fullonline: Who is "Vegetal", where are you from and what is your musical background? Why do you choose this name to the project?

Vegetal: Vegetal is Peter Ebkar, 25 years old from Orebro, Sweden. My musical background stretches from when I was 7 years, I played piano in the beginning then advanced to bass-guitar at the age of 13. At that time I decided to join different bands, all from metal to rap-core, when I turned 21 I got dragged to my first "Rave" I had no idea what kind of music it was so my friends gave a listen before we went, and since Hux flux played my friends played the track "Idiot"to me. And at the first listen I can't say I was that impressed. But when we got to the party, with all these huge stacks of speakers, lasers and the decorations, I thought -whata hell is this place. After maybe 2 hours I decided to give the music a second chance and well I danced my ass off for 2 hours before we got out of the party. So another dimension of music opened up in front of me, I still listen to metal more than trance nowadays, but when a real good release comes out, im the first to get it!

fullonline: Are you married and/or have kids?

Vegetal: I'm neither married nor got kids, I think you really want to experience as much as possible before you think about settling down with your wife and kid. And I'm not there yet, not even close.

fullonline: Can you keep a comfortable lifestyle working only as a psychedelic artist or a second job is needed?

Vegetal: As it looks now, No. Sometimes I think that if you want to keep a nice lifestyle making music then you have to do more commercial tunes like IM or Astral, the kind of music which anyone can enjoy. I have no thoughts about that I want to keep up the kind of music that puts a smile on my face or really moves me emotional. I don't think my taste in music represents the majority of listeners when it comes to trance, but whata hell, if I don't stay true to myself how can I stay true to my loved ones, friends and the people who supports my music.

fullonline: What is on your CD Player right now?

Vegetal: That is so depending on the mood and the weather, but at the moment I listen to the new TOOL album "10.000 days" which is one of the best releases this year. Besides that one I enjoy experimental music like Dillinger escape plan, Meshuggah.

fullonline: How do you see the differences between your two projects Vegetal and Peacespect? How are the creation process differences when working with Alex Ortegren in your project Peacespect compared when you work alone as Vegetal?

Vegetal: Well this is a pretty hard thing to answer but in the end I have to say that Peacespect is a little bit more "Psychadelic" than Vegetal, Vegetal would be the hammer of judgment when it comes to distortion and total mayhem. Peacespect also has some of these elements but not as much, I do think that is because Alex has a lot of influences from the old Goa sound like hallucinogen, Transwave and so on, and that is what I think most of the listeners notices as well.

fullonline: Which one of your own music do you like the most? Does it have a special meaning to you?

Vegetal: Really hard to say, but most of my tracks has a very personal meaning to me in some way for example "What goes around, comes around" was made with a lot of pain within me, the track is dedicated to the Armenians who were killed or turned into refugees by the Turkish Government in 1915, Over 1 million where killed and many more took refuge around the globe. And the Turkish government still denies it.

fullonline: What other music style do you listen to?

Vegetal: Here comes a long list of different artist for you to check out. Portishead, Dillinger Escape plan, Meshuggah, Sikth, Chimaira, System of a down, TOOL, Dredge, Heaven shall burn, Refused, Soulfly, Born from pain, Hatebreed, Biohazard, Bleeding through, Minus 8, Djivan Gasparian (Very good duduk player from armenia), Fantomas, Sepultura, Skindred, Earth crisis, Abhinanda, A life once lost, The agony scene, Poison the well, Defones, Team sleep, Slipknot, Mushroomhead.

fullonline: What Psytrance Artists would you like to work with?

Vegetal: Well it would be very interesting to be working with the artists from San Francisco, People like Ocelot, Quasar, Amanda. Not to forget artists from our own label Devilsmind, artists like Melorix, Audiopathic, Savage Scream, Silent horror, Baphomet Engine and Electrypnose. But when I come to think of it, it would be really interesting to be working with some fullon artists, just to see what kind of tunes that would pop out.

fullonline: Is there any equipment you think can help you produce better music?

Vegetal: Hmm it would be nice to start to fix my apartment which for the moment is my studio, just to fix the acoustics as good as I can with damping materials and so on. I would also like to have a recording room, for microphone and drum recordings.

fullonline: Do you prefer to play at parties at any specific time?

Vegetal: Hmm I personally like when the sun starts to come up 3-4 Am in the morning. I like to have eye-contact with my audience, see their reactions and see their expression on their faces.

fullonline: How do you choose the samples of your tracks? What is your favorite one?

