1. Hi Cult Of Luna. Can you please tell me about the brief history of Cult Of Luna? What's the meaning of it & who brought up with the name actually? Any line-up changing since it existed? Cult Of Luna now consisted?
We’ve been playing since late 1998, but it became really serious only about 2,5 years ago when we signed for Earache Records. Johannes came up with the name, we tried out some other "luna" names at first, but chose Cult of Luna. Basically there are 4 core members of the band that has been there from the beginning. Johannes, Klas, Erik and me (Magnus)…but we’re three more people now: Andreas, Thomas and Anders. This setup of people is very good, so we will stick to this lineup.

2. Living in Sweden quite cool with many bands like Nasum, Totalitar, Assel, Sayyadina, Asterisk, Filthy Christian, Diskonto, Arsedestroyer, Wolfbrigade, DS 13, Regurgitate, Disfear etc. So do you find it easier for you get a supportive crowd instead of if you living here in Malaysia? 
Sweden has a quite respectable array of rock-bands I guess…the networks for distributing music are few (since there are only 9 million people in Sweden) but good. The Swedish politicians has always been really supportive of musicians…Sorry to say I have no idea how the crowd in Malaysia is, I guess we will have to find out!

3. You've signed a contract with Earache Records. Can you tell me how it has become that way? What do you think of The Locust who signed a contract with Epitaph Records? Tell me your opinion about Relapse Records anyway.
Earache approached us after we released our first album, and after a few months of negotiations we signed the deal…not much more to say really. We got two more records to do on Earache, so we will see what happens.

4. What's Cult Of Luna major influence? Your previous band (Eclipse) had different sound from what have Cult Of Luna been delivered, do you consider yourself as a "sludge" band?
Definitely not, and we’re not "Noise core" either as some people have been labelling us. I don’t like putting labels on band really, but I guess "heavy, emotional and atmospheric music" would do the trick. We’re influenced by all forms of artistic expression, books, movies, music…you name it.

5. Your sound can be described as being cathartic in its lyrical content and has a lot of ambience sound of preference which sometimes got a smiliarity with Neurosis. Is it only coincidence or something?
Yes.

6. Besides doing Cult Of Luna, what have you guys been up to in living this life?
I’m making my living as a music producer, recording bands all over the place…the other guys are either working day-time jobs or studying. So in other words: we don’t make a living off Cult of Luna…yet!

7. Whose responsible for the making of artworks & layouts of the most Cult Of Luna releases? Your favourite artists?
The artwork for "Salvation" is made by Erik (one of the guitarists)…we wanted something bright and stylish, and he did a great job! The previous album artwork are done by people outside of the band, but with full control from us of course.

8. What's "To Be Remembered", "Leave Me Here" & "The Watchtower" all about? Can you please explain it more?
Not sure I understand the question. Those three song you mention are the songs we put up as mp3’s on our website if I’m not mistaken…"The watchtower" and "Leave me here" have videos also, so I guess that’s why we put them up. Lyrics are available at www.cultofluna.com.

9. Are you considered yourself political? Is Cult Of Luna a political band? Your view on DIY activism?
Cult of Luna does not have a band agenda…but the individuals in the band are quite politically aware. And some of our lyrics also have a very strong political content, not in the preaching way though….its more about asking questions than providing answers. People should think for them selves!

10. Anything you know about Malaysia generally?
Yea I know about the twin towers in Kuala Lumpur, those are cool as fuck!!

11. How about political condition in your place when concerning to the cultural activities, daily life, the system, the people etc? Do you find it hard to live in Umeå? Have you been involved in street protest lately?
Umeå is a university town, so its by default a liberal and free thinking town with a very young population. There is a lot politically active groups here, everything from feminism to veganism. The culture here is good I think, there is quite a variety of arts, music, theatre etc….so I’m not complaining. It’s small though, so it has its limitations…

12. How much capitalist & multinational corporations have ruined your life? How much it has strengthened the value of your life instead? Are you financially ok?
???

13. What's your favourite food? Tell me some worth bands to check out from your hometown. Do you like reading books/zines? Tell me your favourite one. I do believe that you have your own favourite bands, mind to tell me?
I love Italian food!!! Some of the bands of listening to right now, is Trail of Dead, Wilco, the Soundtrack of Our Lives, etc etc etc…the new Interpol album is fucking awesome btw!

14. Do Cult Of Luna consume drugs? Beers? Are you guys vegetarian/vegan?
Drugs: No Beers: YES Vegetarian/Vegan: Yes

15. After years get involved in this phenomenon called 'scene', what you've got through this? What you've expected to gain in the first place when you've decided to entered in before? What made you interested to get involved? What's the condition that you hope for to be adapted and to practiced logically/practically in this scene?
???. We just play music man!=)

16. Tell me your opinions about the condition of mother earth nowadays. As it slowly down to rot, what's the thing come to your mind that you think deserved to be heard by all those evil-richness-scumbag that keep continuously sucking those mineral greedily out from the soil?
Kill ‘em all!

17. What's your opinion on marriage and on having children? Did you find it necessary as a bond for a couple to keep on living together? Or is it such a state of mind (or psychology) in proving that they are already shared their life?
Haha, that’s a private question that has very little to do with Cult of Luna. I’ll tell you my views over a beer in a bar sometime!

18. Mind to tell me about your future plan? Future releases?
Well, we are gonna tour a lot during the 1st half of 2005 hopefully! In February we’re doing a European tour that will last for 5 weeks. After that we’re playing a cool indoor festival here called Umeå Open….AND after that we’re going to the US. So we will have a lot to do in the future, maybe we will come play in Malaysia one day, that would be cool.

19. Thanks for the attempt to answer this interview & please state your latest address to be contact. Anything left to say or something to add? We end this interview here. Thank you. Good luck!
Cheers!



Magnus - Cult of Luna :: http://www.cultofluna.com :: cultofluna@hotmail.com ::