Interview with Patte Carlsson

Inferno Guitars’ Endorser Interview Series (part six) features Patte Carlsson, lead vocalist/guitarist/songwriter for the talented Swedish “old-school” metal and rock band known as Fretless…

Trevor Discombe: Thanks for your time with Inferno Guitars today Patte, I appreciate it very much. To begin, could you tell us about your new album please?

Patte Carlsson: Thank you Trevor! And thank you so much for your trust in me as a guitar player, it is an honour to be an endorsing player for Inferno Hand Crafted Guitars. Our upcoming album will be called “Hunter” and will be released in October 2012. Our fans will recognize the Fretless sound and style for sure…

Trevor Discombe: …And your previous recordings?

Patte Carlsson: We released our album “Local Heroes” digitally in December 2010 and the actual CD was released in January 2011. The album can be bought on every major download site. The actual CD can be bought from us in the band (www.fretless.se). In 2010 we made music for a Swedish movie called “The Jaukka Brothers” released by Doppelganger Films from Stockholm. Our song “Rock You” is in that movie and this feels very good! In January 2012 we released our single “We Support The Ride”. The song “Ride” is written for the UK based road racing team “After Dark”. The two songs on the single “Ride” and “Stand & Deliver” will be on our new album “Hunter”. During 2012, our song “Stand & Deliver” will be on a compilation CD with many Swedish acts. The CD will be called “F*ck Cancer” and its purpose is to raise money for the work to fight youth cancer.

Trevor Discombe: Wow, that’s a great cause to support. How did you become involved with the U.K. moto racing team “After Dark”?

Patte Carlsson: I was recording a song in my own studio. I really liked the way how it sounded, a little different from the songs I used to write. I sent a working copy to our label E.L.T Records, UK and asked for their opinion. The day after Simon from E.L.T contacted me and told me that he had played the song for the road racing team. They had loved it so we were asked to do the song for them. I talked to the guys in the band and we believed that this was a really fun thing to do. Now it is recorded and released and everyone is happy!

Trevor Discombe: Could you tell us how Fretless formed and about other previous bands you have been in?

Patte Carlsson: The band Fretless started in 2009. I was offered a contract by a Swedish record label for my own project but they wanted me to start a real band. I called some friends of mine and Fretless as a band was born. No one from the start is left in the band. Dennis our bass player joined shortly after the band had started. I have played in many bands during the years but mostly in bands put together by friends just to play and have fun. It is now that things really starts to happend and I have never worked harder with my music as I do today, but I love it for sure…

Trevor Discombe: How did your love for hard rock and metal music originate?

Patte Carlsson: I have always loved music and when I was fourteen years old I was asked by a friend if I could be the singer in the band called “Fasad”. This was a pop band really. The same year I started to play guitar more seriously and I listened more and more on heavier music… bands like Iron Maiden, Scorpions and MSG really turned me into a hard rocker.

Trevor Discombe: So, how long have you been playing guitar and how did you begin?

Patte Carlsson: As I answered on your earlier question I started when I was fourteen years old but the first years I was the bass player and singer in the most bands I played in. I believed I was not good enough on guitar then, no one said anything but I am convinced that this was the reason I played the bass. I don´t know if that helped me out, to become a guitar player but I think it is good to try different instruments.

Trevor Discombe: Please talk us through your method of song writing…

Patte Carlsson: I do the most of our songs in my own studio… plays around on my guitar just to find the feeling in my riffs and chords… and when I find it I just record it, building the song in the studio. I am always building the songs in the studio piece by piece. When I am satisfied with the result I am sending the other guys the songs. Then we try them out when we rehearse and make the changes together. For us, this is a great way to work.

Trevor Discombe: Who are some of your main musical influences and favourite artists?

Patte Carlsson: For vocals… Andi Deris (Pink Cream 69), Biff Byfford (Saxon), Ed Kowalczyk (Live) and many more. For guitar… John Norum, Dave Murray and many more.

Trevor Discombe: How would you describe the music scene today in Sweden and Europe?

Patte Carlsson: In Europe, USA and Australia we are appreciated in a different way than in our home country Sweden. We plays in different radio stations every day. Here in Sweden, people likes us a lot but I think media and booking agents believe that we are too “old school” and not modern enough… but one thing is sure, we are not gonna change the way we perform our music just to please them!

Trevor Discombe: Please tell us about your most memorable performance…

Patte Carlsson: Our release party for our album “Local Heroes” at Valand in Gothenburg was really awesome, with a big crowd that rocked with us in every way they could! But there have been many special gigs over the years…

Trevor Discombe: Cool… how much personal guitar practice would you undergo in an average week?

Patte Carlsson: I play the guitar for about three hours a day, so twenty-one hours a week is my answer.

Trevor Discombe: What would be the biggest highlight in your musical career to date?

Patte Carlsson: I think it is the process with Fretless… from nothing to an upcoming band in a very short time. It feels very good… and we have been lucky to work with a great label E.L.T Records, Birmingham, UK… and our management Eddie´s Mates from Kansas, USA. The future is looking really good for us, so ask me in a year and then I think I can give you a better answer!

Trevor Discombe: Do you have any guitar playing advice for people who are just starting out?

Patte Carlsson: Don´t give up! It will be some tough years in the beginning. Listen to guitar players that you like and get inspiration from them. After some years, I believe that your own style will be heard in your guitar playing and try to keep it that way. Find a guitar that you really love to play on. Enjoy it and as I said before, don´t give up!

Trevor Discombe: Well said… Now that you have spent some time with your Inferno Bandito signature guitar, what would you say to those who may be concerned about the quality of an Inferno custom guitar, even considering the fairly low price?

Patte Carlsson: I am really stunned and surprised over the good quality that the guitar has. It looks good, it sounds good and I love to play on it. My friends know that I am a guitar freak and that I have had many guitars during the years… but the Inferno is my new stage guitar together with my customized Stratocaster from before. I am looking forward to getting the Inferno Comet guitar that we have been talking about… I believe that my Inferno Bandito is one of the best guitars I have ever tried so I am sure that other guitar players around the world would love Inferno guitars!

Trevor Discombe: Again, many thanks for your time Patte and best of luck with your new album and upcoming shows…

Patte Carlsson: Thank you so much Trevor, I am honoured that you wanted to do this interview with me. Good luck with your great guitar brand and we will speak soon!