COME Nov 10, veteran Danish rockers Jascha Richter, Mikkel Lentz and Kare Wanscher will be back in Malaysia for yet another concert in the clouds.
Yes, Michael Learns to Rock (MLTR) is making its way back to Resorts World Genting's Arena Of Stars, a popular concert venue they last visited two years ago.
They are currently on their "Take Us to Your Heart" world tour, and are looking forward to performing in Malaysia, their favourite Southeast Asian stopover.
MOST SUPPORTIVE FANS
In a recent online interview, Richter said MLTR always appreciated their Malaysian fans.
"People in Malaysia are friendly, sporting and sing along with us. They are some of our most supportive fans," he said, adding that MLTR had "lots of fond memories" in Malaysia.
"We would love to shoot music videos in Malaysia, as there are many fantastic places in the country that make great backdrops for our music videos, be they city scenes or back-to-nature ones."
MALAYSIAN COVER SONGS
Wanscher said in the years to come, they hope to do some cover versions of popular Malaysian singers' hit songs.
"Such songs need not be English ones, they could be in Malay or Chinese too."
Lentz said MLTR had visited Malaysia more than 20 times since the 1990s.
"I fondly remember that we did one outdoor concert in Kuala Lumpur and everyone loved it."
UPDATING 90S HIT
Lentz said the band planned to record a new, updated version of their 1990s hit song '25 Minutes' next year.
"That is a popular song fans love, a must-play in every concert. It is a catchy, sad song that helped make us a household name."
JACKY CHEUNG COLLABORATION
Richter said while MLTR was a European pop-rock band, they loved to incorporate beats from other countries, especially oriental pop-rock beats, into their music.
"That is why we collaborated with Hong Kong pop legend Jacky Cheung in 2004 by covering his 1993 hit song 'Goodbye Kiss', which we retitled 'Take Me to Your Heart'.
"He is a gentleman and very easy to work with. In fact, he was delighted when we covered his song."
CHILDHOOD DREAM
Wanscher said being musicians had always been the band members' childhood dream.
"We've known each other for a very long time, and what made us bond is a common love of pop-rock music.
"And that is precisely what has kept us going as friends and bandmates all these years," he said.
ABBA INFLUENCE
Lentz said: "We love what we are doing, and music has always been our first love."
Richter said MLTR's biggest influences were The Beatles, ABBA and the Bee Gees.
"These are the bands whose music has been magical to us. We all grew up listening to them."
CHALLENGING 'ACTOR'
When asked about their most challenging of nine studio albums to date, Wanscher admitted that it was their self-titled 1991 debut album that contained their first major hit, 'The Actor'.
"It was difficult for us because it was our very first album, our entry into the music world. It was like climbing our first mountain, but we did it and after that, things got a lot easier."
CAN-DO RITUAL
Richter said MLTR always had a "wee bit of nervousness" whenever they stepped onto a concert stage.
"We are pretty much perfectionists, and don't want to slip up," he said.
"And to make sure we play with gusto once the curtains come up, we always perform a standard ritual — cheering each other and wishing each other the best."
Lentz said this standard ritual always gave them confidence to do a great job.
"Each band has its own way of reaffirming its 'can do' spirit. We came up with ours based on what made us tick."
DEAR FRIEND MADSEN
On their former bandmate guitarist Soren Madsen who went solo in 2000, Wanscher said they still keep in touch with him.
"He's done very well on his own, collaborating with solo artistes and groups. Even though he left the band, he's very much our dear friend."
FRESH IDEAS
MLTR's favourite element in every tour is getting to know fans from different countries and finding out the type of music they like.
Richter said: "That is why we tailor every concert to suit the audiences in the cities we go to.
"We get ideas from travelling and meeting foreign artistes all the time."
NEW VISUAL EFFECTS
Lentz said MLTR would love to perform in North America and Australia as they have not visited these places as a band.
Wanscher said their coming concert would have new visual effects that Malaysians have never seen before.
"These will be a spectacular feast for the ears and eyes of our Malaysian fans."
'A LIFE TO REMEMBER'
MLTR will promote their newest single 'A Life to Remember' at the concert.
Richter said: "Our latest single is about getting older, a process that happens to everyone.
"We have been around for 30 years and we are not young any more.
"So this new song is our reflection of our journey thus far."
NINE ALBUMS
MLTR was founded by Richter, Lentz, Wanscher and Madsen in Aarhus, Denmark, in 1988.
The band has released nine studio albums and 19 compilation albums that have spawned a number of gold, platinum and multiplatinum hit singles.
With global record sales of more than 11 million physical albums and more than six million paid downloads, MLTR's music has stood the test of time.
The group's material continues to be streamed and viewed on major digital platforms, resonating with generations of people around the world.
MLTR has played in more than 600 concerts worldwide, and Malaysian fans can look forward to singing along to a string of classic hits such as 'Take Me to Your Heart', '25 Minutes', 'That's Why You Go Away' and 'Paint My Love'.