The only thing the U.S. likes to import more than products made in China is music made in Europe. Some of the States’ most popular artists come from that continent across the Atlantic, and the latest European export to make waves in the U.S. is Fanfarlo, a London-based indie pop band formed by Swedish musician Simon Balthazar. The group’s debut album, “Reservoir,” was released this summer, and its catchy tracks would be a great addition to your Chinese-manufactured iPod.

Balthazar was kind enough to answer a few questions for LA Music Blog’s readers while in California on tour.

How did Fanfarlo begin?

A few years ago, I was recording some songs at home in Sweden and borrowed the name of a Baudelaire novella for them. Then I moved to London and started thinking about playing the songs live and teamed up with a bunch of people I met on the scene here. It started out as a two-piece with a temperamental laptop, which was the most painful thing ever. These days it’s a six-piece, though.

Why did you choose the title “Reservoir” for the album?

I’ve always been into lakes. I spent a lot of time around lakes growing up, and I went through this phase of reading a lot about reservoirs. At one point I actually wanted to make a whole album about reservoirs, but the only remaining song from that batch of songs is “Ghosts.”

What would you say has been your biggest influence(s) and where do you see that most in your own music?

I was quite a late starter when it comes to new music. Growing up, there was only my parent’s small record collection, which mainly had old folk records in it, along with some crooner, jazz, and rockabilly records. I think that all had some influence, but I really like the spin on folk that people like Neutral Milk Hotel and Sufjan Stevens have. Lyrically, I’ve always been into stuff on the obscure and nebulous side. I’m a fan of beat people like [Allen] Ginsberg.

What was it like working with producer Peter Katis who has also worked with bands the National and Interpol?

Peter is a great producer, and he has an amazing amount of interesting vintage gear. His studio is in an attic full of old organs, guitars, and theremins, and it was a really organic, unpredictable process to record there.

You were on tour with Snow Patrol earlier this year. What are some memorable parts of that tour?

Backstage table tennis tournaments…oh, and maybe playing in front of 20,000 people.

What are some highlights of this past year?

Well, the arena shows were fun because they were spectacular, but intimate shows are more interesting. We played in Amsterdam a few weeks ago, which was terrifying because half of the band missed their flight, but it ended up being really interesting because we had to work around it and played a kind of different show than we’re used to. SXSW was probably the biggest highlight. Austin is a cool place and goes nuts during the festival.

Have there been any cities that you have been to on tour that just stick in your mind or that you would definitely come back to on tour?

Amsterdam and Austin are two of them. And New York of course!

Are you currently working on any other projects?

Justin, Amos, and I have a surf band, and I might score a documentary about Bhutan. Amos and I wrote, recorded, and mixed a mini album in 24 hours that I think we are releasing on tape.

Why did you choose to release your album on vinyl?

Vinyl sounds lovely and is beautiful. And so many people have asked for it, which is really cool ‘cause we always wanted to release it on vinyl.

For more info on Fanfarlo check out:

www.fanfarlo.com

or

www.myspace.com/fanfarlo