Interview with Tornado Blaze model Ellinor Nordbakk

This is a preview from RETROFUTURE 8, the interview with Ellinor was made about a week ago to go with the final issue. Enjoy!

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I guess it all started in the Spring of 2012. I don´t recall the exact date but I do remember that I found you on Internet. But you lived in Stockholm, not here in Jämtland. I thought that I had found a local gal, but you had moved…

– Yes that is correct but I have been living in Jämtland for 20 years before I decided to move so I still see myself as a local girl because it is still “home”.

Is it fair to say that RETROFUTURE was an unknown publication to you at this time?

– Yes, it was.

What was your initial reaction to my suggestion, I guess a Wild West job is quite unusual to say the least in this day and age?

– I got really surprised but I found it very interesting. So, I thought… let´s go for it!

Are you into Western films or books or anything like that? Riding?

– I remember watching many old western movies with my dad and a big bowl of popcorn when I was a little girl, I only got to see him at the weekends so it brings back a lot of happy memories. I have also watched some new western movies lately but the old ones is definitely better.

From my end, I recall that you seemed to be a very positive kind of person, and I knew that you were a rocker. And indeed, it turned out to be an easy going kind of affair. You did some shopping for the character in Stockholm.

– Yeah… Rock is my kind of music and always has been. I guess that also have something to do with my father, I was raised to be a rocker to make it short. And when I discovered your magazines I realized we had something in common. I got really excited to work with you and it was something I have never done before. And of course it was so much fun to go to the stores and collect the things that we needed to make it work.

We also agreed on the name of the heroine together – I thought that Tornado Blaze was a great name.

– Yes, Me too… It was spot on. It sounds cool and it is a funny coincidence that I am kind of a tornado in private as well.

What did your friends think about it at the time?

– My friends thought it was cool and they were really excited to see the result. They all got a copy each. My colleagues called me “cowgirl” for a long time… but of course they got a copy as well. It was very appreciated!

We had the photo session in Östersund on July 30 2012, and I guess we spent about three hours all in all, including the main session at Jamtli and the shorter trip down by the lake. What do you recall from the day?

– It was so much fun. I thought it was amazing… the weather that day was perfect and the places we we were shooting at was gorgeous and really appropriate for that time in the story. I enjoyed every second of it. It was funny to go in to the character and to improvise. I really appreciate all the help we got from my mother Lise Nordbakk and Johan Ängeflo as well, they did a great job indeed! Thank you my dear ones!

I recall that the sun was going down but that we actually got some really nice shots because of the angle of the sun, like the ones of your shadow against the side of a house – the Lucky Luke type shots – I loved those. And the colors were stronger, it looked great.

– Yes, It was a wonderful day. It was a great idea! By the way… I love Lucky Luke… Icing on the cake!

I still had to write the novel at the time but when I did it turned out to be a spin-off to the Montana Blue thing, and I think that was exciting.

– Me too… The fact that Tornado Blaze got trained by Montana Blue at a young age and they have fought together and they meet again under other circumstances to battle. Smart move!

The 28 page Tornado Blaze edition with the first part of the novel was printed in March 2013 and was handed out for free in and around Östersund around that time, 1.000 copies. What was your take on it? Did you get any kind of feedback?

– I don´t remember but it was a lot… I still have some copies at home and every now and then people has been asking for them. It is a strange feeling to think about so many people having the magazines in their homes. And also to see yourself in a magazine like that, but it is a nice memory to keep. They say that I looked really good, cute and sexy and that the character suited me well. And lots of other nice things… I feel really flattered!

The novel was completed when the main edition of RETROFUTURE 6 came out in the Fall, and this issue sported yet another Tornado Blaze cover. I think this was a great cover, you were really cool on that magazine.

