The Blue Van are:
Per M. Jorgenson -
Drums
Søren V.
Christensen-
Organ/Vocals
Allan F.
Villadsen-Bass
Steffen Westmark -
Guitar/Vocals
Per M. Jorgenson -
Drums
Søren V.
Christensen-
Organ/Vocals
Allan F.
Villadsen-Bass
Steffen Westmark -
Guitar/Vocals
| THE BLUE VAN: THE JOYRIDE OF OUR LIVES |
The Art of Rolling
| THE BLUE VAN: THE JOYRIDE OF OUR LIVES |
Track Listing:
Word From The Bird
Product of DK
I Remember the Days
I Want You
Remains of Sir Maison
Baby I've Got Time
The Blueverture
Mob Rule
What the Young
People Want
Coeur De Lion
New Slough
Word From The Bird
Product of DK
I Remember the Days
I Want You
Remains of Sir Maison
Baby I've Got Time
The Blueverture
Mob Rule
What the Young
People Want
Coeur De Lion
New Slough
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
At the Quad LSE union, a place scattered with organic students, four young men stand miles apart from the maddening
crowd. It may be because of their superstar looks and cool swagger but there is no missing Danish act, The Blue Van in the
midst of cheap pints of Snakebites and student talk of an upcoming Tottenham match. They look ever so trendy and relaxed
when preparing for their sound check, eagerly greet me for the interview and it starts bang on time. Fabulous.
I begin by telling the boys that I have thoroughly enjoyed dancing along to the new album, 'The Art of Rolling.' In fact, I'm in love
with it. An impressive 12 songs, each unique on its own and ranging from upbeat 60s-style rock to slower tracks like my
favourite, 'Baby, I've got Time,' which sounds like a new and improved follow-up to Sonny and Cher's 'I Got You Babe.' Listening to
The Blue Van joyously sends you on a journey to the depths of ROCK AND ROLL. Although all songs are just over 3 minutes long
apart from epic final song, 'New Slough,' the boys give you true, unadulterated music. They form a well-needed change to the
current New Wave bands floating about. A burst of The Blue Van sends you back in time to the days of free love, peace and an
infamous Woodstock. And, I wasn't even born then. The magical ride of 'The Art of Rolling' is not to be missed and it is now time
for the British public to wake up and embrace them.
We then touch upon the change of direction for fellow Dane, Sune Wagner; from grunge kid to 60s girl-band aficionado. Have the
band thought about possible future directions? "No, not really," Søren says. Allan then says, "we were kids from a small
community and nothing else interested us but music. It's just all happened this way." I ask them if they were cool kids of the
town. "No way!" they all shout. "People would make fun of us and tell us to cut our hair," Allan remarks.
I inform the boys of my passion for Nordic music and ask them which other bands deserve a mention. "The Soundtrack Of Our
Lives are very good," Steffen says. They all agree and Allan adds, "and bands like The Hives are great." Søren then remarks, "it's
funny because we were inspired by 60s British bands and now we’re playing ‘British’ music in the UK to British people!" The
band tell me they also admire their contemporaries Kings Of Leon, The Black Keys, The Strokes and The Bees.
crowd. It may be because of their superstar looks and cool swagger but there is no missing Danish act, The Blue Van in the
midst of cheap pints of Snakebites and student talk of an upcoming Tottenham match. They look ever so trendy and relaxed
when preparing for their sound check, eagerly greet me for the interview and it starts bang on time. Fabulous.
I begin by telling the boys that I have thoroughly enjoyed dancing along to the new album, 'The Art of Rolling.' In fact, I'm in love
with it. An impressive 12 songs, each unique on its own and ranging from upbeat 60s-style rock to slower tracks like my
favourite, 'Baby, I've got Time,' which sounds like a new and improved follow-up to Sonny and Cher's 'I Got You Babe.' Listening to
The Blue Van joyously sends you on a journey to the depths of ROCK AND ROLL. Although all songs are just over 3 minutes long
apart from epic final song, 'New Slough,' the boys give you true, unadulterated music. They form a well-needed change to the
current New Wave bands floating about. A burst of The Blue Van sends you back in time to the days of free love, peace and an
infamous Woodstock. And, I wasn't even born then. The magical ride of 'The Art of Rolling' is not to be missed and it is now time
for the British public to wake up and embrace them.
