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FALCONER

When I first heard Falconer I thought it was some kinda joke cos it just sounded like a pantomine or some kinda bizarre theatrical score. But it soon grew on me from the folk influences to Matthias Blad’s strange vocal style. With the release of ‘Northwind’ I realised these guys were bravely revitalising an old sound with passion and heritage, such that I had to speak to the founder and guitar maestro Stefan Weinerhall (even if he was a little brief!)

-Shan Siva

Firstly let me congratulate you on 'Northwind' - I had not heard Falconer before and I have to say it blew me away with its brand of 'folk heavy metal' - very inspiring indeed! So how did you arrive at this sound and was it the same in your old band Mithotyn? Its like some undiscovered form of metal (and I love it)!!
I have always done music this way. Even when I started out in a death metal band it´s sounded a tad folky. Mithotyn was like Falconer but way more aggressive and "metal". I can't say I listen to folk music myself but I like it.

Do you write most of the material and how much does 'Northwind' differ from your previous albums?
I write allmost everything in the band. 'Northwind' is the first with the return of our first singer. I would say it´s the folkiest album. Not as hard as the 2 first ones.

I gotta say that Matthias Blad's vocals are truly unique (at first I thought there was something wrong with the CD ha ha) so what is his background (I'm guessing theatre) and what other projects is he involved in?
Yes, the theatre is his background and present life. Falconer is something like a thing on the side.

Does the bandname 'Falconer' actually mean anything (apart from a guy who looks after falcons)?
No. Short, easy and fitting name.

Is Falconer a full time band cos there seems to be many line up changes so why is that - do you guys live in Lapland or do you have full time jobs (what work do you do out've interest), families etc?
All of us need to have real jobs, I for example build forklifts. Most of us have become parents within the last year. The line up changes depends on different things. Lack of engagement, lack of time or just different thoughts.

Given the number of years the band has been around, there are not too many tours - although you've done the big festivals - so is that the strategy i.e. don't do tours but play good music and wait for the mountain to come to you?
Well, since we have a very original vocalist that is from the theatres, we also need to accept that he can't just take time off when he wants, who can replace an actor just like you replace a welder. And honestly we're quite pleased with the current situation. Going 150 miles, carry all the backline to play for 40 guys allmost for free is not that interesting when you have families and other things to do. As you get older I think you get less eagre to sacrifice things as easily as when you were younger, you go for the fact not for the dream.

How many times have you been to the US and how different did you find it to playing to European audiences in comparison?
We´ve been there once and it was quite different, allthough one time might not be enough to make a judgement. The audience seemed more sober (ha ha) and into the music, where the Europeans are not that focused on the music but more into the party!

I really liked the Swedish songs and for me personally they were a great choice to add on (mebbe cos I've been to Sweden a few times including Sweden Rock and I also used to have a big Swedish girlfriend ha ha!) so can you tell me a bit about what they're about?
They are mostly about the folk lore, nature or historical events. A sad or very black emotion does allways fill the lyrics.

Compared to the other Swedish bands I think Falconer has a real opportunity to show the world Swedish culture and history through its music so is that something that you think might be a part of Falconer's future?
Ha ha, honestly I don't think the average metal fan gives a damn about the lyrics (whaa - we're not dumb asses man - well, not all the time anyways - ED)and history is only interesting if it´s the shiny medieval times of maidens and knights. So I think that would be a tough job........but fun.