1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?
The last few years it has been what I would describe as ambient psychedelic folk. Acoustic guitars, syths and voices play the main role and the tracks really take their time to build. In my mind what really makes this ambient is the willingness to let the sounds develop organically, an idea I have from David Toop which makes it more than a label. It is also a guide when writing/creating the songs. The project started in 2015 when I put out a compilation of tracks I had recorded over a few years on a tape label called It Was Gnarled. I did this without any real goal of doing any specific sound, but I liked distortion and the band Faust which I think shone through. Later I got interested in ambient music and in 2019 I had the chance to have enough peace and quiet to record Meditation Over Mørket. When the record came out three years later I was lucky enough to have quite a few friends who wanted to help me play it live. That has pushed the sound a little bit and has given me new opportunities. The music takes its time and is a lot more based on feeling than on precision. For the longer songs I describe what I would like it to sound like more than showing the others what to play. I think they like that.
2.In 2023 you released a full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
Yeah well, I wanted to do an ambient record. The recording was very loose and without any real ideas in terms of anything being written beforehand. I think I had one song, but that didn't even end up on the record. The music was also inspired by Danish jammy hippie music (something I don't like listening to but has always seemed like a lot of fun to play) and German synthesizer music from the 70's. Part of the interest I had in doing this was also to do music that wasn't based on electric guitar, which I had been doing a lot of before this. It was fun to play some other instruments and see where that took me. And to arrange vocal harmonies. That was also new to me.
3.You also have experience working with other genres with your other bands or projects, how would you compare the music of 'Naturale' to your other musical endeavors?
It's quieter than other things I have done. That's for sure. That gives you new opportunities. One thing is that the lyrics come more into focus which is nice. It has been very interesting to be able to have people be able to hear what you are singing about. Other than that I think it actually is not that different from other things I have been involved with. The looseness of the music and the focus on drones and repetition is something that exists in other things I have done for sure. I like music with a certain looseness.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with this project?
When I recorded the last album I was far out in the swedish countryside in the middle of winter. I live in the city so the darkness and the sounds that came from the woods had an effect on me. It has a lot to do with the feelings of dread that I had moving out into the darkness when I had to. I also related these feelings to winter depression and tried to put a positive spin on it. Coming to terms with the darkness is in a way the main theme. When I was writing the songs I was recording at the same time and when I came to the point where I would have to record vocals I would write the lyrics pretty quickly. It felt like they just came to me and as far as I recall I haven't changed anything. The lyrics are about the effect that the darkness has on people and how there is solace to find in nature. Especially fire. Because honestly the whole b-side of the record is about fire. The last song is a sort of seduction written from the point of view of the fire itself. The topic of the next record will be bureaucracy. Consultancy, ring binders, being trapped in the system. That kind of thing.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Naturale'?
In music notation there is a sign that cancels previous sharps and flats on a note. It looks like this: ♮. I felt like the way I was doing music, when I started the project, was musical ideas slowly dissolving and felt this would be a good descriptor. If you look at the physical releases of the things I have done there are also a lot of alchemical signs. In alchemy there is the very concrete practice of dissolving different materials in different liquids but there is also the idea of the individual dissolving into the soul of the world (Anima Mundi). I think the idea of music connecting you to everything in the world is beautiful and this is also part of the meaning. It feels kind of wrong to over explain all of this. It is not very important to understand this, but it is part of the underlying idea.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
I just over explained all of the symbols. The photo on the front was taken by Sven from Svensk Psych Aften who helped a lot with this release. Not only did he help put it out, he also helped give me the confidence to put it out and provided feedback that made the songs better. When my original idea for a cover fell through I asked him if he had some photos. He has a cabin in Sweden and he told me that this is a photo taken from the field where he picks magic mushrooms. That has nothing to do with why I used it but it is funny. I like the look of this old barn. It fits the feel of the record nicely.
7.On the studio albums you record everything by yourself but have experience working with other musicians, do you prefer to work solo?
It is fun to record on your own. I can work very intensely that way. Write and record at the same time, and that way do a song in a day. The next record will feature some of the people from the live band I have been performing with. This makes it take a little longer but hopefully it will be worth it. I also love playing with others. Having your own band can feel kind of lonely sometimes.
8.The last album was released through 4 different labels, can you tell us a little bit more about the labels you had worked with on this release?
I already talked a little about Sven. He was very important for this album being released. Yoshiwara Collective, I think, is run by a few people but the person I was in contact with was Danny Angus who has also been very helpful and has introduced me to a lot of interesting music. They are based in Belfast which is a place I have never been, but they have put out some music that is similar to that of Naturale. United Bible Studies for instance. Danny was also very supportive with the album and has probably done the most to spread it. It seems like he has connections all over the world. Vinyltrolden (now Vinyltroll Records) is Manne who is a frequent collaborator and has been very active the last few years mostly with doom, hardcore and post-rock though. Virkelighedsfjern is my own label.
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of drone, psychedelic and folk music?
I haven't felt much of a reaction from folk music people but I also have more of a history with the other groups. In general the reaction has been good. People have reacted positively to the record and to the live performances that have been very different because of the musicians involved. I think people like the vibe of the music; both some of the very slow moving songs and the more lyrically focussed. I always invite people to sit down and all of the band members always sit down too. This helps to support a relaxed environment that gives people the chance to dive into it. It is very introverted music and people seem to vibe with that which makes me happy. The record also seems to be living its own life out there. LIke you reaching out to me one and a half years after the release. It makes me happy to think that people still engage with it and that new people listen to it and like it.
10.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?
I want to keep making things and I am getting more and more into collaborating with other bands and artists. I recently did an album with a band called The Plant X Izumisan Ensemble who play dark ambient. It is both nice to play with others and to talk to others about the music I, or they, or we are making. Just like doing this interview it is nice to have a moment to reflect on what it is that I am doing. It is good to have it put into words. In terms of the music that I am working on, the new material has a bit more tightness to it. The songs are a little more controlled and shorter. The elements are basically the same except for a few songs that feature drums in a more prominent role. I am also working on new material with GAIA, Solens Folk and Lucid Grave which are all bands where I mainly play electric guitar.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
The stoner and doom scene of the late 00's and early 10's along with the kraut-rock scene of the 60's and 70's are probably the biggest influences on what I do and have done. I mentioned Faust in the beginning but bands like Suma, Toner Low, Harvey Milk, Hebosagil, Boris, Neu! and Harmonia have definitely influenced my way of playing guitar and writing music. I also find a lot of inspiration in the early industrial bands like Einstuzende Neubauten, Coil and Throbbing Gristle which are all bands I have been listening to recently. I have also been listening a lot to 90's sludge especially Toadliquor and Gasp and 80's noise rock like No Trend. Something a little newer that I have been listening to is the hip hop collective Griselda, apparently also known as dad rap.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
I would just like to thank you for this. These were good questions and they have helped me reflect on the music I do. Thank you.
https://virkelighedsfjern.bandcamp.com/track/m-rket
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