RatatoskOnline interviewed the Swedish band Irene by e-mail recently.
 
First could you describe you and your band?

Irene makes sunshine pop with melancholic undertones.

How long do you perform as an artist?

We started in 2005.

How did it all got started?

Quite spontaneously. Me and a friend recorded a song on a portable studio and it got some airtime in national radio. We decided to ask some friends if they wanted to play live and then we got the whole band together in a local pub in a drinking-night or two. It was basically love-at-first-gig. We had to keep playing together.

People often compare the sound of Irene with The Polyphonic Spree. Does this bother you, or is The Polyphonic Spree actually a main influence for you? Are there any other influences or artists which inspire you?

I don't think I've heard this about us, more about I'm From Barcelona, but then I guess it has to do with the big number of members in Irene. I have a record of theirs, but I've hardly listened to it. The influences in Irene mainly come from guitar pop, soul and 60's and 70's sunshine pop.

Is there a deeper meaning behind your songs?

Yes, it's all about my relationships and most of them are searching issues of love. All the lyrics are honest, but some have a touch of humour. I don't know if people find them amusing, though...

If I am right, you are also a student. I can imagine it can be hard to focus on your study besides Irene. How do you cope with combining these two activities?

I just graduated actually and it's harder to work and play music than it is to cope with it studying. But I do all sorts of things like run clubs, book other bands and DJ and I've got a new band coming soon called Public Relations. I guess I'm just a restless music nerd.

Since a few years there are more and more bands from Scandinavia getting more famous/well-known in Europe; why do you think this happens? Is the European music market now more focused on Scandinavia then before, or do you think there is another reason?

I think the Swedish music scene is one of the best in the world. Recently there have been some good Danish indie bands I appreciate, too, such as Champagne Riot and Northern Portrait. And Finland has Cats On Fire who are very good.

You performed at the showcase festival Eurosonic in Groningen, The Netherlands, last year. During this yearly festival lots of people from the music industry, like booking agents, record labels and radio stations are present. Did this make any difference comparing to gigs you normally have?

The arrangement was great and the city of Groningen lovely, but I remember more of the holiday aspects than the show. We had a great time, but we didn't interact much with the music industry. It doesn't really matter because we had a memorable time.

At Eurosonic 2008 the main focus was Sweden. Do you believe you got more exposure because of this?

I think Sweden got some more focus than other countries. At least it looked like it in the program. I hope the Swedes did great.

What will the future bring for Irene? Is there any chance to see you on stage in the Netherlands soon?

I've written another album, but we hurried so much to get the second album out that this one will have to grow on us before we get busy with it. If and when we manage to get the record on plastic we'd like to come back to The Netherlands, if we're invited!

What is your favourite Scandinavian band at the moment?

Skansros. They sing in Swedish, so their international appeal is a bit limited perhaps, but I think they're the best I've heard in ages.

What is your favourite non-Scandinavian band at the moment?

I listen to loads of stuff right now. In 2008-2009 I've had a big focus on my clubs and DJ-sets. I've gone through big parts of the pop music from the 60's and forward and right now I'm into the new wave/new romantic era. Indochine have some smashing party songs like L'aventurier. French new wave. Isn't that something?