illustrator, and I would spend more time working on my own visual projects. And yes, I would probably read and travel more.

Anything you would like to say in closing.