Kim caught up with Nikola from Millencolin for a short chat before their headline show at NASS Festival.

Hi, could you firstly introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about how the band got together?
Hi, I’m Nikola and I sing and play electric bass for Millencolin. We started the band about 19 years ago. We all got to know each other basically through skateboarding in the late 80’s. Then we got into punk rock, and through that we started the band.

We’re here at NASS, have you been able to check out any of the sports today?
We all literally got here 5 minutes ago so no, but I really wanted to.

Who would you say are your main musical influences?
When we started the band we were quite into…
(Nikola’s mobile starts ringing)
I’m really sorry let me get rid of this. It’s my birthday today so.
Oh happy birthday!
Any way, we were really into the bands on the Epitaph label, you know Bad Religion, NOFX and bands like that, the more skateboarding bands. These days I’m more into discovering old music from the 60’s. I also have a solo project so with that I’m doing more of what I listen to right now, more singer songwriters - Simon and Garfunkel and The Beatles and stuff.

You played a date in Sweden and a few more Euro dates, before coming here to England. What’s the different between home town shows and others in the rest of Europe?
In Sweden we have a bigger guest list! If I’m playing Sweden my parents will try and come along to a show. It’s more relaxed playing outside of Sweden. Like here I don’t know anyone here so I can just do my thing and I don’t have to think about much.

This tour your on is celebrating 10 Years since Pennybridge Pioneers. What made you want to tour this album?
Because we did one show with the concept and it did have quite a good reception on that show and we just realised like a lot of bands tour one album. It’s a good way to tour and it’s nice for us to play some songs that we haven’t played in forever. It’s nice for the fans to hear an album that they all like quite a lot.

Machine 15 was your last album release, what have you been up to since then?
I have recorded two solo albums. One of which is released and the other has been recorded. It’ll be out later this year or perhaps early next year. Then doing this tour and just hanging out really.

What are your thoughts on the digital revolution killing off the music business with things such as illegal downloading?
Do you have Spotify over here?
Yeah we do.
In Sweden, it’s massive! Everyone uses it. I think it was good when you could buy the hard copy in the good old days but the situation has changed and we’ve got to take it for what it is. Spotify could be really good. As a consumer of music, it’s great. I use it a lot and listen a lot. As long as the artist and creators of the music get their share then it’s great. I think it’s good because the music industry has to be one step ahead. They have to be on their toes and be very creative and create these new ways that people can consume. I think Spotify is a better option than people downloading music.

Where do you see yourselves in a years’ time?
Hopefully I’ll be touring my next solo album!

One last random question that we ask every band, if you could be an animal out of a zebra or Giraffe which one would you be and why?
I’d go for the giraffe. I would like the perspective from up above and have a different perspective on life and perhaps learn something.

Thanks for your time, is there a message for your fans reading this?
Check out Millencolin, and my solo project… and Spotify!

Interview by Kim Horsley