Brian Molko: "I don't bite" - Interview by Silke Mitteregger BZ Austria 2009

Brian Molko: “Being a rockstar is also a fulltime job”.

Exclusive: The Austrian newspaper Wiener Bezirkszeitung BZ was the only Austrian newspaper allowed to meet Placebo’s singer Brian Molko.

Interview by Silke Mitteregger - 11/2009

BZ editor Silke Mitteregger chatted with Brian Molko / Placebo before the show at the Wiener Stadthalle.

By Silke Mitteregger . Translation into English by Susanne Ck & Diana E.T. Foghin. Placebo Anyway

How to have a more or less objective conversation with a big idol?

Correct answer: You just can’t!

Nevertheless, I tried – and I was the only Austrian newspaper editor who was allowed to interview Placebo’s front man Brian Molko in Vienna.

BZ:  Hi Brian. I have to confess, I’m nervous meeting you….

Brian Molko: Don’t be afraid. I will not bite you! Probably (laughing).

BZ:  Let us speak about your new album “Battle For The Sun”, which reached number 1 in the Austrian Charts. What sets “Battle For The Sun” apart from the previous albums?

Brian Molko:  A band it’s like with a relationship, where you develop, evolve, change, and experiment. ’Meds’ was a very dark album – we all had problems with certain drugs and we were depressed. Placebo was practically at its end as a band. ‘Battle For The Sun’ in comparison is a colorful album full of energy. It should evoke hope.

BZ:  Recently you got the MTV Award as best alternative band. Is this belated fame (the band exists since 15 years, editor’s note) an accomplishment?

Brian Molko: Well, there are a few people in the music business and the media sector, I call them ‘taste-makers’, who have power to make people believe what is good.

This award was given directly by the audience; therefore, it’s something valuable for us. 

BZ:  What would you say it’s special about you as an artist?

Brian Molko: My voice, which is unmistakable. No matter which song you are listen to, you will always know: this is Placebo. (He seems  extremely self-confident).

BZ:  Are you still nervous, when you go on stage?

Brian Molko: No, I haven’t felt that way in a long time. And this is a multi-tasking thing. I have to control my instrument, get the right note, communicate with my band mates, and give the fans a show…. there is no space for speed wobbles (panic).

BZ:  It sounds almost like as you got bored of being a rock star?

Brian Molko: No, It’s not like that it is (Pause) a job in the end.

BZ:  How is your stay here in Vienna?

Brian Molko: I arrived an hour ago. What do you think I should have seen?

BZ:  Placebo got several shows in Vienna over and done with. Did you have the possibility to see more of the city?

Brian Molko: Vienna is well known as a city of art. I already have been to  some museums. But please do not ask me for their names….

BZ:   To finish, tell our readers now something really crazy about you!

Brian Molko: (starts to grin). There is nothing to confess. I’m a totally normal guy. And just in case it’s not true, I will not reveal it to you now.

BZ:  Thank you for the  interview.

By Silke Mitteregger . Translation into English by Susanne Ck & Diana E.T. Foghin - Placebo Anyway

BZ editor Silke Mitteregger chatted with Brian Molko / Placebo before the Placebo show at the Wiener Stadthalle.

Photo Credits: Pinterest 

Original Interview in German.

Brian Molko Interview - Hurricane Festival 2015

Let's watch a small interview with Brian and Nick looking absolutely awesome and hear about Universal Feelings 
Emoticono wink
Thanks to Placebo Belgium!!! 

Emoticono smil

Placebo - Brian Molko - Placebo Press Conference at the Mawazine Festival

Interview translated from French into English by Bénédicte Convert - Placebo Anyway 

Layout Susanne Ck 

What’s your secret to keep on renewing since 20 years?

Brian Molko: Each time we’ve recorded an album, when it’s time to make the next one, it’s a little bit like an allergic reaction… so… Essentially we fucking get bored quickly! So… In order to interest ourselves, musically, we have to renew each time!

What’s the secret of this unchangeable voice?

Answer’s already in English on the video! 

What’s the secret of a hit?

Brian Molko: We don’t know the secret! I think that if we’d know it, we wouldn’t be able to do it anymore!
It would become a formula! So we follow our instincts and we just enjoy.

How do the lyrics come?

Brian Molko: Lyrics appear during the writing process. I don’t choose the subjects before writing. For me it’s a way to discover myself. It’s a kind of reflection of what’s happening inside me, emotionally and in my subconscious.
We do what we feel like. That’s it. [Laughs] That’s very simple

Placebo Anyway

Photo screenshots: Placebo Anyway

Mawazine 2015: Placebo’s Brian Molko on the band’s upcoming 20th anniversary tour

Brian Molko of the British bank Placebo. Fadel Senna / AFP photo

INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN MOLKO!! 

Read and enjoy!!

"We are really enjoying ourselves at the moment. Over the last couple of years we have become a better band essentially and we are really enjoying performing. We finally learned how to truly connect with an audience which is really important, otherwise things are very flat."

Speaking exclusively to The National before their blistering performance in Morocco’s Mawazine Festival on Tuesday, Placebo frontman Brian Molko says next year will be a big one for the rockers with a greatest hits tour celebrating their 20th anniversary.

Happy upcoming 20th anniversary. You guys have spent the year so far performing in festivals. How has the experience been?

