When a band credits their ascent to a good word from David Fricke, it’s fair to assume they’re not only destined for a blessed journey in the music industry, but that they’ll also present a very neat bag of tricks along the way.
In the case of Danish pop rockers The Raveonettes, while the method behind much of their madness has at times made little sense to anybody outside the duo, it has totally worked in their favor. Few bands put restrictions on the creative process as a means of enlivening the end result—a technique they cheekily compare to the severely chaste Dogme 95 avant-garde filmmaking style. While this concept might sound strange to many, in the weird and wonderful world of Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo, it makes perfect sense.
Both Raveonettes have travelled and lived in different countries, and the culmination of tastes, colors, feelings and experiences they have picked up along their journeys are magically expressed through the band’s melodic, ‘50s and ‘60s-influenced beat-driven electronic rock.
In an effort to top the success of their thematically dark and incredibly seductive third album, Lust Lust Lust, the pair recently decided to release a series of digital-only EPs through their new record label, Vice Music. Sune spoke to The Aquarian about keeping up with the digital age, being broken in by the big guns, the band’s unusual creative process, and what fans can expect at their upcoming gig.
Let’s start at the early days of The Raveonettes. I believe you guys were discovered by longtime Rolling Stone editor David Fricke at the Spot festival?
We fired our agent because he couldn’t get us on the Spot Festival. We wanted to go because Fricke was there giving a speech, and we were sure he would love our music. We eventually found a new agent and we got on the bill. We had only played five shows and sounded terrible, but he loved it.
Would you say your path through the music industry has been easier than most because you were essentially launched from a pretty high platform?
Not at all. We did some relentless touring I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy. And all the buzz and expectations were way too much for us. We had only played together for a year or so and never toured or anything, and then we launched into this crazy tour of the planet. It was all very strange.
I believe you guys put strict creative parameters on yourselves when you make music?
We used to have certain guidelines but not anymore. It was fun and challenging.
It seems bizarre that by limiting your creativity, it actually allows you to become more creative. How does that work?
Ask Lars Von Trier.
So what happens to all of the ideas you can’t follow through because it goes against your rules?
We save them and use bits and pieces of them here and there.
The songs on Lust Lust Lust are sexy. And they all seem to be filled with a huge sense of pain that was once an enormous sense of pleasure. Are they autobiographical?
Yes they are. A very surreal period in my life was the inspiration for that album. I love it.