Vegetal: Well it all starts after I read the news basically, because there is always something that pisses me of when I read the news, mainstream or grassroots media, it doesn't matter. And that is how I create the basic idea on what I want to focus on, the music just comes flowing, its just as meditation, you just sit there and let your mind create the feeling you have inside you. And after that I check my archive of documentaries if there is some topic that matches. Usually it doesn't take that long. The problem is to create a sample that isn't to long and has an interesting topic. Nowadays I involve a lot of humor inside my tracks, humor is a very good weapon in the struggle to create a better tomorrow for all of us, just look at Bill Hicks and Bill Maher doing stand up on political agendas.
Its all about changing the perspective and the angle on how you want to approach an issue and bring it to the listener. My favorite one is for the moment a sample I have in a track which hasn't come out yet. It's a conversation of to guys where one of them has received a letter from the army, telling him to go to Iraq since he applied for the army reserves. The sample goes like this:
-Well I'm not going to Iraq to fight some bullshit war about oil money.
-Bullshit war??? What about 9/11 didn't Iran hide the terrorists?
-We're fighting war in Iraq Doug and neither countries had anything to do with blowing up the world trade center.
-Well they both have sand.
-Bush invaded a sovereign nation in defines of the UN, he is a warcriminal and now I'm supposed to one of his disposable thugs with a fuckin target on my head in the middle of the desert, waiting to be blown up by a car-bomb rigged by a 12-year-old who loved tracks by Metallica until one of our missile blew up his house!! I don't think so!
-They had weapons of mass destruction...
-There were no weapons of mass destruction!!
-No?,, well...
-You name me one thing that is more important than the corporate takeover of our democracy.
-I have to take a shit.

fullonline: You just released your debut album Vegetal - Free Thinkers Are Dangerous on Wirikuta Records. What was the source of your inspiration and what is your favorite track from your album?

Vegetal: The inspiration comes from all the shit you don't want to see, it is like choosing between the blue and the red pill, I choose the red one because I want to see the world as it is and not through a "Happy ending Hollywood story". When I watch the news I get very annoyed because they never seem to do any research on their own, they just publish whatever "ground breaking" news they could come across, the media is no longer a channel to receive information its more of a propaganda tool to make people to think in a certain way. The world is not black and white, it's never been but nowadays they try to simplify all problems, its ok to go to war on a lie telling the world that this country is the biggest threat in the world because they have weapons of mass destruction, and when they don't find it they say its about liberating the people from a terrible dictator. And not to forget that we are going to cleanse the world of terrorists. In the end all this "facts" they gave us was just another lie, when it all comes down to facts there is only one factor that is correct, and that one is Money and power. Human life has lost its value and is now turned into numbers in statistics. And you see this everyday, but still people are way to blinded and occupied with shit that doesn't even matter in the long run, like who won the world cup in soccer, what happened on last nights reality shows and pumping your brain full with advertising. There is so much that inspires me in this world but my biggest inspiration is Peace, love and solidarity among classes and ethnicities. My favorite track on the album has to be "Free thinkers are dangerous" because I wrote it with a feeling that one day the people in the world will stand up and say no to oppression, no to greed and yes to freedom. I know it's a utopian thought and that we might not see it but I hope that we will see this dream come true.

fullonline: There are many "Anti-American" or "anti-Bush" references in your music, like in your track "No Gods No Leaders No Problem" that has the samples "Five per cent of the people of the world live in the United States but we consume 40 percent of the resources of the world. We have become used to thinking that we have a right to all that we have no matter what damage we do to the Earth or to other people. We have become detached and disconnected from reality." Is your project anti-American or you use the USA just as one example of what's happening in the world as a whole?

Vegetal: I wouldn't call myself anti-American, I don't hate Americans. America to me is a country that has given this world a lot of great writers, ideologists, musicians and inspiration, it contains lots of close friends to me as well. But there is this dark-side of America which creeps me out, there is no country that I know that has caused so much chaos in this world in so few years of existence. Just look at Vietnam, Afghanistan 1979, Nicaragua and Chile, just to mention a few. United States together with England are the biggest terrorist states in the world if you ask me, they are hypocrites and filled to the edge with double standards. They overthrow elected governments if they don't work in the same directions as the US want. Sponsoring terrorists with arms and military training because the government in that country doesn't work in the same direction as US wanted them to do. They support dictators as long as they work with them. And they don't even have the balls to tell the world:
-well it's our fault we are sorry for this.
They just come out with new lies and walk hand in hand with the media to get them out.
We can say it like this, I have nothing against American citizens at all, I just despise their Republican government. I really hope that the Democrats do everything they can to seize the next election, not that they are so much better than the republicans but they are the only option to the republicans.

fullonline: Some of your tracks use samples as a way to spread sort of messages to aware people about what's happening in the world, like your track "Brown Shirt Bush" with the sample: "Why do people go out there and try to protest or try to do something? That isn't mindless violence, the mindlessness is sitting there doing dope and watching MTV and then you go and get a job and just schlep along. To me, that's violence." You think you can actively influence people and spread your message through your music?

