ADVERTISE
CONTACT US
SUBMISSIONS
  • News
    Dina Ögon

    Dina Ögon impress with a stunning dose of Swedish soul / Mormor

    Woman in shadow

    Jean Root covers a classic with class / Aint Nobody

    Marie Dahlstrom and Delleile Ankrah

    [WATCH] Marie Dahlstrom floats in new duet / Clouds

    Imla with guitar

    [WATCH] Imla shares her Christmas memories / Sweetheart

    45 single

    Paul Mac Innes – Falling by the Wayside arrives on 45

    Miri Tesfazion

    Miri Tesfazion introduces her alternative dark R&B / Pressure

    Tilda Allie

    Genre-bending Tilda Allie electrifies / Say No

    Saie Saie

    Saie Saie revives a disco ballad / Rock You Baby

  • Reviews
    • All
    • Album Review
    • Live Review
    • Single / EP Reviews
    Elna Romberg christmas

    Christmas – Elna Romberg 

    Try Again Tomorrow – Jean Root

    Try Again Tomorrow – Jean Root

    Lost EP - AME ARDAI

    Lost EP – AME ARDAI

    Dtroit Heavy LP album cover

    Heavy – D/troit

  • Features
    • All
    • Interviews
    • Scandinavian Soul Sessions
    • Soul Talk
    Black & white soul singer

    Soul music – the sound of societal change

    Johan Nilsson

    [INTERVIEW] Behind the groove with Band of Pockets

    Aureola

    I wanted it to sound like the feeling of running your hand over silk – Aureola

    Naomi Vaughn

    ‘We just broke out laughing and kept laughing’ – Interview with Naomi Vaughn

    Fredrik Hjulmand

    Behind the groove with FHIO and his debut single – I Never Knew

  • Events
    • Scandinavian Soul Music Awards
    • Scandinavian Soul Festival 2013
  • Artists / Bands
  • Videos
    • Playlists
  • Shop
    • SOUL SHOP
      • STYLE
      • MERCHANDISE
      • VINYL
      • BOOKS
      • SALE
No Result
View All Result
0

No products in the basket.

  • News
    Dina Ögon

    Dina Ögon impress with a stunning dose of Swedish soul / Mormor

    Woman in shadow

    Jean Root covers a classic with class / Aint Nobody

    Marie Dahlstrom and Delleile Ankrah

    [WATCH] Marie Dahlstrom floats in new duet / Clouds

    Imla with guitar

    [WATCH] Imla shares her Christmas memories / Sweetheart

    45 single

    Paul Mac Innes – Falling by the Wayside arrives on 45

    Miri Tesfazion

    Miri Tesfazion introduces her alternative dark R&B / Pressure

    Tilda Allie

    Genre-bending Tilda Allie electrifies / Say No

    Saie Saie

    Saie Saie revives a disco ballad / Rock You Baby

  • Reviews
    • All
    • Album Review
    • Live Review
    • Single / EP Reviews
    Elna Romberg christmas

    Christmas – Elna Romberg 

    Try Again Tomorrow – Jean Root

    Try Again Tomorrow – Jean Root

    Lost EP - AME ARDAI

    Lost EP – AME ARDAI

    Dtroit Heavy LP album cover

    Heavy – D/troit

  • Features
    • All
    • Interviews
    • Scandinavian Soul Sessions
    • Soul Talk
    Black & white soul singer

    Soul music – the sound of societal change

    Johan Nilsson

    [INTERVIEW] Behind the groove with Band of Pockets

    Aureola

    I wanted it to sound like the feeling of running your hand over silk – Aureola

    Naomi Vaughn

    ‘We just broke out laughing and kept laughing’ – Interview with Naomi Vaughn

    Fredrik Hjulmand

    Behind the groove with FHIO and his debut single – I Never Knew

  • Events
    • Scandinavian Soul Music Awards
    • Scandinavian Soul Festival 2013
  • Artists / Bands
  • Videos
    • Playlists
  • Shop
    • SOUL SHOP
      • STYLE
      • MERCHANDISE
      • VINYL
      • BOOKS
      • SALE
No Result
View All Result
0

No products in the basket.