We then touch upon the change of direction for fellow Dane, Sune Wagner; from grunge kid to 60s girl-band aficionado. Have the
band thought about possible future directions? "No, not really," Søren says. Allan then says, "we were kids from a small
community and nothing else interested us but music. It's just all happened this way." I ask them if they were cool kids of the
town. "No way!" they all shout. "People would make fun of us and tell us to cut our hair," Allan remarks.
I inform the boys of my passion for Nordic music and ask them which other bands deserve a mention. "The Soundtrack Of Our
Lives are very good," Steffen says. They all agree and Allan adds, "and bands like The Hives are great." Søren then remarks, "it's
funny because we were inspired by 60s British bands and now we’re playing ‘British’ music in the UK to British people!" The
band tell me they also admire their contemporaries Kings Of Leon, The Black Keys, The Strokes and The Bees.
Check out more of
Jo's photos:
Jo's photos:
Photograph by Jo Macdonald
Dee's photos:
It now comes to the hypothetical part of the interview and cute, elfin drummer and Billy Corgan lookalike, PerJorgensen joins
us after setting up his whole kit, by himself, all this time. Do the boys ever help him? "No!" Allan says. Poor drummers, eh? I
start with Søren. While he is sitting in a bar enjoying his Guinness, a hot girl comes up to him and tells him she is a TV
Producer and would like to use 'Revelation of Love' as a theme tune/in a scene. She then totters off and winks at him from the
other end of the bar. As for Per, a gorgeous girl introduces herself to him and says she is a Film Director and would like to use
the song for the theme tune/in a scene. She then hitches up her skirt and demands a drink. Finally, a petite lesbian who is
tipped as the new Moby sashays down to Allan and requests sampling the song on her new, soon to be, worldwide smash. So,
who would the guys pick to use their song?
The guys are very well read and have a range of other interests. Steffen is a great artist (he shows me his painting of Tom
Waits which I mistake for a photograph) and also has a keen interest in foreign films. "I just saw 'The Motorcycle Diaries' and I
loved it. I also like films like 'Amelie.'" I tell him that he resembles the actor Gael Garcia. The rest of the band all laugh and
Steffen looks slightly embarrassed. Why is that funny? "It’s just funny that Steffen looks like someone!" Søren says and
continues laughing. It is at this point that I feel touched to be able to spend some time with the band. They are honest, genuine
young men and share a real friendship that is extremely tender to watch. At the risk of sounding cheesy…I just did. Allan tells
me that he likes "good" horror movies. We then discuss the great Japanese cult horror films like ‘Battle Royale’ and ‘Ringu.’
"They are so scary!" Steffen exclaims. I advise them to watch another Japanese classic, 'Audition' but definitely, not alone.
We then digress to good ol' London Town. What do they like to do here? "Shopping in Camden lock!" Steffen immediately says.
They then jump up and point out various items that they have purchased during their tour; Per’s army shirt, Søren’s black velvet
jacket and Allan’s funky cowboy-style shirt. At this point, Per makes his apologies and shoots off to find some drum sticks
before the gig. Unfortunately, the rest of us are then battered endlessly by a roadie playing 'Sweet Home Alabama' on the guitar;
non-stop, really loudly for ages. A frustrated Steffen says, "If I had a dollar for every time I heard that song being played on the
guitar…"
I then warn the band that the next set of questions are slightly contentious. I begin by asking them if they had to replace a band
member with another musician, who would it be and with whom. "Oh, that’s evil!" Steffen shouts followed by Søren asking,
"can’t we add a member?" No, is the firm reply. He then says, "well, the guys always complain about carrying my big, heavy
organ everywhere…" "Yes it would be you!" Allan laughs. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration crosses Søren's face."Actually, we
would replace Steffen with the 'Sweet Home Alabama' roadie!"
