El Perro Del Mar

Here we listen to the single dulcet voice of Swedish band El Perro Del
Mar, Sarah Assbring, who sheds for AVANT some light on the shaping of
her latest album.

AVANT: A proclaimed pop album of dark love songs with a title like
“Love Is Not Pop”  is a nicely wrapped paradox. How do paradoxes play
throughout the album?

SA: It sure is. In the way that the songs are saying ‘I love you– I’m leaving.’

AVANT: You credit some of the depth and darkness of the songs to bad
experiences you had in New York. Can you describe those experiences?

SA: Last summer I kind of fled off to New York to try and sort some difficult personal things out. I did that because I love being in New York, and I thought it would be a good idea, but once there I realized I was really trying to escape myself, which of course wasn’t possible. That time in New York was probably one of the darkest times in my life ever. Some good things came out of it though– I bought a beautiful Stratocaster and I fell in love with Lou Reed’s lyrics. And so I guess the mental process of the album got started there.

AVANT: Then you fled to Paris?

SA: No, there’s a big difference there – I didn’t flee to Paris. I went there with a very clear mind and ambition. I stayed in this art
center where I had the possibility to write and record whenever I wanted and I spent perhaps one of the absolute best times of my life
there. When I look at it in retrospect, I think that time changed me in major ways–I think I blossomed there.

AVANT: Do you think the album would be as effective had you not had such polar experiences?

SA: No, definitely not.

AVANT: And how do you feel about New York now?

SA: I love New York. I’m looking forward to going back there in October to spend some time before my tour starts. It’ll be good to
walk those streets again which a year ago seemed so dark and to see them with clearer, brighter eyes.

AVANT: You will be performing in New York with a headlining show at Joe’s Pub November 9 and opening for Peter Bjorn & John at Terminal 5 November 10. What is on the agenda for your visit?

SA: Precisely that. And simply walking around a lot– I love fall and fall in New York in particular. Spending time with friends and eating well. It’s easy to eat well and nice in New York. I’ll try and have as many long breakfasts at Gitane’s as I possibly can.

AVANT: Do you have a favorite place in the city?

SA: A sweet spot in Central Park, a good book, and a coffee is hard to beat. Especially on a crisp but sunny fall day.

AVANT: How did you get involved with PB&J? Did you meet in Sweden?

SA: Our roads have crossed in different ways throughout the years I guess, and now came the opportunity to join them on tour, which I simply couldn’t turn down.

AVANT: You do a cover of Lou Reed’s “Heavenly Arms” on the new album. When did you first hear the song, and what prompted you to cover it?

SA: I actually read the lyrics to it before hearing the song. This was during my dark New York time…and it just stood out as so painfully beautiful to me. I remember reading it and wondering what it sounded like…thinking ‘this must be the most beautiful song ever’…which it isn’t really…though it is very good. I wanted to make it the way I heard it in my head when I read it.

AVANT: What is the first thing you plan to do when the tour is over?

SA: I’m staying in Los Angeles for some time to write and hang out. I also hope I’m finally going to be able to make that trip to Georgia
O’Keeffe’s place in New Mexico. ”Love Is Not Pop” will hit American shelves October 20.