This month's member interview on TONO-nytt is with the rising post-metalcore band Fixation. Read the story and get answers to why the metal audience is the best audience.
/ 03/06/2022 / Kristian DugstadWho is Fixation and why should we listen to you?
– Fixation is a post-metalcore band with big pompous production and hard-hitting guitars/rhythm section. If you are a fan of a grandiose sound, honest and brutal lyrics and melodic heavy rock, then Fixation is probably something you should listen to. We also feel that there are not many bands doing exactly what we are doing in Norway right now.
What is their musical background?
– We all come from different musical backgrounds, but Fixation is probably characterized by the common denominators we have. Everyone grew up with rock and metal, and even though it's from different parts of the spectrum, we've found our intersection in bands like Bring Me The Horizon, Architects, Muse, Thirty Seconds To Mars and Nothing But Thieves.
You are up to date with new music – More Alive – released at the end of May. How great is it to be able to share new songs with the audience?
– We've been waiting a long time to release this song. It's been a longer process than we're used to, so finally being able to share it with the audience has been absolutely fantastic. We've all been really looking forward to sharing this one in particular, as we feel it's a song we've really put a lot of ourselves into. The response has also been incredibly nice and has made the wait worth it.
As a copyright organization, we at TONO are naturally very interested in songwriting. How do you write music in Fixation?
– We write a lot together. Usually someone comes up with an idea, a riff, a topline or a sound and we try to create something out of it. The lyrics are all written by vocalist Jonas Hansen, but are always discussed with the rest of the members, where they either approve or come up with alternatives. We also write all the music in a studio situation, usually around a Mac with instruments available.
On the latest release More Alive All three songs are written by vocalist Jonas. How does it work in practice when one of you brings songs into the band? Are they finished down to the last riff, or do you arrange them together?
– The lyrics are written by Jonas Hansen. The ideas for these particular songs have also started with an idea that he has come up with, but have usually taken a complete turn when the rest of the band gets to work on it. No songs are completely finished when they are presented to the band, everyone works together on arrangements and production and ultimately ends up with a product that has a part of each individual.
What inspires you? What themes do you cover?
– The lyrical universe we have created is very inspired by today's society. We like to address topics that deal with current problems and how we ourselves believe things should be. Injustice, the climate crisis, mental health and abuse of power are recurring themes. You watch the news and see so much horrible stuff happening in the world and you feel the urge to scream about it.
Do you have equipment or tools that are indispensable in the process?
– We always work in a DAW like Logic or Pro Tools. We are a very production-based band and work a lot with synths and atmospheric sounds. But we always have the instruments available and use them when we feel the need. Another important tool is coffee, it is almost impossible to work without it.
While in popular music it is normal for music to be written in sessions with many songwriters, there is perhaps still a certain convention that metal and rock bands should write their music entirely by themselves. Would you be open to collaborating with outsiders on music?
– We believe that collaborating with external musicians just adds something to the process that wouldn’t have been there otherwise. You can always get something out of collaborating with others, and you don’t get locked into an idea that doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere. We had a very positive experience with this when we went to a songwriting camp organized by Indie Recordings. There we were divided into groups with people we had never worked with before and ended up with a handful of incredibly good songs.
You are all members of TONO, and have been for many years. How aware are you of your roles as composers and lyricists, and your copyright?
– We are very aware of our rights. Several in the band have had education that has involved industry knowledge and specifically rights. It is important that the musicians who have been involved in the process are rewarded for the hard work they have done.
What role does TONO membership play in your music career?
– It's really nice to know that when our music is played around the world, there is someone who handles the money that goes back to us without us having to do a big job to make it happen. It's always a very positive bonus when the TONO money comes into the coffers. It's also nice to know that there are people who recognize art as hard work and that we musicians get the opportunity to work with it as an actual career.
In recent months you have played a number of concerts in Norway, and you are an active live band. How important is concert activity to you?
– On stage is probably where we feel most at home. Performing live is so rewarding in many ways, you get that immediate chemistry with the audience and you get the opportunity to convey the songs in a much more honest and genuine way. It's been fantastic to play so much this year and we only hope for much more of that in the future.
Anyone who has been to a metal concert knows that the metal crowd is the best crowd. Why do you think that is?
– The metal audience may look scary, but they are the sweetest people you will ever meet. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that they vent their frustration through music? In any case, we have found that this audience is incredibly supportive of the artists/bands they like, but also of their fellow audience members.
What is the funniest thing you have experienced while traveling?
– The most fun thing about traveling and playing is always getting to play in front of new people and experiencing the genuine reaction they have to the music we play. Getting to meet them afterwards and hear how our music is a part of their lives is absolutely incredible, the best feeling in the world.
A few weeks ago you played at the industry festival The Great Escape in Brighton. TONO also had the pleasure of meeting you at an industry event there. What value do you feel these types of events at home and abroad have?
– These events give us an opportunity to expose ourselves to an international market. It was an absolutely fantastic experience, both getting to play for so many new people, but also getting to meet many interesting people within the industry. It also puts the band a little more on the map, which we believe can only have a positive effect on the way forward.
What is the career highlight so far?
– There have been many highlights, but actually having your music played on BBC Radio 1 itself, up to several times, must be a childhood dream come true. We also learned from radio host Daniel P. Carter that Jordan Fish (Keyboardist/Songwriter in Bring Me The Horizon) had sent him a message after our song "Claustrophobic" was played and asked which band it was, it was a pretty incredible message to get.
Can you share your greatest music experiences as listeners?
Jonas: – My greatest music experience as a listener is very difficult to choose, but to name one, it would probably have to be when I stood in the front row at The Killers in Telenor Arena. It is a band that has meant so much to me both personally and musically, the feeling of hearing and seeing those songs being played live was a dream.
Martin: – Very difficult question, but if I had to choose a moment that stands out, it would have to be when I saw Metallica when I was 15, just because I had never seen anything like it before and I knew all the songs.
Give us a listening tip: What Norwegian music do you listen to a lot these days?
– We would recommend listening to Atena, Hammok, Halcyon Days, Vaarin, LÜT, just to name a few.