I don’t know about anyone else, but I am recovering from the onslaught of heavy releases this month (with many more still to come). So let’s a bit of a break in the middle of this week and roll things back a couple of months. Back on July 26, instrumental… improvisational… progressive… space-jazz group Øresund Space Collective released their 44th(!!!) album through Laser’s Edge, titled Orgone Unicorn. This thing is mind-melting, and well over two hours of music. So if you’re in need of an absolute ride today you’ve come to the right place. Orgone Unicorn is monolithic, and the project’s history is just as expansive. There’s a lot to take in across the board. As such, the responses in this latest Profile, including those from founder Dr Space, shed some added light on Øresund Space Collective and this release in particular. The Bandcamp link can be found below as always, just be sure you have the space to dedicate all the time to it that it deserves. Quick pre-emptive editor’s note: I would love to catch this project live someday. That is all. Enjoy!

—

How and when did you first get into playing music, or metal more specifically, and how did your band get its start? Any pushback from family/those close to you?

Dr Space: I did not start playing music until 1999, the year my daughter was born. ØSC (Øresund Space Collective) started when I was let go from the Danish stoner space rock band, Gas Giant. I still wanted to play music and I started to organise jam sessions with my friends in Mantric Muse (DK) and Bland Bladen (SE). The jam sessions were so fun and the music was amazing and it slowly evolved into the ØSC. The family just had to adjust and this meant sacrifice for all of us for me to continue to work, take care of the family and have a band.

Mogens: Both my Parents played music, so I grew up with musical instruments from my early childhood.

How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the dark?

Dr Space: Totally improvised Space Rock.

Mogens: We play 100% improvised space rock, the concerts we play that I like the most is when we get through different genres, some songs are in miner, some in major, one could have some afrobeat inspiration, one could be high energy rock, and so on. That keeps the jams inspiring to listen to, and more fun to play as well. We always try to get people moving by getting our music into some cool grooves.

Is there one (or more) thing about your latest album or about your band that no one will find in any interview or review that you care to divulge?

Dr Space: Hum…..The title just came to me after listening to the huge Hawkwind Space Ritual box set that came out last year!

Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?

Dr Space: We have played all around Europe but our one show in the USA, was at Psycho Las Vegas and we were booked to play at 5-7 in the morning… That was a crazy one to play so late (or early) and of course not everything goes to plan at this hour and the sound people forget to mic one of the guitar players until half way thru the show. It was quite an experience to play so late. One of the craziest things that every happened to us was at Burg Herzberg Festival in Germany and we were taking a set break for 15mins and Mads, the guitar player was reaching for a beer from a fan and fell off the stage and smashed his head on the barrier railing! The backstage now had a doctor and nurse and his head was swelling up… They said he should not play more but he was stubborn and came back on the stage and finished the show!!!

What do you see as some of the great things happening in and around the metal scene (yours or just in general) and what are some of the worst things happening right now?

Dr Space: We are not really in the metal scene per se, but we have made some heavy records like “The Black Tomato” and “Ode to a Black Hole” (Space DOOM). The good thing is there are a lot of great live acts still playing and delivering the goods. The downside is there are too many bands and too much music and not enough money in the economy to support all of us. Touring has become so expensive, it is almost not possible anymore, even for a band like us that has been around for 20 years. Also, the streaming services, are thieves and until we get a decent payment for our online music, we will all struggle except the biggest bands. It will require a total boycott of Spotify and others before they will change the pitiful amount they pay us. It is very hard to be a musician without another job these days.

Most folks have passions for a cause or causes that are close to them. What, if any, are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you / your band and how do you insert those issues into your music?

Dr Space: We play all instrumental music so do not have any lyrics. I am totally against all countries that wage war and destroy our beautiful planet. So I support organizations on like Greenpeace, Avaaz.org.

Mogens: Well, the world is pretty fucked up, and there are so many things artists could shout about today. But as our music is instrumental, I guess we just try to make the world a better place for the audience in that moment of time we play, create some positive vibes for people to enjoy.

Do you have day jobs or hobbies you want to share?

Dr Space: I own and run a music studio (https://estudioparaisonasn.wixsite.com/my-site) and just make music now that I am retired from Science (I have a PhD in Endocrinology and did diabetes research). My main hobbies are collecting records, drinking craft beer and saving the labels and gardening.

Mogens: I do recording and mixing in my home studio as well. I also work as an acupuncturist which i enjoy a lot.

What advice do you have for music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician?

Dr Space: Advice for the critics… Well, I did music journalism for 40 years and still write some reviews and the most important thing about a review, is it should be informative and leave your opinions out of it. If you do not like it, just describe the music the best you can and make other band comparisons. Something you hate, might be another persons favorite album. Music is so subjective, so describe the music.

Mogens: I think the the two biggest problems is that almost all distribution goes through streaming services that don’t pay musicians their fair share, the other one is that AI is taking over music for commercials, films, theaters and shit. So it is pretty damn hard for musicians to make money today. As for how we can all better serve the musicians, buy their music directly from the artists via Bandcamp or the bands website. This mostly goes directly to the bands and artists and is not skimmed by everyone who is trying to take a piece of the income.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

Dr Space: My long term goal is to just be true to myself as a not very talented musician and do the best I can to innovate and move music forward and to experiment. Continue to let our fans know how much I appreciate their support. Finally, to keep the faith that music is important to help people stay sane in this crazy fucked up world.

Mogens: Have fun!

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?

Dr Space: I listen to all kinds of music. Right now I am listening to Peter Broggs – “Rise and Shine”. Before that today, I played Phil Campbell – “Old Lions Still Roar” (Motorhead guitarist). I also heard King Crimson – “The Court of the Crimson King” today and Candlemass. I am really digging this US band Freedom Hawk, their last album was amazing. Also Zakk Sabbath – “Forever Doomed”. He did a fantastic job covering these two Sabbath albums. Last night I also watched a Camel (UK Prog) DVD from 1979.

What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

Dr Space: Next April (2025), we will have a special 2 days 20th Anniversary concert in Copenhagen Denmark with lots of old members joining to perform 4 sets with lots of different members. We also have our 44th album (32nd studio album) coming out on July 26th called “Orgone Unicorn” on the Lasers Edge label in the USA.

Summarize your band in one word.

Spacerock.

—

Many thanks to Dr Space and Mogens of Øresund Space Collective for the time!

---

Orgone Unicorn is out through Laser’s Edge. For information on Øresund Space Collective, head over to their website.