Jim Jidhed best known as vocalist with Alien expands on his singing career and what the future holds with regard to new music and live gigs.
Who were your influences in the early days and have you always wanted to be a singer?
My one inspiration was Steve Perry in the early days.
Have you ever auditioned for the vocal spot in any notable bands?
I have not, never been asked.
You have appeared on a number of albums. Do you have a favourite and why?
Full Circle is one of my favourites beside two of my Swedish ones. I love the songs on that album and it was very fun laying the vocals on the record. That album in my view had it all regarding AOR. Good songs, very well played due much to Tommy Denander and I think the songs were perfect for my voice.
Do you still get the same buzz out of singing live as you did in the past?
Well things have changed a bit and nowadays I enjoy singing rock on festivals where you get a bigger sound and the voice flies more. I do love singing in smaller places too but then it’s my Swedish more softer songs I sing with more lyric’s in focus then.
Some vocalists are on strict dietary regimes or gargle with special liquids. How have you kept your voice in tip top shape all these years?
I laid a foundation in my younger years with classical teachers and life itself has been a vocal lesson so that combination has helped me. I think many singers miss out on a long singing career due the lack of knowledge of how to use and watching out for the voice.
Are there any musicians that you have not worked with, but would like to in the future?
Can’t say I do.
Is there a possibility of another Alien album in the future?
Maybe, we’ll see.
Is there any unreleased recorded material from your days in Alien you’ve been involved with that could be released?
I don’t think so, most of the old demos ended up on the ”Best and Rare” album I think.
Do you have any plans to release another solo album?
I actually don’t feel the need, or have any desire in this moment in time to make an album but …I have been asked to do another solo album recently. These days with these AOR Companies around I feel reluctant to do another album that in the end cost me both time and money due to a bad budget. If I should lay down all the work it takes to make an AOR album again it has to be with a Company that understands first of all the artistic conditions and that they, beside production costs, has to pay for the time it takes to write and perform vocal wise. Making an album is at least a year of devotion and takes time from other things in one’s quite busy life.
With the live circuit opening up again, is there a possibility that we could see you performing some live shows in the UK?
Unfortunately neither I or Alien have a booking agency today so the chances of playing anywhere is slim right now. Hopefully that will change in a near future.
Have you thought about doing some production work for other bands?
No I can’t say that I have.
Do you have anything in the pipeline at the moment that you would like to share?
Alien have been working on some stuff, so the future will tell. 😊
Interview by Stuart Dryden
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