Robert Pally: April, 2001: Part II

Reto Burrell, a Swiss with English roots, started off in a Hardcore-Punk band then moved to Alternative Rock. Now he is one of the best Singer/Songwriters in Switzerland.

Your solo debut "Echo Park" took pretty long till it finally came out. Why?

Well, actually I started recording the album end of 1999. Then I got an interesting phone call from producer Pete Anderson (Dwight Yoakam, Michelle Shoked,…), who wanted me to record an album on his own label Little Dog Records. So we decided to begin the recording from the top. But after a couple of weeks, the production failed because of contractual agreements. The contract he wanted me to sign with Little Dog Records, was way beyond a standard independent contract (option for 8 more albums, no advances). So I passed. Spring 2000 – back home – I started the album all over again. Now, it finally got released all over Europe on the German Roots-Rock label Blue Rose Records.

From what time period are the songs?

The oldest songs on "Echo Park" dates from 1996. I played most of the songs several times live, and performed them in front of different people. I had the opportunity to check out their feed-backs. That’s what made the final track-list. The latest songs on the album I wrote 1999.

What are you trying to say in your lyrics?

I kinda like to write without using my head. Just lay myself on the bottom of emotions. Let the song choose its story. The songs are about individuality - believing in what you do - trying to get along – and of course about the never ending tales of love. I always try to keep ‘em simple and straight.

What are your musical influences?

At the moment I’m fascinated about old Country Music. I like it’s honesty, how it’s not trying to climb up the billboard. Maybe it’s a silent protest against the music industry. As I’m more a guitar-rockhead than a cowboy, I love to mix it all in one. And that’s why I have a lot of great harmonies in the vocals and still an edgy guitar twang in my songs. But of course there are a few of great singer/songwriters like Steve Earle, Tom Petty or Ryan Adams, who inspired me a lot when writing songs.

Which one is your favourite song on "Echo Park", and what is it about?

My favourite tune …hm, hard to tell. "High Or Low". I wrote it 10 minutes before I went out to catch a local concert with my friends. It’s about me, floating through life – being in the middle of high and low. The Ups make you smile, the Downs make you stronger and should keep you going on.

How did you get on the renowned German label Blue Rose Records, that you share with artists like Todd Thibaud, Steve Wynn, Iain Matthews?

Well, here in Switzerland no record companies were interested in me at that time. I guess they didn’t know where I was going. They always react very late. And I had contact with Blue Rose for quite a while. Sending demo recordings and stuff like that. I always was very excited about them, and their releases. So, after my adventurous journey to the states, we made the deal.

Tell me about your musical background.

At the age of 15 I started playing in a Hardcore-Punk band. With 20, me and some guys started Släm, where I began singing as well. We liked Nirvana, Pearl Jam and bands like that and tried to fit in with them. At that time when we had more band member fights than rehearsing or playing concerts. I started thinking about going solo. As I always loved to write songs with the acoustic guitar, I asked myself: why not keep it there . And so my songwriting got better, so did my voice, and here I am.

What is your oldest memory hearing a band and thinking "Wow, that’s great! I wanna do that too!"

Yesterday, when I had rehearsal with my band! Just kidding….! Let me see, I guess I was about 11 years old. An older guy from school came along with the Bryan Adams "Cuts like a knife" record. When I heard it, I went crazy. I started to dream, I could write songs like him and perform them to impress the older guys from school.

With your band Släm you have been on a major label. What did you learn in this time?

I learned, that sharing ideas when marketing a band, was very hard to stick to, without losing it’s individuality. I learned, that it’s not the songs they wanna sell. It’s more pushing a product into a trend. But I’m in it for the songs. So, there you go. I don’t wanna blame all majors. It’s just, I didn’t had a great time on the one Släm was signed to.

You started off with Hardcore-Punk, and later Grungy Rock before you finally landed on a Roots-Rock label. Quite a crusade. How come?

Well, as I said, the reason why or how I write songs is the same as I always have. It’s just, that I have more to tell now. I learned to express myself. I played a lot of concerts, met a lot of people, seen a lot of different places. I can’t force what I’m doing and I don’t even try to. I guess, I am and I do what life wants me to do. As simple as that.

Was there something that was always important for you, no matter what style you played?

Yes, it always had to be real. No fakes. I hate people who try to act like someone else and forget who they are. I mean, of course it’s easier not to be yourself. But it’s boring and not what counts. So, if you wanna tell a story, tell yours! That’s what I’m interested in. Maybe this attitude lays more sticks and stones in my way. But as I said, it’s gotta be real.

You are great live. What do you wanna give the people when you’re on stage?

A good time! Me and my band love to play concerts, and we always play ‘em, as if it would be the last thing we could do. The happiness of the audience and their feedbacks are very important for me, don’t matter how many people are at the club..

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Robert Pally: The Linus of Hollywood Interview

Robert Pally: The Louis Phillippe Interview

Robert Pally: The Sun Interview

Robert Pally: The Splitsville Interview

Robert Pally: The Margo Guryan Interview

E-mail Robert

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