El Perro Del Mar, otherwise known as Sweden native, Sarah Assbring, released a little delicious treat this spring. The mini album, is entitled Love is not Pop and combines Sarah’s usual charming and innocently angelic voice with subjects much more universal than those touched upon on El Perro’s last full-length,the simplistic yet beautiful, From the Valley, to the Stars. With subjects like double guessing the love you have for your partner, or coming to terms with the ending of a relationship, Love is not Pop is El Perro covering new territories with the usual harmonic weapons. We chatted with Sarah about working with Studio’s Rasmus Hägg, Kate Bush, and well….life.
Skipster: First of all, thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions. First off, what are you up to these days? What’s a normal Sarah Assbring day?
El Perro Del Mar: I just got back from some nice days in Paris. Now I’m on a train to Stockholm to rehearse with my band for some shows. I guess this is somewhat of a normal Sarah day. A lot of packing and unpacking bags and traveling. I’m glad I still like this kind of life.
S: Okay. Now, let’s talk about the new EP. So Rasmus Hägg, of Studio, joined you in the studio when recording the new mini-album, and Studio’s work is very electro and experimental. When you first got together how much of an open mind did you exhibit or did you have a very solid direction you wanted to take?
EPDM: It is a mini-album actually – it’s important that’s clear. The reason I wanted to work with Rasmus was that I with this album really wanted to open myself to his mind and his way of working. I made it clear to him that he had total freedom to do what he wanted. Naturally we talked a lot about how we both wanted it to sound, the feeling and aesthetics of it all – things we both are really interested in and think are really important. The funny thing was that it didn’t take long until we realized we both had same ideas and visions about this album.
S: His bass lines and rhythms are very prominent in the songs, is that something you wanted him to bring to the table?
EPDM: Both of those things were exactly what I wanted to highlight and focus on and one of the many reasons I wanted to work with him and only him.
S: Knowing Hägg’s mastery of electronic instruments, samples, etc. did you two experiment with any tools that you normally wouldn’t have used?
EPDM: Well, the interesting thing was that when we started talking I said to him I wanted to move my music to a more a synthetic feel but he then told me he was into using acoustic instrument such a 12-string guitar and live drums. Especially the drums – he had just started experimenting with and playing the drums and he really wanted to use only live drums on the album- which we did. What we both the agreed on was to use acoustic instruments and sounds and then twist them in a way that kind of made them indistinguishable. In that way I think the way we worked was different for both of us.
S: ‘Love is Not Pop’ is quite different from your sophomore album ‘From the Valley to the Stars’. What brought this change in sound?
EPDM: My work is always completely linked with my life and what goes on in my life. My life changed a lot last year and this album is a direct reflection of what happened.
S: The next logical question in my mind is- where to now? All of your albums embark on such different soundscapes, will you follow up ‘Love is Not Pop’ with the same vibe, or something completely different?
EPDM: In the same way that I don’t know what’s going to happen or where I’m going to be next year I cannot predict what my next album will sound like but I know that with the good experience of working together with Rasmus I will want to work close with someone again.
S: From what you’ve said before, your past work is comprised of personal experiences and feelings. How much of this new EP stems directly from you heart or would you say you just explored universal themes and feelings?
EPDM: All of it. There is no other way.
S: so many of the songs are quite sad love songs. Well, actually I take that back. It’s almost as though each song is an inner monologue or self empowering and the EP spans from the moment in which a person questions their relationship, following it to the ultimate ending of that relationship. Is any of what I just said true, or would you rather leave our readers wondering?
EPDM: It couldn’t be more true. Enough said really.
S: I caught your tour with the lovely Lykke Li and the super talented Anna Ternheim in Toronto last spring. That was quite the lineup. What is your account of that tour and how did that great lineup come about?
EPDM: It was such a sweet thing touring with two such talented people and dear friends. Actually it was the first time for me touring with other women and I was so happy doing that. Didn’t think it would mean that much but it did. Me and Lykke Li did a tour in Scandinavia prior to the US tour and Anna was just about to release her album in the States so we all thought it was a perfect combination and timing for us all.
S: Are there any interesting. exciting, or funny stories you can share with us? Any including Lykke, she seems so mysterious!
EPDM: Well, she isn’t that mysterious. She’s just amazing. Maybe that is what makes her mysterious. The stories we keep to ourselves.
S: Fair enough. Well, speaking of Lykke Li, you guys collaborated quite a bit at each show, with ‘After Laughter’ and your own, ‘Can’t Steal a Gift’- Did you two hit it off musically or were you friends long before the tour?
EPDM: We definitely hit off musically while touring. We really didn’t know each other that well before that but it wasn’t hard connecting.
S: Out of curiosity, how do you define success for yourself?
EPDM: The possibility and freedom to be able to do what you want with your ideas and creativity.
S: So would you say you’re there yet?
EPDM: Yes.
S: Okay, so the mini album is out in Sweden, when will it be out in the States, and what’s your plan for the rest of the year?
EPDM: The album will be out later this summer or early fall. I’m hoping and counting on touring a lot this year. I’d love to really.
S: Great, I hope you can make it over here! Alright lastly, here’s our random Skipster question. I heard you grew up on Kate Bush! What’s your go-to Kate Bush album and why?
EPDM: Oh, it depends on what mood you’re in but ‘Hounds of love’ is of course one the most intriguing and beautiful album ever made. I really love ‘The Dreaming’ too. It’s a crazy piece of work.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
‘Love is Not Pop’ out now Digitally.
Scott Pollack