The roadie may have overheard this invite to join the coolest band around as he goes insane at this point, and starts playing
‘Walk This Way’ and ‘Sweet Child.’ Gosh, he really must have swallowed an easy listening guitar book for lunch. We then move
on to the next set of contentious issues. I give the boys a sentence each to finish. Steffen: 'my favourite member of the band
is…' "That's a typical British tabloid press question!" I concede and give him 'I don't like….' "Cheesy art," he replies. To Søren,
'the most I miss about home is…..' " Fried bacon in parsley gravy. It’s lovely," he says. We stop for a minute, drool and then
move on to Allan. 'What is the best song ever?' I realise this is not finishing a sentence. "You can re-phrase it: 'the best song
ever is..' quick-thinker Steffen remarks. To which Allan replies, "Sweet Home Alabama!"
I then ask Steffen and Søren what chords they first play when they grab their respective guitar and keyboards. "C major!"
Søren says whilst Steffen says, " E!" Søren continues, "C major is the basis of the keyboard structure so it sounds great and E
on the guitar has a real rock sound when you play it loud!" We touch on playing live and the gruelling schedules musicians must
endure. How do they overcome jet lag and tiredness? "I guess in the sense that we are professionals, we just do it." Steffen
says. "The first day travelling is always hard but by the time it comes to the show, we just get into it. We love putting on a hell of
a show." The boys are certainly not wrong there as I later find out. Watching The Blue Van live makes you go cross-eyed with
glee and their music rekindles any of your faded dreams of wanting to be in a band. Next time I see them I'll serenade them with
my unique version of 'Sweet Home' and hope for that lucrative offer to join The Blue Van wagon. I'm already practising on my air
guitar as you read this....
So what do these born performers usually think about when on stage? "At the moment, it’s great," Søren says, "we’ve got to
the stage where we play on impulse so we can focus on the audience vibe and impro. We haven’t done many shows in
Denmark but when we last played there, we were jamming ‘New Slough’ and the audience were humming the guitar riffs! It was
a great feeling." "Yeah, it's great when people know the words and love the songs," Allan says. Søren tells me that he thinks
"people are ready for something different than the standard three minute college rock songs. They’re ready for 20 minute jams.
But people freaked when Cream first did this in the 70s! Now, it's just all about garage rock and masturbation solos!" Couldn't
have phrased it better myself if I had tried...
So who else have they rubbed shoulders with apart from other bands since entering the industry? "We met Bo Diddly at Little
Steven's Garage," Søren says. "Yeah, and we met Little Steven-the guy from The Sopranos," Steffen tells me. So if given the
chance to swap places with me for the day, who would they like to interview? "Anyone from Motley Crue!" Allan says. "I think
Tom Waits," Per says, rejoining us and looking very happy after finding some Vic Firth sticks on the aptly named, Denmark
Street. Steffen agrees. "Yeah, definitely Tom Waits." Søren then says, "we’d do it as a group interview." Ah, brotherly love.
We then indirectly move on to politics after I ask the boys what scares them and Steffen replies, "Bush." The band always vote
in Danish elections. "Even if we’re abroad, we vote by post. It's important for us," Allan says. Steffen agrees that politics is an
important issue for the young and says, "although we are abroad a lot of the time and are not always up to speed with current
Danish politics, we still use our right to vote. It's a means of getting involved in some way." This is something that most young
people can sympathise with. We often do not know much of the how and why of politics but would like to get involved if given
the opportunity and enough information. (For the interested one, check out our interview with Respect Councillor Oli Rahman
here).
