DESIDERII MARGINIS interview for Dark Recollections 'zine Interview answered by JOHAN
1. DARK RECOLLECTIONS: For those not familiar with DESIDERII MARGINIS give a brief bio.
JOHAN- I started out by releasing a bunch of tapes in 1993, got signed to CMI in 1995 and appeared on a compilation called 'And even wolves�' that same year. That was my first official CD appearance. My first album came out in 1997. Privately I live in Mj�lby in Sweden, about five minutes walk from CMI, with my girlfriend and three dogs. I work at a museum as an exhibition producer on various middle age themes.

2. DARK RECOLLECTIONS: Why was the name DESIDERII MARGINIS chosen... any special meaning?

JOHAN- I wanted the name to be unique, and it should have something to do with dreams, because my music is a bit like a dreamy, blurred and distorted reality. The name means roughly 'The edge of dreams'.

3. DARK RECOLLECTIONS: What has DESIDERII MARGINIS released so far... and what has the response to each Cd like?
JOHAN- I've released five albums:
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Songs over ruins (CD)

Deadbeat CD

Strife (CD)

The ever green tree(LP)

That which is tragic and timeless (CD)

All Cd's have been released on Cold Meat Industry, the LP was released by the french label Kaosthetik. The response has been varied to every record, ranging from 'promising' in the beginning to 'classic' lately. In most cases I've received very good reviews, which is a source of inspiration of course. And likewise it is impossible to keep everybody happy at once, so whenever there's a tiny change some say 'too industrial', or 'too soft' or 'not enough bells' or whatever. That's life you know. The important thing is that I'm confident with what I do, can't do it any other way.

4. DARK RECOLLECTIONS: How would you describe your music to someone who has not heard it yet?

JOHAN- To a person who hasn't heard anything even remotely like it before, like my mother, I usually describe it as a bit like a soundtrack to a scary movie. I know it's a worn description but it's the best I can come up with. Unconventional music is very hard, almost impossible, to describe to a novice because they have nothing to relate it to. So if I say it's like a soundtrack, it's just to say something at all.

5. DARK RECOLLECTIONS: Talk about your latest Cd "that which is tragic and timeless" on CMI�

JOHAN- In my own opinion it's probably my best album so far. I still like the songs and the sound, which is usually a good sign. Plus, I have recieved a huge amount of positive feedback. Musicwise I'd say that it's a bit lighter that the previous ones, perhaps because it's a bit more epic and melodic. It's quite sentimental come to think of it, but in a very enjoyable sense. At least that's my own impression of it.



6. DARK RECOLLECTIONS: What has it been like working with CMI ?

JOHAN- Ever since the beginning it's been very rewarding. I'm pretty much left to do my thing, and I think the same goes for most bands on the rooster. I imagine that Roger will let me know if he thinks that the material presented is wide off the mark. Roger always does a great job with promotion, layout, distribution etc that I think a lot of people forget. He's old and ugly but he sure as hell knows the business.

7. DARK RECOLLECTIONS: What is a DESIDERII MARGINIS show like... what can anyone expect at your shows?

JOHAN- A dark room, one guy, some electronics and a video backdrop. A complete drag� Still, I think that most people who turn up at my shows, or any dark-ambient show, knows what it will be like. I believe that a lot of my music takes on another form when performed live - most songs become stronger somehow, more overwhelming. It has to do with the volume� So it's still an interesting and moving experience.

8. DARK RECOLLECTIONS: What has it been like to be one of the founding members of the genre.see so many bands come and go ... and still be around for all those years?

JOHAN- That makes me feel really old you know� But frankly I don't exactly monitor the scene so I don't know what bands are a new, or old, or terminated. I do what I do for personal reasons, and I can't see how I could ever stop doing it. One way or another this process will continue because it's such an important part of me. If, on top of that, I can be an inspiration to others that's so much the better.

9. DARK RECOLLECTIONS: Are you involved in any other projects besides DESIDERII MARGINIS? (names, websites?)

JOHAN- Well, I'm also a member of a medieval band called 'Galtagaldr'. We are six guys who get together and play traditional medieval music at different fairs and festivals in Sweden and Norway. We're not that ambitious about ourselves - we do it primarily to have some fun and to buy cool instruments. We do have a website at: www.galtagaldr.com- but it's in Swedish only.

10.DARK RECOLLECTIONS: Are you a fan of other forms of other forms of extreme music like death, black, doom, thrash, metal?

JOHAN- I wouldn't say I'm a fan of metal in particular, although there are some old stuff that I occasionally appreciate like Carcass which is really quite catchy, early Bathory, Godflesh� I guess there are a couple of others as well. I like some noise and power electronics as well, like Sutcliffe Jugend which is simply hilarious. I enjoy all kinds of stuff - some of it quite extreme, some quite ordinary.

11. DARK RECOLLECTIONS: Are you a fan of reading books... what are some books you read lately?

JOHAN- I read constantly and always before going to sleep. For obvious reasons I read a lot of books on history or subjects related to it, like art history or archaeology. Let's see what's on the bedside table� 'Diocesis Lincopensis' a book on the diocese of Link�ping, A book on pilgrim badges, a book about the history of Hell - that's it.

12. DARK RECOLLECTIONS: Any bands you would recommend checking out?

JOHAN- Well personally I've been enjoying the French LAND releases (on Divine Comedy) lately, and also some wonderful, and highly ambient, medieval music by an ensemble called Syntagma.

13. DARK RECOLLECTIONS: Any comments, last words? thanks for the interview.

JOHAN- No I believe I've said enough Cheers!
visit the official DESIDERII MARGINIS site
for sound samples check out:
DESIDERII MARGINIS sounds page