Illusion Suite – Oyvind Larsen
Milton: Oyvind, let’s talk about ILLUSION SUITE a little bit. What were some of your influences when you started out?
Oyvind: Well, to speak for myself, earlier on I was influenced a lot by Pink Floyd and Metallica when I was young. Pearl Jam too. The band really started with me and drummer, and we’re both very influenced by metal in general. He was more into videogames music actually.
Milton: Wow, that’s great. I love some of those game soundtracks.
Oyvind: Yeah, they’re great. I mean, he was into some of the Final Fantasy ones and others. When we both grew up, we started listening to Dream Theater, Symphony X, Angra. I think those would be our biggest influences. And movie soundtracks too.
Milton: That’s cool. Any favorite soundtracks that you can think of?
Oyvind: Well, as for our drummer, he listens to all kinds of videogame music. He’s always been into Japanese game music. I have to be honest, I can’t remember the names of any of them. For me, it’s… Hmm, where do I start? (laughter) I like Yanni a lot, the guy from Greece. Let’s see what else, there are so many great soundtracks… At the moment I’m listening to the Phantom of the Opera one and the soundtrack to that movie with Russell Crowe, The Insider. And also the more obvious ones, like the soundtrack to Gladiator, and Braveheart. There is so much great music in the movies.
Milton: Definitely. So, you guys released The Final Hour in 2009. Were the songs in that album all new compositions, or were songs written before, around the EP time?
Oyvind: Well, they were a mix of both the EP and the demo, and three new songs. But we recorded and re-arranged most of the songs, hopefully better than the previous versions.
Milton: What was it like to enter the studio for the first time?
Oyvind: To be honest, it was pretty easy since I own the studio and that’s where we spend a lot of our time. And since we recorded the album before the record deal was set, we had no pressure or anything. It was too easy. (laughter)
Milton: I’m sure there are plenty of bands that envy that.
Oyvind: It makes it much easier. We just figured, “Ok, let’s start recording the album. We’ll just do it and try to get a label afterwards.” The album was pretty much done when we got the deal with Limb, so it was easy. Good times in the studio.
Milton: Not to mention it must have been a blessing to not have to worry about paying for a studio.
Oyvind: Yeah, we were very privileged. I’ve been doing that all my life, I’ve always been interested in recording and producing music. It used to really be more of a hobby, but now it’s becoming a job since I’m doing it for other bands as well. It’s part of my every day.
Milton: Is that your full time job now?
Oyvind: I’m trying to establish it as a full time job. The studio is at the same level as the band, and I’m trying to establish both.
Milton: Since we touched on this, I assume you guys in ILLUSION SUITE still have day jobs.
Oyvind: Of course.
Milton: It seems that there’s still some people that see a band with an album out, and immediately think they’re living off their music, driving a Ferrari.
Oyvind: I don’t even have a driver’s license. (laughter)
Milton: (laughter)
Oyvind: I’m 31 years old and I can’t drive a car. I’ve done it twice in my life, and the first time I almost crashed. So even if we were making the big bucks, no Ferrari for me. (laughter) But our bass player works in a youth club for teenagers, where kids can go in and play, have a good time. Our vocalist has a lot of projects, but his main thing is running a hotel and restaurant in Thailand. Our keyboardist is a microphone operator for Norwegian TV shows. He’s the guy that you see in the TV shows holding the big microphone stand, and our drummer is unemployed. But he’s trying to get into the videogame music business. As for me, aside from the studio, I work for a music store in Oslo, that sells music software and that kind of stuff.
Milton: Very cool, but no driving. (laughter) Especially when you’re in Atlanta.
Oyvind: It’s all good. As long as I get to go to the Coca Cola museum.
Milton: Oh, is that right?
Oyvind: Yes, I heard so many good things about it that I figured it’d be cool to do that. I also heard there are a few good places to eat in Atlanta, good BBQ places. Like a grill, is that right?
Milton: Yeah, there are some very good restaurants in town. The Coca Cola museum is cool though. There’s a spot where you can actually try different Coca Cola products from all over the world.
Oyvind: Ohh! (laughter) I feel like Homer Simpson every time I talk about food, like drooling and stuff. And I also love the donuts… Ahhhhhhhhhhh. (laughter) You know, it’s awesome for me to go to the United States. Last year, I went to New York with my ex-girlfriend and she made a scrapbook for me out of everything I ate in the trip. (laughter) I love food, even though I am a skinny guy. I’m really looking forward to eat in the US! There’s so much good food like Dunkin Donuts and Krispy Kreme and all of that stuff, so… Woo-Hoo! (laughter)
Milton: (laughter) That’s awesome. I can tell you’re really looking forward to the trip.
Oyvind: Definitely. I always think that there are many people that don’t get a chance like this at all in their lives. It’s so crazy, one moment I’m sitting in my room working on my music, and the next moment, I’m coming to the United States to play in the coolest festival in the world! How could I not be grateful for that, man. I am still being very careful though, as I’m waiting for the working visas to be completely approved and all.
Milton: Yeah, and how is that going for you guys? It can be a hassle sometimes, there’s been a lot of bands playing ProgPower that had to cancel over visas. Last year alone there were four.
Oyvind: It’s terrible, man. That’s why until I have that piece of paper in my hand, I’m keeping my feet on the ground and everything calm. There shouldn’t be any reason why we can’t make it, but I never take anything for granted nor do I count with things before they really happen. I’m trying to be very realistic about it.
Milton: I’m sure things will turn out okay, you guys will have the time of your life at ProgPower and you’ll have as many donuts as you want.
Oyvind: Awesome. (laughter) You know what it is, I never in life dare to say “Yes, this is going to happen” before I know it 100%. I don’t like to be disappointed, especially for big things. I hope everything turns out okay.
