Getting Sassy with...Kleerup

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: Kleerup.

Somewhere along the way from being a super-producer of sorts in Sweden to making his way into the brain canals of the US pop mainframe, Andreas Kleerup became relegated mostly as "that guy who worked with Robyn and Lykke Li on massive tracks". And while that is in fact the truth, what's more important to note is that Kleerup's debut, eponymously titled 2008 record (which saw stateside release in July) is so much more than just the collaborations within. Sure, much of the record is sweetly melancholic electro pop with some siren acting as vocal muse to Andreas's synths, stabs and strings. Yet it reaches for more than just templated Swedish electronic pop music. Listeners would be resting assured to the album's overall vibes (and to that of this man's production wizardry and necessary notability) by truly calling Kleerup what it is: an emo record. Yes, we said it. It's an emotionally charged disc full of the feelings one has in his/her twenties: love, hope, loss, confusion, disintegration, worry. It's heartbreaking and brilliant, fragile at points and guarded at others. We wanted to put Andreas Kleerup further up front in your minds, dear readers, so we sent him off the questionnaire. And while he was forward with some answers, he also lopped entire ones off of his response. But what did you expect really? We think you'll find the answers--and what he did admit to--to be quite fascinating.

Name?
Andreas Kleerup.

Hometown?
Stockholm.

I now live in:
Er, Stockholm.

Number of states visited?
I have been to many places in the US--east coast, west coast and even the middle of nowhere. I’ve been to California, Nevada, Wisconsin, NY and PA, to name a few.

My favorite place in my hometown is:
Any nice restaurant that has good shrimp and white wine where I can bring my mom out for an evening.

Most recent phone bill total?
I honestly don’t know! My mom handles all of my invoicing but I don’t think it was a very high bill. I have a good phone plan.

Items found in my day-to-day bag (if applicable)?
My iPod, computer, medication, books, underwear! You can only go without underwear for so long.

First album bought on your own?
Kiss Love Gun when I was 4 years old back in ’83.

Favorite song memorized as a child?
Kiss “Reason to Live”.

After the jump, more time spent with Kleerup.

When I sing in the shower, it's usually:
(Sings) "Everybody’s got a reason to live!"

The one song that must be on every mixtape is:
Sir Mix-A-Lot, “Baby Got Back”.

Last book read?
Elementary Particles by Michel Houellebecq.

Favorite book ever?
As Time Goes By: The Life Of Ingrid Bergman.

Favorite thing you bought this year?
My new flat for my family. I have a baby on the way and am really proud that I’ve been able to provide a new place for us to live.

Instruments played (chronologically)?
I play everything that gets you girls. Drums, guitar, piano, I sing and produce.

Least favorite day job before getting this gig?
7-11, that was really the only one.

Favorite record this year?
If Feist released an album this year that would be my favorite.

Favorite record ever?
Bon Jovi New Jersey, it’s got everything!

Guilty pleasure record you don't want us to know about?
I don’t have any--I listen to a lot of cheesy music and I listen to all of it proudly!

My favorite place to play on tour is:
Wham Bam Amsterdam, everyone in Amsterdam is stoned and they appreciate the music and dance around. There’s a lot of great music that comes from Sweden but it’s not he same kind of audience to perform for.

(mp3)    Kleerup - Thank You For Nothing

Godspeed!