Several years have passed since the release of the sensational Compuphonic and the follow-up single "Endless Day" which had many people anxiously anticipating a new release. The last song many fans have had a chance to hear was a snippet from a song called 'My Sense of Emptiness'. Occasionally topics came up at different online communities wondering what had become of Echo Image. Obviously fans are still in waiting...
Project:ELEKTRA had a chance to ask the band to clear up some of the confusion, and Pål was kind enough to reply.
ProjE: There were rumors that a member had left the group. Is this true?
Pål:This is true. Fredrik left the band, due to schoolwork. He had to move his studies to England, so we agreed it was best if he left the band. However, he has moved back to Norway now, and we are currently having talks about him joining the band once more.
ProjE: Who are the current members of Echo Image?
Pål:Current band members are: Pål-Magnus Rybom, Trine Bilet and Lars K Holt.
ProjE: What has Echo Image been doing for the past few years?
Pål: It has been a long period without any inspiration. It is terribly frustrating when you want to finish the album, but are unable to. It was like the songs I wrote simply wasnft good enough. I guess you could say, I was afraid I couldnft live up to everybody's expectations. So for the past years, I have concentrated on being a good boy, doing my schoolwork properly. Trine has also been studying, while Lars has been working.
ProjE:There was talk that Echo Image was probably not happy when Stephan Groth (APB) abandoned the Hard:drive label in favor of other pursuits. Would it be possible to give us your thoughts on this?
Pål: Well, it didnŽt really matter that much at the time, because I was having trouble finishing the album anyway. So I was kinda happy about having more time to get inspired. It would have been awful to release something I wasn't happy about.
ProjE: There was a snippet of the song 'My Sense of Emptiness' which was to be a preview of an upcoming release? Two years have passed now. Is that song (and the planned release) still applicable?
Pål: Has it been that long? Wow. My Sense of Emptiness will be on the upcoming album; which has the working title of TruthE I have set a personal deadline that it is to be finished and released sometime in 2006!
ProjE: Compuphonic was an outstanding release that some people list in their top ten of all time. Echo Image has a very powerful sound that also comes out in remixes as well. How would you describe your sound?
Pål: Our sound is energetic, melodic and modern with a touch of the 80s. We have tried to combine catchy synth-pop refrains with a more modern feel to it.
ProjE:In the same vein, how would you compare the new material to your past releases?
Pål: I have realized why I haven't been able to compose songs for such a long time. I was reflecting on the past, trying to re-create a second bompuphonicE when I should have been concentrating on the present and the future.
The new material is in fact different from the old. I'd like to say itfs more mature. It also contains more elements of rock than before, but without loosing the echo image feeling to it.
We are currently negotiating with a really good producer, to help us make this album sound way better than the first. I have accepted that you canŽt do everything yourself, and that it is not a sign of weakness getting outside help.
ProjE: Speaking of new releases, when might we expect to hear some new material from Echo Image?
Pål: Sometime in 2006.
ProjE: Have you decided on a label for your new material?
Pål: No not yet. Whichever that gives us the best deal, I guess. Back in the old Compuphonic days it was just really cool to be able to release something. Now I want to be smart about it; getting something in return for the hours put into it.
Let's wait and see what happens when the labels hear our new stuff.
ProjE: Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. We really appreciate it and wish you success on your upcoming releases.
Pål: My pleasure! IŽd like to thank echo fans for being patient with us, and hopefully you will be satisfied with the new material.
Best Wishes
Pål (Composer/Vocals)
Echo Image
LINKS
Official Site
MySpace
Buy Echo Image Releases
GOLD (Shinjuku), Metropolis, Amazon, and A DIFFERENT DRUM
Created April, 2006
