Koala Bar On the Making Of ‘This Is a Car’
How did everything come together?
This time it came together in our home studio. We produced and mixed the EP all by ourselves which we haven't done for a long time.
The songs came together like they always do. It starts with a melody or a guitar part and then we build it from there. The big difference from before was that we decided to make it an intimate and scaled-down process. Looking back at it now, it really turned into something genuine, raw and honest.
Were there any challenges or breakthrough moments during the songwriting process for 'This Is a Car?'
At a certain point in the creative process, we felt like, ”hell, this is fun.” Usually we are very critical about our own work and work thoroughly this time as well but for some reason, without pressure. I think that moment felt like some kind of breakthrough moment.
Also, we experimented with a lot of different guitar sounds on this EP. We wanted to really make it thorough with every little choice of component this time. Also, regarding samples and synth bits. That resulted in a few moments where we just looked at each other and nodded simultaneously - and way too serious-looking - to each other in consensus.
What impact do you hope 'This Is a Car' will have on your audience?
We have a little idea that might be true or not but that these songs will speak to the ones who have been with us from the start. There are some kind of nods of nostalgia trip soundwise and some kind of back to the roots feeling to it.
Can you share a bit about your musical background and the journey that led you to where you are today?
We’ve been at it for some time now, ten years to be precise, where we always try to do what inspires us at the moment. Axel and Jonatan met at a songwriting school many years ago and created the foundation of Koala Bar and what it stands for, both musically and ethically. Then Petter and Olof joined a couple of years ago which helped us improve and evolve as a band. And right now it’s Jonatan, Petter and Axel creating together. We have some fun material where we again try something new and are looking forward to the future. We try to use all of our different inspirations from all kinds of genres and artists and blend it with our own DNA so to speak.
How do you continuously grow and evolve as an artist?
It is always about not staying in the comfort zone, but at the same time do what feels most inspiring right now. We can be nostalgic if that feels important but also dare to try out new things. For us integrity feels very important and we will make music that inspires us, not to please one another.
