Last year, the quintet revealed their new album Saturn’s Return, which earned widespread recognition and acclaimed praise. The album also spawned the videos for All I Ever Wanted, Death Wish (crafted by Karim Ghahwagi), and Nothing In Excess, which was directed by Lasse Hoile (Opeth, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree). The atmospheric alt-rockers are now set to unveil their new video for Open Wound. The video is a stunning piece of filmography and is the ideal accompaniment to the track’s undeniably hypnotic pull. With shows in the works for Europe and plans for festival appearances, Celestial Son have no boundaries in their way.
The band caught up with us and took on the A-Z Questionnaire Challenge below…
A SONG WHICH MADE YOU WANT TO MAKE MUSIC:
About a Girl – by Nirvana or Fly on the Windshield – Genesis
BEST RIDER YOU HAVE EVER HAD:
Hm well, we’re really not that picky about our rider, but I love it when venues have vegetarian meals as custom.
CRAZIEST MOMENT YOU’VE EXPERIENCED IN THE BAND:
Playing our biggest show (production wise) ever here in Copenhagen last month incorporating live shadow theater, video projections by world renowned directors and an elaborate light show. That was crazy and a lot of fun.
DEEPEST LYRICS ONE OF YOUR SONGS FEATURES:
Well there are a few on the new album and I couldn’t pick one out, but Open Wound def makes the top three.
EASIEST SONG YOU WROTE:
Haha! I guess that must be All I Ever Wanted – in terms of time I took writing it anyways.
FAVOURITE SONG IN YOUR SET:
Loads of favorites, but one I really enjoy is Holy Cycle.
GUEST YOU’D MOST LIKE TO FEATURE ON YOUR RECORD:
Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails.
HARDEST THING ABOUT BEING IN A BAND:
I guess one of the hardest things about being in a band is raising enough money to develop the franchise. Recording albums, rehearsal room billings, PR – it all costs a lot.
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ONE OF YOUR MEMBERS:
Our bass-man Nicklas has the bandlogo tattooed on his back.
JOKES YOU HAVE IN THE BAND:
We never make jokes – only bad ones in Danish
KEY TO WRITING A SONG:
Ehm – that’s a big one. Well, for me a song has a certain time frame in which it is possible to write it in. I have to respect that window to discover the full potential of a song. The time frame can differ a lot though.
LONGEST DISTANCE YOU’VE TRAVELLED TO PLAY A SHOW:
Czech Republic.
MOST INSPIRING MUSICIAN YOU’VE EVER EXPERIENCED:
Steven Wilson.
NEW BAND YOU’D RECOMMEND:
Well, I don’t now whether it still would be defined as new, but Steven Wilson’s solo project. It’s just amazing.
OPENING FOR THIS BAND WOULD BE IDEAL:
Alice in Chains.
PLACE YOU’D MOST LIKE TO TOUR:
USA.
QUOTE THAT YOU’D LIKE TO PASS ON TO READERS:
A reviewer once said about our music; “If you’re into grungy rock with some industrial and progressive traits then I promise Celestial Son would be just down your alley”.
REASON FOR THE TITLE OF YOUR RECENT/FORTHCOMING RELEASE:
In short ‘Saturn’s Return’ is referring to the time when Saturn returns to the same place in the sky as when you were born. That cycle takes around 29 years and the years around this period is said to be a vital period in a person’s life. You are reaching full adulthood and you’re faced with all the choices of an adult and many are also faced with unresolved issues from the past that one haven’t dealt with. That can be an incredible trial and mine has been just that. It was very clear to me that this record should be about my Saturn’s Return.
SEE US LIVE AT:
Just finished our Saturn’s Return tour, but lots of plans for another batch of concerts in late 2016 and early 2017. If you can’t wait that long, then we’ll have a live video out later in the summer of our big show at Dansehallerne.
THE OLD DAYS OF MUSIC WERE BETTER THAN THOSE CURRENT, DO YOU AGREE:
Yup!! Definitely.
UNUSUAL MERCHANDISE:
We made a design for a t-shirt once, but had to cancel it as it was found that it made the person wearing it look like he was wearing a bra…. and not a tee from a rock band.
VARIATIONS YOU’D LIKE TO DO ON ANY OF YOUR SONGS:
I’d like to do an acoustic version of Headlong at some point.
WHAT DO YOUR FANS MEAN TO YOU:
They mean a lot! Obviously they help us spread our music and in these social media days you really can reach far if you’re able to engage your fans properly. I’m always excited meeting people who likes our music.
X-RAYS OR ANY OTHER TREATMENTS NEEDED FOR BAND RELATED INJURIES:
Not that I remember – many bruises though.
YOU’RE LATE FOR A SHOW, WHO’S FAULT IS IT:
I’m not late
ZOO ANIMAL THAT BEST DESCRIBES THE PERSONALITY OF YOUR BAND:
A vegetarian wolf.
Celestial Son are:
Rasmus Sjøgren (vocals, guitar, songwriting – and answering this interview)
Nicklas Sebastian Winther Pedersen (bass)
Jeppe Pradsgaard Holm (keys, pads)
Christoffer Bjørumslet (drums)
Kenneth Rønsholt Østergaard (guitar, backing vocals)