Ексклузивно интервю с Christofer Barkensjö (THE RESISTANCE, LIK) относно проваления концерт

 We decided to contact THE RESISTANCE, so we can ask them some questions, few of which are about their cancelled concert here in Bulgaria, promoted by Katrin Music. On the other side, answering our questions, we had THE RESISTANCE‘s drummer – Christofer Barkensjö.

Hello, Chris! How are you? How are things going around THE RESISTANCE?
Christofer Barkensjö: Hi! I´m fine. Things are ok in the TR camp.

What’s unique about your band?
Christofer Barkensjö: Nothing really. We just play the music we like and we do it pretty well I think. Especially live.

Earlier this year, your new album came out. What makes “Torture Tactics“ different than your previous works?
Christofer Barkensjö: It was an EP actually with re-released older songs. It doesn’t stick out more than that the sound is a little bit more like on our first EP “Rise From Treason“. The dirty sound suits us better I think.

What inspires you to do what you’re currently doing?
Christofer Barkensjö: The everlasting love for music.

What’s your outlook on the promoting industry today?
Christofer Barkensjö: Normally, it is ok. But sometimes you get involved with some amateurs. And that never ends well.

Let’s talk about the recent events with bulgarian promoter Katrin Music. What are your thoughts on the subject?
Christofer Barkensjö: Well let’s just say that the statement we put out on our Facebook was very nice compared to how they treated us. I sure hope that they never get to scam more bands. I have never been lied to that much ever. And they didn’t seem to have any clue of what they where doing.

You know, they’re telling everyone that they’ve booked your plane tickets, but your guitarist couldn’t fly, because he was working the Friday before the gig. Is that true?
Christofer Barkensjö: That is a lie too. According to the contract, they were to send the tickets a week before the show. Otherwise we would consider the show to be cancelled. I emailed them several times, asking “Where the tickets are?“. They kept saying for over a week that they were on the way. No tickets came. We were very patient with them. Daniel had to work on Friday and couldn’t wait for the flight times to come in. So he simply just said that if we were to go there it had to be late on Friday evening. Katrin Music replied “No problem!“. But there were no tickets coming. And you can’t work with that kind of people. I could go on and tell you more. But it was not us who cancelled.

Do you think that Katrin Music are to blame for the few sold tickets?
Christofer Barkensjö: I don’t know? But we do what we can do in promoting our shows. I know nothing about the Bulgarian metal scene. All I can say is that we really looked forward to play in Sofia.

You stated that they kept on feeding you with bullshit. Shed some light on that.
Christofer Barkensjö: Like I told you about the tickets. We also had in our contract that the fee for the show would be paid a month before the show. We always have that as an assurance with promoters we haven’t worked with before. We could not send an invoice because they did not have a VAT number. So we agreed on them sending it to a personal account instead. But nothing happened. They blamed their sponsor Metaxa. And they said several times that they had sent the money. Nothing! The lies kept piling up. And so yesterday (Thursday) they ask us to pospone the show to the 21st of November. I mean, how the fuck can you even ask that when you have been constantly lying to someone for over a month or rather since day one? They are not serious.

Are you planning to play in Bulgaria someday? This time, with a different promoter?
Christofer Barkensjö: Maybe? It depends.

Depends on what?
Christofer Barkensjö: It depends if the promoter is serious. At the moment I have a hard time seeing it happen.

What’s the best and worst thing about touring?
Christofer Barkensjö: Playing live. Being away from your family.

How does a THE RESISTANCE show feel? Musically and visually.
Christofer Barkensjö: Good old violent fun. A lot of energy.

How does your music affect the world around you?
Christofer Barkensjö: I hope it gives people a good vibe. And puts a smile on their faces.

What are the biggest obstacles for metal bands nowadays?
Christofer Barkensjö: Downloading!

Huge thanks for the opportunity, Chris! Hope to see you play in Bulgaria one day. Until then!
Christofer Barkensjö: Cheers!