Dear readers we have the pleasure to offer you in this article an interview with a Swedish Stoner band celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. We welcome Deville.
Hello, how are you?
“Hello! All good here, hope you are too!“
How did the band start and what is the meaning of your name Deville?
“It started in 2004
In 2004 we did our first shows as Deville. The original line-up had played in different constellations a couple of years before but hadn´t really found our sound so when we did the first demoes with heavier guitars and overall heavier sound we felt we were on the right way. We met through mutual friends and family and in the scene here in Malmoe. The name is taken from the Cadillac model Deville.
You are celebrating your 20th anniversary this year, what memories and anecdotes do you have from the early days of the band?
“In the beginning we were happy to just get abroad and get a release out. This happened in 2006 and we did a week in Germany and that was a big thing then. Later on releasing a full album and doing longer tours in Europe is also memorable. But there is of course so much that have happened but one out of many funny stories is when we got stopped by heavy armed police in France way back and they were looking for drugs probably and sent in this trainee-puppy and he wasn´t at all interested to find drugs and was only digging in the snacks and chocolate papers in the front seat. The police were very dissapointed in their new co-worker.“
Will you release a celebratory album “20 Years,” what should we expect from this collection?
“A collection of songs that have meant alot to the band in some way and two new songs.“
Among others there is an unreleased track ‘Dust,’ how would you describe this new work?
“Since we only did two new songs for this record and the other one is a cover we wanted to try to make a a banger and I think we did. A repetetive riff, quite heavy and fun to play live.“
There will also be a cover of ‘The Hand That Feeds’ by NIN, why the choice of this track and the band?
“This was very hard and we have talked about it many times before to do a cover but we haven´t found the right one and for the right reasons. This one fits us quite good and is maybe alittle unexpected. With this kind of “ best of” record we felt it was right and a fun thing to do for this occasion.“
How do you think the way of gigging has changed since the ’00s? What has changed for you?
“I can tell that we are better as a unit and have more better songs to choose from. Also that we are determined on what we do and want to make it as good as possible with the tools we have.“
Sweden has a good musical tradition, how do you see today’s scene in your country especially in the Heavy Rock and Stoner genre?
“There are still the old ones around that started before us and they are still the biggest in the genre but there are new ones as well but I was more looking for new bands and were into the scene ealier in our career. There are coming bands all the time but I don´t think that many have reached out in a special way the last years. But in the other releated genres, retro rock etc. there are some I have seen doing quite big things and well. I hardly listen to stonerrock anymore and are more into metal and other genres.“
What advice would you give to young artists approaching music with a sound like yours?
“If you find something that feel right do it. That is the best inspiration and fuel to create something and probably making something that you feel is your own.“
Do you have any other passions or artistic activities outside music?
“Not really since we are all music nerds but food and drinks are a big passion in the band and we are always on the hunt for local specialties when we are on tour. That is actually something that we have developed through the touring so have to be grateful for that.“
I thank Deville for the interview, wishing them all the best for their 20th anniversary and the continuation of their artistic career.
“I say thank you then and hope to see you on the road somewhere. Cheers/Andy“
[…] Last year we published an interesting Exclusive Interview with the band, read it here: [Interview] Exclusive interview with Deville […]