Getting Sassy with...The Legends

We here around THE CULTURE OF ME were once obsessed with all things relating to Sassy and Dirt magazines. And while those titles are long gone, the sentiment of how they covered the culture industries has indeed left its mark on writers and culture vultures everywhere. It is because of that influence that we are proud to present our features post, "Getting Sassy with...", wherein we bring you that much closer to your favorite bands by way of a simple Q&A session that's both painless and informative. Ha! Beat that, FOX News!

This time: The Legends.

The Legends, vehicle of principal singer/songwriter/heart-on-sleeve-like-whoa Johan Angergård, has been making the sort of brilliant noise pop that comes once in a while, leaving wake after wake in the musical pond in its aftermath for years now. They're addictive, fun, superbly crafted pieces that bring nothing else to mind and at the same time, reminds the listener of so much. With the upcoming release of yet another record, Over And Over, Johan is poised yet again at the front of the pack, ready to knock anyone off of their perch. We sent our questionnaire off to him and got him talking about Camera Obscura, ABBA, Haruki Murakami and the life of a factory worker.

Name?
Johan Angergård.

Hometown?
Åhus, Sweden.

I now live in:
Stockholm, Sweden.

Number of states visited?
No idea. I don't know the names of that many states in the US.

My favorite place in my hometown is:
The ocean. I borrow my mother’s boat and go out and jump in for a swim from that one and then have coffee.

Most recent phone bill total?
I never look at them and don't pay them myself.

Items found in my day-to-day bag (if applicable)?
Laptop.

First album bought on your own?
Noice Tonårsdrömmar and Frida, Something Going On. That's Frida of ABBA by the way and I never got into it. It was a "one hit wonder" with the song named "Something Going On".

Favorite song memorized as a child?
Probably a child song like "Imse vimse spindel".

When I sing in the shower, it’s usually:
This week it's likely something by Camera Obscura.

The one song that must be on every mixtape is:
Felt "Don't Die On My Doorstep". It's short, so you can always fit it in. And it's, of course, incredibly good.

Last book read?
Haruki Murakami, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.

Favorite book ever?
I think Lukas Moodysson Vitt blod was the one that affected me the most. I should re-read it though, not quite sure if it's as good as I remember it.

Favorite thing you bought this year?
Cubase. Does that count as a "thing"?

After the jump. way more with Johan.

Instruments played (chronologically)?
Yamaha keyboard, acoustic guitar, bass, various software instruments.

Least favorite day job before getting this gig?
My least favorite job lasted three weeks in the summer when I was a student at a jam and juice factory. It was incredibly boring.

Favorite record this year?
Camera Obscura, My Maudlin Career.

Favorite record ever?
The Smiths, The Queen Is Dead.

The one record I’d save from a house fire is:
Shadow Factory (Sarah Records compilation).

Guilty pleasure record you don’t want us to know about?
ELO…some live album. I didn't know it was a live album. I honestly didn't know. It really sucks and I'll need to get rid of it. But I do like some ELO songs.

My favorite place to play on tour is:
Bandung, Indonesia.

If I wasn’t doing music I would be:
Doing marketing or gardening. I don't know anything about gardening but I'd like to learn.

Last illegally downloaded song/album (be honest)?
Probably Camera Obscura My Maudlin Career actually. I didn't like it that much at first and didn't understand how good it was until I bought the CD. Oh, isn't this a lovely little story of the importance of paying for music?

Latest TV addictions?
I still watch South Park almost every day. "Over logging" is my current favorite episode.

Favorite music video this year?
The Legends "Always The Same". Sorry, but it really is. Haven't seen that many though. Oh, wait. I really liked that Fever Ray video too.

Who is in your dream band (must be living musicians)?
Morrissey: vocals; Johnny Marr: guitars; Colm Ó Cíosóig: drums. And I'd like to be in the band too, so I guess I could play the bass.

The best concert I went to this year was:
The Sound of Arrows at Debaser Medis or Johan Hedberg at some small restaurant/pub I don't remember the name of.

Recent song you can't get out of your head?:
"Let's Get Fat together". Just something that popped up on a Mallorca holiday.

Press play on your iPod/media player and list the first three songs that come up.
I don't have it here so I pressed my Sony Ericsson mobile instead. For some reason The Mary Onettes’ "Dare" came up three times in a row.

(mp3)    The Legends - Always The Same

Godspeed!