New York based composer Pontus Gunve has just put out his new release, an EP titled “IV.” This excellent, five track EP is available from Bandcamp. We talked with Pontus about the new music.

How do you usually describe your music?

Progressive Instrumental Rock – or Cinematic Rock.

What is your writing process like?

Sporadic and intense. I go through moments of 5 pieces in a week – and then nothing for a month. I have to be inspired at the right moment – or sometimes go through themes in my head and try to develop those in to full pieces.

Who or what is your inspiration, if you have any?

As a guitar player : I like Steve Vai for fluidity, Dave Gilmour for extra dimensional soul, Zappa for head expansion, Marty Friedman for interesting shred, Yngwie Malmsteen for outrageous shred and 16 notes runs, Angus Young for pure guitar tone and Fripp for brainy stuff.

What is your favourite piece on the “IV” EP?

Hard to say of course – because they are all “my children” in a way. But maybe Felix – because I wrote it right before my son was born – 2 years ago. And it is really one of my favorite tunes to play live .

What makes “IV” different?

Different from my previous releases is that it is recorded in a day (roughly 9 hours). The music was written out, rehearsed for months but it culminated in a day recording where everything had to be done in one shot. We ran through each song 3-4 times from beginning to end – I didn’t want to stop and inter put the flow of the music but rather have it go as a continuous piece. My previous albums where a lot more produced where each instrument was focussed on in one recording session.

What kind of emotions would you like your audience to feel when they listen to your music?

What ever it is that comes to them when they do listen to it. The thing with instrumental music is that I’m not using a verbal language to take the listener in any direction – rather if you sit down and listen and don’t let anything else influence you then you can use the music to let anything in. It’s really wide open.

Which do you like most, life in the studio or on tour?

Maybe recording / studio – by a wee bit. I love both performing – but the creative process is probably my favorite aspect – and being able to build something from a simple melody or a drum beat into a full blown band thing. That is pretty awesome 🙂

Pick your three favourite albums that you would take on a desert island with you.

I guess a variety would be best.

Oxygen – Jean Michelle Jarre – for inner exploration

Tales from Topographic Oceans – Yes – For longevity (figured it would be good to have a whole lot to listen to when alone)

Leviathon – Mastodon – for some air guitar moments on the island – and simply just for Hearts Alive…

Get “IV” by Pontus Gunve from Bandcamp here.