Black Light White Light took time out to answer our questions about their music and how they make it. Let’s see what they have to say!
First off, What’s up with your name? Is there a story behind it?
I have long been very fascinated by opposites and the play with contrasts. It’s also been central to me as long as songwriting has been serious for me since my teenage years. When I got the idea and desire to start this band, I was very inspired by bands such as Velvet Underground and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Both their music but also their profile and what they signal. They work with contrasts in the music and their lyrics. I find that exciting and I have done the same. That’s why I wanted a band name that reflects these contrasts and both the dark and the light. I want my songs to have edge, melancholy and nerve but I also want great melodies, hope and love.
Tell us about your musical past, would you tell us about your early years?
I grew up in a family that loves music and have always listened to a lot of music. Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Cream, Beach Boys and a lot of 80’ pop and rock. My father saw a lot of concerts when he was young – including Jimi Hendrix 2 weeks before his death – so it was almost written in the stars that I should also find great interest in rock music from an early age. I started playing guitar around age 10 and I formed a grunge and hard rock band with some close friends in my teens. We found great joy in playing together and also the interest it gave from friends and the surroundings. Later I formed virak – a post-rock band that had great compositions and got excellent reviews for an EP and an album, but just never really got a momentum and realized our talent. For the last decade, all my musical efforts have been put into Black Light White Light.
How would you describe your sound?
I would describe it as melodic indie rock with psychedelic undertones, a hint of shoegaze and Scandinavian melancholy. We seek to make songs that have both edge and somewhat different and surprising song structures but also have good melodies and instrumental hooklines.
Which artists have the biggest influence on your sound?
Foremost I grew up with The Beatles. It was also the first band’s songs I learned to play. They had the pop melodies but also the alternative and very innovative songs like Tomorrow Never Knows, Strawberry Fields Forever and A Day in The Life and showed how a band constantly can develop and be innovative. I am very inspired by that approach. Other really inspiring bands, for example are The Flaming Lips and Tame Impala whom have shown a new inspiring ways way for rock music. I also think Beck has made fantastic and very well-produced music. Especially his more melancholic sides like on Sea Change I am very happy with.
What’s the last song you listened to?
Currently I’m listening quite a bit to Cory Hanson’s newest album. There are a number of excellent songs on it like Housefly, Twins and Driving Through Heaven. The very last song I listened to was Califone’s mcmansions.
What’s your source for hearing new music?
As for most others, Spotify has become the number 1 source. I try not to be guided by algorithms but instead jump down the rabbit hole and go on a discovery. Sometimes but not often it pays off. Then I have a close circle of a small group of friends with a very good taste in music like myself. They are a good source! The major radio stations mostly play dull and really bad music today. It is truly a scandal and a such a shame not least for the youth of today.
Who is your dream producer?
Really hard to answer since I haven’t been in room with any of the big guns. Their palmares are not the most important job. Rather, it is the interaction and the energy – is it working or not. You only really know when you stand there together. Since George Martin isn’t here anymore and neither is Andrew Weatherall, I’d probably say Nigel Godrich or Danger Mouse. On the other hand, it would be quite interesting to see if Max Martin would actually be able to produce some decent music without it sounding like a metered product from a computer.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
The Flaming Lips. Best and most innovative band around. And they seem to really experiment and having fun with it.
What led you to music, and what motivates you to keep making it?
I grew up in a very musical home so I owe everything to my mum and dad. It sparked my interest in the guitar and guitar music at an early age.
The music industry today has become a strange size. Bands don’t make any money and for many it is almost impossible to tour and play live anymore. It is a loss-making business. We can feel that too. Rock is having a hard time. So had it not been for the joy of creating music with others, we would probably have stopped as well.
Tell us about the songwriting process. How does it all come together?
It typically started with a small idea on the guitar. It can also be an effect or a small piano stanza. An idea can linger or it can ignite the spark for an entire song. Then I typically try to come up with a melody and later a text. Then I turn it with the band. Typically, it only happens to you in the studio when we are in the process of recording and playing around with nice songs.
What’s next for you?
We have a couple of upcoming concerts in Scandinavia together with Badlands from Malmö. It must be good to play live again. I also have some ideas for new songs so maybe we’ll go to the studio and record some new material soon.
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