– Thank you! I am happy about it. It is a good thing being a make-up artist in these occasions. And the outfit turned out great. We did a really good job to put it together I must say…

I heard people talk about you, they often asked me how I could find such beautiful models. It was obvious to me that RETROFUTURE has gained notoriety because of the novels and these covers (including the Dakota Jane & Montana Blue projects). In any case, these two magazines went out in about 1.900 copies around Jämtland. The long wait was over, Tornado Blaze was all over the place now.

– That is so cool… I am amazed about this project. It is pure passion. I feel honored to be a part of it.

Then we had the Purple edition of RETROFUTURE 6 (the 100th publication) in June 2013, which sported a story about these novels with a very cool image of Tornado Blaze. Again, another 1.000 copies went out – including 100 to Sioux City for the Deep Purple & Tommy Bolin festivities there in August – I got a lot of good feedback around this time for sure.

– Well… That is just awesome!

Hundreds of copies went out around the time of the Deep Purple party at Jane Doe in November 2013 and to me that period symbolized the beginning of the end. The time had come to wrap things up eventually. In the end, was it a positive thing for you?

– Yes and no… I mean, it must feel good to have completed it all but at the same time I would like to see more of it. And I would love to work with you again. It was such a blast.

When I look back on Tornado Blaze, I think it was totally worth it. It cost me an arm and a leg to do it, but it was a great thing to have done and I am very pleased with this being part of the RETROFUTURE saga. You were the perfect Tornado Blaze, nobody could have done it better.

– Yeah… Good thing it was worth it…. I am glad you survived! Thank you for your kind words. Makes me really happy to hear!

As for the shots we took down by the lake, I still might use one of these for a one-off publication called Swedish Preppers later on (possibly in 2016). You have seen a suggestion for a cover. Do you have an interest in those kind of things?

– Absolutely… I thought it looked great. Bring it on!

We have to wait and see. This interview will be added to my blog Trinkelbonker. Do you have anything to add to this interview?

– This was such an amazing experience. I am so glad I took the job. And I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. So if you ever need me in the future, just give me a call. I really must say I admire your passion for all the things you do, it is so brave to follow your dreams and make it happen, I really hope that people understand and appreciate the effort you put into it. I am definitely looking forward to the next magazine, should you do it. And to all the readers out there; thank you so much for all the kind words and support, I hope you all enjoyed it! Me and Tornado Blaze surely did!

Text & images by Mike Eriksson (2014) – RETROFUTURE (c).

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Hey Morse

I should have picked up on this and mentioned it last month. Steve Morse has now been a member of Deep Purple for 20 years – his first show with the band took place in Mexico City in November 1994. This guy brought peace and stability into the band. Cred.

The magazine you see here is DEEP PURPLE FOREVER 32, published by me in February 2003. It was the final issue and the first issue of SLICE had already been printed. Busy days.

(Steve Morse cover by Staffan Eriksson)

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Greetings from Sweden

Christmas is here and I want you all to have a good one – Merry Christmas everybody!

I took a snapshot and created this image, feel free to use it.

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Contact

UPDATED JANUARY 25 2019 / For people who want to get in touch, just scribble down my mail from this image.

I have some fanzines from the past in stock, some DEEP PURPLE FOREVER, LUCY IN THE SKY and most of the stuff published after 2003 (including SLICE and RETROFUTURE).

I am open for trade. I particularly collect Babymetal at this point, also 70´s Deep Purple articles. I think this blog speaks for itself.

(Inserted photo of me was taken by Michael Johansson just before a Tarja Turunen gig in Stockholm back in 2008)

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Tornado Blaze preview

Here´s another RETROFUTURE 8 preview, this is the centre spread of the magazine (sort of a poster if you like). The final issue will sport an interview with Tornado Blaze model Ellinor Nordbakk and I´ll present it on this blog as well. For those of you that don´t know, Tornado Blaze was a Western Heroine that I created back in 2012, and a two part novel was printed (more details in the My Western Gals category on this blog).

About 75% of the new issue is all done, one more session with the last bits in mid-January or so and I can send it to the printers. Full details on January 1 on this blog.

