What is the band name?
The Bongo Club
How did you come up with your name ‘The Bongo Club’
We wanted to come up with something catchy and easy enough for everyone to hear when we say it live.
What is your genre of music?
Indierock would be the word.
Give us a little bio about you as a band and as individuals.
We’re about rock’n’roll, it’s about entering the stage like a boxer enters the ring and leaving it 40 minutes later sweating! We’re about hating your day job and loving every minute in a half empty club on a narrow stage in a windowless cellar on a Friday night!
As individuals we are four best friends from school who all live for playing music.
How did you meet each other?
Me and Erik met when we are thirteen. I went to school with some bandmates of his and eventually we decided to pursue our common longing for fame and fortune. During high school we met the Alex and Jonatan and quickly became best friends and formed the band.
Are you a signed?
Yes we are signed! Our label in GSA is Motor Music, Flake Records releases the album in Japan and The Bank Music is our label in the rest of the world.
You released your latest track ‘Seventeen’ , tell us more about this.
Seventeen was one of the first tracks we wrote for the album. It’s a song about being stuck in life and holding on to former glory days.
What was the recording process like?
It was mad. After recording it we sent the track to Owen Morris who happened to like it so much that he decided to mix it. His mix set the standard for the whole album and it’s always a pleasure to work with a legend.
What was the writing process like?
We never struggled with Seventeen. It just came to us. Every part made sense immediately.
You released ‘Anybody Have A Lighter’ , tell us more about the album.
It’s an album that is the result of thousands of hours rehearsing, hundreds of shows being played and all the people we’ve met. Stories from the road as well as nights alone in our hometown. It’s an album that shows where we are right now.
What was the recording process like?
It was quite simple. We spend hours and hours rehearsing so recording isn’t a hassle.
What was the writing process like?
We write everything together in our rehearsal space. It’s blood, sweat and tears but the final product is something we’re all really into. I write the lyrics myself though.
What was the naming process like?
The album title comes from a track called ”Victoria”. It’s the opening phrase of the chorus and I think it catches the feeling of the album.
You also have some live shows coming up this year, tell us more about where your heading.
We’re heading over to England twice this spring. First we’re doing some shows around Liverpool Sound City in May followed by Camden Rocks Festival in June. We’re also playing Germany and in the Baltics during the summer. We might also appear on some festivals. All dates will be announced shortly!
Where can tickets be bought?
https://camdenrocksfestival.com/tickets/
https://liverpoolsoundcity.seetickets.com/tour/liverpool-sound-city
Will you be selling merchandise?
Yeah for sure. We’ve got some beautiful t-shirts that we always bring.
What else can we expect from you guys.
You can expect us to be at our best, always. We want to make sure everybody is having the time of their lives.
Do you have any collaborations in the works?
Not at the moment,no.
Would you be up for collaborating with other bands or artists, if so how could they contact you?
Honestly, we’re up for anything. They can reach us at info@thebongoclub.se or vibesofsweden@gmail.com.
Who are your influences?
Most of the early 2000’s indie music. However, I was fed Oasis from an early age by my dad so I would consider them being my biggest influence.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
It can come from anything. From a bad day at work, the mental party last night or falling out with someone you cherish. We haven’t got a hidden agenda. We just try to write great songs about our lives.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
We see ourselves being touring musicians living of our music. Don’t need luxury, we just want to do this full-time.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Working jobs we’d rather not have and trying to keep a straight face. We go out a lot too, our gang is golden.
Where would your dream venue to play in your hometown?
Our hometown don’t have any proper venues unfortunately. The live music scene has been more or less extinct for a while. It’s starting to happen things now though. Still, no dream venues to be found.
What would be your dream show to have your music played on?
Any BBC show would be massive!
If you could collaborate with one UK Artists or Band who would it be?
One of our new favourite UK band is Shame. Wouldn’t turn them down.
If you could collaborate with one US Artists or Band who would it be?
The Strokes! Any day of the week.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
The first time I heard Oasis I was hooked instantly. It must have been ”Rock ’n’ Roll Star”.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
It’s about touring. ”Even if it’s just one night of 30 for you, never forget that for the audience and everyone working at the gig it’s THE night. Remember to treat it like that”.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
As long as it’s fun, the music’s probably good. The moment it stops being fun you’ve got to stop and ask yourself why you’re doing it.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Never say no to a gig.
You get off a plane in your hometown,
1/ where is the first place you visit
2/ where is the first place you see
3/ where is the fist food place you go and what do you get
We haven’t got an airport unfortunately, but the first place I’d visit would be Wisers Pub for a drink with friends. If I was in the mood for a view I’d head to Ryssby- it’s a viewing point where you can catch our hometown in whole. The best thai you can get in Borås is from Popwinner- a better Pad Thai is seldom seen.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Lyrics
Our drummer
Strings
Cigarettes
Passport
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
