Ola Strandberg
If you compare Parallel Life with your previous albums, what's the biggest difference?
It will show a more matured band in many ways, the song writing has grown to another level, individual musical/instrumental performances have risen higher and together as a band we are able to create music in a more progressive and technical way that we have done earlier. For me personally, it means more involvement in the actual song writing and being more active in how the songs are arranged and performed. We have recorded the album at Soundfront Productions with producer/engineer Kjell Sandberg and we have a bigger sound than we've had before. Kjell is very accurate and selective which means the album is being first classed produced and mixed. Hasse and Kjell has done an amazing job putting all the recorded music together.
What's your best tour memory so far (on or off stage)?
At an early stage in our careers, in may 2012, we were invited to play at Rosfest in the US. The Rites of spring prog music festival is held in the beautiful Majestic theatre in Gettysburg, we were so welcomed by festival general George Roldan and staff, we had a great time there meeting a lot of fantastic people and seeing many other amazing bands. We performed other shows in the US and had great help from fantastic people like Ray Laboda, helping us to get to the right places in the right time. A great memory for the band and also for me personally visiting USA for the first time.
You've been playing together for ten years with the same line-up. What's the secret?
One of the reasons I think is that we all get along really well and always enjoy playing and touring together. I am not sure that's the case in every other bands actually. There's always a good laugh around the corner, not ever a bad word or hard times. And lucky for us, we have our sixth member Johnny Taxén (manager and controller of all things) to make sure we are always behaving and performing at our best. We are a happy band!
Thomsson
If you compare Parallel Life with your previous albums, what's the biggest difference?
I’m not writing songs myself but if I compare the work with Parallel life and the earlier albums I think it is both faster and easier to get the whole band into the songs although the songs are probably a bit harder. I think we have our own HFMC sound now that emerged during our years together. I think the songs on our new album is better than ever and Hasse sings like a god! Actually, I think the whole band are doing a good performance on Parallel life! Pure technical the recording has been done like the same way as the other albums, we record the drums in a studio, this time at Soundfront Productions in Uppsala, and then we did the overdubs in our home studios.
What's your best tour memory so far (on or off stage)?
There´s a lot of good memories but the time we rolled into Lorely in Germany for the "Night of the prog" festival back in 2012 with a lovely summer weather and Saga doing their soundcheck, that was really nice.........or the afterparty in our cabin at Hurum progfestival in Norway, back in 2016 or 2017, together with some of the guys in Magic Pie and the nice view over the lake/fjord listening to the Swedish poet "Eddie Meduza" :-).
You've been playing together for ten years with the same line-up. What's the secret?
Actually, we've been together for 11 years this autumn. We started the first rehearsals during October 2008. We always have had a good chemistry in the band, with a lot of laughter’s, silliness and fun. With that you can do miracles. And of course, we are serious when it comes to the musical performance, but with a little glimpse in the eye :-). I think we're almost like a family. Hasse is the dad, Ola is the mom and together they have 3 kids.
Anton Lindsjö
If you compare Parallel Life with your previous albums, what's the biggest difference?
For me, our last album ”HFMC” felt like the album when we really found our voice as a band. "Parallel life" feels like an extension of that sound but has a bit more raw and organic character. Also, this time we recorded most of the guitars via reamping which was a first for me. It was a strange feeling hearing your parts being played by an invisible guitar player through the amp in the other room.
What's your best tour memory so far (on or off stage)?
One of the best memories was the European tour with our American friends in Enchant a few years back. A really great band and truly wonderful guys to be around. And for me, it was also a dream come true to be touring in a nightliner bus.
You've been playing together for ten years with the same line-up. What's the secret?
I think a huge part of this is due to Hasse being a great band leader. He is the one that always has a clear idea of where the band is going, both musically and practically. He is always prepared for the next step and has a plan, whether it’s rehearsal, recording or touring. The other big reason for the band keeping together, is that the other guys in the band are really positive, open and supportive of each other, as well as being a super nice and fun gang to hang with. From Thomas constant jokes and positive energy, to Olas musical ideas and being a down-to-earth guy, to Kjells wacky stories and extreme common knowledge, makes for a weird but lovely bunch.
Kjell Haraldsson
If you compare Parallel Life with your previous albums, what's the biggest difference?
It is difficult to say during the process. I probably need some distance and perspective to be able to give a total analysis. We have just finished the studio work but what immediately strikes me when I listen to the final mix is the clarity of the sound. Hasse and Kjell Sandberg at Soundfront Productions have done a fantastic job. But hopefully this is HFMC's best album so far song-wise, play-wise and production-wise. That’s my gut-feeling!
What's your best tour memory so far (on or off stage)?
Same thing there! Hard to pick anything out. It has happened a lot during these years. The festival in Loreley was a grandiose highlight for me. I have dreamed of playing there since I was a kid. It is a fabulously beautiful place with a lot of medieval castles above the Rhine river that tumbles through the valley. The weather gods were on our side that weekend and we opened the whole festival which allowed us to be a little festive and hang out with the other bands. And of course, the European Tour along with the amazing Enchant was also an outstanding experience. And there is much much more..
You've been playing together for ten years with the same line-up. What's the secret?
We are individually and musically quite different from each other but maybe that is why it works. However, we share a deep passion for the music and we all have great sense of humor. We laugh a lot but we are still dead serious when it comes to the music.
Hasse Fröberg
If you compare Parallel Life with your previous albums, what's the biggest difference?
First, I have to say the tempo. It's generally faster and it sounds like we're more eager to prove ourselves, what we're capable of. Earlier we tried to keep the overdubs at a minimum because of the live shows. This time I told the lads f...ck it, let's go all in and create a monster of an album when it comes to production...and so we did. The number of files from Kjell, Anton and me are probably twice as much as at least the first two albums. I almost feel "perverted" when I'm in the studio creating music out of all this.
What's your best tour memory so far (on or off stage)?
For me it's our gig in Tallinn (Estonia). The whole weekend was a big surprise, but the best thing was the audience. They were very supportive and gave us great energy throughout the gig.
You've been playing together for ten years with the same line-up. What's the secret?
It's actually very simple. First of all, you need to understand that people are different from each other. When you got that in your head and respect that, just try to use and focus on their best assets (and talents). This is of course more important in times when things don't go that well. Forget about the not so good sides and give them the tools to perform at their best. This is my band leader view of it but I think it applies to most situations when humans are involved.