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How did you think 'Private Suit' would sound before you recorded it?
"Well, quite like it sounds right now. In April/May 1999 we already released a demo with a part of the songs that made it on the album and on that tape you can hear how the album was going to sound. That's why we asked John Parish to produce the album. He suited with the sound we were looking for."
How does 'Private Suit' differ from the other albums.
"Well, I guess we started to play better. As a band we've become compact as a whole. Furthermore is the production more transparent, although we used more instruments than ever before. Besides that, the vocal lessons also helped very well. On the other side: I also see some similarities with our first album 'Palomine' regarding the personal and emotional parts in the lyrics. But it still sounds very Bettie Serveert."
After years at Matador you set up your own record label called Palomine Records. Has this been a good choice so far?
"Yes, sure! It means we have to work harder, but we know exactly what we're doing. Besides that: the co-operation with PIAS is excellent. They take care of the promotional business and the distribution. I don't think we could have done it when Bettie Serveert started but after 9 years of experience we know how things are managed. And it's nice to be your own boss of course."
On 'Private Suit' you are accompanied by a lot of guest musicians. Why is that? "It all went very naturally. We know Thou and Metal Molly because we toured with them in the past. Great musicians, beautiful voices. So when we recorded the demo in 1999 we asked them if they wanted to join us. Most of the songs were quite finished already, but the atmosphere in the demo-studio was very loosely and playful. With that freedom we were able to experiment a lot together with Bart & Does (Thou) and Allan & Pascal (Metal Molly). That co-operation worked out so well that we asked them if they also wanted to join us on the album."
Good news for Bettie Serveert: you are going to tour with the Counting Crowes and Live. How come?
"A few years ago we did some tours with the Counting Crows and we had contact ever since. So when they got going again and heard we had released a new album in the United States they invited us again. We're really looking forward to it."
What are your expectations regarding 'Private Suit' now you are going to tour in the States again?
"'Private Suit' has just been released for a week in the United States and entered the National College Radio Charts at #79. That's very well. At the moment we are planning another tour and we're hoping to be back in the USA next year but first we are going to do that October tour. And of course in Holland and Belgium, in November and December. You won't hear us complain."
Is it still hard to gain international success being a Dutch rockband?
"International sounds very big. Asia, Africa South-America...we've never been there. But the past seven years we've been lucky to tour in the United States most of the time. And in the end that's the only way: just keep on touring. But I still think it's hard for a lot of bands."
What's rocking your stereo at present?
"Jeff Buckley ( Grace), Blur (13), Massive Attack (Mezzanine), Ramones (Anthology), Einsturzende Neubauten (Silence is Sexy), Belle and Sebastian"
When you look back at your career with Bettie Serveert. What have been the best moments? "The moments when we didn't have a lot of pressure from the outside: in the studio, on stage. Strange and nice events. Too much to tell."
Any future bettie plans or something on your own?
"We've already started to write new songs and hopefully we can go back to the studios some time next year, even if it was just for a demo-recording. I think we'll also do some projects meanwhile, as a matter of fact we are already doing some. Unfortunately I can't tell you anything about it so far. But nothing really mysterious, but experience taught us to wait before it's actually released. Sometimes things can be cancelled. But soon a single by Mauro (ex-Evil Superstars) will be released; a duet we recorded together. And well: a lot of touring. One way or another: we can't sit still."
http://www.kindamuzik.net/interview/bettie-serveert/bettie-serveert/355/
Meer Bettie Serveert op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/bettie-serveert
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