Royal Hunt’s Jonas Larsen’s interview

Written by on June 14, 2019

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Thank you for doing this, Jonas. We appreciate it. I wanted to ask you from the beginning: what got you into Metal music when you were younger?

I was raised in a home where music played a big part. As I grew older my interest in music expanded from the classic rock my parents listened to like Elvis and The Rolling Stones etc., to the more heavy and hard rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Mötorhead and so many more. The funny thing is that my parents now also listen to hard rock, so I guess the inspiration goes both ways.

And what did you find so appealing about the guitar?

 

Well, if you like rock’n’roll you have got to have a guitar! Naturally as I started playing guitar as a kid, I began to seek out more guitar-oriented music.

 

Which albums and guitar players influenced you the most?

 

First of all, I was completely blown away when my parents took me to see The Rolling Stones in concert. I was only ten years old, and totally impressed by Keith Richards’ riffing, so obviously I HAD to get a Telecaster just like his (cheap copy, of course). Actually, my older brother loaned me half the money to pay for this guitar, which I by the way still play once in a while. But after that I been inspired by other guitar legends like Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Uli Jon Roth, Ritchie Blackmore and Yngwie Malmsteen. So of course, I HAD to get a Strat, and so I did.

I find it hard to list the albums (and guitar players) that inspired me, because there is just so many, but “Steel Wheels” (Stones), “Stranger in us all” (Rainbow) and “Roots to Branches” (Jethro Tull) are definitely among them.

One of your latest projects is N’Tribe. What can you tell the people about this new band?

When “Land of broken hearts” had its 25th anniversary Henrik, André and I got together and made a bonus song for the reissue. It went great so we just decided to record some more songs. We are all into that 70´s kind of hard rock and now we just released our debut EP – check it out at https://ntribe.dk/shop/ and a new video: https://youtu.be/T2IzABQAyW0

 

Considering that N’Tribe has many members or former members from your other band, Royal Hunt, do you think this is going to affect the band in terms of promotion or do you think is going to be helpful?

Promotion-wise I think it will be an advantage, because people know all three of us already. And hopefully we will gather some new fans who might be more into traditional rock.

What are the main differences between these two bands?

 

When fans of Royal Hunt check out N’Tribe they will find that there are some similarities but also some major differences. Royal Hunt represents the big symphonic progressive music whereas N’Tribe is more kick ass to the bone kind of rock. Personally, I love them both!

 

Obviously, you have played and written music with André Andersen. How is it to work with him, on a professional and personal level?

I always enjoy working with André. He is very professional and passionate about his music, and so am I. On a personal level we are great friends and usually hang out a lot.

Does he allow you to contribute to the writing process and give your spin of things during the actual composition?

Yes, he does. I don´t feel restricted in that department at all and, obviously, write all my own solo parts.

What are you guys planning for Royal Hunt in the foreseeable future?

 

Our last album “Cast in Stone” is still doing well – thank you all! – and it just has been released on vinyl as well: https://royalhunt.com/store/ Up next is a big festival in Russia on July 27th which I am looking very much forward to. Some other gigs might come up during the summer but by the end of the year we´re supposed to start working on our new album.

You have also played in a few cover bands. What can you tell us about it?

 

Well, it is all classic rock stuff. I always enjoy performing and jamming some of my favorite tunes by my favorite bands. And it is a good way to keep up your chops.

How do you juggle these projects so that everything is balanced and you even have time for yourself?

I guess it is like anybody else who´s working for a living. I just happen to be working with music.

What interests do you have outside of music?

 

Not much really, besides hanging out with my girlfriend, family and friends.

 

Considering what you have done in your career so far, what goals or ambitions do you have at the moment that you haven’t achieved?

 

Getting better at what I do: there are still a lot of places I have not played yet that I would like to go to, I also love being in the studio recording new stuff … lots of exiting stuff to look forward to.

What are the most important lessons that you have learned from the music business all these years?

Don´t do it to get rich and famous, because that is probably not going to happen. Do it because you love doing it.

Thank you for doing this, Jonas. Any final message for our readers? Where can we follow you on social media?

Thank you and the readers for supporting and keeping good music alive. You can follow me at:

Facebook

 

Facebook Royalhunt

 

Facebook Nordictribe

 

 

 

Listen to N’Tribe:

 

Spotify

 

ITunes

 

 

 

Listen to Royal Hunt:

 

Spotify

 

ITunes


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