(My images)

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Martina Edoff Interview (2009)

Well it´s been some time since I posted an interview from the vaults on this blog but I thought it might be fun to add my TOP SECRET 2009 interview with Martina Edoff now that she´s got an album out. TOP SECRET 2009 was published in April 2009 and it sported many cool articles (how about the major UFO story with tales told by 40 stars, including Ronnie James Dio, Glenn Hughes and Joe Lynn Turner – should I add this to the blog…) and it´s still one of my better publications I think. It was a one off title, I launched RETROFUTURE right on the heels of this one.

In any case, here´s the chat with Martina (translated), please enjoy!

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You were born in 1968, the same year as Lucy Lawless and also the year that Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin released their first albums. Tell us a little bit about your formative years.

– It was a good year! I was the youngest child so I got to hear the music that my older brother and sister were playing. Through my brothers door I could hear the sounds of Purple, Zeppelin, Sweet, Alice Cooper, Slade and many of the rockers of the day. My sister were playing Jackson 5, Donna Summer, ELO, Boney M, Queen, Tina Charles. I was into ABBA, I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a singer. I was singing along all the time and most of the time it was appreciated. I was seven years old the first time I held a mike. My father was very musical and there would be a lot of music around the house.

Do you remember your earliest records?

– I was into ABBA when I was very young and it went on from there. I discovered the glam thing. I used to buy OKEJ, a popular youth magazine. They had posters in every issue.

Who were your favourite artists from the 70´s?

– All the stuff I heard I guess, like Kiss, Cher, Queen…

You were a teenager in the 80´s…

– A wonderful time with so much happy music. I listened to the radio and I knew I had to be a singer. There was a TV-show called Bagen that I used to tape. Then I discovered Whitesnake and became a huge fan, they were so gorgeous! And then it was Heart, they had it all. I loved Whitney Houston because of her incredible voice. I love a female singer that can really deliver. I liked those days because it was a positive time.

Name a few records from those days that you would pick for your desert Island.

– “Best of Whitesnake”, “Best of Heart”, Michael Jackson´s “Bad”, Alanah Myles first, plus the odd Collection of good songs from the time.

What did you think about the 90´s?

– I enjoyed the music in the early 90´s, I loved Guns´n Roses. I also liked Lenny Crawitz and the artists from the 80´s that were still doing good music naturally, like Bon Jovi, Kiss and Europe. I liked Louise Hoffsten´s “Rythm And Blond”. Then you had techno and rap. They said that rock was dead but I refused to listen and continued to write my kind of stuff.

What type of music do you like today?

– I still like Melodic Rock.

When did you first see a big rock event, any good memories?

– I don´t recall the first really. I used to go to see bands all the time. I enjoyed all the big bands and the artists. I have travelled with good people, I´ve been standing close to Whitney once in Monte Carlo and she did “I Will Always Love You”. I have many memories from behind the scenes.

You often sing Whitesnake and Rainbow at your concerts, can you tell that the audience likes it?

– Absolutely! Even if we´re not 20 anymore the good music is still alive inside of us. It´s a wonderful thing to get a crowd going, singing along. The people that grew up in the 80´s love to sing.

Can you mention some songs that you like to sing?

– “Paradise City” is still fun to sing, and “Run To The Hills”. I also include stuff that is popular today.

Tell me about your career.

– My first band was called Deja Vu and we only performed our own music. In the 80´s I sang in cover bands and did everything, West Coast rock, Zeppelin. Then I started to perform shows at this place called Wallmans and we did everything that got the crowd going. Then I toured with Dr Alban when he had the big hits. And E-Type and other artists that needed me for one reason or another. I also started The Poodles and christened it together with my then boyfriend. It started out for fun but turned into a popular act all across Sweden. I´ve been a freelancer since 1993 and I´ve performed quite a lot. I sang in front of President Clinton once.

How do you feel that you´ve progressed as a singer and do you have any suggestions to young gals that want to follow your footsteps?

