We first heard about Trolleberg when David Palmberg, a champion of music from Dalarna in Sweden sent us the video for their excellent tune Constipated, so when we heard they had a new EP coming out we were delighted to get the chance to speak to Susanne about the record (called “Whenever the moon is gone”) AND we also have an exclusive stream of the EP here, it’s officially released on next Friday, October 6th. Check it out, we love it!
We love what we’ve heard from the new EP, how long have you been working on it?
From July 2016 to February 2017. Including the video making for the single, we were done in May 2017.
Why did you drop the Weather Music moniker?
There were too many bands and singer-songwriters with similar names. Trolleberg is more unique, it’s my surname – So in a way a simple choice. The band also prefer this name.
How long has the band been together? How did you all meet?
With this band – Since 2011. I started as a singer-songwriter, calling myself Weather around 2009. Me and the drummer have been together since 2006. But I played with some other drummers before he joined me in 2010. We’ve been going through different constellations, before 2011. The band met through friends, connected to a music school that I went to. Since 2011 we’ve been the same members – one added, one dropout.
Constipated is a great song, where did the idea for the video come from? Was it fun to make?
Thanks! The idea came from the music video maker Simon Hjortek, a.k.a. Magnificent Beast. We’re also good friends. He found an old table hockey in a flea market. I think his ideas developed from there, with the song in the back of his mind. I had a good time making it. I think we all did. The people/characters in the video are all friends and it was fun to work with them and see them act as well.
Who would you consider to be your biggest influences?
There are too many. It has varied a lot through the years. It’s not only music – It’s conversations with people around me, relationships, experiences, movies and books. And failure. The cold and the dark winter season, anger, depression, grief, hope. Games and strange dreams have contributed a lot to different songs too. Musically, there has always been and still is music from the 20s-70s that captures my attention the most. I have always been torn between genres. – Cause they are all connected with each other.
What was the first piece of music you loved, and why?
I used to sneak into my big sister’s room when she wasn’t there and listen to her records and tapes. She got Robyn’s debut album in 1995 and when I heard Do you really want me, around 8 years old, it changed me. That was when I started to imitate, shape my voice and realise I could sing. I thought I sounded like her. Hahaha.. That gave me a lot of confidence.
What’s exciting you on your local scene and in Sweden more generally? Do you think
there’s such a thing as a Scandinavian sound?
On the local scene – I Wish I Was A Fish and Red Nova. I saw a great concert this summer with Fire! Orchestra. I’ve been listening to a lot to Niki And The Dove’s and Amanda Bergman’s album from last year and I like Motorpsycho’s latest album. (Norwegian but if we’re talking about Scandinavia..)
I think it’s easy to get influenced by what’s close to you – Almost inevitable. Even if the influences are British and American, Scandinavian music has been shaped by Swedish/Scandinavian music history too.
If you weren’t a musician what would you love to do?
I would play theatre, paint more, grow vegetables, write and travel more.
Can you recommend a good book?
Just Kids by Patti Smith.
What’s in your fridge?
Cauliflower, onions, soy milk, mango chutney and eggs.
If you could change one thing in the world right now what would it be?
Put a spell on all humans to only care about saving all life on this the planet.
What next for your music?
Work on a new EP or album. Play more live.
What’s your favourite expression?
No pain, no gain.
super world indie tunes 