From there, we divert back to Steffen’s earlier comments regarding a distaste for cheesy art. He defines cheesy as ‘anything
for shock value, there’s so much of it and now, that’s what defines a ‘great’ artist." The boys take their art seriously and tell me
that album art/photos and videos are very important to them. "For our 'Revelation Of Love' video we had a set idea of how we
wanted to it look and worked this out with the director," Steffen says. Allan also tells me that they have a real input into their
creative and visual side, "we also help design the art for our albums as it's something we enjoy."
Going back to 'cheesy art,' the boys tell me about a Danish artist who recently put live goldfish in a blender and got an audience
member to turn it on, in order to bring his work to 'life.' The words 'RSPCA' and 'load of b*llocks' come to mind. "It’s like people
do anything outrageous and its labelled as 'genius,'" Søren says with a sigh. I mention that this also relates to music - out to
shock and controversy always goes down a storm. After much contemplation at this point, it is agreed all round that if
something provokes a conversation and debate, then that is definitely a positive. And on a positive note is the only place where
an interview with The Blue Van can end. Young, talented, handsome, shiny, happy, people. Let The Blue Van into your life and
soak up the rewards.
Interview by Dee Sekar.
Special thanks to the band, Manfred Zähringer and Nick White.
Read the Live Review here.
‘I Remember The Days’ (7” only) is the first UK release for The Blue Van and is out 6 June. The album follows in mid-August.
The album is already on general release in the US and The Blue Van tour with Hot, Hot Heat from 20 May to June 1. Check local
press for more details.
For more info: www.thebluevan.com
us after setting up his whole kit, by himself, all this time. Do the boys ever help him? "No!" Allan says. Poor drummers, eh? I
start with Søren. While he is sitting in a bar enjoying his Guinness, a hot girl comes up to him and tells him she is a TV
Producer and would like to use 'Revelation of Love' as a theme tune/in a scene. She then totters off and winks at him from the
other end of the bar. As for Per, a gorgeous girl introduces herself to him and says she is a Film Director and would like to use
the song for the theme tune/in a scene. She then hitches up her skirt and demands a drink. Finally, a petite lesbian who is
tipped as the new Moby sashays down to Allan and requests sampling the song on her new, soon to be, worldwide smash. So,
who would the guys pick to use their song?
The guys are very well read and have a range of other interests. Steffen is a great artist (he shows me his painting of Tom
Waits which I mistake for a photograph) and also has a keen interest in foreign films. "I just saw 'The Motorcycle Diaries' and I
loved it. I also like films like 'Amelie.'" I tell him that he resembles the actor Gael Garcia. The rest of the band all laugh and
Steffen looks slightly embarrassed. Why is that funny? "It’s just funny that Steffen looks like someone!" Søren says and
continues laughing. It is at this point that I feel touched to be able to spend some time with the band. They are honest, genuine
young men and share a real friendship that is extremely tender to watch. At the risk of sounding cheesy…I just did. Allan tells
me that he likes "good" horror movies. We then discuss the great Japanese cult horror films like ‘Battle Royale’ and ‘Ringu.’
"They are so scary!" Steffen exclaims. I advise them to watch another Japanese classic, 'Audition' but definitely, not alone.
We then digress to good ol' London Town. What do they like to do here? "Shopping in Camden lock!" Steffen immediately says.
They then jump up and point out various items that they have purchased during their tour; Per’s army shirt, Søren’s black velvet
jacket and Allan’s funky cowboy-style shirt. At this point, Per makes his apologies and shoots off to find some drum sticks
before the gig. Unfortunately, the rest of us are then battered endlessly by a roadie playing 'Sweet Home Alabama' on the guitar;
non-stop, really loudly for ages. A frustrated Steffen says, "If I had a dollar for every time I heard that song being played on the
guitar…"
I then warn the band that the next set of questions are slightly contentious. I begin by asking them if they had to replace a band
member with another musician, who would it be and with whom. "Oh, that’s evil!" Steffen shouts followed by Søren asking,
"can’t we add a member?" No, is the firm reply. He then says, "well, the guys always complain about carrying my big, heavy
organ everywhere…" "Yes it would be you!" Allan laughs. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration crosses Søren's face."Actually, we
would replace Steffen with the 'Sweet Home Alabama' roadie!"
