Europe: Still Having Fun
We catch up with vocalist Joey Tempest for a little chinwag.
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Determined not to let themselves become a one trick pony, Europe – yes, the band that wrote ‘The Final Countdown’ – are enjoying a boost in popularity after their 2009 album ‘Last Look At Eden’. We catch up with vocalist Joey Tempest ahead of their date at the iTunes Festival for a little chinwag.
You’re playing at the iTunes Festival at the end of July. Are you excited?
We’re very excited by it. We’ve got two giant things this year – the iTunes Festival and Sonisphere at Knebworth. We’re just so happy that it’s kind of happening for us. ‘Last Look At Eden’ opened up a lot of doors, especially in the UK where we had some good reactions, so what can I say? The iTunes Festival will be a delight.
Do you kinda feel like you’re sticking out like a sore thumb at the iTunes Festival? There’s a lot of poppier bands also playing dates at it.
Well, I’m just happy to play such a powerful festival. I know there’s a lot of pop bands – although there’s some rock acts as well – but it’s just a pleasure to be involved in it.
Do you think this is sort of a second coming for Europe?
Yeah, definitely. We’ve done three albums now in the new millennium so we’ve built something up here in the UK and I’ve lived in London for many, many years. We grew up back in the Stockholm suburbs listening to British rock and now we can tour Europe and be invited to festivals – we’re like kids in a candy store.
Do you think your music suits 2010?
We try and work with young producers who keep their ear on the ground of what’s going on musically. We want to develop and we want to try and be something that is relevant at this time and that seems to be working. It’s a combination of having our classic roots and also the modern production.
It seems like the newer album seems to be a little bit heavier than your previous work?
Yeah, the three albums we’ve released in the new millennium is heavier but we still have those big riffs and big choruses. We grew up with guitar based bands and showing more and more of our influences and stuff. It’s heavy stuff, but there’s melody in there too.
I have to ask you about The Final Countdown the song. Are you a bit annoyed you’re pretty much known for one song?
Some people think we are, but when we have eight albums and a lot of people know the songs like, y’know. But [‘The Final Countdown’] has been important to us as well. But for us it was only an album track – it was more of an opening for our show. It was over six minutes long - we never knew it was going to be played on the radio or anything like that. It caught us by surprise, but it’s been very helpful. And it’s a great live track, everyone’s coming together. It’s just one of those songs that brings everyone together but it’s kinda different song, it’s kind of unique in a way.
Are you tired of hearing the keyboard riff?
Well put it this way, I don’t think we rehearse it! But we do love playing it live. It was written for the live performance and it brings people together and gets people excited. We’re not tired of playing it live, but we wouldn’t play it at home.
Have you got plans to record another album?
Yep we will. We’re still working with ‘Last Look at Eden’ now and we’ll tour this whole year, and in 2011 and we will concentrate on writing and recording.
And are there any UK tours planned?
They’re not confirmed yet but we’ve been invited to come back here in 2011, although it’s not confirmed yet. We’ve got two festivals this summer, the iTunes Festival and Sonisphere, and then we’re looking at coming back in 2011 again. I really hope that comes true as we’re really starting to build something here in the UK.
So do you think Europe have a few years in them yet?
Oh yeah. We’re still having fun, and that’s the main thing. Everyone’s having a good time in the band, and we’re okay touring, we’re all getting along. So far so good, and we’re gonna keep going.
Going back to the iTunes Festival, what’s your take on digital music and downloading and all that?
For me, it’s the best option. I get my stuff from iTunes, all the time. For me personally it works great.
Do you think downloading works for Europe as a band?
Yes it does in a way. We were one of the first bands from Scandinavia to provide that service on our website - there were deals with the record company where we had the right to sell it ourselves through our website. But we’re in with the new technology, we are using it.
Would you say you’re the biggest band to come out of Sweden?
I think we are the biggest rock band out of Scandinavia. If you talk in terms of rock and hard rock, there’s so many top bands there.
Do you miss living out there?
I moved to London quite awhile ago but I go back to Sweden all the time, so I spend my time between London and Stockholm.
Europe plays the iTunes Festival on 25th July with Foreigner, and Sonisphere Festival on Friday 30th July. http://www.europetheband.com.
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