They certainly are what their name suggests – a fusion of instrumental and melodic vibes, strung together, and exuberantly twirled around the central core of a band with an obvious bond. Their 2002 album Living In America debuted at number 4 on album charts in Sweden, and they've since won a Swedish Grammy. But like the title of their hit album implies, it's in America where The Sounds have really found a home.

They recorded their freshman album themselves out of remote Helsingborg, Sweden, while inexperienced, fresh out of high school, and employing such crude techniques as using a mattress as an insulation booth. But the band's second album, Dying To Say This To You, produced in the States with Killers-famed Jeff Saltzman , further develops the music of The Sounds, while keeping the rough and genuine feel first created out of a makeshift recording studio.

It's notoriously difficult for an artist to escape comparison, and for The Sounds, it's Blondie, among other stars of the past, who's been dubbed as their musical inspiration. But as bassist Johan Bengtsson explained in an interview the day of their new release, The Sounds have more going on than just a combination of what's been done before. For the Swedish rockers, the inspiration to create isn't necessarily drawn from the past; their music is about synthesizing their own spin on the current. And with a growing American celebrity fan base, which spans everywhere from Pharrell Williams to Quentin Tarantino, it's pretty apparent that The Sounds are generating something for almost everyone, while remaining authentically themselves.


EL: Your new album Dying To Say This To You is being released March 21 in the US. Could you describe the motivation behind the new sound and lyrics?

JB: As compared to Living In America? Well, it's (the sound) a little bit different and at the same time you can still tell that it's our band. The whole actual writing of the album was pretty quick, but it's been a long time since we did an album. The whole inspiration came from three years or touring. It was from everything we have gone through together as a band, and also about how our lives have come around - being in a band, and being away from our families, and relationship wise – all of that is mostly what the album is about

EL: What does the album's title mean?

JB: Basically the name is about us delivering a new album from all these stories we have collected about what we have been through.

EL: You're the musical guests on Jimmy Kimmel Live the same night that the new CD comes out. What do opportunities like that mean to you?

JB: We played Kimmel I think three times before, so it's kind of familiar – it's a cakewalk.

EL: Were you nervous the first time?

JB: A little bit, but not really. I did get a little nervous about doing Letterman though because that show is so huge. But things like Jimmy Kimmel we don't get in Sweden. I guess it's a big deal here, but in Sweden its like, "Um I don't know?"

EL: You guys started out in Sweden, but you've got a huge fan base growing in the States. What's different and exciting about American audiences compared to your fans back at home?

JB: There are great things about the fans here and back home. In Sweden, the culture of seeing a band live isn't as big as it is here. Here people are more dedicated to the band. In Sweden, people don't really see bands live; they are more interested in going out to drink!

EL: How do you feel about being compared to such artists as Blondie and Duran Duran?

JB: It's ok - they are great artists but I don't see our band being influenced by those artists at this point in our career- 5 years ago, maybe, but not really that much any more. I don't mind through, I think they are great artists - I'm not offended!

EL: Which artists do you personally attribute your musical inspiration to?

JB: It's really hard to pick an artist. Our band is like listening to all kinds of music. We've been in the Warped Tour and that really influenced us, and we all collect influences over the years, also UK heavy metal stuff - all of those people combined together is what influenced us.

EL: What are the important points about you that people who are unfamiliar with your music should know?

JB: We're good melody, high energy, and kind of a punk rock attitude with keyboard.

EL: You have been described as pretty lively performers. What does it feel like for you to perform in front of your fans?

JB: That's basically why were are still together and keep on doing what we do. That's the most fun of being in the band and it's why we're doing this. Being in the studio and recording is fun, in a way, but there's the instant gratification of playing in front of fans - you get the reaction, how people directly react. I don't hear how people are responding on the radio, but when you play live, you connect with the people.

EL: Any final thoughts about the new album and what you have planned?

JB: It's recorded here in San Francisco. We recorded with Jeff Saltzman who worked with The Killers, but we really did the album ourselves. Right now we just really want to perform- we are really looking forward to coming to Philadelphia and doing the show with Morningwood.

For more information on 'The Sounds' Visit: http://www.The-Sounds.com