The roadie may have overheard this invite to join the coolest band around as he goes insane at this point, and starts playing
‘Walk This Way’ and ‘Sweet Child.’ Gosh, he really must have swallowed an easy listening guitar book for lunch. We then move
on to the next set of contentious issues. I give the boys a sentence each to finish. Steffen: 'my favourite member of the band
is…' "That's a typical British tabloid press question!" I concede and give him 'I don't like….' "Cheesy art," he replies. To Søren,
'the most I miss about home is…..' " Fried bacon in parsley gravy. It’s lovely," he says. We stop for a minute, drool and then
move on to Allan. 'What is the best song ever?' I realise this is not finishing a sentence. "You can re-phrase it: 'the best song
ever is..' quick-thinker Steffen remarks. To which Allan replies, "Sweet Home Alabama!"
I then ask Steffen and Søren what chords they first play when they grab their respective guitar and keyboards. "C major!"
Søren says whilst Steffen says, " E!" Søren continues, "C major is the basis of the keyboard structure so it sounds great and E
on the guitar has a real rock sound when you play it loud!" We touch on playing live and the gruelling schedules musicians must
endure. How do they overcome jet lag and tiredness? "I guess in the sense that we are professionals, we just do it." Steffen
says. "The first day travelling is always hard but by the time it comes to the show, we just get into it. We love putting on a hell of
a show." The boys are certainly not wrong there as I later find out. Watching The Blue Van live makes you go cross-eyed with
glee and their music rekindles any of your faded dreams of wanting to be in a band. Next time I see them I'll serenade them with
my unique version of 'Sweet Home' and hope for that lucrative offer to join The Blue Van wagon. I'm already practising on my air
guitar as you read this....
So what do these born performers usually think about when on stage? "At the moment, it’s great," Søren says, "we’ve got to
the stage where we play on impulse so we can focus on the audience vibe and impro. We haven’t done many shows in
Denmark but when we last played there, we were jamming ‘New Slough’ and the audience were humming the guitar riffs! It was
a great feeling." "Yeah, it's great when people know the words and love the songs," Allan says. Søren tells me that he thinks
"people are ready for something different than the standard three minute college rock songs. They’re ready for 20 minute jams.
But people freaked when Cream first did this in the 70s! Now, it's just all about garage rock and masturbation solos!" Couldn't
have phrased it better myself if I had tried...
So who else have they rubbed shoulders with apart from other bands since entering the industry? "We met Bo Diddly at Little
Steven's Garage," Søren says. "Yeah, and we met Little Steven-the guy from The Sopranos," Steffen tells me. So if given the
chance to swap places with me for the day, who would they like to interview? "Anyone from Motley Crue!" Allan says. "I think
Tom Waits," Per says, rejoining us and looking very happy after finding some Vic Firth sticks on the aptly named, Denmark
Street. Steffen agrees. "Yeah, definitely Tom Waits." Søren then says, "we’d do it as a group interview." Ah, brotherly love.
We then indirectly move on to politics after I ask the boys what scares them and Steffen replies, "Bush." The band always vote
in Danish elections. "Even if we’re abroad, we vote by post. It's important for us," Allan says. Steffen agrees that politics is an
important issue for the young and says, "although we are abroad a lot of the time and are not always up to speed with current
Danish politics, we still use our right to vote. It's a means of getting involved in some way." This is something that most young
people can sympathise with. We often do not know much of the how and why of politics but would like to get involved if given
the opportunity and enough information. (For the interested one, check out our interview with Respect Councillor Oli Rahman
here).
From there, we divert back to Steffen’s earlier comments regarding a distaste for cheesy art. He defines cheesy as ‘anything
for shock value, there’s so much of it and now, that’s what defines a ‘great’ artist." The boys take their art seriously and tell me
that album art/photos and videos are very important to them. "For our 'Revelation Of Love' video we had a set idea of how we
wanted to it look and worked this out with the director," Steffen says. Allan also tells me that they have a real input into their
creative and visual side, "we also help design the art for our albums as it's something we enjoy."
