Can you share any interesting or unique stories or perspectives in 'Vargen?'
One of my favorite guitarists is Jojje Wadenius, who’s an icon in Sweden. I was thrilled when he said yes to join us on the blues-jazzy “Them Cats.” I asked him to “sound like a cat,” and I think his wah-wah really made a great feline impersonation, haha.
Were there any challenges or breakthrough moments during the songwriting process for 'Vargen?'
There’s a diversity of genres and themes on the album. Some of the songs were written just before the sessions started and a few had been lying around for years. “Tar & Feathers” had a musical theme and a chord progression that was a challenge to find the right arrangement. At first, I wanted to do it in an old 60’s pop-style, like The Beatles’ early singles or The Searchers’ “Needles And Pins.” The guiding vocals for the verses were ripped-off from the latter for a long time and eventually the theme of “a face that you long for” set the theme for both the lyric and a more “sophisticated” approach. The producer Fredrik Larnemo had worked out a wonderful string arrangement but it was a bit “too much” to blend with the mellow vocal. And we didn’t have a good opening, just to jump right into the piano theme felt somehow rushed. So, I remember a breakthrough came when I asked Fredrik to put the strings as an intro. And they fit just perfectly there. It’s like you’re about to attend a wedding or you’re soon about to experience something wonderful you know will change your life for the better.
What is your favorite song from 'Vargen' and why?
I love all of them, really. But if I have to pick one, it has to be “A Midnight Dreary.” It’s a kind of mystic piece, live it feels like I still explore it, or perhaps it explores me. I think it will stick around in the setlist for quite a while.
Can you share a bit about your musical background and the journey that led you to where you are today?
Guitarist turned to songwriter turned to actor turned to singer-songwriter.
What role do you feel emotions play in your music, and how do you channel them into your performances?
They’re crucial to remain true.
