Interview: Filip Norman(Qoph)
Interview Filip Norman(Qoph): Originally put together as an instrumental rock trio in 1995 by drummer Federico de Costa, guitarist Filip Norman and bassplayer Patrik Persson. Filip Norman interview Nov 2004.
From left to right: Federico de Costa – drums, vocals & percussion, Filip Norman – guitars, vocals and ethnic string instruments, Robin Kvist – lead vocals and flute and Patrik Persson – bass, moog.
Photo by Bengt Allebrink allebrink@home.se

Biography
 
Originally put together as an instrumental rock trio in 1995 by drummer Federico de Costa, guitarist Filip Norman and bassplayer Patrik Persson , music was spontaneously jammed out with a common thread of explosive blues rock.

During the golden age of the MTV endorsed ”lumberjack look”, the Swedish music scene had little to offer a instrumental act, and Robin Kvist soon joined in and vocalised in the mother tounge.

 
The unique stylings of Qoph started to come together and the band toured excessively on the Swedish live music scene during the following years.

The band’s debut effort, ”Kalejdoskopiska Aktiviteter ” (Record Heaven, 1998), sold a few thousand copies internationally, even though only a handful of the listeners understood Swedish.

As a new feature ”Pyrola”, on the other hand, delivers a less subliminal message in English.
 
 
Certain help and inspiration has gladly been received from the likes of Niklas Barker – mellotron (Anekdoten), Joakim Svalberg – clavinet, moog (Glenn Hughes, Yngwie Malmsteen), Mats öberg – moog (Mats/Morgan, Frank Zappa), Dennis Berg – electronic bite alarm (Abramis Brama), Simon Steensland – theremin, Per Wikström - percussion.
 
 
Discography
1998 Kalejdoskopiska Aktiviteter
 

The band released their first album 'Kalejdoskopiska Aktiviteter' in 1998.
The album concist of progressive/psychedelic jamming with a blend of seventies hard rock, heavy and spacey enough!

TrackList:

01. Vansinnet [7:34]
02. Ta Farväl [5:56]
03. Än Lyser Månen (Nadir 1) [6:15]
04. Månvarv (Nadir 2) [4:53]
05. En Måne Som Ler (Nadir 3) [1:36]
06. Aldrig Tillbaks [6:20]
07. Herr Qophs villfarelser [9:372]
08. Förförande Rädsla [13:55]

  - What do you think about your debut album?
  'Well, now a couple of years later I can hear some things that might could be done better.
At the same time the distance makes me listen to it from a different angle. I can appreciate it more objectively, more naturally.
I like Kalejdoskopiska a lot. I still very much relate the album to how my life was during that time.'

- Favourite Song(and why)?
  '"Förförande rädsla", because it's how QOPH was born. It was one of the first things Federico, Patrik and I jammed on, and the song Robin heard us play when he first entered our rehearsal room in 1996, and the first studio recording we ever did.'

- Any anecdotes /special memories from the recording sessions?
  'Total chaos, which was wonderful!
We were recording 24 hours a day, playing, partying... it was just crazy... Very fun and psychotic!
We filmed parts of it! I remember we did some takes of "Herr Qophs villfarelser " in a huge garage. We turned the lights off, drinking and improvising for a couple of hours. It was a great session, superb natural reverb sounding - psychedelic. For some reason we re-recorded the song later on, in another studio. We shouldn't have done that.'

2004 Pyrola
 

The band released their second album 'Pyrola' in May 2004.
Producer Per Wikström (Nicolai Dunger, Backdraft, David Fiuczynski’s KIF etc.) has put focus on capturing the energy and power of the band, which has rendered Qoph a well known reputation as a sensational live act over the years.

TrackList:

01. Woodrose [5:19]
02. Half of Everything [6:31]
03. Korea [10:01]
04. Travel Candy [5:40]
05. Stand My Ground [6:26]
06. Moonstripper [4:42]
07. Fractions [14:03]

  - In general what do you think about the album?
  'I'm very satisfied; it's varied and dynamic, but more of a genuine rock album than Kalejdoskopiska Aktiviteter was.
We managed to put much of our live sound on tape this time, many thanks to Per Wikström who produced the album.'

- Favourite Song(and why)?
  'Maybe Woodrose, Korea & Stand my ground.
But I really don't have any particular favourites on the album. I like it as a whole.'

- Any anecdotes /special memories from the recording sessions?
  'The recording of Dennis Bergs (Abramis Brama) “Electronic Bite Alarm”.
The whole idea was quite ironic from the start. But Nicklas Barker (Anekdoten) who was there to play some mellotrons at the time was paralyzed by the sound, instantly asking where to get one.'

QOPH Live 2004 Vinterviken, Stockholm, Sweden
Photo by Bengt Allebrink allebrink@home.se


 
QOPH Links 
 

QOPH's Official Site