Going back to 'cheesy art,' the boys tell me about a Danish artist who recently put live goldfish in a blender and got an audience
member to turn it on, in order to bring his work to 'life.' The words 'RSPCA' and 'load of b*llocks' come to mind. "It’s like people
do anything outrageous and its labelled as 'genius,'" Søren says with a sigh. I mention that this also relates to music - out to
shock and controversy always goes down a storm. After much contemplation at this point, it is agreed all round that if
something provokes a conversation and debate, then that is definitely a positive. And on a positive note is the only place where
an interview with The Blue Van can end. Young, talented, handsome, shiny, happy, people. Let The Blue Van into your life and
soak up the rewards.
Interview by Dee Sekar.
Special thanks to the band, Manfred Zähringer and Nick White.
Read the Live Review here.
‘I Remember The Days’ (7” only) is the first UK release for The Blue Van and is out 6 June. The album follows in mid-August.
The album is already on general release in the US and The Blue Van tour with Hot, Hot Heat from 20 May to June 1. Check local
press for more details.
For more info: www.thebluevan.com
| All images, words, site design Copyright © Soma Soma Scene 2005 unless otherwise stated All Rights Reserved |
Adorning front covers of magazines is surely written in The Blue Van's stars in the very near future. The boys signed their record
deal last May and have toured extensively around the US and Europe, recently finished making their debut album ("We work very
quickly," Søren says. "We finished recording the whole album in just 2 weeks,") and have only had a month back at home in
Denmark to chill. The band have also recently recorded a version of the classic, ‘Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag.’ It is certainly
adventurous taking on James Brown at a relatively early stage in their careers but the boys have pulled it off amazingly and have
introduced a classic song to a new, younger generation. I ask them what the feedback has been from golden oldies that
remember it first time round. Steffen says, "we only recorded it a month ago so haven’t really heard." I tell him that I played it to
my mother who loved it. However, she is not much of a music buff and thought it was an original. The boys all laugh.
The band are playing at Roskilde again this year and as SSS are planning on coming down, I ask them what we should expect
from the festival. " It’s a lot like the Glastonbury vibe," Allan says. "The weather turns good every few years but it usually rains a
lot and ends up being a mud bath." Wow, can't wait. The boys are certainly preparing for the festival season and are playing all
over Europe including T in the Park ( I warn them to bring their umbrellas, wellies and rain proof ponchos – a fantastically rock n’
roll look), O2's Wireless, Rock Am Ring in Germany as well as events in Italy and Holland. After this set of London shows, they
head back to the States for a two month tour with Hot Hot Heat, which they are looking forward to. "Word travels fast Stateside,"
Steffen says. "People say, 'come check out this new Scandinavian band,' and loads of people turn up. It's great." Søren tells me
how they have "moved on from playing venues filled with four people to selling out places like Mercury Lounge, NYC. It’s really
rewarding and fun for us. David Fricke (renowned Rolling Stone journo) comes to all our NYC shows. When you get the back-light
from the crowd, we can always spot him in the audience, nodding his head along!" Allan then recounts their first time in France.
"We did our first show in France and it sold out with a 500-strong crowd. That was so amazing."
deal last May and have toured extensively around the US and Europe, recently finished making their debut album ("We work very
quickly," Søren says. "We finished recording the whole album in just 2 weeks,") and have only had a month back at home in
Denmark to chill. The band have also recently recorded a version of the classic, ‘Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag.’ It is certainly
adventurous taking on James Brown at a relatively early stage in their careers but the boys have pulled it off amazingly and have
introduced a classic song to a new, younger generation. I ask them what the feedback has been from golden oldies that
remember it first time round. Steffen says, "we only recorded it a month ago so haven’t really heard." I tell him that I played it to
my mother who loved it. However, she is not much of a music buff and thought it was an original. The boys all laugh.
