Hi guys, welcome on Slam!, let we start talking about your last release "Overload"...when did you begin to compose this new album?
Overload was written and recorded between Aug 2004 and Feb 2005.
Harry and I produced it at our studios in Toronto.

2Since the first listening, it seems that the sound, in particular the guitars and some arrangements, have become heavier than before. There is a particular reason?
When we started putting the songs together for the new record we quickly realized that it was going to be a heavier record.
First off... I had just received a Baritone guitar from Ibanez and since some of the ideas were written on it, the low tuning really pushed the songs in that direction.
We tend to do what ever makes us happy at the time when it comes to the musical direction we take on each record and I think we were just ready to make a heavier record after Higher.

What does "overload" mean to you? Is it anything concerning the band or else?
Overload in the case of the record means media overload.
TV, magazines, radio, and the internet...kind of a comment on the crazy mass media of today.

I think "Higher" was a little bit more "easy" and mainstream than "Overload". Shall we aspect a change of direction of your music for the next future?
That's the think that keeps Harem Scarem fun for us, we always seem to change it up enough to keep ourselves interested even though some fans would like to see us just keep making Moodswings or VOR over again.
Who knows what the next record will be.
The direction will be dependent on the kind of music we feel like writing at the time and what production style those ideas call for.

Herman and Pete are the composers and also the producers of the band. After many years and great albums on your shoulders, how can you be so prolifics without repeating yourself?
Thanks for the kind words but I don't know if it's fair to say that we have never repeated ourselves.
Harem Scarem has over 120 songs in it's catalogue so there is bound to be some overlap.
We are not trying to reinvent the wheel, we just try to write the best songs we can in what ever form they take.

Which is your way of compose a song? Do you start from the lyrics, from a melody or anything else?
A song can develop form anything sometimes it's a guitar part (in the case of Overload about 1/2 the record started this way) or some times it can ba a melodic or lyric idea, it all depends.
For the most part with Harem Scarem I write the music and Harry writes the lyrics.
We tend to work seperately for the first while then start bringing our ideas together and see what fits.

Here in Italy, bands like Nickelback or The Calling are very famous and enjoy a good airplay... I don't think your so distant from their music, but I've never heard an Harem Scarem song on European Mtv. What do you think about? Is it only a matter of business or what?
That is a difficult question to answer.
A lot depends on the label and their relationships with radio and video shows.
In the Warner days we never even had a european release until our third record.

How are your selling-responses here in Europe. Which is your best "market"?
The record has only been out for a week or so so it is early to tell but as well as we have been doing in Europe, Japan is still our biggest market.

I wish to see you on tour here in Italy as soon as possible...are you planning an european tour for "Overload"?
We are starting to discuss the possibilities for a european tour in the fall.

Say anything you want to your italian fans!
Hey everyone, thanks so much for all the support and we hope you like Overload.
See you soon!!!