The Swedish rock ‘n’ roll band BLUES PILLS release their triumphant 4th studio album today Friday August 2nd. Written and recorded in Sweden’s idyllic rural countryside as well as Recordia studios, Birthday took just 10 days to record and was produced by renowned songwriter and studio guru Freddy Alexander.
BIRTHDAY Tracklist:
1. Birthday
2. Don’t You Love it
3. Bad Choices
4. Top Of The Sky
5. Like A Drug
6. Piggyback Ride
7. Holding Me Back
8. Somebody Better
9. Shadows
10. I Don’t Wanna Get Back On That Horse Again
11. What Has This Life Done To You
Containing ten new tracks including the new single Bad Choices a ‘Motown-style stomp’ that encapsulates the approach of the whole album. Fabulous frontwoman Elin Larsson concurs “Bad Choices is our attitude on this record – f*ck it, enjoy it!” Guitarist Zack Anderson adds: “I think we can now say no regrets too, for example – we don’t feel the pressure that we felt before in our career, this album is a lot more free, and this is epitomised in this song.”
Elin explains how Bad Choices came about: “I think Kribba (Kristoffer Schander) was hung over and we were discussing his bad choices in life… “ Elin laughs, “and that’s how it started… Kribba started to then play some bass grooves and our producer started on the piano then I got the hook you know? Bad Choices!He may have been hungover but he had soulful vibes in that bass groove! Basically, it’s a “Do whatever the fuck you want with your life song. People are gonna have an opinions, but you need to say fuck it!”
The album which contains ‘genuine jaw-dropping moments’ (Classic Rock) delivers a manifesto for a Blues Pills who return more mature and ready to kick-arse! No longer feeling the pressures or restrictions they felt as a younger, newer act but still with that brilliant irrepressible energy that is a defining of Blues Pills sound. “Birthday” is a clear statement that they are ready to take it to the next level.
There’s a live-feel to Blues Pills’ that states confidence in their ability to craft new compelling sounds without tampering with the explosive formula that got them their start – a sound that’s as eclectic as it is heavy as it is fun, and their continuity is testament to their determination to progress and evolve their sound.
“Our style of music is able to cross boundaries a little bit,” says co-writer and guitarist Zack Anderson. “Within very short time we went from being a band that no-one had heard of to playing giant festivals and bigger shows than we could have imagined. We were quite young so that came with a lot of pressure. Now that we’re older it’s easier to see that you should just do music for yourself. And it’s a blessing that we grew up in a time before all the technology totally took off. When we first started – when we recorded our first songs – it was with one of those Tascam cassette recorders – so you couldn’t fix anything. So, the only way to do it was to actually perform the thing for real. That’s where we started off from. I guess that set the tone for the rest of our career.”
Elin Larsson explains, the band’s time in the studio saw the birth of more than just a record. “During the recordings of the album I discovered I was pregnant,” she says. “It wasn’t planned so I was a bit overwhelmed, but it actually made it easier for me to write for this album. It should be natural to be both a mother and an artist, and I want my son Loui to be on that journey with me.”
The band’s feminist stance has naturally grown too, drawing on the lived experience of the band online and while touring with a frontwoman.
Elin: “A lot of the years I’ve been taking shit for being a woman in rock n roll, Zack sees it all first hand and it gives a new perspective. For everyone in the band it’s a constant driver.”
Zack: “We support each other. It’s always been, since the beginning 12 years ago, Zack & Elin. We’ve seen it all. The band and I are happy to stand behind Elin and call ourselves feminists too, this doesn’t seem controversial to us. It’s not a radical thought or a major statement. It’s just the right thing.”
Majestically featuring her pregnant body front and centre in the photoshoot for BIRTHDAY, Elin has naturally and unashamedly stepped into her power. Knee high arse-kicking boots at the ready, power stances levelled up, Elin is ready to hit the big time with her incredible voice and tight-knit band Blues Pills, baby cradled in one hand, mic in the other.
Elin: “I need to do this for myself and for other mothers, so they don’t abandon their own passions after becoming mums. It’s going to take time to combine the two worlds I love, but I can only think it will do my son Loui good to experience other cultures, countries and music. I really think it’s important that I can do this. To empower other women, and to meet this new state proudly and enjoy”.
And, as Elin explains, the creation of Birthday wasn’t just an affirmation of Blues Pills’ exceptional talents on and off the stage. It was a bonding experience for them as well. “I felt all the love for my bandmates that they were so supportive to me,” she says. “Everyone was like, ‘we’re so happy, we will figure it out.’ So, we became even closer as band members and friends. I’m grateful for that.”
Order BLUES PILLS album BIRTHDAY here:
https://bluespills.lnk.to/BirthdayAlbum
Blues Pills Summer Festival Dates:
August 2, 2024: Wacken Open Air 2024, Wacken, Germany
BLUES PILLS, Birthday Tour Dates (support: Daniel Romano’s Outfit) :
October 4, 2024: Hamburg, Germany – Gruenspan
October 5, 2024: Cologne, Germany – Luxor
October 6, 2024: Brussels, Belgium – Botanique – Museum
October 8, 2024: Nottingham, UK – Rescue Rooms
October 9, 2024: Glasgow, UK – Garage
October 11, 2024: London, UK – Lafayette
October 12, 2024: Manchester, UK – Band On The Wall
October 13, 2024: Dublin, Ireland – Opium
October 15, 2024: Bristol, UK – Thekla
October 16, 2024: Paris, France – Maroquinerie
October 18, 2024: Frankfurt am Main, Germany – Das Bett
October 19, 2024: Karlsruhe, Germany – Substage
October 20, 2024: Utrecht, Netherlands – Tivoli Vredenburg
November 1, 2024: Helsinki, Finland – Tavastia
November 8, 2024: Gothenburg, Sweden – Pustervik
November 9, 2024: Stockholm, Sweden – Kägelbanan
November 21, 2024: Copenhagen, Denmark – Pumpehuset
November 22, 2024: Oslo, Norway – Vulkan Arena
November 29, 2024: Budapest, Hungary – Barba Negra
November 30, 2024: Warsaw, Poland – Niebo
December 1, 2024: Prague, Czech Republic – Rock Café
December 3, 2024: Berlin, Germany – Hole 44
December 4, 2024: Vienna, Austria – SIMM City
December 6, 2024: Munich, Germany – Backstage
December 7, 2024: Rubigen/Bern, Switzerland – Mühle Hunziken
December 8, 2024: Milan, Italy – Circolo Magnolia
December 10, 2024: Barcelona, Spain – Razzmatazz
December 11, 2024: Madrid, Spain – Mon
December 13, 2024: Toulouse, France – Metronum *without Daniel Romano’s Outfit
December 14, 2024: Lyon, France – Marche Gare *without Daniel Romano’s Outfit
BLUES PILLS is:
Elin Larsson – vocals
Zack Anderson – Guitar
Kristoffer Schander – Bass
André Kvarnström – Drums
