Sorry for the delay interview
Five years after coming out withMoving, and the hit At The Midnight Drive In, 340ml have finally
released their second album! Lead vocalist, Pedro da Silva Pinto,
guitarist Tiago Paulo, bassist Rui Soeiro and drummer Paulo Chibanga
have launched Sorry For The Delay in Cape Town and Durban so far and
Jozi is up next. So we cornered each of the band members and got them
to dish on what's happening with the new album and future projects.
Please describe what the new album means to you? What sound did you achieve?
Rui:
It means a new product that we have to promote and market. It's fun to
play live shows? The sound that we achieved is 340ml version 2.0, in
other words, what we've been working on for the past 5 years.
Tiago:
Quite honestly this album was a very easy pregnancy but an extremely
difficult birth. We knew what we had to do in studio, the songs were
ready, and all was recorded by the end of last year. But between
walking out of the studio and getting the album in stores there were
many fights and many unforeseeable accidents. So to me this album means
headache after headache. The industry is dying and it's becoming
difficult to release albums....it's easier to make them though.
I
think we achieved a weeping silent rebellion sound. Nothing too
upfront, very safe, but with so many layers that if you care to inspect
them you'll end up chasing a rabbit down a dark hole. I don't advise
people to go down the hole, the trip back is boring.
Paulo:
Well, it took a long time to come out because this turned out to be the
right time for the release. Sorry for the Delay is also about the delay
effects used in our music. With this album we managed to get a better
sound than on 'Moving'. There are less intros, more music and many
different collaborations. It's a simple album because we have matured
and relate to simpler things now, and want more people to connect with
the music.
We
believe that both albums have a fresh and unique sound with
international appeal in the Reggae/dub market. How do you intend on
getting your name out there internationally?
Rui: By planting the seed and waiting for the harvest. A new album is always
good to open doors, and feedback from Europe and Canada has already
started.
Tiago:
Well, for starters, we're in the process of signing a record deal with
a French label. We're also planning on touring next year. Cd's are
meaningless nowadays. The best way to get out there is by touring.
Let's see if we find the strength to do that. The internet also helps a
lot. We like the internet, do you?
Paulo:
We don't really have specific plans for now. We will use the
connections we have made from touring with Tumi and the Volume to get
more tours. We already have a summer tour lined up in France next June.
We are also working on signing a deal with French label Bi Pole, the
same label, Zong, whose lead singer is featured on the album, is under.
You have recorded with some interesting local artists, Who was your
favourite to work with and which is your favourite track from the
album?
Rui: Well, we had fun working with all the artists who collaborated on
Sorry For The Delay. Most of them are like brothers and sisters to us.
SFTD is an epic release with 12 classics, they're all favorites.
Tiago: My favourite track on the album is Radio 75, the closing track.
I
can't name a favourite collaboration artist, that would offend the
others, and I don't wanna do that because we always work with friends.
Paulo:
My favorite track is Radio 75 because it was just the band, but I also
enjoyed working with all the people featured on the record, we ended up
having some very interesting collaborations.
Why did it take so long to actually record and release Sorry For The Delay?
Rui: Sorry for the delay, short and sweet. Do you need more?
Paulo: Touring, chilling, babies. We wanted to chill for a while after making the first album.
Tiago: Here are some reasons, chronologically and in point form:
1. First we didn't feel like being in studio, we were happy touring and people were happy with the Moving album;
2. Children;
3. Very particular studio issues during the recording;
4. Almost going with a major label, and pulling out after months of negotiation. We didn't reach a consensus;
5. European summer tours;
6. Various artwork issues;
7. The first run of CD's had a huge mistake and we had to pull the stock back;
8. And this is the most important one...we're from Mozambique, give us a break.
What's the plan for the next 12 months?
Rui: 12 months? 340ml is a lifestyle not a 9 to 5. We don't plan our lives
according to a calendar or agenda? A tour to promote the album would
be nice though? :o)
Tiago:
Touring, videos, a remix album, a competition for making a "student"
video, and a competition for one or two remix tracks, also from
inexperienced people. We're also going to look for an all female
teenage brass section. And lot's of other things. Pretty much what your
average band does after releasing an album.
Johannesburg has been your headquarters for a few years now. Do you
see Jozi as your home ? What are your thoughts about the big bad city?
Rui: 14 years now, and I've seen a lot, but I guess home is where love is
and Joburg will always be part of my life.
Tiago: Yup, Joburg is my home. Sorry For The Delay is about the city. The album sums up all my thoughts on Jozi.
Paulo:
Johannesburg is my home, I've been here for over ten years, my
relationships are here but there is a negative vibe around the city at
the moment. Things are going bad. We also just had our studios robbed
some weeks ago.
The recent Xenophobic attacks, how do you think this will affect the
South African-Mozambique relationship?
Rui:
I don't like politics, it's foolish and confuses the general
population. Last weekend we had our families in Mozambique
calling/sms'ing us asking if Madiba was dead 'cause that was the topic
of the day in Maputo.
Tiago:
The repercussions are enormous! For the countries, for the people, for
the economies. No benefits! I actually thought about moving back to
Mozambique. It made me angry and it made me feel like a hypocrite to
make music here. But things seem to be under control, and we continue
operations. Please stop...pretty please.
Paulo:
It makes foreigners afraid of coming here and afraid of South Africans
but this country is nice. It's just got a negative cloud hanging it
over it. People are wondering what's next.
Your best show ever and why?
Rui: NYE 2005 Newtown Mary Fitzgerald Square? for the masses
Tiago:
A festival on Reunion Island a few years back. All the elements were
aligned. The crowd was amazing, and very honest because they didn't
know us from a bar of soap. No hype just people who really got it. The
sound was terrific (which is a rare treat in our home), the weather was
magical (just like spring in Mozambique). On top of all that, we
actually played a great set, no loose screws.
Paulo:
It was in 2003, when were still starting out and played a festival in
Norway. It was our first time playing an international show. The last
show we had at Party People in Rouka was also good.
Who in your opinion is the most happening band or musician on the world circuit?
Rui: Miley Cyrus in America, I cant wait to see her in South Africa.
Tiago: I'm an avid enthusiast of Carlo Mombelli's realm.
Paulo: I'm digging Asa, her music is really growing fast. I'm also into Tony Allen.
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