Profile: The Grand Opening
Name: The Grand Opening
From: Stockholm, Sweden
Sounds like: Sweet, but dark and melancholic pop music - the kind of music that works equally as well with the sunrise as it does with the sunset.
Listen: Don't drop off
Discography:
2006 - This is nowhere to be found CD (Tapete Records)
2006 - Don't drop off b/w So be it 7" (Tapete Records)
2005 - Location EP (IAT.MP3) [DOWNLOAD]
It doesn't happen all that often, but there are definitely moments where I hear a new band for the first time and immediately fall in love. I knew as soon as I heard their demo that I was enamored. Sure, it was a little rough around the edges, but that's also what made it so exciting. I knew whatever they did next would be amazing and I wanted to be a part of it. Hence, the "Location EP" netrelease.
Thankfully it seems that I'm not the only one to fall under their spell as the band has recently signed with Germany's Tapete Records and will be releasing a full-length album later this year. I expect nothing less than greatness.
Okay, so who are you and where are you from?
My name is John Roger Olsson. I am 26 years old. I come from the Swedish geographic middle - Ånge. I've lived in Stockholm since 2001.
What makes you special?
I don't know, I am not that special. But I did go to hockey highschool before I gave all my time to music. I was pretty good, but my teammate Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit Red Wings) had just a little more success than I did. I focused on music instead.
What's your favorite meal to cook for yourself? Does it differ from what you would cook for a guest?
I'm sorry. I hardly understand the question. You shouldn't ask me cooking questions Avi. [ed: drat!]
Tell me about your favorite book.
I have read 5 books in my life. During my hockeydays I read the Wayne Gretzky and Börje Salming biographys... And I recently read three very good books by Dennis Lehane.
Dogs or cats, which are better?
Dogs. No question about it. My family had a cockerspaniel when I was a kid. Her name was Katitzi and she was the worlds best dog.
Who's your favorite singer/songwriter? What's your favorite song of theirs and why?
Ahh, a topic I am more familiar with. I got a couple of favorite songwriters. Two of them; Jeff Martin (Idaho) and Mark Eitzel (American Music Club). It's hard to pick just one song by these artists since they have written so many great songs. But one of my favourite tracks by Idaho is "Levitate" from the album with the same name. It's pure beauty. A favourite Mark Eitzel song is "I've been a mess" from the AMC album "Mercury". The chorus vocal line goes "I've been a mess since you've been gone", which sums it up pretty good for Eitzel I think. For me and many other people too I guess.
You play music with a lot of different people. Who's the swedish musician you'd like to work with most?
I fortunatly work with my favourite musicians and mixers already. It's easy to play with really talented people that really understands your music.
Finally, what's the future hold for TGO?
The future is bright! The album is done and will be released in September. The 7" is already out, we're gonna bring it with us on the German tour next week. I am really excited about your IAT compilation with our (kind of) new TGO song "Slow motion" on it. We will also have yet another unreleased track on a compilation released by a UK label this autumn. Lots of stuff in the works.