Vegetal: That is a hard question to answer, off course you hope that some people wakes from their ordinary life and realize that something needs to be done, I don't mean that everyone should quit their job and take on the streets. Just do something, join amnesty, Greenpeace or attac. Sponsor them with a few bucks so that they can continue their struggle against injustice and preserving the nature. Read a book, discuss topics with your friends, educate yourself I mean It won't do something bad to you, as long as you live in a "Democracy" so to speak. It doesn't take that much to get involved. But then again some people just like the music and I'm fine with that. All the seeds you put into the soil will not grow but you know that some of them will grow into a tree and then that tree will grow its own seeds to spread. One seed is enough.

fullonline: In spite of receiving good reviews by many people, many other people are against the "association of psytrance music and politics" and they expressed their opinions at Isratrance and other sites. What do you think about it? Do you expected such opposition?

Vegetal: Yes I did expect that and I have no problem with that, we all have our definition on how we like our music. This is my interpretation of how I like my "Trance" and I'm glad I had the opportunity to get it out on the market thanks to Marco, Martin and the rest at Wirikuta Recordings. I also think that this culture is a highly political movement even thou a lot of people take for granted that there is always party or a festival. Like in Sweden for example, you can't have a legal party because of the politicians and their views on rave-culture. The police keep on haunting parties like vultures. So most parties are illegal and I would like to say that it's the same thing as demonstrating on the streets without permission from the police. Just by going underground you commit a political action. Here is a link to article which I consider pretty good in describing the connection between trance and politics.

fullonline: On your website http://www.checkpoint-music.com we can find a lot of information about your projects. Also there are a lot of links and information about activism, like the information "It requires 40-70 minks or 10-20 foxes to produce one fur coat". What are the next plans for the site?

Vegetal: The purpose of the site was first of all to gather all the information for the listeners about us (Vegetal, Peacespect and Kiryama), everything from biography, discography, pictures, samples of tracks and so on. Second it was also made with the ideas to work as a springboard for out listeners who wants to get involved in different organizations or just to educate themselves.

fullonline: Are you a vegetarian?

Vegetal: Yes since I was 13 years old.

fullonline: You release tracks on many respected labels. How do you choose the label you want to submit your track?

Vegetal: No, not really , I just make the music and then the label can choose which one they like, just as a smorgasbord . Mostly I like to work with people I can trust because nowadays there is lot of people who decides start labels without having an idea how to work professional like for instance, taking care of the musicians who supply them with the music, working with contracts and so on, they just give empty promises and fuck you up.

fullonline: Besides the new Vegetal album, what are your future releases?

Vegetal: There is a Peacespect album in progress and we hope to have it finished in 1 year if all goes well it will also be released on Wirikuta recordings. I got one track on the next Devilsmind compilation called "Smash Capitalism", on killah tea there is one track called "Action and reaction". The guys from Audiopathic has also created a label now, don't remember the name now but they got one track called "With newborn strength I fight your world" And also Gabi from Hypnotica rec. got a track from me called "Unseen holocaust".

fullonline: What do you think makes a good remix? How would you describe a remix?

Vegetal: Well I haven't had the chance to make any remixes yet, maybe in the future. But I think a remix should always be made better than the original, better effects, better mix and better overall production.

fullonline: What do you think about people sharing music through mp3 instead of buying it?

Vegetal: I have no problem with people using Mp3, its an great channel to spread your music. There was actually a band at roskilde this year that played on the second biggest stage and they haven't even released a album on CD, they have just released it on the internet. And if you don't have the money to buy albums every month I don't think you should be left out. At the same time since this scene is quite small, If we count out the big Israeli "Rockstars", you as a buyer has a responsibility to support labels and artists that you appreciate. Nothing beats the feeling of getting your favorite music with sleeve and full quality, something that mp3 can't bring you. And if no one is willing to buy the CDs then the labels will vanish after a while because there is no one I know who wants to loose money on the things you put your soul into. I have also noticed that in this scene that a lot of people are willing to kill to get hold of "Unreleased tracks". Stealing a CD-case and publish it on the internet that is something I really hate, people who has no respect for the amount of time you put in making a track.

fullonline: How do you make your Live Acts? What equipment do you use in your Live Acts?

Vegetal: When I play like I use a laptop with Ableton running Reason and some VSTs. To control this I use a M-audio Oxygen 8 midi-keyboard For the guitar I use the boss metal-zone pedal and guitar-rig. My tracks are burned on 2 CDs since I'm not a big fan of running everything on software, the first gig I did ever in Orebro resulted in a crash of Win XP luckily I had my tracks burned on 2 CDs just in case something would happen. Sometimes when I have the opportunity I bring my Rane TTM-56 Scratch mixer, connect it to a Technics 1200 and add some scratching to the show. I love to play my instruments I can't understand the artists that just bring a laptop and press play on Ableton.

fullonline: You prefer to play a DJ set or a Live Act? Why?

