Swedish folk-psych band Junip knows a little bit about traveling the world–their stand-out song “Rope and Summit” is about conquering metaphorical mountains, and between their recent international break-out and singer/guitarist Jose Gonzalez's earlier solo career, they've conquered plenty of literal territory too. There's even two bars in Thailand where “Rope and Summit” gets played every day, says synthesizer player Tobias Winterkorn, thanks to a super-fan and old roommate spreading the good word. But when they visit America, there are certain things they look forward to that they just can't find anywhere else. Winterkorn shares his five favorite things about the U.S.A. en route to his show at Detroit Bar on Saturday.
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“It's harder and harder to find good vinyl records in Sweden! There was
one really big store in Gothenburg where we live, but no one else who
lived there bought vinyl records and it shut down. We had like three
stores and now there's just one left. America is the best for vinyl–but
unfortunately we can't take much home with us because of the weight
limit [for luggage] on the plane.”
THE FOOD
“Food places are always good to know about! The food in the U.S. is so
good–we don't have anything like that. You can eat food from all over
the world in your country. That's amazing.”
THE HISTORY
“If we have a day off and there's some historical thing to see, I always
love to go to those. I love the Civil War–well, it's hard to say 'love'
about a war. But it's really interesting. And a lot of Swedish
immigrants came to the U.S. There's literature in Sweden about families
coming to Minnesota. And then the history between the races, with mobs
and the Klu Klux Klan. That's interesting in a sad way–just to figure
out what actually happened.”
THE LAND
“I remember one place real well–Marfa in Texas! That was really strange
but beautiful. It was like magic. We had the day off and it was so quiet
you could only hear the wind blow. Also when you go from San Francisco
to L.A. and drive the way there–that's very beautiful! The United States
has everything–alps, seasides, everything!”
THE ANALOG SYNTHESIZERS
“They're great–but I can't bring them home. I'd have to lie on the
customs form. 'This is a gift … for my wife.' So I just don't look. I'd
feel really sad because I'd know I can't buy one.”
JUNIP WITH THE ACRYLICS AT DETROIT BAR, 843 W. 19TH ST., COSTA MESA. SAT., MAY 7. 9 PM. $18. 21+. DETROITBAR.COM.