No Result
View All Result

Eda Wolf / Spring Came Slow EP

Josephin Bovién - Caramel Babe

Markus Hasselblom answers his calling

Andy Collins by Andy Collins
28/11/2018
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Pinterest

This was the second time Markus Hasselblom, whose name a few weeks ago was unknown to me, had caught me pleasantly by surprise.

The first time was when I listened to his single – Sparkar. I wasn’t expecting to be immediately swept up by the fast tempo of authentic northern soul groove and Swedish sung lyrics.

And now he surprises me again, entering the cafe thirty minutes earlier than our scheduled meeting.

Markus Hasselblom is tall with long, over the shoulder-length hair. He reaches out a hand and explains his meeting finished early which actually suited us both perfectly. The Gothenburg based singer works as a freelance producer and has been in Stockholm to see the launch of his debut soundtrack to Swedish film X&Y. ‘I’ve still not seen the full movie, but I think the music works well. This is my first feature, but I’ve made music for shorts and commercials’.

In a country where Rock and pop are the predominate genres, it would be easy to cast the first impression and see a ‘Rocker’. It’s a mistake many have made. ‘Rockers don’t wear corduroy trousers and suede shoes’, he says smiling.

A father of three, Markus has always been a financially independent artist and has tried to manage it alone. His music relies on working full-time work and heads to the studio when time and inspiration allows.

We talk in English though it’s clear it’s not his preferred language. His strong southern Swedish dialect is undisguised though his English is clear and deep yet soft in tone. Markus’s journey in music began through an innocent interest. ‘There has always been a piano and acoustic guitar at home. My mum taught me some chords around 13, and I loved playing.’

Aged around 17, Markus met Jimmy Herdberg and together formed a band, though his dream of emulating the psychedelic vibes of The Doors instead evolved into a grunge band. However, being part of a group and making music made an indelible impression.

– ‘I really loved composing [and] doing things together. I still remember the first rehearsal, when everyone was playing the same song. I’d never heard that before, and I thought this was the coolest thing ever.’

Being onstage was something Markus also took too directly stating, ‘I loved it, I still love it. I love the feeling.

His journey and sound continued to morph with the electronic duo JMYhaze Beatbox (1998). Around 2004 he formed the indie-pop trio Lucknow Pact which produced a calmer folk/pop rhythm-based sound, and later (2013) the band Fantastic. Lucknow Pact’s video for the single – Waiting in the Sun, in particular, stays in your mind with a simple and effective, though perhaps headache-inducing, visual.

– ‘It was a lot of fun making this video. It came out exactly as we planned’.

During the summer of 2017, Markus changed musical direction.

The awakening came in the form of an African-American jazz icon.

– ‘I listened to a lot of Nina Simone. I always come back to her. She’s so great! And I listen a lot to African music. It’s had a huge effect on me and I guess now is the first time I get to express it. It’s African music and rhythms that make you feel…’

Here, in searching for words, Markus reclines in the chair and rolls his head back. I instinctively understand the unwinding way good music feels when it hits your soul. There is no pain as Bob Marley would say.

– ‘I made some songs, and I wanted to try it and there it was. I called the studio and booked two days. I knew it. It was like a calling. I wrote ten tracks, and we recorded them directly. I wanted an authentic sound, and all the sound in my friends’ Kristoffer Ragnstam studio sounds like this. Kristoffer is my drummer, recording engineer and producer and has a studio with old machines, dusty tapes and vintage recording equipment – you never know what may happen! I’m not a perfectionist either, and this sounded real.’

Christian Östlund is Markus’s PR manager and also a friend who runs a club called Soulastatic. A devout connoisseur of the Northern Soul scene there was pressure on Markus and his friends’ rejection could have created doubt in his progression. He admits to always being nervous when ‘outing’ yourself for the first time. He didn’t need to worry. Christians’ opinion was resoundingly positive.

I tell Markus his Northern soul style reminds me of Magnus Carlson, the Swedish singer who I’d recently met in London.

‘Which one? he replied ‘The good or the bad one?’ causing us to laugh simultaneously.

Makus Hasselblom

The authenticity of the single – Sparkar can be heard in the depth of his lyrics too.

– I don’t think I could write back then, but it’s easier now. It’s different now I’m 43 you know, I’ve had a lot of experience. It’s easy to write in Swedish. And it’s easier to write good lyrics. It’s all about angst (anxiety). It is putting that into words. You can have anxiety about everything in life. Afraid of the economic situation you’re in. If you don’t have work. If you’re not created how you want to be.  You’re afraid all the time. Writing is good for that.

