10 Quick Ones with CROONA – March 2018
According to a recent press release: “Gothenburg, Sweden based Experimental Aggropop artist CROONA has released the official lyric video for his new single “KILLING ME AGAIN.” “‘Killing Me Again’ is a combination of dark and moody meets catchy and melodic.” We get Croona himself to discuss new music, influences, and more in our 10 Quick Ones…
1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?
So, “Killing Me Again” (as the single is called) is a combination of bits of industrial metal and synthpop combined into one. I wanted to experiment a bit and add analogue drums to a electronic track and then add guitars to give it a bit more “depth”. There are a few sounds that can be hard to hear if you don’t really listen and also the guitar is mixed in with a dirty bassline so sometimes its hard to tell it’s there, but that’s how I wanted it to be.
2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?
I’ve been a huge metal fan for the biggest part of my life and when I first heard Panteras album Vulgar Display Of Power and specially the song “walk.” That’s when I knew I wanted to make music. Pantera has been a huge influence (even if you can’t hear it) and specially Philip Anselmo.
3. Who would be your main five musical influences?
Philip Anselmo, Corey Taylor, George Fisher, Ivan L Moody, and Maynard James Keenan. Moste of these singers have a diverse way of singing and can both growl and or sing which I really love. George has just the most awesome growl so it makes sense for him to be there.
4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?
Corey Taylor. Because I really love his vocals in both Slipknot and Stone Sour and I think we could make something cool together.
5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?
A cross-breed between industrial/synthpop and whatever I feel like to throw into the mix. I combine electronic music with screams and singing and sometimes a guitar ends up in the mix too.
6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?
The best thing about being a musician is that you get to express yourself in your music. You can do what you feel like doing and depending on if you care or not , write whatever you want and do whatever you want.
7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?
Oh, we are not that type of band. Since we’re electronic most of the time it’s just two of us and I take care of everything. Except the acoustic guitar part…
8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?
No idea. I don’t really have a dream job, I do have a job that I’m passionate about tho. So for me I get the best of two worlds.
9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?
Looking back at my past albums, I feel that I should’ve maybe just maybe cut down both first albums and just made one album of them instead. And my last album… well, that one I’m not sure about to be honest. I think a lot of us look back at at least one release and think that wow , this wasn’t our best work. But never regret anything, it’s a good way to evolve.
10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?
Far Beyond Driven is a fantastic album by Pantera and it also has one of the darkest songs I’ve ever heard. It would’ve been amazing to be part of the making of that album. For me it’s one of the best albums because it has a lot of diversity and some really amazing songs. Their cover of “planet caravan” still gives me goosebumps.
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Category: Interviews