We are really enjoying ourselves at the moment. Over the last couple of years we have become a better band essentially and we are really enjoying performing. We finally learned how to truly connect with an audience which is really important, otherwise things are very flat.

Earlier this year Placebo made their discography available for streaming on Spotify. What took you so long?

We were very dubious about streaming and I do think there is still a lot of work to be done when it comes to how much artists get paid. I think it is very difficult for new bands to make a living because of streaming so there is still a lot work to be done. So the streaming for us is an experiment. We resisted for a long time but we felt it is not our position to dictate to people how they want to consume our music, but I am still of the opinion that artists need to be remunerated better for their streams.

Reflecting upon Placebo’s last album, 2013’s Loud Like Love, are you satisfied with the way it holds up today?

The way that I wrote in the past used to be very confessional and now I have changed. Now what I do is I tell stories and paradoxically, by telling stories with characters, you can be more vulnerable and open because you are less self conscious. That really comes in to play in Loud Like Love and it made me a better song writer.

What’s next for Placebo?

We have already started writing the new album. Next year we are doing a greatest hits tour and it is highly likely that we will play songs that we haven’t played in a long time. We are a strange band in that we don’t like our commercially successful material so we don’t play it live, but this time around next year we will try to make the fans happy by playing our most popular material - maybe for the last time.

Any chance that tour may stop in the UAE?

There is no plans to play there at the moment.

• The Mawazine Festival ends on Saturday

sasaeed@thenational.ae

Credits: thenational.ae

Mawazine Festival: British Artist Condemns Criminalization of Homosexuality in Morocco

Rabat – English rock band Placebo protested the criminalization of homosexuality in Morocco on Tuesday at the OLM Souissi Stage.

Long-time supporters of the LGBT community, Placebo took to the stage during their participation at the Mawazine Festival to protest the criminalization of sexual acts between people of the same gender in the kingdom.

The band’s Guitarist-bassist Stefan Olsdal adorned his bare torso with the number 489, a number that refers to Article 489 of the Moroccan Criminal Code which punishes same-sex relationships by six months to three years imprisonment.

Olsdal also played on a guitar with the colors of the Rainbow Flag, commonly referred to as reflecting the diversity of the LGBT community.

The band have a huge LGBT following. Olsdal is openly gay and reported to be in a relationship with a Spanish man he met one day before the band was formed.

Also on Tuesday, two activists from feminist movement Femen protested in support of gay rights in Morocco by kissing each other topless in front of the Tour Hassan in Rabat.

Credits: Mawazine Festival - moroccoworldnews.com

Stefan Olsdal and Placebo - celebrating 20 years

Read short, but lovely and interesting interview with Stefan Olsdal about his plans for following years and other details! 

"Producing or singing in front of a 15,000 crowd?
One is cerebrally more rewarding, whereas the live experience is more of a primal rush. My body needs both!"

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Stefan Alexander Bo Olsdal is the legendary guitar player of this “little band” called...Placebo. Yes, you heard it right! Stefan was kind enough to share with Backstyle a bit of his free time, which is getting smaller each day since he started producing internationally known musicians.


The artist was born in Sweden and although he is Placebo and Placebo is he, Stefan has also put his print on Hotel Persona, SPAM and the latest collaboration is with Lantalba, which we've already introduced to you in an exclusive interview a year ago.

What’s the secret to a 20 years old relationship – Placebo and you?

If you really want a relationship to work, you find a way. It's about how much it means to you and the effort you are prepared to put in.

What’s your favorite music instrument?

Cello and I wish I could play it!

How is Stefan as part of Placebo and Stefan the producer?

Easy to work with.

Is it hard to set aside your Placebo print and produce something without leaving too much of yourself?

I put all of myself into producing Lantalba’s album. I've been a fan for years and I couldn't help but let all my ideas flood out! Most of it she liked, but some ideas had to go, naturally.

Can you name a few walls you’ve struck upon as a producer?

I spent a few sleepless nights trying to get the rhythms right. The vocals and groove carry the song. Even though I had spent years recording, I found that some of my mixing techniques needed some adjusting. It's all about getting the best possible recorded source sound. It makes every stage up to and including mixing much easier.

Producing or singing in front of a 15,000 crowd?

One is cerebrally more rewarding, whereas the live experience is more of a primal rush. My body needs both!

When was the last time you attended a concert, besides your own?

Ennio Morricone in London.

What are your plans for the next couple of years?

Placebo will be doing some special events for its 20 year anniversary during the next year. I am also doing an electronic project with Digital21. The first single 'War' is out now and the album along with live shows will follow shortly.

Can you describe the perfect day in Madrid?

A slow stroll from one end of town to the other. It's a great city for walking as people live their lives more out on the streets.

You have a strong fashion style, how did you built it up along the years, what inspired you?

It has gradually become more black and functional with too many overpriced designer shirts thrown in. I am very tall and skinny so sometimes only the catwalk sizes fit me.

I want to retire...

Musicians don't retire.

Vacation means...

Time at home.

On my couch...

Seldom.

In my wardrobe...

Duplicates of my favorite clothes.

Style is...

You.

If you would like to keep up with Stefan Olsdal, don’t forget to check out his Instagram account.


Photo: Pinterest



Credits: Backstyle.net