An Interview with Sol Sunhede

by Neil Carr

Syntax Error is a swedish radio show on the radio station p3 which plays mainly game music.

Real name: Sol Sunhede

Handle: Rotmosträdet

Born: 1979

Nationality: Swedish

Interview date: 24 July 2002


Neil

So tell our readers about Syntax Error?

Sol Sunhede

Syntax Error is the name of a radioshow in Sweden’s biggest radiostation P3. The show plays mainly gamemusic, new and old. But also anime, demo music and other stuff. It’s 15-30 minutes long.

Syntax Error
Neil

Your show is in Swedish, can you forsee it being in a more universal language at some point (probably English)?

Sol Sunhede

My homepage www.ko2000.nu/mygrandmotherisgone (It’s soon going to be www.syntaxerror.nu) is in English due to the fact that more than Swede’s like it. It’s only broadcasted in Sweden at the moment (but you can listen to it by streaming from www.sr.se/p3) and therefor only in Swedish. But maybe someone will translate it into other languages in the future?

Neil

At What times/dates does your show air?

Sol Sunhede

Every Thursday at 20:10 (Swedish time).

Neil

What music does your show play? Is the music in the original format or reworks?

Sol Sunhede

Both. Mostly in original format but good remixes are always welcome.

Neil

Does the show feature music from commercial gamemusic CDs?

Sol Sunhede

Of course, but most of them (all) are very expensive. I can’t afford them so it’s up to them sending me some, sadly. Syntax Error is a freelance project and I don’t have any budget at all.

Neil

What are your personal favourite tunes from the show?

Sol Sunhede

Hmm… almost everything, I am the one choosing most of them after all. But Nintendo 8-bit and Amiga lies closest to my heart. At the moment Atari XL/XE music rules, it’s almost like the C64-music but without filters.

Neil

Apart from playing gamemusic does the show feature any other elements?

Sol Sunhede

No! 😊 I talk within the tunes, of course and give the audience tips, memories and history about the games, the demoscene and the world around it. It’s like a little talkshow, but without guests because of the low budget and because that I don’t have my own studio.

Neil

Given and unlimited budget how would you like to see your show progress?

Sol Sunhede

Going on to TV would be the best, then you can both hear and see the games. I’m planning to write an idea for a TV-show. Like a retro-magazine and talkshow with different sub-cultures and gamerz, warez, demoz, moviez etc.

Neil

How popular has the show become?

Sol Sunhede

Very popular. There was a rumor (or was it a fact?) at P3’s (Swedens biggest radio station, remember?) big party last year that I had received most mail of everyone at the channel. I’ve also got mail from Finland, Norway, Denmark, Germany and Belgium, that says pretty much when the program only is in Swedish.

Neil

So why did you start Syntax Error?

Sol Sunhede

It all started in the summer of 2000. The radioshow Frank allowed people do whatever they want on every Wednesday in a half-hour called Frankerat. I wrote a mail and asked if I could do a show about gamemusic from Commodore 64 and Amiga. They thought it was a great idea and on the 17 of May 2000 it went on the air. They received over 80 mails after the show! I didn't want to push them and asked kindly if I could do a follow-up. They had already been thinking of that to my relief. After the second show I started calling it M-P3. They then decided that I could do one show every month, and so I did. Until the February of 2001 when they decided to pay me for freelancing for them and make a show every week. Syntax Error was born! Why I started it? I just wanted to show others what kind of wicked music I listen to.

Neil

What would you say has been the key element to the shows success?

Sol Sunhede

The retro factor, and the fact that thousands, maybe millions of people has heard gamemusic-tunes in several hours in their life. They recognise it without knowing what they are listening to. Allt var bättre förr. (Everything was better in the past)

Neil

What has been the most memorable point so far of the show?

Sol Sunhede

I’ve made some shows that were about only one game-series. Mega Man, Last Ninja, Castlevania etc. Those episodes were appreciated and had a lot of work behind them.

Neil

Apart from Syntax Error what else do you like to do?

Sol Sunhede

On spare time you mean? I’m an all-round artist (or want to be) that likes to make movies, games and all kinds of stuff. And yeah, I almost forgot. I collect games, consoles and computers. Mainly NES and Amiga. But I also have Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Gameboy, Gameboy Color, Gameboy Advanced, Sega Master System, Sega Megadrive I/II, Sega Mega-CD, Sega Saturn, Goldstar 3D0, Commodore 64/128, Amiga 500/500 /600/1200, Atari 520/1040e/1040fm and Intellivision. I think that’s all. I’m as addicted to collect games as a junkie is to drugs…

Neil

Lastly, What would you like to add?

Sol Sunhede

Visit my site: www.ko2000.nu/mygrandmotherisgone for more stuff.

The interview is quite short, mainly because i don't understand swedish, so research was kind of limited.

- Neil