EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Tterrab Dys and Johan Jönsegård from Letters From The Colony

From the heart of dazzling landscapes, tops of the mountains and hills, and under the darkened sky of Sweden, a powerful hybrid Letters from the Colony was found.
Formed in 2010, Letters from the Colony creates rich combination from harsh beats of Death Metal, magic Progressive music, wonderful Jazzy affairs, and revolutionary Metalcore sound. This year, the band released its first full length album "Vignette" and signed with the leading Germany based label Nuclear Blast.

The Metal Sister proudly had the chance to chat with 2 members from Letters from the Colony for the first time in the Middle Eastern Metal platform! Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Tterrab Dys and Johan Jönsegård who take the responsibility of Guitars! And who appeared in the funny video shot at Euroblast Festival!

Thank you guys for accepting this invitation! Tell me first, as I am somehow curious to know that! What do you think of taking one step closer the Middle Eastern Metalheads through this interview?

Johan: Thank you for having us. It feels great. 

So, Tterrab! This question is for you! I remember when we chatted for the first time you told me that you are carrying Arabic Lebanese origin! Can you tell us more about your relationship with your roots?

Tterrab:
Well my grandfather is from Beirut, Lebanon.
Unfortunately I have never met him.
You can’t see that I have these roots, I’m a ginger and pale guy, but my father looks more Arabic.


Let's move to Johan, I know you have a good experience with the Middle East! You are one of October Tide members and you performed last month in Dubai! How was your experience?

Johan: It was really awesome. Since I’ve never been to the middle east before I didn’t know what to expect other than the rumors of all the luxury but it was way above the expectations. To meet the all nice people living there, to see Burj Khalifa and for the first time for me see the desert. It was a short trip but I had the chance to see so many cool things.

Guys, it was just warming up so let's move to your story of "Letters from the Colony"! How did you choose the name? Does it carry certain message or certain definitive theme?

Tterrab:
We did not want to have a typical metal band name, that includes words like blood or death. 
Our first drummer Henrik came up with the idea of the band name, it is an old Swedish folk song by Cornelis Vreeswijk, so the Swedes maybe thinks that our name is a bit funny.

 Actually, I admit that listening to Letters from the Colony is not boring! It is dynamic, we have different mixed moods and sounds, different genres or musical directions! So, What are your main musical influences? How did the idea of creating such a hybrid, colorful music come to your mind?

Tterrab: 
Thank you so much. Well we all come from different backgrounds, but we want to be able to do whatever we want. The focus is the quality, not the genre, as long as we like it.

 Although the band was existed back in 2010! The first full length finally came out in 2018! What are the main problems you had? 

Tterrab: 
We have been having problems with creating a group that can work on a professional level. 
So there has been a lot of member changes.
And a big factor that it has taken a long time for this band is the mental problems that I have. 

One of the most important questions that your fans may ask! How did you get a Nuclear Blast contract? 

Tterrab: We made a record that made them interested, we also have Peter Tägtgren to thank for the help he have given us.


 While I am checking your events! I found out that 2018 is somehow busy year for Letters from the Colony! I think, you also got some confirmed dates in 2019! How did you participate in Euroblast Festival? And will 2019 be dedicated only for live shows? Are you planning for more touring for promoting your album?

Johan: Euroblast was a cool experience. I am so glad we had the chance to play there and to meet a lot of new friends. 2019 will be a touring year for us for sure.  We have some cool stuff coming up like supporting Decapitated and a whole bunch of festival around Europe. 

 I want to ask you this question as you are now gaining more power, and fame! In your opinion, Is the European Metal Scene somehow challenging for bands? 

Tterrab:
Well we as Swedes have the privilege to have such great bands before us, so somehow people like that we are from Sweden. But in the end it is all about how much effort you put in.


 I am sorry but I want to go back again to 2010! Guys, How did you meet :D ? and How did you also meet the great nice Fredrik Norman? As Many of your fans know Letters from the Colony, October Tide, and Thenighttimeproject are like a one big family?

Johan: I wasn’t in Letters From The Colony from the very beginning so I don’t know exactly how they met but I think it just was some friends that wanted to start playing music and have fun here in Borlänge. 

It was Jonas Sköld who reached out to me and asked if I wanted to join October Tide in 2016 since they needed a bass player and had a tour coming up. Since I loved their music it was easy to say yes. Jonas had been in the band for a couple of month before me when he filled in for Jocke Wallgren who left the band to join Amon Amarth. 

 What are your closest friends, I mean bands who you have a close relation with (except October Tide)?

Johan: In Mourning, Disrupted, Demonical and Thenighttimeproject to mention a few. We meet so many bands when we are out playing so it is hard to say.

 As touring musicians, How is challenging to manage your time between music, tours, and family?

It is a hectic life but it is so fun to see new places and meet new friends that it is worth all the time you put into it. 

This question goes directly for you Johan, Being a member of  many bands! Do you have a free time :D? and if you have, how would you spend it?

Johan: I am actually just a member of 2 bands. LFTC and October Tide but it is enough for me. I like to spend my free time with my girlfriend and cat, renovate my house, watch movies and play video games. I don’t know how Jonas Sköld manage to have 3 bands haha.

 As music is at the first place hobby! So, is it good that your hobby becomes your all time profession, or job? Don't you feel sometimes that you need to break this routine?

Johan: Well, right now I just want to do this more and more but I think it can be a good idea to put your instrument aside for a couple of days sometimes so you don’t get tired of it.

 Finally, Do you know any Middle Eastern bands? Are you in contact with any of them?

Johan: Unfortunately I’m not in touch with any Middle Eastern bands on a daily basis but I got to know a band called Svengali when I was in Dubai. Cool guys. 

 Guys, thank you again and again for this interview so, do you want to send any message to your fans?

Johan: Thank you so much for having us. I hope that we will have the chance to bring Letters From The Colony to the Middle East some day.