EMQ’s with TEMPLE
Hi everyone! Welcome to our new EMQ’s interview with Gävle, Sweden based Heavy Rock/Doom band Temple. Huge thanks to vocalist/guitarist Otto Molim for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play, and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
My name is Otto Molim and I sing and play guitar in the band Temple.
How did you come up with your band name?
In 2015 I drank a beer from TEMPEL Brygghus in Uppsala, they have a very nice logo and I thought I should start a band called Temple. I looked around a bit but did not find a band with that name right then.
What Country/Region are you from and what is the Metal/Rock scene like there?
I’m from a city in Sweden called Gävle, a few years ago there was a very good music scene here. But the years have slowly but surely drained the city and made it more difficult for the rock scene. We ran a club called KLUBB FUZZ where we booked bands like Windhand, Monolord, Skraeckoedlan, Truckfighters etc. But the neighbours to the restaurant thought it was too loud, so we had to move to a larger restaurant and then it no longer worked. So boring. But I have heard that a new stage will be started where rock / metal bands can play…we can all hope that it works better this time and that the audience does not disappoint.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
We just released a single at Bandcamp. It is called ‘Funeral Planet’ and is the title track from our upcoming album which will be released on November 25 this year.
https://templefuzz.bandcamp.com/track/funeral-planet-2
Who have been your greatest influences?
I’m a big fan of Deftones. I get a lot of inspiration from listening to their music, I love the feeling in their songs and Chino’s vocals are fantastic.
What first got you into music?
Somewhere in middle school. We had a music teacher Svempa, who liked rock. We got to try a lot of different instruments and listen to many different styles of music. I fell in love with the guitar, but he thought I should give the drums a try. So, I started playing drums and some guitar on the side. We started our first punk band in the beginning of high school called Adrenaline. We mostly played Ebba Grön and Nirvana songs.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
We booked Windhand for KLUBB FUZZ in April 2014. They were so kind and super easy to have and work with. They seemed genuinely happy to come and play with us in little Gävle. That’s when a seed was sown in me, to play slower doomier music. And the sound, absolutely wonderful. It would be fun to meet them again and play together.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Maybe Psycho Las Vegas, they book really good bands. And it has always been a dream to go around North America and play.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
Nothing strange yet, but there may be something richly shady in the future, who knows?
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Have the strength to last another month, we have had a really good spread and there is a lot of talk about the record all around. Unfortunately, it has been delayed at the printing house due to the pandemic, and that is why we set a fairly late release date even though the album was ready since June. So, hold on, it’s here soon.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Layne Staley (Alice In Chains).
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I love creating music and playing in the studio. The worst thing is to have control over everything around the music. So, we really hope we can find management and booking companies to help us with this so we can focus on playing.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
More opportunities to go around and play live, even as a small band that has just started. And that large events dare to book smaller artists and give them the chance.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
“White Pony” by Deftones.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
All the ways that make it possible to listen to music are good. The important thing is that everyone should have the same opportunity to take part in what is out there.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
The last gig with Silver Devil at the slaughterhouse in Stockholm on June 5, 2019. It really felt good.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Studio technician.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
My family.
What’s next for the band?
First, we will get the album out on November 25th. Then right now we are practicing full time so that we will be ready to play live when the pandemic is over. We also have plans to release a new single in 2021.
What Social Media/Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
Jaffa Cakes? Are they a cake or a biscuit?
I’ve never tried one, but it still feels like a biscuit.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you yourself!
Just to persevere. Everything passes with time and then we will be seen out on the live stage. We will be ready…will you?
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