A Chat with Dear Amber (14.03.23)
Interpreting guitar rock in a unique and refreshing way, Danish foursome Dear Amber pays tribute to the iconic rock of yesteryear while moving forward with a contemporary style. We speak with drummer Jan Ettrup-Mikkelsen about their EP, Echoes Always Fade, musical inspiration and what he does in his spare time.
OSR: What drew you to music and how did Dear Amber form?
Ettrup-Mikkelsen: What drew me, and I think I can speak for the rest of Dear Amber, to music was not just the universal language, but also the thrill of creating something new and different. We have all been playing music for ages and have been influenced by various genres and styles over the years.
As a band, we have settled into a sound that combines different elements of alternative rock, which allows us to explore different textures, rhythms, and melodies, and to push the boundaries of what is expected from the genre. It’s a sound that we believe captures the raw energy and emotion of the live performance, and that allows us to connect with audiences in a visceral way.
We’re not interested in playing it safe or adhering to any formula. Instead, we see music as a way to experiment and take risks, to try out new ideas and push ourselves creatively. And we believe that our sound reflects that approach.
When I first started Dear Amber with two other guys in 2019, I knew that we had something special. The band has undergone some changes, with new members joining and others moving on. But what has remained constant is our shared passion for music and our commitment to collaboration.
After the departure of a former bass player, Kenneth joined the band as our new bassist. Then Ronni came on board as a singer and additional guitarist. Finally, Morten took over as the lead guitarist. We’re constantly amazed at how each member brings their own distinct musical background and influences to the table. It’s been especially cool to see how Ronni and Kenneth’s previous musical history together has influenced our sound. And of course, I’ve known Morten from our past experiences, so it’s great to work with him in this context.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Ettrup-Mikkelsen: Well, to me, music is so intertwined with my being that it’s hard to imagine life without it. It is like a key that unlocks the doors of perception, allowing us to see the world in a different light. A magic spell that can transport us to other realms or help us to find meaning in the mundane.
For all of us, music has been our constant companion through all of life’s ups and downs. And yet, for all its power and magic, music is also just a bunch of sounds arranged in a particular way. It’s the alchemy of combining notes, rhythms, and melodies that creates something that is greater than the sum of its parts.
So, it means everything and nothing at the same time. It’s a mystery and a miracle, a paradox, and a riddle. It’s a reminder that life is full of wonder and possibility, and that even during chaos and confusion, there is always a song waiting to be sung.
OSR: What inspires you to make music?
Ettrup-Mikkelsen: That is one complex question with no simple answer, but I would say that a big part of it is the way that music allows me to process and work through the difficulties of life that we all experience now and then.
I can only speak for myself here but it’s like a form of therapy, a way to work through the difficulties of life and emerge with a greater sense of clarity and purpose. And it’s not just the challenges that I face inside myself that inspire me to make music. It’s also the challenges that we all face in our relationships with others.
Through music, we can create something that is greater than ourselves, something that connects us to others and allows us to share a common experience. It’s a reminder that no matter how different we may seem on the surface, we all share a common humanity and a common set of experiences.
OSR: What can you tell us about your EP Echoes Always Fade? Is there a backstory or theme?
Ettrup-Mikkelsen: Well, let’s just say that this little gem is the result of a journey that has taken us through the highs and lows of the creative process.
It all started with our debut EP, Sparks Equal Fall. That EP was a glimpse into the world of Dear Amber, a world of noise rock, raw energy and emotion. It was a statement of who we were at that moment in time, a snapshot of our musical journey.
But as any musician will tell you, the journey never ends. And so, we embarked on a new adventure. We took the themes and ideas that had inspired us on Sparks Equal Fall, and we delved even deeper. The result is a collection of tracks that explores the themes of loss, change, and the fleeting nature of time. Each track is a reflection on the human experience, a reminder that nothing lasts forever, and that we must make the most of the time we have.
I guess you could say that it is a journey through the human experience, a reminder of the fragility and beauty of life, and a tribute to the power of music to capture those fleeting moments of inspiration and emotion. It’s Dear Amber at our most raw, most vulnerable, and most powerful. And, of course, it rocks!
OSR: Do you feel your new EP differs from previous material? Perhaps heading toward a different sound or style?
Ettrup-Mikkelsen: It’s a tricky one, but I think the short answer is yes and no. On the one hand, we’re still Dear Amber. We still play alternative rock, we still embrace the raw energy, and we still love to experiment and push ourselves creatively. But on the other hand, there are some differences that set this EP apart from our previous material. We’ve got Morten on guitar now and he’s brought a heavier hand to the table. His riffs are like sledgehammers, pounding out a rhythm that is both relentless and hypnotic.
