Hi, first off I just want to congratulate you on your new album ‘Blowin’ up the Machine’. To new fans could your please fill us in on the history behind it all? Michelle – It took us about 3 months to record, and mix. The songs were written over quite a few years, but specifically picked so that we had a good blend of what we like, and so everything doesn’t sound the same. Well rounded of you will … What can a listener that has never heard your music before expect? Michelle – They can expect some hard hitting riffs, in your face vocals and a lot of raw energy! If you should describe music to an absolute ignorant, what would you tell him/her? Michelle – Heavy Music with melodies, versatile singing from growling and grunting to amazing singing, and some ripping guitar solos with a kick ass pounding rhythm section. If you should choose one song, which represents the essence of Meldrum on the album, which one would that be and why? Michelle – “Down your Throat”, its heavy, Moa sounds amazing, it’s got a rippin’ solo and it shows our angry side… What inspires you in the creating phase, both musically and lyrically? Michelle – Anything and everything!! The world, pain, sadness, happiness…other musicians and music! | 
Michelle - Meldrum | | 
Meldrum | Who has produced and mixed the album, and where did you record and mix it? Looking back at the finished result, would you have changed anything? Michelle – I (Michelle) am the executive producer, that sounds so gay but from beginning to the end I was there every step of the way. Frida and Moa are co-producers, in the end we are a band and make big decisions together, and with computers and email you can send files back and forth so it makes it pretty easy if you all can’t be in the same place at the same time... I have been engineering and mixing our demos for so long I know what the girls like and we know how we wanna sound, and surprisingly there are only a few things that come up that we don’t all agree on, which is pretty amazing, we pretty much have the same vision. It was mixed by me, Brett Chassen and Bob Kulick, and then some songs were mixed by Toby Wright. The drums were recorded at Office Studios in Van Nuys, California. And the guitars and vocals were done in my studio on the states Killer Catfight Studios with the exception of a few vocals that were redone in Sweden. The artwork is some cliché filled – intentionally, and if so why? Michelle – Sure we have a good sense of humour plus the fact that it is powerful, there are a few clichés in it, tongue in cheek, but can also be taken seriously... What do you consider to be the biggest accomplishment for you and Meldrum, not necessarily sales wise? Michelle – I’d say the fact that we managed as a band and a family to tour with BLS for a world tour when my son was only six months old and not under luxury conditions, we took him some of the time and he was great fun. Also that we always move forward as a band no matter what the obstacles are in front of us… | Will the European audience get a chance to see you live any time soon? Maybe on some the European Festival scenes this summer? Michelle – We are doing some shows in Sweden before the CD is out in the states in September then we plan on hitting Europe in the fall… Let’s speculate – you have been granted a free slot on a tour of your own choice – who would be your ideal touring partners? Michelle – Wow we have already toured with such awesome friends and bands, but I think Down, Megadeth, or Rob Zombie would be cool, or like a 3 combo bill with Motorhead, Meldrum and Black Label, that would be fun! Name an album, person or event that has had a huge influence on your life … and why? Michelle – With Phantom Blue I did an album with Max Norman, he is amazing producer, musician, and guy he was great to work with, and looking back at it now I got a wealth of experience and knowledge, and learned a lot of work ethics from that whole experience. Also touring and working with a legend such as Lemmy and a great guy and guitar player such as Zakk who also has an amazing work ethic, all of those experiences have definitely influenced my musicianship… Kicking back and relaxing back home, what kind of music do you put on and why? Michelle – Slipknot, Strapping Young Lad (Gene’s fault), Black Label, or Sabbath, Soundgarden, on the lighter side Sarah Mclachlan Mirrorball, Skynyrd or Michael Schenker’s Thanks You CD is one of my fav’s… | 
Michelle - Meldrum | Which five albums would you bring on your iPod to a deserted island? Michelle – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath - Black Sabbath, Houses Of The Holy - Zeppelin, Black Rose - Thin Lizzy, Ride The Lightning - Metallica, and of course Blowin’ Up The Machine - Meldrum. I thank you very much for participating in this interview and sharing this information and your thoughts with us - these last lines are entirely for you. Any final words you would like to round off with? Michelle – Thanks for reading this interview, Go out and get your copy of Blowin’ up the Machine, See you on tour we are always out at the merch booth hanging with our fans…so see ya out there and STAY HARD!!!
Interviewed by Kenn Jensen. |
