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?

Thomas Charlie Pedersen – vocals, guitar, organ, piano (Charlie): Our latest release is our new single entitled ‘Change the Song’. It was a digital release only and was supported by a music video which is currently on YouTube and other video channels. We began collaborating with filmmaker Sara Samsøe in the autumn of 2013. She resides in Portugal and she filmed the storyline there with help from local Portuguese actors. The band sequences were done at our own studio right before Christmas. So far it´s been going pretty well. The single is a free download from our website and from recent database stats we can tell that is has been aired on radio in USA, Australia, New Zealand and several European countries. ‘Change the Song’ is the first single off of our new album which will be out later this year. The album is in its final stages at the moment. We only need to do a few more vocal harmony dubs at this point and we have already begun mixing it in Sweden.

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?

Charlie: At first we didn’t really know we were making an album. We have turned our rehearsal space into a studio as we wanted to record ourselves this time. It’s been quite challenging in terms of finding the right ways to mic the amps, microphone set ups and everything. Also we wanted to experiment along the way with everything from strange sounds to different songwriting approaches. But, we just started recording without a schedule and we didn’t have a clue of what the outcome would be. Suddenly it felt like having 12 fresh tracks which could work well together on an album. Something we felt proud of. But it’s been a tough one this one for sure in terms of having to start from scratch without any help from a producer until the mixing sessions. However, we are very satisfied with the result.

Are there any particular songs on this project that are special to you or communicate a message that you’d like to share here?

Charlie: You know, we are 3 songwriters and every member has his own vision of how a melody line or a lyric should be. That’s why we have a broad range of moods and expressions. However, all the lyrics are deeply personal this time. On the concept album ‘Peninsula’ (2012) we kind of commented on the state of the world from the outside. This time we’ve all been through some dark periods in our personal lives and I think the new one reflects that. It’s just a dark record IMO. There are songs about divorce, prostitution, chronic disease, nightmares and stuff like that. There’s a song about our studio, too. When you feel the need to get the heck out of the big city and settle down with your music in rural surroundings. There’s even a humorous, drunken tale on the circle of life. At least that’s how I interpret it. There’s just a lot going on on this record. Typically us. We want to surprise the listener and do what is not expected from us.

Speaking of my own contributions, there’s a vocal piece I’m very excited about at the moment. I think it’s quite unique. Daniel and Rasmus brought in wonderful songs too. They have experimented with electronic backing tracks of different sorts, and I’m very excited about that too. It really adds to the mood of the record.

As we all know, the music industry has been devastated for many reasons over the past 10 years, what are you thoughts on these changes and are you finding some of the changes helpful to you with getting more people to hear your music?

Charlie: Establishing our own label (Karmanian Records) was a result of us trying for many years to get the attention of labels. It just felt like we needed to prove our very existence at a very bad time in the business. But, we quickly began to see the advantages of that, too. We try to communicate directly to our listeners by having our own outlet/shop at our official website. We also use the social media a lot. So, we kind of love and appreciate the fact that we’re able to maintain a direct communication with the people who want to hear the music. And we are in absolute control of our musical direction and ambitions.

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?

Charlie: It’s very much an exciting time and I find it very interesting that a lot of people seem to be going back to the vinyl records, somehow rediscovering the glow and depth they offer. Neil Young just did his Pono Music thing. A lot of people seem to be fed up with mediocrity and that’s a good thing IMO. There’s a widespread wake up call at the moment. I’m very much an album collector myself and I don´t seek out new music on iTunes, etc. My attitude hasn’t changed. Ironically enough, we are dependent on the internet ourselves in terms of promotion and distribution, and we are definitely fans of the internet as a tool for presenting your 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?

Charlie: We´ve been discussing this a lot. We will end up releasing it on CD, hopefully vinyl too, but in terms of launching the songs before the actual release, we might use the social media and try something new this time.

What are you finding that is working well for your music right now that others may find interesting to hear about?

Charlie: It´s a very good time for us, creatively speaking. Everybody writes a lot and we have lots of ideas. Finishing off this new record doesn’t mean that we’ve emptied the well for a while. There’s a great flow at the moment and the new record offers both ‘classic’ Vinyl Floor elements such as vocal harmonies, strings, but will also reveal some sounds and instruments we’ve never used before.

Okay – time for some light humor!  Spinal Tap Moment: dig deep. Locate. Relive. Share that special ‘trauma’ with all of us! 

Charlie: I’m sure there’s plenty but there’s one certain experience which still makes for a good laugh in the band. We did a show at the Drunkards Stadium in Kashiwa, Japan a couple of years ago. We soundchecked and then had 6 hours of waiting time since we were the last on the bill that night. There was a bar and we just started drinking. We weren’t too drunk to play, but everyone had quite a few drinks. The Japanese don’t drink a lot so we somehow managed to close the bar before the doors even opened to the public. They simply ran out of beer and it was our fault. It was actually quite embarrassing but I think we just really lived up to the name of the venue, after all. After the show we ended up in a karaoke suite in Tokyo, but that’s another story.

Is there a particular musician(s) you’d love to collaborate with – and why?

Charlie: Of course we’d love to jam with Neil Young, but this time around we’re just happy that the Vindla String Quartet was available and wanted to record with us again. That was one of our big wishes for the new record.

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!)

Charlie: We are big fans of the classic bands and artists. We love The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan etc. We have lots of ‘retro’ elements in our music and we tend to look back in time to find the inspiration. It’s nearly impossible for me to narrow down my top albums of all time to only 5 records but I can give it a try, in no particular order. I definitely wouldn’t be able to live without these:

1. The Beatles – The White Album

2. Pearl Jam – No Code

3. Genesis – The Lamb lies down on Broadway

4. Tom Waits – Mule Variations

5. Neil Young – Harvest Moon

 We’re always trying to find new music discover here at PGH – what are some of your favorite music releases of the last few years?

Charlie: I hate to admit it, but I´m not very good at seeking out new music and new bands. I’m working on it.  However Nick Cave, Bob Dylan, Stone Gossard, Sigur Rós, Queens of the Stone Age and Paul McCartney all put out cool records recently.

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?!’

Charlie: I’m a school teacher, Rasmus works for a financial institute and Daniel is Studying History and Religion.

Okay, last question:  Where can we hear more of your music and any other releases you have?

Charlie: You can visit our official website www.vinylfloorband.com. Here you can purchase our albums as either digital downloads or CD´s. There´s currently also a free download of our new single.