Vegetal: It all depends, I mean to play a DJ-set you only need to bring is your cd-case and it's also nice to play your friends music and the music you currently listen to. But at the same time there is nothing that beats the feeling of seeing and feeling people smile and dance their asses of on the dance floor to your own tunes. It takes a lot of time and effort to prepare and rehearse a live set but in the end the smiles you receives makes it all worth it!

fullonline: In your DJ sets you usually play tracks from which other artists?

Vegetal: It all depends on the party, the sets ranges from 148 to 152 bpms there is no need to get higher if you want to keep the flow and energies at the party. I personally I'm not to fond of the ultra hardcore super killah darkstuff I rather go for the rollercoaster crazy psychedelic trance, artists like Quasar, Audiopathic, Ocelot, GOW, Jahbo, Furious, Electrypnose. But of course if the spirit is right I can go for the rougher stuff like Savage scream, Horror Place, Atrocious Berserker, Baphomet Engine and so on. It all depends.

fullonline: What makes a good party? You think decoration is important?

Vegetal: Well I'm more concerned of a good sound system and a good stage that is the most important thing for me when I play, but in the end all the ingredients that makes a party, decorations, location, sound system and artists all need to work well together to make a good party. You can't exclude any of them in the end if you want to give your visitors a good experience.

fullonline: What do you think people should do to make a better scene? Any visions about the future?

Vegetal: First of all I think we need to take more care of each other, the Respect which once was there is beginning to deteriorate into crap. I just came back from the Full Moon Festival in Germany and I saw a lot of people lying around in the dirt and no one paid any attention to them I mean it doesn't take that much effort just check him and see if he is ok. The result for this years festival leaves two people dead, I think the it should have been zero. No one should have to die just to attend a trance-festival. I hope we can keep these festivals and parties in the future and not be stopped by politician bullshit but to preserve that we need to take care of the sprit and don't do the copious amount of drugs that gives trance a bad name. I personally like the underground spirit more, where you invite your close friends and keeping the circle of good friends together.

fullonline: How long does it take for you to make a new track, from the ideas and inspirations to the dance floor? Any hint for a person who is starting making psytrance?

Vegetal: Depends on my mood, surprised? No but seriously I can at the most do 2 tracks per month since there are so many details to work on in the tracks. You also need to listen to the track many times to determine if you want to show this track for labels and so on, if it has enough quality so to speak.

fullonline: What is your favorite psychoactive molecule?

Vegetal: My drug of choice has to be... Beer because that's something I know inside and out, how much to drink to keep a reasonable attitude and to do a good set on stage

fullonline: We all know that all kind of weird stuff happen at psychedelic gatherings. Can you tell us something different/funny that you saw or happened to you in a party?

Vegetal: This is a delicate story, its not a gathering story, this one happened after a festival we attended in Russia and after we had played we asked the organizers to get our money for our expenses they said they didn't have the money which was included in the deal so they give us 50% of the money and a sheet of acid. Later when we were on our way home to Sweden by boat which departured from Finland, we entered the bar on the boat and opened a bottle of vodka that one of my friends bought at a Russian gas station. After we finished that bottle we thought that we should try our Russian acid just to put an end to our trip to Russia which we called "Fear and loathing in Russia". Anyhow we took that acid and just about when its about to peak a friend tells me:
- Hey Peter look at that skanky lady.
So I look and a lady, somewhere around 55-60 years old enters with so much makeup and stuff in her face, a real nasty sight. So I agreed and looked away, the next thing I know she is sitting next to me at our table talking to me and saying shit like –You look like my son! And pinches me in my chin just like a old lady, I do find this disturbing with a head full of acid, yes I do!
So I look away and I am trying to enjoy my so called trip. The next thing I know and I have no idea where this came from but anyhow, the lady who sits next to me starts showing off her tits in the middle of the bar saying
- They are 100% natural!
Over and over again. And this wasn't done in any kind of sexy way at all, no no no, I mean they were hanging below her belly button, and all I could think of was how to preserve my trip and not freak out in the middle of the bar, were off course we are not alone there are families sitting and enjoying their holidays and shit. I have no idea how we managed to get away from that women, but we did without freaking out in the middle of a boat.

fullonline: Any last comment, message and/or promotional link?

Vegetal: I would like to thank my family for always supporting me in my decisions, My brothers in arms Alex and Dennis. Also the Wirikuta people for believing in my music.

fullonline: Thank you!
Respect!