AM: You guys just played Coachella a few days ago, how did you enjoy it?
GN: This was our first time playing the festival, and we didn’t know what to expect when we got there. I really enjoyed it and it reminded me of about 3 or 4 festivals back in Europe.

AM: What are some differences about American festival crowds versus European festival crowds?
GN: The crowds seem the same, but the festivals look different. In America, the festivals have hills and grass. In Europe, the ground is mostly mud and nasty.

AM: You played South by Southwest last month; how does a Swedish band take to Texas?
GN: To be honest, it was kind of a haze. We played 12 shows in something like 5 nights. My voice was f-----, but I got through it and had a good time. Austin is a great small town; it seems like there’s a billion bands there, and everyone you meet is in one of them.

AM: Is there a lot of pressure from your label for mass success in the States?
GN: I guess there’s some, but we tune it out. About two years ago, we took total independence and decided not to talk with the record label. They probably talk to our managers, but it never gets back to us. We do what we do to maintain an independent spirit, even though we’re on a major label.

AM: What sort of musical inspiration have you been drawing from recently?
GN: As you get older, the more music and more bands you end up finding. For this record; we listened to a lot of American roots music. We started with Bob Dylan and Neil Young and then moved onto Johnny Cash. Also, different daily experiences and story help make for the songs as well.

AM: What is the hardest part about converting American crowds into diehard fans?
GN: Getting them to shows (laughs)…. Once they get to the show and hear us; they’re hooked. But getting exposure is always the hardest thing.

AM: You are playing Conan O’Brien later this month. Any other late night shows you’d like to do in the future?
GN: We’d like to get on Jimmy Kimmel’s show and Craig Ferguson. I don’t know if we’re big enough for Leno and Letterman yet, but maybe one day. In Sweden, Conan’s probably the biggest late night show; so it's cooler for us.

Mando Diao’s “Ode to Ochrasy” is out now on Mute Records. They are playing the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor on Friday, May 11^th. Tickets are still available.