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Peter Bjorn & John bringing new sound to Tampa
Press Here Publicity
Swedish indie group Peter Bjorn & John will open for Depeche Mode tonight at Ford Amphitheatre.
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Published: September 4, 2009
Peter Moren knows he's near Denver, but beyond that he's not sure.
"It's not a real city. I don't know what you'd call it," says Moren, one-third of Swedish pop trio Peter Bjorn & John. "I'm in a motel by the road, surrounded by mountains and fast food."
It doesn't sound like much of a place to enjoy a rare day off. Singer-guitarist Moren, singer bassist Bjorn Yttling and drummer John Eriksson are opening arena dates for Depeche Mode and spending most of that tour's off nights playing their own headlining shows.
The trio are touring behind this year's "Living Thing," the follow-up to 2006's "Writer's Block." The group's third album, "Writer's Block" was most American fans' introduction to Peter Bjorn & John, thanks mostly to "Young Folks," the Kanye West-endorsed single with the whistled hook.
West joined the group at a Swedish festival for a performance of "Young Folks."
"That was fun, although we were a bit too drunk," Moren says with a laugh.
Fans of that tune may be surprised by "Living Thing," which swaps strummed guitars for electronic beats.
The sound may be different, but Moren says the songwriting remains the same.
"The way we write songs is always kind of similar. It's more about what you feel like doing and what approach you want to take with song," Moren says.
The threesome took a breather musically between the two albums, recording an all-instrumental disc, "Seaside Rock," released only on vinyl or as a download.
"'Seaside Rock' was really important," Moren says. The band needed "to take a break from regular pop song and do something a bit more way out there."
Moren says "Living Thing" isn't as electronic as people think.
"It's true we used synthesizers, but it's mostly acoustic sounds," Moren says. "We'll play a piano or drum kit but put on effects later."
"We tend to not use that much drum machine and synthesizer," Moren says. "We'll use a film can or a matchbox instead."
IF YOU GO
Peter Bjorn & John
OPENING FOR: Depeche Mode
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today
WHERE: Ford Amphitheatre, 4802 U.S. 301 N., Tampa
CONTACT: (813) 740-2446
Music critic Curtis Ross can be reached at (813) 259-7568.
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