A Dirty Dozen with TINA GUNNARSSON from HEXED – September 2022

According to a recent press release: “With a bombastic sound, Swedish metallers HEXED have released another outstanding track with beautiful vocals, soaring melodies and grand symphonic arrangements. HEXED was formed in 2015 by Lead-Vocalist Tina Gunnarsson and Guitarist/Vocalist Stellan Gunnarsson in Uppsala, Sweden. Drawing on their previous experiences as members of several different bands in the Swedish metal music scene they came together with a similar vision of composing music that was different from what all their peers were currently producing.” We get vocalist Tina to discuss new music, influences, and more…

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 you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

The hidden nuggets might be the storytelling in the songs. It is a theme written album and if you only listen to one or two songs you might miss the whole thing. You could explore the lyrics and hear how the mood shifting melodies follow the stories.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I started to sing and perform as a child along with my father who was an excellent songwriter. I remember going up on stage and perform 2 of his songs when I was about 6 years old. I guess I knew from that moment that this was my thing to do.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

The 80’s was incredibly good and there is so much music from that era that filled my own universe. I remember hearing ABBA and Supertramp a lot at home… extremely talented songwriters, it would also be Queen that was my first concert ever to experience live. I have explored the whole spectra of heavy metal and that got a hold of me and I really must say that my favorite genres are several of them.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Can I only pick one? Hmm let me think… Queensrÿche or King Diamond. I just love the music Queensrÿche have made and are still creating so many good songs. Todd is one amazing singer as well. King Diamond is always with me since the 80’s when I discovered Mercyful Fate. I love the vibe, the songs, the stories and the theatrical shows, I love everything about the King!

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I often spend my time in the garden, the forest or going fishing. This makes me unwind and it gets me some new energy. I’m also enjoying tarot and that kind of stuff.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I use to say that it is heavy and melodic with some dark vibes, hopefully they get interested and start listening. I disagree when we get compared with bands like Amaranthe that kind of makes me wanting to ask – did you really listen to our music? There is no resemblance between Hexed and Amaranthe but one thing, the frontpersons are women. It’s like comparing Whitesnake and Testament to each other.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I cook, I love to make dinners. Daniel and Stellan are the ones bringing in the beer and drinks. David are the one who brings the acoustic guitar while Patrick jokes around.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I don’t tend to get so starstruck, I just want to leave people alone if they are private or outside of the event. But last time I really enjoyed being at the same place as anyone must have been to see Sharon den Adel from Within Temptation, having dinner at the table next to us in our special VIP area at Sweden Rock Festival, where our both bands were performing.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Being a musician means to be creative in so many ways. From the lyric writing, planning, scheduling, to bringing out all the visions for how I want it to be seen and heard. To have the ability and possibility to write own music and to perform is something I really treasure. My dream job is to be creative and productive, it would be a dream to be independent but still earning enough money to live that life. Now it is 100% employment and 100% musician, just like most people.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

The question would be – Do you want to play Wacken Open Air? The answer would be YES! I am not tired of questions, I welcome them.

11. 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,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

No not really, people make mistakes and sometimes wrong choices but I choose to learn from my own and others mistakes. I wouldn’t be the same without that life experience.

12. 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?

I would gladly have been a part of Dream Theaters Images And Words, one of the best records in history. I know it from inside and out, I could have contributed with my harmony vocals and parts to it. Hehe. When I listened to When Dream And Day Unite I began to really listen to them with their special sound, later on James LaBrie came in on lead vocals and this album Images And Words really inspired me as a musician.

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Category: Interviews