It is a great honor to be interviewed and reviewed in Sweden’s biggest rock magazine: Sweden Rock Magazine.
Translated interview:
Is it the case that this kind of singer/songwriter-oriented American rock naturally inspires autobiographical songwriting?
– Everything on “Reflections” is self-experienced in any case, says singer and bassist Clarence B Thunborg, 90 percent of the time it’s all peace and joy, but those 5-10 percent when things don’t work, when a relationship is struggling, that’s when I’m most creatives so the lyrics are much darker than I am as a person.The first song I wrote for the album was “Miss You Darling”, when I was commuting between Sweden and the USA to meet my current one. Since 2018, we live most of the time in the USA. Many songs are about her, but also about the divorce from my ex-wife.A divorce gives quite a lot of material” To write a song I have to think back to my low periods, I don’t do “hooray hooray” songs.
Does it mean that if your life gets way too nice in the near future, there won’t be any more flats?
– Lol! Luckily, I have almost a brand new record already written. But I have to think about it, that I don’t get too happy, constant sunshine makes a desert, they say.I don’t expect everyone to like my record and if they do, I’ll be disappointed! Then it became too mainstream.
“Reflections” is your debut as a solo artist, but you’re hardly new to the music industry.
– If you grew up in a Pentecostal environment, you are already on stage at the age of five!Then I played punk in the 70s, hard rock in the 80s and then a more progressive style in Grand Stand and more leaning to pop-rock with Lloyd.Then family and career came in between. I continued to drive a little in my spare time with keyboardist Olov Andersson (Audiovision, ex-Grand Stand, Veni Domine) who wanted to be with me even now when I was going to make my own record. Although he is more hard rock and “Reflections” is not pure hard rock.
Reminds me of the actual Brett Walker.
– Brett Walker? I haven’t listened to him, but now I definitely will.
Speaking of hard rock, the guitarist from the epic doom metal heroes Veni Domine, Torbjörn Weinesjö, also plays on “Reflections”.
– Micke Danielsson, a very talented Väsby guy, makes most of the guitars. Then we have Tobrjörn and we must not forget his son Jonatan who plays drums. The record is a bit like a family thing, especially as my son and Olov’s daughter are also involved .
Erik Thompson, Sweden Rock Magazine
Translated review:
US-resident Swede Clarence B Thunborg gives me the chance to listen to what I want to call classic rock, something I rarely have time for these days. He has fine Swedish musicians who back him up, among others Olov Andersson (keyboards) from the oh-so-missed Grand Stand, where Clarence was also a member.
Clarence’s voice is raspy but suits the music well. Both the voice and a number of songs feel very much like Mikael Rickfors when he was at his rockiest. “Untamed” is an example. Dire Straits influences also seem to be there – check out ‘Remarkable Man’ with plenty of feel and even a certain bluesy feel.
Definite traces of soul are woven into a couple of songs as well, where the laid-back “Do You Remember” should be checked out. Hard rock then? Well, a little bit there, but very subdued. Rather, this is something to get if you like Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton and the aforementioned Rickfors and Dire Straits. It is a fine musical craft and they have found a nice soundscape that manages to evoke a lot of both the 70s and 80s.
Ola Heiwe Gränshagen, Sweden Rock Magazine
