PGH is all about helping artists highlight their most recent projects, so let us all know what your latest project is – and tell us about how it come into the world. What has the initial feedback on it been like?
Per Westin (PW): Private Jets’ latest project is putting the final polish on the songs for our new album – and maybe some snippets too. It will be our first release since our last album, Jet Sounds that came out in 2009. Actually, we launched Jet Sounds the same day we played the International Pop Overthrow (IPO) in Liverpool – which was our debut gig! Although we had been playing for quite a while in other bands this was our first time as Private Jets. It was great fun. Maybe we could do the same thing with our new album, because David Bash, the IPO general, is bringing the festival to Stockholm in May and we’re playing there.
The Recording Process: There are so many interesting ways that music projects come into the world these days compared with what artists had to struggle through years ago. Take us on the creative arc of how this project came into being and any wisdom that you learned along the way. Also, what were some of the obstacles or struggles that you encountered when you were working on the project?
PW: When Erik and I (Per) started Private Jets it was more a songwriting thing. We just wanted to write great pop songs and put them on tape. And then when we recorded them we were surprised and thought hey, this sounds pretty good! And it turned out the ”people in the know” thought so too. Great! We write and record songs the same way nowadays. Erik might come up with a verse, I might add a chorus, sometimes Erik has a complete idea for a song and sometimes I do. Then we might change things around a bit until we have a golden nugget, we’re not happy until it’s perfect. Then usually I start to arrange the piece, record the different tracks, try some vocal arrangements while Erik writes the lyrics, which he does brilliantly by the way. Then when we have all the pieces ready, we bring in our singer Janne Hellman to put the lead vocals and our bass player Micke Olsson.
Are there any particular songs on this project that are special to you or communicate a message that you’d like to share here?
PW: Every song has its own little story. When we wrote the song Speed of Sound for example, which is really about the love life of a speedway rider, we found out that the young English speedway star, Lee Richardson, had died in a crash during a race in Poland. So then when we put it out as a single we felt it was sort of a tribute to him – and the rest of the speedway daredevils. We have another new song called Great Persuader which is tale about financial con men in suits and ties. On the album we also have a song called Royal Flush – you know, we have a king and a queen in Sweden, so that song is kind of a statement to that. You have to ask Erik about the deeper meaning of that one. We have another great song called Superpower Girlfriend which is a nice little story too. And another called Human Cannonball where we consider having Janne enter an actual cannon on stage (haha). Every song has a great story. But we don’t have a Big Message as a band. Private Jets is just about having a good time, but maybe that’s a message as good as any.
As we all know, the music industry has been devastated for many reasons over the past 10 years, what are your thoughts on these changes and are you finding some of the changes helpful to you with getting more people to hear your music?
PW: I think we all have to agree that the fundamental shifts in technology is a good thing, it’s a great thing that everybody can upload their music in so many places so easily. However, somehow it seems that the easier it gets to put out your music, the harder it gets to be heard. Go figure.
Along the lines of this discussion, it would be really interesting to get your thoughts on what you think the future of ‘music enjoyment’ will look like in the coming years? How do you personally enjoy and ‘consume’ music? Any trends you’ve noticed with your own habits compared to, say, 10 years ago?
PW: It seems that the act of listening to music has changed dramatically just over the last couple of years. People listen to more music today because it’s easy to access music everywhere on every device. But I have also noticed that people listen less intently to music, it has become more of a sound scape, background noise that is there because people can’t stand quietness. So people are listening, not to bands or artists, but to playlists that has been put together by someone else. Personally, I still enjoy holding a booklet in my hands when I listen to music, it’s easier to hear when you can see who’s behind the music.
We would love to hear what your plans on with your next project – Are you going to a full CD, an EP or just release songs as you finish them? Release them digital only or combine physical with the digital or what?
PW: There are so many options. The in-thing now is to just release singles to keep the momentum over a longer period of time. And in a way that would suit us fine because all we really write is singles, we never set out to write An Album. On the other hand it’s nice to release an album, it’s kind of a statement and a way to close a chapter so you can start a new one. I think vinyl and downloads might be a winning combo. Analog and digital. And Erik could design a great gatefold because he’s the Private Jets design guru.
Is there a particular musician(s) you’d love to collaborate with – and why?
PW: How funny! Erik and I spoke about that today. It would be great to collaborate with Roger Joseph Manning Jr somehow, not that I know what we would do with him because he already writes such great songs. One special moment for us was when he said that he really liked I think it was Jet Sounds or it might have been our first EP A Four Leaf Clover in E Major. Anyway, I guess we could write great songs for any artist in need of potent power pop (haha).
Advance apologies: the so-called ‘classic’ questions. What other artists and bands have influenced your music and any particular reason why? Also, push come to shove: “Your Top 5 Albums Of All Time”? (Pop Geeks really are interested in this, trust us!)
PW: Wow, that’s a hard one. We have listened and enjoyed so many bands and artists over the years, across every genre. Personally I’m more of a jazz guy than a pop guy, Charlie Parker is my hero, and Erik is into some strange electronic stuff (ha ha). But here are a few pop records that we really like. Maybe they have influenced us somewhat too. Anyway, here they are, not in any special kind of order:
Sweet – Desolation Boulevard
Sweet – Sweet Fanny Adams
Squeeze – Argybargy
Squeeze – East Side Story
Jellyfish – Spilt Milk
Beach Boys – Pet Sounds
Beatles – Revolver
Records – Shades In Bed
Kiss – Destroyer
Boomtown Rats – A Tonic For The Troops
Prefab Sprout – Steve McQueen
Sparks – Kimono My House
Zombies – Decca Anthology
Rubinoos – Rubinoos
Any Trouble – Where Are All The Nice Girls?
Yes, it would be great if most indie musicians could work on music full-time but the reality rarely the case for most of them. I am always asked by music fans, what are the careers or full-time jobs that the musicians of the music they are listening to do…so ‘what’s your main gig?!’
PW: I’m in the advertising business and work as a copywriter. Erik is an art director and designs magazines. Janne works at arlanda international airport. And Micke is a mail man.
Okay, last question: Where can we hear more of your music and any other releases you have?
PW: We’re launching a new updated website in May, www.privatejetspop.com, so that’s a good place to start. We will try to sync the web launch with the release of our new album. Our music is always available on iTunes and Spotify and on every other streaming service. Also, check out our FaceBook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Private-Jets/112747345515656
