Interview: Placebo

British alternative act Placebo is planning an India tour soon. The trio from Gravesend, England recently released their sixth studio album Battle For The Sun and are looking forward to playing dates in the country next year. We caught up with Stefan Olsdal (bass) for a quick chat about India, musicians and politicians. We’re also giving away special copies of Battle For The Sun, so head to the Giveaways page for a chance to win!
What are the plans to play gigs in India in 2010?
Stefan: We’ve been wanting to for a long time, and we like to play new places.  Unfortunately I can’t say at the moment!

You’ve played in a few far out places most recently being Angkor Wat in Cambodia as part of a campaign against human trafficking. Is that a conscious decision on the part of the band – to perform in locations not often visited by major recording artists? Or does that have more to do with the social cause you support?
Stefan: It was a combination.  It is an amazing location and MTV Exit is a very worthy cause to lend our name to.

Do you think you’ll have to change much of your live act for India? Will the live Placebo experience be any different?
Stefan: We’re a rock band. It’s not all clean and above board, but what in life is?  We’d go to put on the best show that we possibly could.

Placebo has been around now for 15 years. Six albums down, and a great deal of international success later, do you feel some sort of moral or obliged responsibility, in that your music has to have some Bono-esque social relevance?
Stefan: We’re musicians not politicians.  We express ourselves through our music, that is what we’re good at. We’re not here to tell anyone what to think or do.

You haven’t performed a lot of your older material at recent festivals and gigs. Is that something you’re consciously avoiding?
Stefan: It’s simply that the new stuff has more emotional relevance to us.  Some old songs feels like they were written by different people..

A message for your fans in India?
Stefan: Hold your head up, keep your head up.  Hope to see you soon!

Here’s your chance to win a free copy of Battle For The Sun!

Placebo on MySpace