Over the past few weeks of the holiday season, I had the pleasure of doing an interview with Tobias Magnusson, guitarist/songwriter for a young Swedish metal band called Soul Source. The interview was done via e-mailing back and forth, hence the couple of weeks. The band’s music is powerful and catchy, with choruses that you have stuck in your head all day. The musicians are above par themselves, playing faster than most bands these days. These young rockers certainly have a future in metal, it’s just a matter of time before the world finds out about them. I would like to thank Tobias for allowing me to do this interview with his more than likely busy schedule. Cheers, and stay metal!You can check them out at their official site: www.soulsource.se or at myspace: www.myspace.com/soulsource
Cole - How many members are in Soul Source at the moment, and who are
they?
Tobias - We are four members at the moment, we recently fired our current singer.
The members are Thomas Josefsson (Rhythm Guitarist & Founder), Tobias Magnusson (Lead Guitar, Programming & Keyboards), Andreas Tömte on Bass and finally Petter "Respect" Öqvist on the Drums.
A solid foundation with Thomas & Tobias as “Bandleaders.” The both are responsible for the Music
of Soul Source and everything related to the Band. Andreas has been in Soul Source since the beginning, a loyal bass-player. As for Petter, he came along after we tried a couple of drummers, but no one was up to the task. Hail Petter!
Cole - So you guys have a pretty solid fan base for a band that is self produced and unsigned.
Have you guys heard any word from any record labels, or are you waiting until you have more
music written before you approach them?
Tobias -
We are starting to get a solid fan base from a variety of countries. We do like most bands; send our demos in again and again. We tried and we never got a single response. At the moment we’re not sending demos, this because of two reasons: The new member(s) and due to a lot of new material that needs to be recorded. Also, Soul Source has grown since the Fly/Twilight demo-era. We can only hope and dream to get signed at this point...
Cole - Yeah, the reaction from the fans seems to be really good, I mean, the internet seems to help out up and coming bands a lot. You guys did the Young Metal Gods contest in Germany, what were the fans like there?
Tobias - The internet is a "goldmine.” Maybe the wrong expression though, I mean you can reach
individuals in minutes and spread your music worldwide and get an immediate response.
Yeah, we managed to get on the "Young Metal Gods" contest, which was a huge thing, and a
stressful time before the contest day. A puzzle with members and a quick rehearsal before driving
off to Germany. But that's in the past. There wasn't so much known at this point, most people knew
us from reading Sweden Rock Magazine and the other magazines involved, there were mostly people from the Industry there anyway.
Cole -
So now that you seem to have a solid line-up, minus a vocalist, do you plan on hitting the studio
and recording some new tracks, or do you want to wait until you have a singer? Also, where do you
plan on recording when the time comes?
Tobias - We have talked a lot of going to the studio, the material is there. But without a singer it’s
kinda hard. We might do a smaller demo-recording of the music and really hope a singer will turn up
eventually. If we record with good production we will probably use the RFM-studio in Karlstad,
where Fly & Twilight were recorded.
Cole - As for a new vocalist, would you like someone who has the same voice type, or are you guys
willing to change if the singer is good, to maybe say more of a heavier voice?
Tobias - We are looking for someone who has a similar tone/voice, but this seems to be an endless
search. Although if a singer would show up that has the talent, we are willing to change if he didn’t
sound like our former singer.
Cole - For the style of music that you guys play, who would you say have been your biggest musical
influences?
Tobias - It's kinda hard not to mention them, Dragonforce. Then we have Lost Horizon, Evergrey,
Nightwish, Iced Earth, the list can be long.
Cole - Didn't you do a show with Dragonforce?
Tobias - Yes, our former drummer played with Dragonforce at Sweden Rock Festival, with 2 days notice! And yeah, Thomas played rhythm guitar on “Valley of the Damned” at the "Gates of Metal Festival" gig. We usually are backstage when DF Gigs in Sweden, - hehe.
Cole - So where do you think Soul Source will be by the end of 2006?
Tobias - At the end of 2006 Soul Source will be starting touring, after we signed a major
record deal. USAwill go crazy for Soul Source and we will be well respected in business.
Quite humble said...
Cole - Anyone you would like to thank or give a shout out to?
Tobias - Well of course Soul Source would like to thank you, Cole for giving this interview and a big thanks to our old & new fans!
