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Interview with Magdelena Hagberg and Nisse Bielfeld of Pär Lindh Project

Greg - This is obviously not your first trip to the United States to play.

Nisse - No, it's the third time.

Greg - I think the last time you played was St. Louis, and that's been turned into a live album. Is that correct?

Nisse - The live album is actually recordings from ProgDay '98, North Carolina, and some bits from Brazil '97, that tour. That's why we named it 'Live in America' --- North and South America. St. Louis was recorded, and I believe they did a video there. So, there's nothing from St. Louis on the live album.

Greg - Magdelena, how did you get started with Par Lindh? I heard 'Gothic Impressions', but you weren't involved with the band at the point, were you? How did you find each other?

Magdelena - Actually, I am singing on some of the 'Gothic Impressions'. As for Pär and I, I was working in a church, and he was recording this album in the church and was using the organ. When he came there, he played and I sang for him.

Greg - So, it started from there. And you're a permanent member now...

Magdelena - Yes, I am. Exactly.

Greg - Has the band had much success in Sweden, or have you had to go continually abroad?

Nisse - Sweden is not a big prog scene. They have some festivals like once or twice a year, so we don't have too many people who go to shows in Sweden, so we always go abroad.

Greg - Do Swedes realize that there are at least twenty excellent bands that are playing today in Sweden?

Magdelena - They have no idea.

Nisse - They buy only Britney Spears albums.

Greg - Good grief. I'm sure that CHUO listeners will thrilled to hear that. I also understand, after reading the program, that a couple of your band members could not make it (for today's performance)?

Magdelena - Exactly. They went to school for a year studying music, so they have a lot of other things to do.

Greg - I think the same thing happened with Tomas Bodin of the Flower Kings. He had to give up his post as the keyboard player for The Flower Kings to attend theatre school, but I think he's back with them. Have you seen the Flower Kings before? They are one of Sweden's most recognized progressive rock bands.

Nisse - Roine lives about 45 minutes from my home and we meet him sometimes, and we met them on tour occasionally, so we know them. Par knows Roine very well.

Greg - Any plans or thoughts of a Par Lindh Project / Flower Kings double-bill North American tour?

Nisse - Well, there's been talk of that.

Magdelena - Yes.

Nisse - We've talked about doing Japan and Canada, but no contract yet. There have only been thoughts about it.

Greg - That was the right answer, you can't confirm anything. We don't need to get any rumours started. We have about five minutes until Anekdoten, another Swedish band, as far as I know.

Nisse - Yes, an excellent band.

Greg - Do you have seats inside?

Nisse - Well, I hope.

Magdelena - Yeah, we hope!

Greg - Thank you. That was Magdelena and Nisse from Par Lindh Project and we're going to hear from them tomorrow. I think they're the fourth band, right before Transatlantic. Tack!

Magdelena - Tack so mycke.

Nisse - Varsa god