Editor’s Note: On April 19th, power-rock trio SATAN TAKES A HOLIDAY released “A New Sensation” via Despotz Records. The record is a combination of the boogie-woogie style of the 1960’s mixed with some old school garage rock, which makes it such a fun and appealing listen. The band has also shared the stage with the likes of KISS, The Sonics, and Backyard Babies. In this interview, Fred Burman of Satan Takes A Holiday discusses “A New Sensation, working with Royal Blood, and mental health awareness with Madness To Creation. Fans can find Satan Takes A Holiday at the following locations:
www.facebook.com/satantakesaholiday
www.instagram.com/satantakesaholiday
www.twitter.com/SatanTAHoliday
Madness To Creation: Take us into “A New Sensation”, most challenging and rewarding aspect of creating this album!
Fred: I love writing and recording, it’s amazingly rewarding to have something come out like you first heard in your own head, or perhaps even better. That’s the beauty of collaborating. And several songs really took off during the recording sessions. On the other hand if a song doesn’t turn out like I hoped I get really stressed out haha. I’m kind of sensitive like that, I guess.
Madness To Creation: Is it anything like INXS’s “A New Sensation”. Sorry had to ask. Okay, tell me your favorite INXS song!
Fred: The INXS one is just ”New Sensation” haha. Since we considered it for the album title I did a search to know that much. No, they haven’t had any significant meaning in my life, couldn’t name any other song in fact.
Madness To Creation: What is Satan’s favorite holiday?
Fred: He’d be going on tour with us for sure.
Madness To Creation: What is your favorite holiday?
Fred: Well, I haven’t that much holidays in my life. I’m the busy bee type of person. A week off from school? Great, now we can rehearse all day! Vacation? Awesome, let’s write another record!
Madness To Creation: You worked with Royal Blood on this record, take us into that collaboration.
Fred: We’ve done some collaborating with song writer and friend Patrik Berger over the years and he got in touch with us when he heard we were working on a new record to offer us some material he and the guys in Royal Blood had worked for their last album, but for some reason or another hadn’t made it past demos – really cool and strong material, but I can see how maybe it didn’t fit the Royal Blood sound at the time. The result is the song ”Girls” on our album and it’s a stand out track in the sense that it really brings a different energy to the album but I think it still sounds like STAH. I’m really happy with it.
Madness To Creation: This site is also geared towards mental health, what is some advice you have for any of my readers that are struggling with mental health?
Fred: Take it seriously and I hope you have people in your life you can lean when you need to. What I’ve learned is you don’t have to carry all the weight yourself, even if it’s all happening inside you – sharing can really take som load off. I know did for me.
Madness To Creation: What is a preshow ritual you do to gear up for a concert to help you with your mental health?
Fred: Actually I need the last hour or so to focus if I want to be truly present while on stage. Maybe not the most fun dressing room to be in, I get social after the show to make up for it though. Also, I don’t drink on tour. I like to drink, but I’ve realised it pretty destructive in the long run if you’re on the road – it wears you down. So, I’ve made the choice to no dink at all when I’m ”working”. I don’t need that extra stress on my body when performing is already pretty draining emotionally.
Madness To Creation: A song or an album that has gotten you through a difficult time in your life.
Fred: Music has always been very supportive for me, my best friend for sure. I had a rough patch in 2012-13 and discovered Frank Ocean around the same time. It was one of those instances where I really felt he spoke directly to me. It really got to me on a deeper level and now my relationship to his music is kind of the one you get with anyone you experience a trauma or difficulty with and overcome it. It’s for life.
Madness To Creation: What can fans expect from Satan Takes A Holiday for the rest of the year?
Fred: We will continue the touring in support of the album, mostly in Scandinavia, maybe some European dates. We have a few weeks off at the moment, and I’m really looking forward to the upcoming shows.
And there you have it! Satan Takes A Holiday has a couple of gigs this summer coming up. Check them out below:
Sat. 7/13- Garage Bar in Hoganas, Sweden
Fri. 8/23- Nojesfabriken in Karlstad, Sweden
For tickets and further information, click here.
