Progressivt, rock, hardrock, alt sydd godt sammen.

«Gaupa er på en måte et band som tar bestanddeler og skaper seg noe eget, det liker jeg alltid svært godt.» Sitatet der er hentet fra min anmeldelse av bandets nye Ep, du leser hele anmeldelsen HER.

Anmeldelse av ‘Myriads’, bandets forrige skive, leser du HER.

Welcome to Norway, and welcome to Heavymetal.no – life’s good in the Gaupa camp?

Trommeslager Jimmy: «Hey! Thank you, yeah it´s pretty good, we are preparing for a shorter Tour in Germany next week!» (i starten av august – Yj)

The band name, how did you come up with this? And prior to pick Gaupa, were there any other names you had going?

«I think Emma put the name Gaupa on the table and we all thought it sounded nice, very nature themed, hehe. I don´t remember any other names more than the really silly ones that we never would have used seriously.»

You Swedes are amazing in making music, really impressive. Not necessary to invent new styles, but to make good music. What is the reason for it being this way? Sweden has tools and ways of making this happen? Support financially, activities from a young age?

«Thank you! Well we do have some really good inventors of styles, thinking closest to heart Meshuggah and At the gates, but yeah I can agree on it.

Well I think one of the really big reasons is the different Studieförbund that help younger bands with rehersalspace, gear etc for a reasonable price and even for free sometimes! And there are alot of them and almost everywhere in Sweden.

It has always relied heavily on financial aid from the government but they have cut it by half sadly, and in maybe 10-15 years there will surely be a decline in new bands.»

So sad! We have had and have similar arangements here in Norway, support for younger bands, free reherasal etc. But it is a declining activity, unfortunelately.

Gaupa delivers progressive music, with folk elements, and a tad tungrock :). It never gets too heavy, but heavy enough to appeal to metal fans. Are you guys and girl metal fans yourselves? Or do you get your kicks in other kind of music?

«Well at least me and David are metalheads, the others not so much, but I think that´s a good thing. Some ideas David can throw at the table that I really like and Jerka not so much (haha). So we have to jam more to get a middle ground that everybody likes. And sometimes there can be a part that felt like a filler, but when Emma has laid the vocals everything makes sense and sound great.»

Agree. The vocal on top of those songs!

I discovered Swedish prog early, and appreciate the 70’s. When Landberk released their debut (I followed and knew the label responsible for the album release), love struck. Gaupa do have something in common with Landberk. Is this a band you have listened to? That you know of? Me and my son will get a Landberk tattoo in a couple of weeks :).

«Yeah 70´s prog is great! I think I have only heard I Nattens timma before and it´s a good song. Actually that song has a little of the vibe we have on some of our folk-ish songs, like Sömnen. And the titles are in Swedish, but I think that´s the only things we have in common.»

Which artists and bands have inspired Gaupa to sound the way you do? It is a strong Bjørk essence in Emmas vocal, but that may be a coincidence.

«Hard to say, Well obviously the style of Björk’s singing shines through as a inspiration for Emma, but the music not as much. We are inspired by alot of bands, Opeth, Gentle Giant,  and even punk sometimes but we also inspire eachother.»

‘Fyr’, new release, mini album. Why did you decide to release a mini and not a full album? A lack of material, perhaps a release to keep the band name warm, to have a new product to focus on while touring?

«Yes! Well we started to write new songs and when Daniel left the band we had to scrap everything and start over, and we haven´t released anything in awhile and decided that a minialbum is better than to wait another year.»

Have you already started the process towards a new album?

«Yes, a little bit, some fragments and ideas for maybe 3 songs. But it´s a slow process and takes time.»

Live or studio, what gets the blood pumping the most? I love bands like Gaupa, ‘cause it is exiting to experience both versions. And there is an organic feel, live feel, in the studio version.

«I love to play live, that’s when I can feel comfortable and not have the need to play perfect, just feel the vibe and have a good time.

Studio is only fun when I have recorded all my parts haha! I put too much pressure on myself.»

How is your relation to Norway? I know you have been playing here, will there be more gigs?

«I love Norway, I personally have toured alot in Norway with other bands, Gaupa has only been to Oslo one time and it was great. We don´t have anything planned right now but are looking into next years tour and hopefully we can squeeze in Norway.»

Favourite Norwegian artist?

«Kvelertak.»

Where is Gaupas prime market? In which countries/parts of the world are the sales and interest the strongest?

«I´m pretty sure it´s USA, but we have a steady fanbase in UK, Germany and France as well.»

Nuclear Blast, a large company/label where many bands become a face in the crowd. Are you happy with the cooperation? You get enough attention, focus, support? Or do you have to do heavy lifting comes promotion etc. yourself?

«They are amazing and have open up alot of doors for us, and we are really thankful for that.»

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions! 🙂 If you have any message, politics, love, hate, musical tips, links, merch link, whatever, here is a great place to open fire:

«Thank you!

A great band right now: Anciients, their new album Beyond the reach of the sun kicks ass. In the absence of wisdom is my favorite track.

All the best, Jimmy, Gaupa.»