Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with Fredrik Ekblad
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
When I was 4 years old, my father took me on a violin course. I think it had always been his own dream to learn how to play the violin, so he projected that onto his son. I am really thankful for this, since this was my ticket into the world of music.
I remember I tried really hard not to make the violin sound too terrible, but it did, LOL. Eventually after a couple of sessions I managed to play the song Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and the feeling of achieving this was really satisfying.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I started playing the guitar when I was 14. At first I had a really shitty east German made guitar but eventually I bought a Fender Strat. I started writing songs and recording them through sound on sound via two cassette decks. I also had an old Yamaha synth and a speaker element that I used as a mic. One of my earliest songs was called “Blues Bomber”.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
My current project is an unfinished song that I’ve written the melody to. I know that the theme is going to be about whispering words. But I haven’t come up with the lyrics yet, I am waiting for it to begin to come to me.
When I write songs it almost always is like this. I sit and play the guitar, like just jamming, and a chord progression and a melody begins to come. For the melody I sing kind of nonsense words but some words often become part of the song later. The “theme of the song”, what it is roughly going to be about, is born with it. Often the verse comes first, and it is often kind of slow or mello. Then I play it over and over and kind of wait for the right chorus to come. When I dig it and it raises the hairs on my arms, I know that I am there. I’m aiming for the chorus to be an explosion in comparison to the verse, but it doesn’t always end up like that, LOL.
The process of writing lyrics is a more elaborate process for me. I know roughly the theme of the song lyrically. But I often have to wait for myself to be in the “right mood” for it to come. After a while it comes to me, bit by bit, and in the end I have to work on the finesse, like rhymes etc.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I would describe it as organic, authentic and with a vintage vibe with a modern touch.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
I don’t think there is one single thing that I’ve learned that has changed how I make music. I am not aware of learning or adapting some certain thing, of course I am evolving and therefor learning, but it is something that is going on unconsciously, something I’m not aware of. Of course, I have learned certain things like how to place the mic right when recording an acoustic guitar or the violin, and how to use a compressor between the preamp and sound card, to prevent distortion when recording vocals. But I can’t name one single thing that changed it completely.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I’ve always used Cubase as my DAW, I am too lazy to try to learn a new system. I use a Focusrite Scarlett sound card. I almost always start a new project by recording my acoustic steel string Sigma guitar through a Telefunken m221 mic and a Neumann preamp. For vocals I always use an old Klangfilm tube mic. I bought this mic on ebay years ago and I had to rebuild and modify it in order to make it work. I have tried many different mics (mostly larger condenser tube mics), but this is that special one that totally suits my voice and has that special almost magic touch to it.
When recording electric guitar, I prefer to use my vintage Hagstrom Viking semi hollow electric through a Fender Princeton. It just sounds so good, warm and twangy.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
A while ago I almost became obsessed with the song “Amoeba (Acoustic)” by A.P. Michaels. He is a really small independent artist and I just happened to come by his song on a website. I can truly recommend it, he sings with such presence!
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
I think my music always has been intertwined with my life and experiences. Life is of course full of ups and downs. Before I met my wife many songs I wrote was about the longing for that true and special love that I knew I hadn’t found yet and the frustration that goes with it plus experiences with complicated relationships. It was just like I was lost.
Then, when I met my love and we got our first two kids I literally felt that I finally found home and I think that reflects in my music. Instead of trying different styles like I did before – writing songs in swedish (like on my first two albums) and the indie rock ‘n roll style (on my first english album) I found my singer songwriter/folk style.
Another big life event happened recently, last autumn I got diagnosed with a serious heart condition and had to go through an open heart surgery. Facing the real possibility of death made me see life through a different perspective. Realizing that life is short and can end in an instant actually made me more calm and more self-confident. It made me unafraid of failure, for what is failure in music compared to death: nothing. This made me value things that really matter. Knowing “that’s just the way it is” and that there is really not much I can do about it, is actually quite reassuring.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I hope the calm and warm atmosphere from the beautiful surroundings here on the island where I live shines through in my music. I try to aim for the heart and souls of the listeners, I know it sounds like a cliché, but I really do. When I write a song I have a certain feeling or mood I want to convey to the listeners. I think the singel most important thing I want to convey is some sort of “authenticity” or realism.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
That music is so powerful. It acts like an amplifier and modulator of emotions and as therapy. When I feel in a certain way, I often seek out music that resonates with that feeling. If it’s a negative feeling I want to listen to that kind of music until I have processed it fully. But the music always must have some kind of hope in it.
It’s like you first want to amplify the current state you’re in and then try to reach some kind of equilibrium, that is the therapy aspect of it all. I don’t know if this made any sense to you, LOL.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
The Green Note in London or at the NPR Tiny Desk.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
David Bowie in the early seventies. The creativity, the spirit and the whole vibe of that era. Seems like everything then was “larger than life”, and that everything was possible.
It was all about rock ‘n roll and giving everything for the show, even adapting an alter ego.
The musical genius of Bowie in those days was really something else. He somehow managed to write groundbreaking and experimental music (but somehow also mainstream) and at the same time do it with no effort and like it was the most natural thing in the world, always with an interesting story to tell.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
Spotify:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/fredrikekbladmusic?igsh=MWlrangxenhqcmloMw==
YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@foakleaf?si=hVDZkMgDPUnMBusO
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Being able to do this full time (making a living out of it) and being able to play gigs regularly.
Unfortunately, this can’t be realized right now since I am working full time as an MD and have to travel quite a distance to work. I also have three small kids that of course are the most precious thing I have, but of course requires attention 😊. However, I think if I got a break with my music I would quit my day job and then I would be able to do all of the above.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
That I have something to tell them and that I am humbled an honored for every listener that lets me be a part of their musical journey, even if it is only for a brief moment in their life.
