THC: What was it like making a transition from Swedish to English lyrics?

Markus: It was actually an English album from the beginning, and Joakim translated into Swedish.

Sami: The Swedish language is very hard to sing in, very hard words.

THC: Many of your love songs are complex and fairly dark. Was that an intentional theme?

Markus: That's how love is, basically. It isn't easy.

Sami: Especially if you think about our hometown. It's a very dark, industrial town. Nothing really happens.

Markus: You can do two things. You can do sports or play music. Or drink beer. There's not much to do.

Sami: It's the most violent town in Sweden.

THC: What's your connection with The Cardigans?

Markus: We met them in '93, when they had just signed a contract. We played together in a small club. Martin, our bass player, had worked with them, because he used to work in a record company. We've only played a few gigs with them before, but not a whole tour. It's a lot of fun--they're really nice guys.

THC: Do you feel any competition with The Cardigans back in Sweden?

Sami: Absolutely not. Joakim worked on a side project with them in Sweden.

Markus: Actually, in Sweden we've sold more records than The Cardigans.

THC: Are you surprised with your overseas popularity?

Sami: I don't know anything, actually, about what's happening here.