The band are playing at Roskilde again this year and as SSS are planning on coming down, I ask them what we should expect
from the festival. " It’s a lot like the Glastonbury vibe," Allan says. "The weather turns good every few years but it usually rains a
lot and ends up being a mud bath." Wow, can't wait. The boys are certainly preparing for the festival season and are playing all
over Europe including T in the Park ( I warn them to bring their umbrellas, wellies and rain proof ponchos – a fantastically rock n’
roll look), O2's Wireless, Rock Am Ring in Germany as well as events in Italy and Holland. After this set of London shows, they
head back to the States for a two month tour with Hot Hot Heat, which they are looking forward to. "Word travels fast Stateside,"
Steffen says. "People say, 'come check out this new Scandinavian band,' and loads of people turn up. It's great." Søren tells me
how they have "moved on from playing venues filled with four people to selling out places like Mercury Lounge, NYC. It’s really
rewarding and fun for us. David Fricke (renowned Rolling Stone journo) comes to all our NYC shows. When you get the back-light
from the crowd, we can always spot him in the audience, nodding his head along!" Allan then recounts their first time in France.
"We did our first show in France and it sold out with a 500-strong crowd. That was so amazing."
I ask the boys about their use of 60s instruments with the ability to maintain a contemporary
feel. Was it a conscious decision to evoke a 60s sound in a modern way? " It’s just what came
out naturally," bespectacled and good-looking bassist Allan Villadsen tells me. "Yes, we are
influenced by 60s rock but this is the sound we make when we get together." Tall and slender
organist/vocalist Søren Christensen agrees. He is attractive, confident and very talkative. In
fact, all the band are and make intelligent and worldly observations throughout the interview. It
is therefore utterly remarkable that they are all only twenty three. "We’ve played for 10 years
together and have know each other since pre-school," Søren says. "We don’t know any other
type of music or band experiences." It is this intimate sense of family that surrounds The Blue
Van and helps to make their sound wholly unique and spontaneous. The guys are certainly
affable and possess a delicate charm which most contemporaries at their age and with their
talent, would be too arrogant to display.
I tell the boys that the two international Danish bands (The Blue Van and The Raveonettes) I
have interviewed have both evoked a 60s nostalgic approach to their music. I ask them why
they think this is. Frontman/guitarist Steffen says, "I guess it’s from the love of something like
old movies or music. 60s music moved us to become musicians and this is what we wanted to
do and create." Handsome frontman Steffen Westmark resembles Kelly Jones from
Stereophonics and Spanish actor Gael Garcia (more about later). He is courteous and funny
and unlike the garish impression I had of him after listening to their record.
feel. Was it a conscious decision to evoke a 60s sound in a modern way? " It’s just what came
out naturally," bespectacled and good-looking bassist Allan Villadsen tells me. "Yes, we are
influenced by 60s rock but this is the sound we make when we get together." Tall and slender
organist/vocalist Søren Christensen agrees. He is attractive, confident and very talkative. In
fact, all the band are and make intelligent and worldly observations throughout the interview. It
is therefore utterly remarkable that they are all only twenty three. "We’ve played for 10 years
together and have know each other since pre-school," Søren says. "We don’t know any other
type of music or band experiences." It is this intimate sense of family that surrounds The Blue
Van and helps to make their sound wholly unique and spontaneous. The guys are certainly
affable and possess a delicate charm which most contemporaries at their age and with their
talent, would be too arrogant to display.
I tell the boys that the two international Danish bands (The Blue Van and The Raveonettes) I
have interviewed have both evoked a 60s nostalgic approach to their music. I ask them why
they think this is. Frontman/guitarist Steffen says, "I guess it’s from the love of something like
old movies or music. 60s music moved us to become musicians and this is what we wanted to
do and create." Handsome frontman Steffen Westmark resembles Kelly Jones from
Stereophonics and Spanish actor Gael Garcia (more about later). He is courteous and funny
and unlike the garish impression I had of him after listening to their record.
