Feb
20
2007
Interview : Victoria Bergsman (The Concretes / Taken By Trees)
Posted by luna6
Website : http://www.takenbytrees.com/
Album Review : Taken By Trees - Open Field
LP6 : Hello Victoria, let’s get the big question out of the way…Why did you leave the Concretes?
Victoria : I didn’t enjoy touring and being away from home as much as the rest of the band and I didn’t like to do shows that much either. I am very shy and easily feel uncomfortable. Another thing was that I started to lose belief in our ´democracy´ approach. I don´t think you can create something really true in a big group. I think I create art better on my own, otherwise you must compromise all the time and that wont lead you anywhere. I didn´t like the roles we started to adopt and become and not question it. I think it is important to question things all the time and be strong enough to say no.
LP6 : Are you happy that the Concretes have continued as a band or do you think they should have changed names?
Victoria : I understand that they just couldn’t change the name. We have worked very hard with that name and you can´t throw that away. But I must admit it feels strange to hear someone else taking charge of the lead vocals. It is a totally different band now, how they write melodies and lyrics it´s not about the things I once tried to express.
LP : I was sad & angry to read about the theft of your band’s equipment while your band was in New York. Did the equipment ever get returned and what went through your mind when you were informed about the theft?
Victoria : I just felt tired, I wasn’t surprised. I think it´s really sad how people can steal from bands, it´s pure evil. Some things were found. A friend of mine knew where thieves might sell the instruments, so we located some of them.
LP6 : The last year would seem to have been quiet a turbulent time for you and your former band. Now that you’ve have had time for some reflection, what are your general impressions of 2006?
Victoria : It was indeed a turbulent year but I learned so much and what I value in life and I think I learned to walk away. I hadn’t been strong enough to do that before. If I hadn’t walked away I would be very worried about myself and my health. I had this feeling that 2007 would be a good year and so far it´s all good.
LP6 : The vocals you provided on the Peter Bjorn and John track “Young Folks” sure did come out great! Could you tell us a little bit about how you got involved with them?
Victoria : I’ve known them for a long time and we have done some shows together with the Concretes. Bjorn asked if I wanted to try and sing on one of their songs. I heard the songs and really loved it with the bongos and gave it a try and it turned out very well.
LP6 : What did it feel like performing on the Conan O’Brien show with PB&J?
Victoria : That was scary, I haven´t performed so much since I left the Concretes and felt kind of shaky.
LP6 : Please tell us about your new project “Taken By Trees”!
Victoria : It is the name of my new band or it is me with different musicians from time to time, Bjorn and John are very involved and Bjorn is going to produce my album. When I left the Concretes, I didn’t wanna continue making music at all, I felt so sick of the whole music industry and just wanted to get away. After some time I couldn’t stay away from making songs cause it just came naturally so I started Taken By Trees.
LP6 : I did take the pleasure of streaming the songs you have available at http://www.takenbytrees.com . First thing that I noticed about the songs, would be a “less is more” philosophy within the songs, at least compared to the sounds of the Concretes. Is this reflective of the type of songs we can expect on the full length album?
Victoria : The songs on my website are demos and might get more instruments when I rerecord them, but many of the songs will be quite sparse and focus specifically on the vocals.
LP6 : Do you have a time table for when an album may be released?
Victoria : The album will be finished in late March and hopefully released in late May at least in Europe.
LP6 : Which label will be releasing your record?
Victoria : Rough Trade worldwide except the U.S. and Canada, so I guess it will be a later release there until I have found a good label for it over there.
LP6 : Have you had a chance to listen to Maria Eriksson’s Santa Maria album and if so what did you think of it?
Victoria : I have heard a few songs, I am not sure what I think of it yet.
LP6 : I’ve read that you worked as a chef in a home for people with Down’s Syndrome. What made you get involved with that project?
Victoria : I had worked as a chef in restaurants before but felt how spoiled people were getting their dinner served just because they could pay for it. So I wanted to make food to people who couldn’t do it them selves. They were so appreciating and encouraging it was sad to leave them.
LP6 : I can just imagine how that would feel like. Awesome of you for doing something like that. Out of curiosity which dish are you particularly adept at making?
Victoria : Tomato Sauce.
LP6 : Have you ever tried Kimchi and if so what did you think of it?
Victoria : It´s Korean isn’t it? No I haven´t tried it. Do you think I should?
LP6 : Yes! As long as the initial scent doesn’t knock you out, I think the taste will! Do you still keep a day job?
Victoria : No I haven´t had a day job since 2004, when things were starting to get busy with the Concretes.
LP6 : Where do you get those lovely dresses?
Victoria : I am very picky, hardly buy any but I search and also friends know what I like when they are traveling and get me some. I have started to buy some things on Ebay, very good so I don’t have to leave the house.
LP6 : What are some new records that you are particularly fond of?
Victoria : I am very fond of Joanna Newsom´s albums, it is very challenging.
LP6 : Besides music, what subject are you most interested in?
Victoria : Film at art school. I worked with film, I made short films and will start doing more films. Animals are also very interesting.
LP6 : Last question. I had a chance to interview Quentin Stoltzfus, singer for Mazarin, a few months back and asked him this question …
- LP6 : If there was a Texas Death Match between the singer from Camera Obscura versus the singer from the Concretes…who would win and why?
Quentin : I don’t know. Don’t really know Camera Obscura that well. I’ll say the lead singer from the Concretes, because I like their music and she looks really salty.
….Would you agree with Quentin’s assessment?
Victoria : Sorry but I don´t know what Texas Death Match is. Me and Tracyanne are really close friends so it´s unlikely we need to have some kind of battle as far as I know. I have punched her once very hard by accident.
LP6 : Thank you Victoria….
Comments
3 Comments so far
Vitoria is beautiful inside and out. She is such a sweetheart I absolutely love her.
victoria`s voice is one of the best in the indie pop scene…i love to hear the sweet vioce…i`m looking forward to listening to tbt!!
Simply one of the best voices in music. I am so happy to read that she is working again as Taken By Trees! All the best ….