This piece was originally featured in AM02 — Issue Two of Ascribe. Click here to read it alongside the rest of the issue.
Your album hope is a cult released on February 17. How has the reception been?
The reception has been amazing! Great feedback from fans and family.
Can you talk a little bit about the creation of this record? How was the writing and recording
process?
Fun! Writing is always fun to me because that is when I can be the most creative. We wrote over a hundred songs for this album and tried to pick the best. Recording was also fun – especially in the beginning when we had more energy. To the end of the recording and writing process we were all very tired and jaded from working 24/7 all through the pandemic. We really needed some other inspiration – which we got from touring and meeting our fans finally. That helped us finish the album.
What were the hardest moments?
Like I said, just keeping up the stamina. We’ve done 4 albums in less than 4 years so it’s been a hell of a marathon to run.
What were the easier moments?
Writing, to me at least! I’m not thinking about anything then – just zoning out and trying to come up with the best stuff possible. I love that!
What is your personal favorite song on the record and why?
“It’s Better This Way.” I’m a very stubborn person, if I want something I REALLY want it, and that song is all about letting go when something or someone doesn’t work for you, and that feels very emotional to me.
What song(s) did you think fans would specifically flock to and so far, were you correct?
“Rain Down!” And yes, we were correct! At least up to this point! We’ll see in the future…
Can you speak on the name of the album? What does it mean to you?
hope is a cult is all about building family and a “cult” around our music.. Since we’ve been isolated for so long in the pandemic we wanted to create this album with the fans and include them in the process. Think it worked great! And now we’ll continue to build…
The album art looks like a stained glass window, similar to the ones you’d see in churches. What was the choice behind it?
Exactly that! We wanted that religious feel behind it – since it’s a very emotional and personal album we wanted to feel like the message could be “worshipped” almost. So we went with that vibe!
The general theme/tone of the record is the obvious hopefulness but also seeking personal connections and aiming for positivity. Where did this inspiration and sense of direction come from? How did you ensure each song had this sort of feel?
Everything lyrically is personal on this album. So it’s my thoughts and emotions that are being sung and that really helps in order to make it cohesive. I just sat down and tried to write about what I had inside me!
The record feels very cohesive and meant to be consumed in order in one sitting. Was this intentional? Was this intentional?
Thank you! And yes!
How did you achieve this?
By just making the album from start to finish. We tried to work on songs and make transitions in the way that they were to be presented on the album. So we started with Rain Down… etc.
It was previously mentioned that each song has a personal background and lyrically means something specific. Can you expand on this? How do you balance speaking on personal experiences?
No need to balance for me personally – I just write about what I have inside and let it flood out. Whatever comes out that I like I keep.
How do you open yourself to listeners’ interpretations?
I think I just have to believe that a lot of us are going through the same things and by sharing my story and emotions someone else can hopefully relate to that somehow.
Overall, the album has a lot of depth. Each time I listen to it, I feel I discover a little bit more about the instrumentals or the lyrics. If this effect was intentional, how did you go about achieving it?
I’m so happy to hear that! That feels good that you can experience more and come back to it and get new experiences. I think that is mostly the boys – especially David and Johan loves to work on these details and create depth and small features here and there!
In order to define the album a bit more, if you could choose any one color to describe it, what would it be?
Haha, interesting! To me the album is dark blue.
Expanding on this, what overall vibe/aesthetic were you aiming for the album to feel like it fit into?
I think the album name says it all. That cult and family was what we wanted to create. However – we had this idea in the beginning that we wanted it to feel very “Neo-Tokyo” or however you say it. We still have a little bit of that, but not too much.
You’ve spoken on wanting to create a family and a specific connection with your fans. Do you feel this album has opened more opportunities for that? How are you working towards that goal?
Yes! Absolutely! It’s all about connecting for us now. Creating something lasting that feels worth expanding on and to be a “real” band. Touring is a big thing in that, we haven’t even been on our first headline tour yet! Super excited for that.
What else is in the plans for this year?
TOURING! And make another album….
