LIONMAN TALKS IN MY LETTER

Behind the Coastline

You are reading an independently published interview-series published and carefully curated by Swedish pop-culture journalist Daniel John. Ever since its start in 2015, the core curiosity remains the same, surfing the creative currents of music, film, fashion and everything else on the pop-radar, catching the waves of culture as creative

Culture Coast TalksDaniel John

You clearly have the presence and warmth in your voice that’s needed for a truly great Christmas song. But did it always feel obvious to you that this would be something for you to do, especially so relatively soon after your debut-single this spring. Do you like Christmas music that much?

Thank you! No, not really. For me, Christmas songs have almost felt like a kind of forced joy, so they’ve been very far from my thoughts. But I figured that if I were to make one, it would have to be done my way. To me, it is more of a winter song than a Christmas song. I like certain Christmas songs, mostly the ones that aren’t so cliché.

What would a song like that be this year?

My favorite right now is 'Maybe This Christmas', it's very close to my heart, good Christmas songs must not be lacking heart. As long as that’s there, I’m satisfied.

Your debut single did come several years after refining yourself artistically. How long were you somewhat “behind the scenes”, finding your own path and expression?

Pretty much my entire life, really. What I’m releasing now and what I’ve written about is about situations in my life, things I reflect on myself. In order to tell that I have had to live a little, and it takes time to find yourself, both spiritually and musically.

How did Lionman come to be your name?

Using the animal lion as an artist name, specifically, comes partly from my childhood, when I felt weak, I tried to rely on the idea that somewhere within me there was strength, in every little lamb there is a lion. Lionman is like an alter ego or a kind of self-image that is emotionally strong.

You’ve previously sung backing vocals for, among others, Niello. Which, together with your soul-sharp voice makes it fairly easy to play with the idea that you might also have a more church-based gospel background behind you as well. Do you?

I have both classical choral singing from Adolf Fredrik’s music classes, as well as gospel, soul, jazz, and pop from my time in upper secondary school and afterward. And the most recent choir I joined is also a gospel choir called GetUp Soul Choir.

How did that manifest itself in Christmastime like now?

Lots of Christmas songs and joy. When I was younger we used to have a Lucia concert at the Globen-arena every year.

Your mom is from Côte d’Ivoire, the Ivory Coast in West Africa. Have you experienced Christmas there?

I’ve been there quite a lot, but I’ve always celebrated Christmas in Sweden.

Looking back is a big part of this song's narrative. What memories did you look back on for it?

I looked back on one of my strongest winter memories, when my father and I had a tradition of going ice skating on Lake Mälaren and used the longing for snow as the core idea, but also as a metaphor for better times.

What did it look like writing it?

I wrote it together with David Bekic and Gabriel Lundh. Gabriel and I have written together before, but none of the three of us had ever written a Christmas–song before this one. But it turned out fine anyway! (laughs) Gabriel has a wonderful ear and a lovely playfulness, just like David does. All of us sat together throughout the entire process, to arrive at all the ideas that are now in the song. You could say that all of us, in this particular session, were co-writers and co-producers.

What are you looking for in the people you collaborate with. What do you hope to find?

The most important thing is mutual respect in the room, from me as well as from the producers. I want to feel comfortable just as I want them to feel comfortable with me, as long as there is not an attitude that says “this will not work” everything instead becomes possibilities. An open mind and respect for each other always strengthen the musical level.

Musically I immediately thought of 'The Holiday' and Hans Zimmer’s constant soundscape that rests over that film. There is a cinematic, film score-like, quality to the song?

I think that almost everything I’ve done unconsciously has taken on a cinematic quality, for me it’s just as important that the music conveys the same feeling as the lyrics if not more so, even.

In the song, it’s snow you’re wishing for, but what do you personally most hope to get this year?

Ever since I was a child, I’ve always wished for a real winter. The kind of winter where it’s below zero for at least two weeks before the snow falls, where the ice on Lake Mälaren freezes solid so you can put on your skates or go cross-country skiing in the forest with a thermos of hot chocolate. There’s something magical about the edge of that. And I miss that magic, still.

How many Christmas wishes does it take to get a hairdo as magnificent as yours?

It’s all natural.