– I write about life and no, not so much about love. I’m happily married with three kids!  Laughing he says, ‘Yeah, but if that changes…’

When asked about the part of the music creation process he dislikes the most, without hesitation he replies ‘the rehearsals’. ‘It’s a lot of work beforehand, that’s the only part I don’t like. For 45 minutes on stage, you practised for 2-3 days.’

Having been in several bands and now solo Markus feels good about his new direction.
– It’s different being alone. It’s easier in some ways, but we need other people you know. This one was just for me. I needed to explore the sounds alone.’

For a while, we touch on politics with Brexit and Trump. Markus is keen to be abreast with the times and offers his bewilderment at the left and right sides in the world. ‘It’s terrible. Sometimes I feel helpless. I still don’t understand how this could be happening. Sweden too always felt united; we take care of each other but now..’.

Sparkar reflects his thoughtful observations of people and society – A single about not knowing where to fit in.

Curiously I ask him about the most significant difference between singing indie pop songs and soul. – It’s more emotional singing soul. I get very emotional. It’s quite draining afterwards. You have to give more’.

It’s an awakening you can tell he’s pleased to have discovered.

It’s been quite a journey so far and looking back Markus offers advice to upcoming musicians.  ‘I know it sounds corny but never give up. I’m never afraid of change and experimenting.’

As we drain our coffee cups, I ask the man of broad musical tastes if there is any music I shouldn’t play?

‘Yes, he replied. Nickelback.

– Please, no Nickelback.

Photos: Andy Collins

 

Tags: interviewKristoffer RagnstamMagnus CarlsonMarkus Hasselblom
Fieh live Fieh live Fieh live
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

Johan Nilsson
Features

[INTERVIEW] Behind the groove with Band of Pockets

by Andy Collins
24/08/2022
Aureola
Features

I wanted it to sound like the feeling of running your hand over silk – Aureola

by Hannah Mannheimer
29/06/2022
Naomi Vaughn
Features

‘We just broke out laughing and kept laughing’ – Interview with Naomi Vaughn

by Andy Collins
21/06/2022
Fredrik Hjulmand
Features

Behind the groove with FHIO and his debut single – I Never Knew

by Andy Collins
25/02/2022
Load More

Discover more

Dina Ögon
Latest News

Dina Ögon impress with a stunning dose of Swedish soul / Mormor

29/01/2023
Woman in shadow
Latest News

Jean Root covers a classic with class / Aint Nobody

26/01/2023
Marie Dahlstrom and Delleile Ankrah
Latest News

[WATCH] Marie Dahlstrom floats in new duet / Clouds

25/01/2023
Prev Next

Archives

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

  • If you found the image arresting just wait till you hear the track! @tildaallie dropped her single - Say No last month and it’s contemporary blend of soul and hip hop is just as captivating as the image! Expect the unexpected here! Love it! ♥️
Follow @tildaallie and discover this UK based Swedish artist/producer 
*Edited and reposted*
#scandinaviansoul #tildaallie #newmusic #contemporary #swedishmusic #soulful
  • This new cover version by @saiesaiesoul took us in her arms and rocked us like a baby! ❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥
Her live recorded version adds a new dimension and energy to this classic and we love it!! ❤️❤️
Follow @saiesaiesoul 
#scandinaviansoul #soul #swedish #saiesaie #video #newmusic #disco #rockyoubaby
  • New music and fresh vibes are delivered by @bby.beige and her new single / över dig under dig. Prepare for the unexpected on this soulful single and we’re hoping there’s a video to this soon! 
Follow @bby.beige 
We’ve got a good feeling about where she’s headed. And that’s up! 🔥🔥

Little extra details…

  • Our services
  • My account
  • Customer Service
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Behind the scenes

  • ABOUT US
  • EVERYTHING SCANDINAVIAN SOUL IS AND ISN’T
  • JOIN OUR TEAM

stripe

© 2012-2022 scandinaviansoul.com. Design by 68-design.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Single / EP Reviews
    • Album Review
    • Live Review
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • Soul Talk
  • Events
    • Scandinavian Soul Festival 2013
  • Videos
  • Playlists
  • Artists / Bands
  • SOUL SHOP
  • Cart
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • About us
Close