What is your name?
Simon Alexander
What is your genre of music?
Indie rock/folk
Give us a little bio about you.
I hail from the west coast of Sweden, and ever since my debut in 2017 I’ve received much attention and love from critics and fans around the world as a name to reckon with on the indie rock/folk scene. From my perspective I think it’s my dynamic and versatile songwriting that has cemented my place there. During my years I’ve played prominent Scandinavian festivals such as SPOT Festival, Lost In Music and Live at Heart, been featured in local and international media outlets like Mahogany and Alexrainbird, radio play on Swedish national radio, and also gotten playlist spots in Spotify’s New Music Friday in Germany, Denmark and Sweden to name a few.
What made you go into music?
I’ve always seen it as a major part of myself. My dad is a musician himself and I always found it so intriguing that I myself wanted to do it. Music has this way of conveying emotions like very few other things can, it’s something magical about it that I love to explore myself.
Who are your influences?
Usually I tend to listen to a lot of folk/indie stuff of today, but for this EP I’ve listened a whole lot to alternative bands of the 90’s-00’s. Bands like Weezer have had a huge impact when it comes to sound, but like always I often draw influences from all over the place. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds is also a major influence for these coming songs.
Are you a signed?’
I have been, but not anymore.
You released your new single ‘ Freeloaders’, tell us more about the single and the meaning behind the song.
Freeloaders is a rather personal song about growing up and how quickly it goes by. I’m a very nostalgic person at heart so I reminisce and romanticize a whole lot. But everything wasn’t always roses & dandelions, there where plenty of hardships and doubts as well. That’s kinda what I wanted to say with this song.
Describe the track in two words.
Atmospheric & raw
What was the writing and recording process like?
With every release I wanna explore new places and bring something different. After my last album I felt kinda washed out and didn’t know which direction to take things, the creative spark wasn’t really there. But after some time away I started writing again without any reins or expectations, and somehow I found myself drawn to what I grew up listening to in the 90’s. This approach felt like an exciting, untouched playground, and when me and the band hit the studio it all really came together.
Who did you work with on the single?
My guitarist Tobias Ekqvist is as always my producer in Sunnanå Studios. Then I had the pleasure of working with my friends Andreas Sköld, Albin Engelsson & Peter Wallenäs who provided instrumentals.
Will we see a music video for ‘Freeloaders’, and if so what can we expect from the creative process like?
I did release a ”music video” on my Youtube. It’s a collage of authentic old videos I’ve recorded during the years, it kinda represented the song’s nostalgic vibe quite nicely.
Can we expect an EP or Album and if so, what can we expect from it.
Indeed, this is the first single of my upcoming EP Evermore, coming in May. The EP will have a very raw and playful approach as we wanted ot head out in some uncharted territory for us. It’s a bit rougher around the edges and more explosive than what people usually hear from my back catalogue. This is just where we’re at right now, then we’ll see where we go in the future!
Do you have any live shows coming up?
We’re working on some dates in Gothenburg and Malmoe right now, and hopefully some more dates around Sweden and Scandinavia.
Let us know where we can get tickets if so.
The best way is to keep updated on my Facebook & Instagram, all information will be coming there!
What else can we expect in early 2023? There’s already another single around the corner in late April, then the full EP in May.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years? Hopefully still doing this to some extent. You never what happens but as long as I can maintain my creativity and passion for music I will be satisfied.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Not that I’m religious at all, but I think there’s this cute that goes 2 Don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow brings new worries”. That’s kinda how I try to go about my day, just focus on what’s now and live for the moment.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
What I want people to forget is their cellphone. Just enjoy the show and stop recording, at least that’s what I do. But when I myself head to a concert I always bring earplugs, good shoes, something to drink, good friends, and a hell of a good mood.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Yes I’m basically everywhere, but if people are to follow me it should be Instagram where I’m most active: https://www.instagram.com/simonalexanders/
