What inspired the themes of dissolution and reconstruction explored in your new album “Dissolve”?
The songs on this album were written at a time in my life where I experienced a lot of major changes and uncertainties and it kinda felt like everything seemed to fall apart or dissolve. Writing music and lyrics is very often venting for me and a way to figure things out and look for answers. I thought a lot about falling apart and what is left when you, or things, do, and how you can put things back together in a new way. Most if not all of the songs on the album are dealing with this in one way another.
How did collaborating with Gary Arce influence the direction of the album, and what did his guitar work bring to your music?
Like on my first album I wrote and recorded everything before Gary’s playing came into the picture. So it didn’t really influence the direction. We didn’t talk about what he was going to play and I didn’t give him any directions. But I did know, after the experience with my first album, and because he is so amazing at what he does, that he would give the songs some stunning additional harmonies and sounds. And that is exactly what he did and more. I really feel like his playing lifted the entire album and brings a dreamy light and feeling of hope into the songs. That was exactly what they needed.
How do you decide what to share through your music, and what connection do you hope to make with your listeners?
I usually just write about what occupies me emotionally or in my thoughts. Things I am dealing with I guess, like personal struggles, fears, dreams and hopes. When I am feeling strong about something it usually comes out as music somehow, sentences start forming in my head and I start hearing them as melodies. It is weird, but it helps me figure stuff I am going through and finding answers to things I find confusing or difficult. I want to write honest and sincere music, and I guess I hope to make a personal connection with the listeners. I think that we are many who can relate to the same types of life struggles, and that we are many who look for answers, comfort or hope. I am not at all saying I have the answers, but I hope that my music and lyrics can at least connect with some people in the sense that they feel less alone and that listening to my music also can give them a calming timeout and possibly a little hope.
In addition to vocals, you play bass and guitars on the album. How do you choose which instruments and sounds best express the emotions and themes of each song?
Playing guitar, bass and singing just all feel like important parts of this project and I express myself on regular basis through all of them. I honestly just went with what I felt like playing. I also think about what I want to express in each song and what kind of sounds or melodies help emphasize that feeling. In general on this album I also wanted the heaviness and darkness of the guitars, bass and drums to represent dissolvement and the sadness connected to it, and the brighter sounding guitars and vocal harmonies to repsesent hope, light and dreams.
How has your experience in collaborative bands like Superlynx influenced your approach to your solo project?
Mostly I have learned a lot from playing in Superlynx for 10 years, writing music, recording and releasing albums, playing live etc. Collaborating can be awesome and compromises are part of it. But it also actually brought out the need in me to do music alone and to be the one in control of my songs for a while. This could also have a lot to do with the fact that I am an introvert and part time loner.
Could you talk about Ole Teigen´role in producing “Dissolve” and how it shaped the albums sound and atmosphere?
On the new album we kind of picked up from my first one which he also produced, and did most of the recording process the same way. I was very happy with how he produced Distorted Chants and we kept that as a base to develop further. On both albums he had great ideas on how to bring out the sounds we wanted and he did really great work on the sound.
The concept of “reassembling pieces in new ways” is central to “Dissolve”. How did this concept influence the album musically?
It mostly influenced the lyrics and theme of the entire album, but the songs were all born and shaped out of my need to deal with these things. As mentioned already when I am going through stuff and my conscience and sub conscience are working extra hard on something it usually comes out as music somehow, sentences and words just start coming out as melodies and ideas and I just work pretty organically with them.
As an artist who writes from personal experience, how do you hope your music resonates with listeners facing similar uncertainties?
I do hope that some people can get something out of it. I hope it resonates with listeners in a way that gives them something like a soothing feeling. If only some time lying back and drifting away with the music as a break from their daily stress that is definitely something. Healthy even. And if someone feels a little less alone with their struggles or is even left with a little more hope that would be amazing.
What drew you to explore psychedelic drone rock, and how do you see your music contributing to the genre´s evolution?
I guess I have just always been attracted to heavy, slow and dreamy music and it kinda feels like it fits with my own pace or pulse or something. I am so much more mellow and calm than I am hyper or impulsive, and think I just click with this kind of music, mentally, physically and emotionally.
I don’t care about genres or genre rules at all. I just play what I feel like and mix in what feels right or what helps what I try to express. If anything I hope I can contribute to more open music without rules or boxes.
With your new project SoftSun and collaborations, how does this differ creatively from your solo work?
The main difference is naturally that my solo work only consists of my ideas and decisions whereas other bands and collaborations are a mix of several people´s creativity. I am very excited for people to hear SoftSun later this year.
Looking ahead, how do you see your solo career progressing after «Dissolve”?
I don´t really know and I am not planning for a career, I just make the music I feel like making. I hope I can reach some listeners who could get something out of it and I do see myself doing more solo work in the future in addition to other bands and collaborations as I always keep writing songs.
Finally, what message or feeling do you hope “Dissolve” leaves with your audience?
I hope it can feel like taking a deep breath, calming down, drifting away and coming back to reality with hope and inspiration to try and find new solutions or ideas. Change can be scary but it can also bring new possibilities and experiences. Things are going to be ok. They are.
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