Throughout these last few years, Swedish singer-songwriter Vargen has looked to add something new and distinctive to the indie-folk realm, paying homage to his heroes whilst also carving out his own avenue in which to explore. And with his status as an inspired innovator continuing to grow, he is back once again with his wistful new single ‘CASANOVA’.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most lately.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
I started with bands and home-recording as a teenager. I’ve pretty much stuck to that, though the bands and production skills improved.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
My parents had a 90 minute mixed tape with Beatles on side A and Stones on side B which I played over and over again. I still love the stuff that was on that tape, there was such a mix of genres, there was rock, vaudeville, shanties, chansons, psychedelia, even punk executed in a beautiful combination of playfulness, coolness and attitude. That tape was and probably still is the blueprint of my musical taste. I’ve been into acting and directing and have always been interested in the appearance artists make. I appreciate when an artist puts some visual effort in their stage persona or music video or artwork. Bowie was a master of that. Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Lana del Rey and some of Dylan’s 60-70’s phases also inspire me in that way.
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
When Dylan’s staff authorized my Swedish interpretations of his songs I thought that I maybe had something that was worth attention.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
There’s no formula. A song can take minutes or decades for me to finish. When I find something that sticks, I record a memo. The memo library is a great place to visit when I need a part for a new song or just to get some inspiration for new projects.
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
Life and literature.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
D sharp ones.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
The biggest challenge is that the majority of the music industry couldn’t care less about the music itself. They’re not fans, they’re salesmen.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
The moments with the band or the audience when you’re sharing a vibe of being totally absorbed and synced with the music.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
I try to only get involved in projects that interest me.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?
Right now I’m making visual content for a video project called 3 ITALIANI INFAMOSI. The plan is that the project will develop into a whole album focused on historical or pop cultural characters that fascinate me, like Caravaggio, Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol, The Big Bad Wolf, Little Red Ridinghood, and not least, my favourite Mirror Mirror on the Wall.
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
I think I’ll still have some kind of an artistic career running. Whether it’s focused around music or something else time will tell.
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Listen to Vargen’s new single ‘CASANOVA’ below.
