How did you get the job to produce the first and second album of The Poodles?
In those days I was working with Matti Afonzetti as a productionteam. We had the record label Lionheart Music as neighbours, just 100 meters from our studio.
They asked us to re-produce/re-write a eurotechno song. As I recall they wanted us to transfer it to a hardrock song. Originally it was written for a female voice. While we worked on the arrangement and production, we discussed different singers and then Jakob’s name came up.
I had run into Jakob earlier in the 90’s and had seen him live with Jekyll & Hyde. That band knocked me out. They really had the whole package.
Jakob and Matti lived in the same part of town, they were friends, so Matti asked Jakob to come over and give the song a try. After changing some things so it would suit Jakob’s voice, we finished it up and sent it back to the record label.
That song was "Night of passion". The label sent it to the the Swedish Eurovision (Melodifestivalen), and the rest is history. I think we nailed something with that song and that’s why they wanted us to produce their next two albums.
The production of the both Metal Will Stand Tall and Sweet Trade is topnotch. Was it tougher to set the production bar with the first album or to keep the same quality level on the second one?
Well, thank you, man. The approach of these two albums was always "more is more". As I remember, the methods were the same on both albums. Maybe we were exploring things more on the first album and trying to maximize everything on the second.
Pastpresent is a completely different sounding and very personal and intimate record. Was it easy for you to identify yourself with Jakob's vision and how much room did you get from him?
Jakob is such a generous person and is always open to new ideas. He really has a passion for all kinds of music. For me it felt like I could relax and be me. We were just two friends trying to write the best songs we ever could.
Was a big change in the production style?
No, not really. In a way it’s much closer to my own musical background. It was kind of old school. Piano, humming and knee-drumming. Most of the time Jakob had small fragments of melodies that I put chords and grooves to and then we finnished them up together. On some of the other songs I presented some of my stuff to Jakob and then he wrote new lyrics to it.
What's your favourite Poodles' / Jakob's song and why?
"Carry on" is my favourite. It’s just a solid song with a lot of musicmanship and a laidback funky groove from the past.
You seem to be a very talented person. Have you ever thought of creating your own band or album?
Thanks again. In a way I am in a band nowadays. I’m a member of Blacknuss 2.0. I’m not really in the front but I have co-written and produced songs for the band. Great idea by the way. You never know. I might do a solo album in the future.
Read more about Johan and his production work on
www.broncomusic.se
