Interview: Det Vackra Livet
You probably know Philip and Henrik Ekström as one-half of The Mary Onettes -- a Swedish quartet who makes music as warm as a hug from a friend, and as big as the whole 1980s. However, the siblings, spurned on by little more than a mysterious muse, recently started making music in their own tongue. The resulting band/album Det Vackra Livet ("The Beautiful Life"), is another such warm-hearted affair -- brimming with shimmering synths, oversized echoes, and driving drum machines. While non-natives are unlikely to understand a damn word, every song seemingly leaps from the stereo with such indelible familiarity that the album is ripe for repeat listens (if not mushy-mouthed sing-alongs).
It's a Trap! recently sat down with Philip Ekström to discuss linguistic barriers, creative expression, and why the Carina Nebula may hold all the band's musical secrets.
What very important (or perhaps not so important) Swedish phrases should an indie rock fan learn before visiting Jönköping/Göteborg?
If you visit Jönköping you should know that the town is not much of a music city. They have one festival there and they're not even interested in the local music scene. So maybe you should learn to scream: Wake up you dead animals! But somehow I love the city. Weird. In Gothenburg you should only learn to shut up!
After writing two albums in English, did writing the album in your mother tongue help speed the process?
Maybe. The whole process was a creative outburst. And apparently I had lots of words and meanings that I needed to let out. I guess this time it was just easier and more powerful to do it in Swedish. Can't really explain it in a better way. But just a month before the album was done I could never dream I'd make an album in Swedish. I'm really glad we decided to do the album; the meaning and the weight of the words had never been the same in English.
Are there phrases (or sentiments) that just sound better sung Swedish?
Well, hard to say. You can't hide yourself in another language. The words need to be more convincing. And that sounds better in many ways. But still English is more easy to use in a metaphorical way. Wish is very beautiful!
For those of use who don't speak Swedish (and thus have all the lyrics muddled into oblivion by Google Translate), how would you describe the general emotional tone of the album?
Just storytelling. Very emotional for me. Some songs are personal stories from me and my brother's life, and a lot of the stories revolve around our family, yet some of the stories are imagination-based on an another person's life and stories. For example: my grandmother's simple life. But yet so grand in my head!
If you were suddenly grained the ability to record your next album in any language of your choosing (with perfect comprehension) what would it be?
Hmmm... maybe it's boring, but I'd just keep on doing it in Swedish and English. Feels like I've got a lot more to learn in those languages. Feels like I've just begun my linguistic journey.
When your grandchildren ask about the circumstances surrounding the recording of this album, how will you explain it to them?
This album is a part of your history! That will do. Some parts of it I will try to keep a mystery as well. They will have to use their imagination too...
Given that in the digital era you can access almost every piece of music that's ever been recorded at a second's notice, do you feel comfortable with the idea of your music (both The Mary Onettes and Det Vackra Livet) being labeled "retro" or "revivalist" pop?
I can't focus on those things. How people label the music is not important to me. As long as people listen to it and feel something...
You seem to be the official video director as of late. If you had to choose one image to represent The Mary Onettes, and the other to represent Det Vackra Livet, what would they be?
Maybe a picture of space. The pictures of the Carina Nebula are nice, it feels extremely matching with all my feelings and music. I always get knocked down when I see pictures of it...
When I spoke with Suburban Kids with Biblical Names last year, we talked about how there seems to be less of an emphasis on popular success in Sweden, and more on personal expression. Do you find that to be the case? (Or is this wishful thinking from a country that's suffering through the 10th season of American Idol?)
Yes I feel that. It's just like it should be. The main purpose of writing music should always be personal. That is my absolute momentum. As for many Swedes doing music maybe... I often think that music that is personal is more sympathetic and that makes it, in many cases, addictive.
Do you believe that pop songs have the power to contain deeper (or even universal) truths?
Absolutely! Music is bigger than fucking God.
Interview by Laura Studarus, photo by Henrik Mårtensson