Steffen's vocals are reminiscent of two great singers. I tell him that he sounds like the love
child of Bono and Jim Morrison, to which he laughs out loud. So which performer/singer
does Steffen rate? "I guess Rod Stewart in the 70s or Steve Winwood," he says. Would the
band ever adapt Stewart’s outrageous 70s-style like the infamous leather leggings in the
‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy' vid? They burst out laughing and then politely reject the idea. Oh well,
fashion advice was never my forte.
We then move on to the subject of negative press, which the boys have not been on the
receiving end from but you never know. "It’s crazy how people get built up and knocked
down. " Steffen says. I agree, even more so when this is being done more and more by
‘music’ mags who have traditionally been above this witch-trial journalism. "And it’s also
funny how if you’re on the cover of certain magazines, that’s it. You’ve got it made."
child of Bono and Jim Morrison, to which he laughs out loud. So which performer/singer
does Steffen rate? "I guess Rod Stewart in the 70s or Steve Winwood," he says. Would the
band ever adapt Stewart’s outrageous 70s-style like the infamous leather leggings in the
‘Do Ya Think I’m Sexy' vid? They burst out laughing and then politely reject the idea. Oh well,
fashion advice was never my forte.
We then move on to the subject of negative press, which the boys have not been on the
receiving end from but you never know. "It’s crazy how people get built up and knocked
down. " Steffen says. I agree, even more so when this is being done more and more by
‘music’ mags who have traditionally been above this witch-trial journalism. "And it’s also
funny how if you’re on the cover of certain magazines, that’s it. You’ve got it made."
| THE BLUE VAN: THE JOYRIDE OF OUR LIVES |
| THE BLUE VAN: THE JOYRIDE OF OUR LIVES |
| THE BLUE VAN: THE JOYRIDE OF OUR LIVES |
Photograph by Jo Macdonald
L-R: Per M. Jorgenson, Søren V. Christensen, Allan F. Villadsen and Steffen Westmark.
Photograph by Jo Macdonald
TBV Art work by Dee Sekar
Per is quick off the mark and says,"I would agree to the Film girl but would choose to hang out
with the lesbian. She sounds cool!" The boys all laugh and agree. "Yeah, choose the film but
go along with the lesbian!" Søren then says, "TV songs always ends up being one-hit
wonders, like who can remember the band from Friends?" Much to his dismay and to the
amusement of the others I shout, "The Rembrandts!" He then says, "yeah, but can you name
any more of their songs?" We are all stumped and concede defeat.
Next, the boys tell me what they do to relax during their journeys. They all say reading. Per
tells me he is reading a Danish book and delving into Hemingway. Søren says, "There’s not
much you can do on the road but read. So I’ve set myself a goal to read lots of classic books.
I’m currently reading Kerouac’s ‘On the road.’" Allan tells me that he has just finished reading
a Motley Crue autobiography and thoroughly enjoyed it. I ask him if this is his rock star bible on
the road. He laughs,"no!"
with the lesbian. She sounds cool!" The boys all laugh and agree. "Yeah, choose the film but
go along with the lesbian!" Søren then says, "TV songs always ends up being one-hit
wonders, like who can remember the band from Friends?" Much to his dismay and to the
amusement of the others I shout, "The Rembrandts!" He then says, "yeah, but can you name
any more of their songs?" We are all stumped and concede defeat.
Next, the boys tell me what they do to relax during their journeys. They all say reading. Per
tells me he is reading a Danish book and delving into Hemingway. Søren says, "There’s not
much you can do on the road but read. So I’ve set myself a goal to read lots of classic books.
I’m currently reading Kerouac’s ‘On the road.’" Allan tells me that he has just finished reading
a Motley Crue autobiography and thoroughly enjoyed it. I ask him if this is his rock star bible on
the road. He laughs,"no!"
Photograph by Jo Macdonald
| THE BLUE VAN BOYS |
Photograph by Dee Sekar
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