An Interview with Kingfisher

by Neil Carr

Kingfisher is the composer for Triad. Probably the biggest C64 cracking/demo group ever on the C64. They created some noise back in the good old days and they are still alive and kicking today.

Real name: Linus Walleij

Handle: Kingfisher

Born: 1972

Nationality: Swedish

Interview date: 9 August 2001


Neil

What c64 composers do you like?

Linus

Britney Spears. Ehm… Well you all say the same things here. Galbard etc. Future Freak, David Mark Hanlon, Charles Deenen, Detert, Alsop and Demon come to mind.

Linus Walleij aka Kingfisher
Neil

What sids are your favourites?

Linus

Oldskool stuff and samples. Parallax is not overvalued, it really is the best SID ever made.

Neil

What sid of yours, are you most pleased with?

Linus

My favourite SID created by myself is Menopausen

Neil

What remix are you most pleased with?

Linus

Warhawk by o2.

Neil

Triad, are a famous group. For the few who havn't heard of Triad what can you tell us about your past and current activites?

Linus

Triad was the biggest cracking (software protection removal) group in Europe 1987-1988, and after that a quite successful demo group. We have made some noise I guess.

Neil

How did you get into composing sid tunes?

Linus

That was in 1988 using SoundTracker 64 and Future Composer with TDM from Triad.

Neil

What are your fondest memories of the c64?

Linus

Parties and people. Codenights too late with too much coffee.

Neil

What other arrangers do you like?

Linus

Arrangers… THC Flatline aka Alfatech aka Che is a big favourite, o2 aka Carsten, OJ Oscillation, Peter Mörck, Linus Åkesson, Otto/TSR and the Boys, whats their name again, The Dead Guys.

Neil

What was your likes/dislikes about the sid chip?

Linus

I like everything about the SID chip! All other instruments are flawed.

Neil

What are your likes/dislikes about the c64 scene?

Linus

This is like asking what I like/dislike about my life. The C64 Scene is and will forever be a part of my life, I dont relate to it in an abstract way.

Neil

What non c64 music do you like, and does this reflect in your music?

Linus

Metal, hard electro, techno-nam-nam and chartsurfers. I am also particulary fond of Swedish music from 1940-1950 and folk music.

Neil

If there was a tune you wished you could claim as your own, what would it be and why?

Linus

Nah. I have some tunes of my own that I like.

Neil

What equipment/software do you use?

Linus

SoundTracker on Linux, and software synthesizers, wave editors etc.

Neil

Who do you think gives the scene the biggest boost?

Linus

remix.kwed.org

Neil

If c64 music became commercial would you welcome it?

Linus

It already has and I like it.

Neil

In your opinion how best should a sid be remixed?

Linus

Original SID sounds and sense of wonder. Adding new dimensions. Making totally new stuff like in OJ Oscillations Space Harrier or my own Babylon is cool too.

Neil

Triad closed their mp3 section when R.K.O opened. What are your thoughts on this?

Linus

This was a deal.

First the story: I started Triad MP3z to collect all the MP3z of C64remixes that existed around the Net. BlueNine module collection already existed for .mod covers, but there were a few mp3z around too. The very first ones were definately published by Peter Mörck (which I found through a friend: Tranziie). I found some more: Bullboy and then The Dead Guyz appeared. So I collected it into one database driven page as an experiment, and in order to manage my own collection and share it.

Then suddenly everbody started making remixes… and that Lazy Jones remix appeared on radio etc. We were getting into gear.

When the concept of R.K.O came up I was not pleased about the way Triad MP3z worked at that time, much due to the fact that it run on Windows NT (a system I hate) on ASP and Access. The solution Jan was working on was Linux, PHP and MySQL (aka the PHP-Triad) which was what I wanted to do but did not have time and machines for. So when Jan did it, I chose to support him 100% instead of forking the remix scene. This was a very good move.

Neil

How best would you like to see the c64 develop?

Linus

The C64? Someone producing new C64s and C65s with SIDs, CIAs and the lot, would be a really nice thing.

Neil

Why do you think after 15 years Triad are still going strong?

Linus

The name stuck, and then it is Gunnar (Jerry / Triad) and the new coders that keep us alive.

Neil

Lastly, What would you like to say to the scene?

Linus

Thanks to everyone, Jan Lund Thomsen, Che Lalic, Peter Mörck, everyone in Triad, the rest of the remixers and everyone else who deserves it.

Though Triad closed down their Mp3 section. The unselfish manner of which they supported Jan in his attempts to bring R.K.O alive have proven beyond doubt that it was a good move. The scene are now used to R.K.O being there. R.K.O has undoubtably saved many hours of needless surfing.

- Neil