We’ve also been focusing more on big sounds, and on creating a sonic landscape that is immersive and expansive. We’re not afraid to use shoegaze-style effects and textures, to create a sense of atmosphere and depth that draws the listener in. But at the end of the day, the biggest difference between Echoes Always Fade and our previous material is simply the fact that it’s new. It’s a reflection of where we are now as artists and as people.
OSR: If you could change one thing about Echoes Always Fade, what would that be?
Ettrup-Mikkelsen: I’m not sure I would change anything about Echoes Always Fade. It’s a reflection of who we are as artists, and it captures the essence of what we’re all about. But of course, as the performers, there are always little things that we notice that other people might not. Maybe there’s a note that doesn’t quite ring true or a rhythm that could be tighter. Maybe there’s a lyric that could have been phrased differently or a sound effect that doesn’t quite sit right.
Here’s the thing: those imperfections are what make the music real. They’re what give it its humanity, its soul, its heart. They’re what make it more than just a bunch of sounds arranged in a particular way.
So if I had to change one thing about Echoes Always Fade, I think it would be to change nothing at all. To leave it exactly as it is, imperfections and all.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
OSR: What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of being a musician in the digital era?
Ettrup-Mikkelsen: What a time to be a musician. On the one hand, we’ve got access to an unprecedented range of tools and technologies that allow us to create and distribute our music like never before. On the other hand, we’ve also got to contend with a whole host of new challenges and obstacles that come with living in an increasingly digital world.
One of the biggest advantages is the ability to connect with fans worldwide. We can share our music, our thoughts, and our experiences with people from all walks of life, and we can build communities of fans and supporters that span the globe. On top, we can create and distribute music on our own terms. We no longer have to rely on record labels and other gatekeepers to get our music out into the world.
But of course, there are also disadvantages. One of the biggest challenges is the sheer amount of competition that we face. With so many artists and bands out there vying for attention, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd and get noticed. Not least in the genre that we represent.
It is a bit like being a pioneer. We’re exploring new frontiers, charting new territories, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. We’re embracing the challenges and opportunities that come with living in an increasingly digital world – at least we’re trying to do so.
OSR: What do you do in your spare time?
Ettrup-Mikkelsen: Spare time is a rare and valuable commodity, isn’t it? While we all have our own interests and passions outside of the band, one thing that I’m particularly passionate about is collecting and restoring vintage drums.
When I’m not busy with my day jobs, friends, and family, I love to scour online marketplaces in search of hidden treasures from drumming’s past. I’m always on the lookout for rare and unusual drums that tell a story and evoke a sense of history and nostalgia and when I find a drum that speaks to me, I’ll spend hours restoring it to its former glory. I’ll strip away the old finishes, clean and polish the hardware, and replace any worn or damaged parts. It’s a labour of love, but there’s something incredibly satisfying about taking an old, forgotten drum and bringing it back to life.
OSR: What do you think makes Dear Amber unique?
Ettrup-Mikkelsen: That’s a great question and one that we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about. As a band, we’re not interested in chasing trends or trying to be something that we’re not. We’re not interested in pandering to the masses or watering down our sound to fit into some preconceived notion of what “good music” is supposed to sound like.
Instead, we’re all about being true to ourselves and our style. We play what we love, and we never compromise our artistic vision. We’re not interested in making music that is “popular”, “trendy” or “cool”. We’re interested in making music that speaks to us and captures our emotions and our experiences. I think that’s what makes us unique. In a world where so much music is just a product, where so many bands are just chasing fame and fortune, we’re a band that is true to our roots, true to our style, and true to ourselves. We’re not super interested in playing the game.
Sure, maybe that’s why we have a hard time making it to the top. Maybe our refusal to pander to the masses or chase trends means that we’ll always be a bit of an outsider but that’s okay. At the end of the day, we’re not in this to be famous or to make millions. We’re in this because we love it!
OSR: Do you have future plans as Dear Amber?
Ettrup-Mikkelsen: Absolutely! As a band we’re always looking forward, always thinking about the next step, the next gig, the next album. We may not be planning to take over the world, but we’re definitely planning to make our mark on it.
For starters, we’ve got more live shows in the works. There’s nothing quite like the energy and excitement of a live performance. We’re also planning to make more music. We’ve got a whole bunch of new songs in the works and we’re eager to share them. We’re exploring new sounds, new textures, and new ideas, and we’re excited to see where it takes us.
Of course, we’re planning to have a lot of fun along the way. Because at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about, right? Making great music and enjoying the ride.
Many thanks to Jan Ettrup-Mikkelsen for speaking with us. For more from Dear Amber, take a look at their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
