15 questions with…THE DANDY WARHOLS

Peter Holmström is the guitarist and founding member of The Dandy Warhols. With their new record taking a few technology twists and turns, it’s time for 15 questions…

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Peter Holmström is best known as the lead guitarist for The Dandy Warhols, air traffic controller for Pete International Airport, and collaborator in Walls Of Dada. He formed The Dandys in 1994 with singer/songwriter and guitarist Courtney Taylor-Taylor. They have released 11 albums over the last quarter of a century, the third of which, 1999’s Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia, spawned the worldwide hit and Vodaphone soundtrack Bohemian Like You. The band have just unleashed a 214-minute opus of unreleased Dandy’s material called Tafelmuzik Means More When You’re Alone, which is described as: “never-before-tasted Dandies goodness”. We talk to Holmström about how he creates his distinctive sound and what he’s learned from 25 years in the industry…

1 What is your overall philosophy or approach when it comes to music?

Peter Holmström: “I’m always trying to push myself a bit further, and I’m always obsessing on a sound or vibe that I’m trying to incorporate into what I do. I also love messing around with alternate tunings. I’m less likely to fall back into my old habits. New toys make new things happen. Combining disparate sounds is always interesting to me too.”

2 How did you discover the route to computer music-making?

PH: “I first saw the full potential of Pro Tools while recording 13 Tales From Urban Bohemia in early ‘99. We were at Dave Sardy’s studio in Williamsburg doing some overdubs and editing. I was completely blown away with little things like stretching audio (in the middle of