With their second album just released, Swedish rockers REMEDY are taking the melodic rock world by storm. Both of their albums have gained rave reviews (from us too) and good chart positions. We sent a selection of questions to the band and guitarist/songwriter/produced Roland "Rolli" Forsman answered.

You released your first album in late 2022. It's been said that bands have their whole life to write their first album - does that apply to your debut too, or are the songs on it relatively new?

All the songs were completely new. I had just started writing music at that time. Before Remedy, I was a session musician and hired gun for various artists and tours. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I suddenly had a lot of extra time to write and produce music. Everything on the album was created within a few months.'

Did you write all the songs for "Pleasure..." after recording the first album, or did you use older ideas too? It seems like you didn't suffer from the second album syndrome!

Thank you! Yes, I wrote and co-wrote the entire album. All the songs, except for 'Crying Heart,' are completely new. The riff for 'Crying Heart' was written during my first writing session with Sören Kronqvist back in 2018. It took a few years to get the song just right. Haha.

"Moon Has The Night" has a rather unique title, and the video is pretty special too. Can you tell us how you came up with the title and the lyrics, and also about the concept of the video?

Some songs feel like a gift, and this is one of them. I hardly remember writing it; it just fell into place instantly. It's crazy how some songs take years, and some come together in no time at all. The lyrics are about how some people need drugs or alcohol to go crazy, but for some, the night itself is enough. That inspired the video producer to go with an '80s horror movie theme with a retro look. (Ed: The video can be seen sbelow, along with "Crying Heart", another one from the new album.)

On your first album, you have a fantastic ballad called "Sundays At Nine," which has a really interesting lyrical concept. Where did you get that idea?

The lyrics were written by my friend Pelle Arhio. Our singer, Robert van der Zwan, was battling cancer at the time. The lyrics are about a father's last goodbye to his family. I remember Robert crying when he first read the lyrics, as he was undergoing heavy treatment then. He is doing fine now, by the way!

In keeping with AOR tradition, both of your albums have songs with girls' names as the title, "Marilyn" and "Angeline." Was that planned, and can we expect this tradition to continue?

Maybe so. There wasn't a big plan behind it; it just happened. We'll see what happens along the way. It is not impossible that we continue our path with women. Haha

Let's have a word association test! I'll throw in some names, Finns and Swedes, and you answer quickly with the first thought that comes up!

Yngwie Malmsteen: The King. We salute you, Yngwie.

Sören Kronqvist: Great friend, great songwriter, and someone to rely on. Sören is the best!

Käärijä: You've got to give that guy credit. He has great star power! And his song stays with you, whether you like it or not. Haha.

Erik Mårtensson: In my opinion, he's the maestro. He is a huge factor in us sounding as good as we do. Erik is amazing.

Erik Grönwall: His voice... I mean, wow, it's probably as good as it gets. And he has an excellent stage persona with great energy.

Mr. Lordi: Hard Rock Hallelujah! I just saw them live the other week. Great live band that doesn't use a lot of backing tracks, which I appreciate. Good ol' Rock'n'Roll.

Tobias Gustavsson: Huge inspiration. The action and great stuff he has built around Nestor are truly mind-blowing! Excellent singer, songwriter, and producer. Some guys get all the luck!

Alexander Stubb: He seems to be a tough guy, and that's exactly what Finland needs in these troubling times. A strong leader!

You have a few gigs lined up for Sweden and one in the UK. Do you have plans or at least hopes of touring with this album even more, maybe a visit to Finland too?

We most certainly will tour Finland as we move along. The rock scene in Finland is great, and the fans are absolutely AMAZING! Finland is Remedy's top priority and we are haooy to hear that Radio Rock and Yle have been airing our music!

It's pretty hard to make a living playing hard rock these days, and I suppose you guys have other careers as well. Can you tell us what kind of jobs you have, and has it been hard to combine rocking with "normal life"?

Yeah, you're completely right. But with that being said, we are all working with music in some way or another, as teachers or freelance musicians. I am the manager/principal of a music school in Stockholm for young, aspiring music producers and songwriters. It's a great job where I get to meet the next generation of "Max Martins."

Now with the second album out, have you already started working on ideas for the third one? Is it going to be your "Slippery When Wet" or "Pyromania"?

Haha. Hopefully, it will be! But first, let's enjoy the actions and results from this album. My main focus now is to go touring with Remedy. That's what we love doing, and it is also the ambition with the band: to tour the world and enter the big stages!

On a more (slightly) serious note, where do you see yourself in 5 years? Threw in a typical job interview question!

That's the first time I got that one in an interview regarding Remedy! 

In five years, we will have no time for anything else but Remedy, as we will be touring all around the globe! My ambitions are high with this band, and I will see to it that we do not fail.

Last but not least, to whom would you recommend your latest album? Give us your best marketing speech!

Our latest album is for anyone who loves melodies and lyrics with deeper meaning. I put my best effort into each song, hoping to pass on a song or two to the next generation. Also, if you appreciate "old school" music with minimal computer editing, Remedy is the band for you. We try to edit as little as possible because I believe music should have soul, and auto-tune and "grid editing" kills that soul in my opinion. So, we use good takes and that's it. There is also no Artificial Intelligence involved whatsoever. Everything you see or hear from Remedy is man-made!

Thank you for this interview; it was a pleasure! Please follow us on social media, @remedymusicsweden, and HELP US GET GOING IN FINLAND. We can't wait to tour over there!

Cheers and many thanks!

/Rolli

Interview by Kimmo Toivonen
Photos from Remedy´s Website & Facebook