– I´ve developed through lots of work and working crowds. I´ve met people that view me as a class act because they have met me in such good circumstances. I have also met crowds that don´t give a shit that I´m on that stage. You have to deliver even when it´s really hard. Even if you´ve got a bad day, just go for it. Do the best that you can. You have to take care of your voice, that means getting your sleep. You also need to love what you do. If standing on that stage is what you love, that´s all you need to know.

You did (Swedish) Fame Factory in 2003-2004. You should have won but the judges didn´t agree with me on that. What was it like to be part of something like that?

– I enjoyed the first season, it was still serious. In the season I was on that really wasn´t the case, it was a drag that so much attention was given to what went on between the performances. I didn´t want to say anything bad behind anybody´s back so that made me less interesting from the producers point of view. But it was still a good opportunity for artists to be seen. Media has so much to do with success.

How do you deal with being nervous before a show? Actor Richard Burton said he went through hell before every performance.

– I tell myself “Don´t be silly now, don´t think about your nerves, just go out there and give that crowd everything you´ve got!”. I take a deep breath and it calms me down. Usually you´ll have a good time backstage so it´s not a problem.

How many shows have you done?

– If I only knew? It would have been great to have had all those TV-shows I did with Alban, we played everywhere. Nothing beats the shows when the crowd is so big you can´t see the end of them, especially when they all sing along. But I also love the nightclubs.

What about the Nightwish thing? I heard that they were in contact with you when Tarja Turunen had gone?

– Everybody wanted me to get in touch with them when they searched for a new singer. I was a new mother at that time and I did,´t know if I wanted to do it. In the end I declined but everything turned out for the best.

I know that you´ve worked on material the last few years, what can we expect?

– I´ve always sticked to rock. I´ve a lot of material and I hope to get the right producer for it. I´ve people supporting me and I´m very glad about that. It´ll be modern rock with strong melodies, maybe a little glam thrown in. The producer may have opinions. You´re favourite track is always the last one you wrote.

How was it to work with photographer Michael Johansson?

– He is the best! He knows what I want.

What´s the best feedback that you ever got?

– “Keep doing this, you´re so good”, that sort of thing. I absolutely love the people that wait for my CD. They give me the strength to carry on when things look less that great. But I´ll never give up. I want to create good music and I want to perform it in front of people.

What kind of TV-shows do you like? Were you aware of Xena when Michael Johansson asked you to pose with the Chakram?

– Yes, I´ve seen it and I´ve also been told that I look like Lucy Lawless.

Movies? Books?

– I never seem to have the time to go to the movies anymore. I like the big ones, the Oscar stuff. I read a few books every month. I like the Deep shit.

Do you have other ways of expressing yourself besides the music?

– I love to write. I like to work with my hands. Disigning and making my own wardrobe. I enjoy rebuilding things in my house. I like to keep busy.

What do you look forward to the most right now?

– The last year was very good. I´ve written a lot of songs. It would be fun to play at Sweden Rock Festival some day. But really I want to get my own album out to work that on the road. I want to sing as much as possible and meet as many happy and positive people as I can.

Michael Eriksson (2009)

(No part of this interview may be quoted without permission)

Top image was taken at Rockweekend Festival 2010.

 

SLICE 2005 – article about prepping

I actually published my very first article about prepping in my publication SLICE back in the 2005 issue, but the term prepping didn´t exist back then (or if it did, I was certainly unaware of it). The scene you see today certainly didn´t exist. This issue sported several articles about our declining defence capabilities etc, and a story on how to prepare for bad times was one of them. Looking back I have to say that I´m proud of this – nobody cared back then. In fact, nobody cares right now, except for a small but growing and dedicated group of individuals. I´ll write more about the Swedish scene on this blog in due time. SLICE 2005 was a good magazine. It was printed in 400 copies (most of them are gone now). And here I am 10 years later, revisiting the subject in RETROFUTURE 8 soon enough – full details on January 1 on this blog.

(Cover art – Commando´s Ian Kennedy)