SUMA interview

 Suma are the best doom band you have never heard. Hailing from Sweden the band has done 3 awesome full lengths, a handful of splits and demos and a collaboration EP with Unearthly Trance. I was lucky enough to book them on their tour with Unearthly Trance and spend the day with these guys and get to know them a little bit. A few months after the tour ended and they returned home, drummer Erik Persson took the time to answer a few questions for me, and the end result is here. If you haven't had the chance yet, check out their newest release Ashes. Anyone who enjoys bands such as Unearthly Trance, Khanate, Sunn O))) etc. needs to familiarize themselves with this band immediately.

The Syracuse gig went over really well, how did the rest of the American tour with Unearthly Trance go? Was this Suma's first time in the states? Was it what you expected it to be?

Yeah, this was the first time we toured the U.S. The tour was amazing in so many ways, and in some ways as we expected it, but there was definetly new things to experience and learn. We toured with many bands from the U.S in Europe and they always tell us that it is a lot harder to tour in the U.S. It is true.
The big difference is that at most venues, that we played at at least, it is a bit more of a hit and run thing. You show up, load in, play and then get fuck out of there because there is some other club taking over. We had a great time tough, and touring with Unearthly Trance was sweet! They knew people pretty much in every city we played in, so we always had places to sleep and chill out at. God times!

What sets Suma apart from other doom bands, is the drums are brought to the forefront in every sense of the word, even to the point of putting you in the front of the stage and Rick in back. When it comes to writing, does it usually start with a drumline and the rest of the guys filling in the rest?

No. Pretty much all our songs comes out of jamming, Usually Peter has a riff that we tune in to, and then it just takes of. The things that are really good we remember, repeat, until it gets a solid structure. This can sometimes take one rehearsal and other times months. The reason that the drums takes such a big place is because the other guys give me all the freedom I want to play. The soundscape that the bass and guitar creates is optimal to just hammer away on the drums. It is just how we roll.

Since the US tour, you have become a traveling yogi, which I imagine takes up countless amounts of your time. How do you find time to do this as well as play in Suma? Do you channel the same energy while playing and doing yoga?

Back in Sweden it is not hard to combine my yoga practice and playing with Suma. They go hand in hand, and playing music is very much a practice of yoga. Yoga has improved my drumming tremendously! I do bring the same intensity to my yoga practice, but it goes more the other way. I have so much better control of my body now, and I can play heavier, but more relaxed at the same time.
This year I am traveling the world, teaching and practicing yoga, so it is a bit hard to play the drums in Suma at the same time. It is just a short intermission. We celebrate ten years this year, and seven of those years we been touring. A lot of things have happened, some of us have kids now, family, and it was a good time to take a chill pill. We recorded a new song just before I left Sweden, and the first shows for 2012 are already booked, so fear not, we shall return!

First you guys did a split with Unearthly Trance, and then you did a collaboration 12". How did the collaboration come about, and how was it recorded? Were files sent back and forth via internet? Who wrote what first, etc.

It was something we had been talking about doing for a while, and we pulled it all together right before the U.S tour. We recorded a song, they did the same, and then we just sent the files and Ryan and Jovan laid the vocals. Then Jay mixed it and Ryan made the art work and that's about it. Ah, and then Throne released it!
 
On the self titled record, the sound could almost be considered Sleep/ Electric Wizard worship, with a little more drone. Were there any certain things in your life that made you the downtuned sludge machine that we hear on "Ashes"? Were there any records that made you say "this is what we need to fucking do!"?
At first when it just Pete, Johan and me playing it was more of long, heavy drone songs, in as similar manner as we do these days. We are just so much better at we do now.
On the self titled album we where playing with Martin who is a bad ass guitar player and drummer. That was the sound of Suma in that constellation.
As far as records there is of course many influences. For me as a drummer it was "Dirty" by Sonic Youth. I had never heard drums been played like that before, I think I never really listen to the drums before that album.
 
For you, what was the most amazing band you have seen live, and what made it that special for you?

Tuff one dude. OK, if I can only pick one it will have to be the Melvins. For me it is total orgasm when they play with two drummers. Mind blowing!
 

My wife is making me ask this next question after seeing that picture of you in the trunk, but can you reach far enough to orally pleasure yourself, because after seeing that picture she seems to think that it's quite possible.

Probably.

What lies in the future of Suma? What do you hope to accomplish long term with it?

We want to keep on doing what feels natural to us. That has always been the solid core of Suma. It is family, one for all, all for one. all I know is that tours are being planned for 2012, and we will take it from there.
 
Finally, if you could listen your 5 favorite classsic albums and 5 favorite newer albums for our readers?

Cosmic Factory, Creedence Clearwater Revival
Houdini, Melvins
Dirty, Sonic Youth
Black Sabbath, Black Sabbath
Anything with Led Zeppelin

I'm horrible with being up to date, but here is some badns that I've seen live last couple of years that totally blew me away.
ASVA
Black Cobra
Unearthly Trance
Man Man
Melvins



Last words are yours man!

Thank you for spreading the word man!