Capricorn’s sophomore album is For The Restless. We caught up with vocalist/guitarist Kristoffer Ekberg fills us in on a lineup change, the new record, touring, his non-musical interests and other topics.
Chad Bowar: How did drummer Tomas Eriksson come to join the band?
Kristoffer Ekberg: Our first drummer quit the band. So when it was time to plan the recording of the new album we got in touch with Robert Eriksson (drummer of The Hellacopters) to see if he would like to do it, but his schedule was pretty much fully booked But he said if it’s OK I’d like to recommend a great drummer. And that great drummer was non other than Tomas Eriksson. So through Robert we asked Tomas if he would like to play drums on the album and he said yes! The whole recording process went smooth as a paycheck. So by the end of it we asked Tomas if he would like to join the band, and he wanted to do it. Guess the rest is history.
How did the songwriting process for For The Restless compare to your debut?
The difference is that I wrote the songs on Soul Engine over a long period of time. Some of them were already in our live set. And we learned the songs by meticulously rehearsing them. On this one I wrote the songs, arranged them with our bass player/producer Pontus Blom, and then we started to make demos of each song. That gave us a better idea of what was good and what was not.
How do you and guitarist Peter Soderberg divide up the guitar parts?
When it comes to solos we pretty much divide them in half between us. When it comes to the rhythm tracks, if Peter would play a single coil guitar then I would play a humbucker guitar, vice versa. All in favor of the sound and the song.
What will be your strongest memory of the recording of the album?
I think the strongest memory is when we where done with all the basic tracks, we played them together live in the studio. And this was the first time that Tomas played with us, but everything went so smooth and easy, and we locked in musically with each other that it was mind blowing! And I remember Tomas say that it feels like we’ve played together always, and yet this is the first time we’re doing it. That was cool!
How did the pandemic affect the process?
We kept ourselves as a pretty tight unit, no more than four people in the studio at the time, which made it a lot easier. When Covid hit, we were already in a making an album state of mind which means basically that you’re already in a bubble.
What inspired the album title?
The title is an homage, a tribute to all those out there looking for something else, a way out. It’s dedicated to the wild at heart.
What lyrical topics do you cover on this one?
The lyrics are about myself and the people around me in some fashion, give or take a couple of alter egos. I like to write about things that come from life in general, sprinkled with a rock and roll twist here and there. Like Bon Scott said: The following is a true story; only the names have been changed to protect the guilty.
How did you come to sign with Wild Kingdom/Sound Pollution?
Both Pontus (our bass player) and I played on the late but ever so great Robert Strängen Dahlqvist’s (The Hellacopters, Dundertåget, Thunder Express) record Rock På Svenska, and we also played on the tribute gigs at Debaser in Stockholm and Sweden Rock Festival. Wild Kingdom was the label behind all that, and when it came time to finishing up For The Restless it felt natural to contact Calle Schewen at Wild Kingdom to see if they were interested in going full circle, and they felt exactly like we did. It felt natural for the both of us to do this.
What are your goals and expectations for the album?
We hope that people out there will dig what we’re doing and that the album gets the attention it deserves.
What has been your most memorable Capricorn live show?
I must say that it has to be a tour we did with U.K. subs. After the first show the boys in the band said that they got Thin Lizzy vibes from our guitar playing which was monumental for me. I also got to talk to Charlie Harper about Phil Lynott and the old Lizzy days. Memorable for sure!
What are your upcoming show/tour plans?
We’ve got some shows coming up around the release of the album, and after that the sky’s the limit. We’re working on some very cool stuff!
How did you get started in music?
I think it all started on my 8th birthday when my older brother gave me High Voltage by AC/DC on vinyl. Something happened that got a strong hold within me. It’s been such a huge part of my life and I can’t see myself not doing it.
Who were your early influences and inspirations?
Early influences and inspirations is by far my older brother. He gave me the map to unlock the mysteries of AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, Alice Cooper, Bruce Springsteen and Dylan. I owe him so much when it comes to music and inspiration. The early stuff he showed me is still such a big part of me.
What was the first rock/metal concert you attended?
We have a rock festival in town, it’s been around since the late seventies. Me and my friends used to go every year to watch local bands. The big one for me is the first time I saw AC/DC live. It was on the Ballbreaker tour and I was 14 years old and full of anticipation! I had a sore throat and a bruised neck for days after that show!
What are some of your non-musical interests and hobbies?
I’m a huge comic book fan. Also a big movie buff. Everything Sergio Leone, Martin Scorsese or Francis Ford Coppola is ok in my book. And as a comic book fan, it’s a treat these days with all the superhero movies out there. Good times indeed!
What’s currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Street Survivors by Lynyrd Skynyrd is definitely on heavy rotation in my house. Goats Head Soup by The Rolling Stones is another one. The Morning After by J. Geils Band is a gem that seems to always be close by. And of course anything with Otis Redding.
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
Go buy our record, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, support the noble art of good time rock n roll!
(interview published March 25, 2022)
