Hi. My name is Mattis. Hi, and welcome to Dynaudio Unheard, my name is Christopher. I am your host. My next guest played at too many run-down German venues, so something had to happen. This means that he replaced grunge and hardcore with something softer, and with more storytelling. Mattis, thank you so much for being here. -Thank you for having me. -You were just in our mobile studio. -Yes. -Could you tell us about the experience? I think it was a great experience. It was the first time I tried to record a song with a live audience. I know it already from when we record a new song in the studio, or a new whatever. Here you typically invite friends, and girlfriends, and all sorts of people to the studio. And they listen, while you eagerly await what they have to say. It's funny, cause when you play a song you already made, for somebody else, when you know someone else is listening to it, it's like you also listen more objectively to your own work. I had the same feeling in this studio. When we played it for the people here. It was like I automatically was more objective and more critical about the way I played, or sang, or if it was the right melody, or chord. So I though it was a great experience, and I could imagine it would be a great constructive way to always make music like this, because it would be a more... ...honest process in a way, instead of when you are alone, dreaming in your own universe. I sat out here looking at you and could see there was a lot of dialog in there. Did something... You talked about how you look more objectively on the music. Did something new occur to you while being in there? Or did you just work hard on the track? One of the first things, that occurred to me was, I sat down and played a song that I already wrote, and I wanted to figure out how to record it, and how we could release it. After I sat down played it a couple of times, I thought, "I might be playing this too slow." Because as soon as there is an audience you automatically want it to have more energy, so people can feel the music instead of just listening to it. So already at this point I though it should have a bit more tempo, it should have more body, and more energy to work. In the introduction I said that you previously produced music under a different name and was nearer to grunge and hardcore. You have replaced it with something you call Viking soul. -Yes, Viking soul. -Yes. How is it, as an artist, to make this kind of transition? It was very natural to me. I think that I originally played hardcore, and metal, and that sort of thing... ...in my younger days, because I had a lot of aggression I wanted to get out. So I think that was where it started. And I always played guitar. I played it all my life. And I reached a point where I had done it so much that I needed new challenges. It happened, because I was always told that I have piano fingers. -Okay. -So I decided to buy a piano. -You wanted to do something about it. -Yes. I always listened to guitar music. So I bought a piano and started playing a lot on the piano, and therefore I automatically started listening to piano-based music, R&B, soul, and jazz that are all piano-based music. And all of a sudden I was writing songs on the piano. In this fashion my way of writing songs changed from one day to the next, because I started writing on a different instrument than before. It sounds like the piano was an unexpected decision, but a very natural progression, right? Yes, it was over a longer period. I bought a piano that I had at my house while still playing the guitar sometimes, but the great thing about learning a new instrument or doing something new is that you develop quite fast in a short amount of time. It was more fun to play an instrument where I constantly learned something new and constantly developed, rather than the guitar that I already knew inside out. It didn't happen from one day to the next, but it was a rather short process. So I decided... ...to learn how to play that fully, and my taste in music changed a bit. It just changed to be more mainstream and to music a bit more... A bit more about feelings, the story, and a good melody, rather than pure energy, screams, sweat and tears like punk and hardcore is. And they... To me, without being a musician, without knowing how rapid this industry is, it seems like a lot happened after this choice. Last year you had a song that was Single of the Week on the radio. -That's right. -And... How does it feel to make this transition and start to feel success? -It's a great feeling. -Yeah. Because I have always thought it was fun to play noise rock, but it has also been my dream to... At the end of the day I always just loved playing music, so it has also been my dream to be able to play at venues with a bigger audience, and to be able to play at venues with some good food backstage and that sort of thing. It has been a great feeling and an acknowledgment that I did the right thing. It was the right for me and a natural development for me, a natural musical development to go in this direction. You often hear about, at least in the music industry, this term that you are a sell out if you move towards something more mainstream. -Yes. -How is it now that you've made this transition? Have you encountered this? Actually not. I don't think so. But I also believe, that while I do make mainstream music, this mainstream music is, in my own opinion, really cool. -Yeah. -I think people who knew me before still think, even if what I do is more mainstream, they still think it's mega cool. They will still think it's totally bad ass and will respect me for what I do, because they actually find it cool, even if it isn't guitar with lots of distortion, and me screaming, with everyone's faces covered in tattoos. It is also a funny term. I think everyone will get a reaction when they hear "sell out". What do you think about this? Should people use it? For me sell out is... People can do what they want. In my opinion you will never be a sell out if you are true to yourself. To be a sell out is when you are no longer true to yourself. When you start making music, just because other people think you should, or wear certain outfits, because other people think you should. This is when you become a sell out. -When you are no longer true to yourself. -Yeah. Otherwise you can do what you want. -Exactly. -So if you feel like wearing... ...a big ball on your head because it is smart, then... We have seen a lot here. People have dresses up as unicorns and rainbows. -That's just great. -Just go for it. If you had to give an advise to musicians, to people who want be a part of the music industry, who are thinking, "This is what I should be doing." Could you give a good advise on how to make it a bit easier? I would say it is always about network. It is all about going to concerts and meeting new people. It is all about going to network events. Koda, DPA, and those kind of organizations all have events for people who wants to be song writers, singers, or producers. So for me it's about being really good at what you are doing. -Otherwise you'll never get anywhere. -Exactly. If you are an incredible singer, or producer you'll find your way regardless. But at large you need to meet the right kind of people. Like I met Ole, who is my producer. We made this music together, and we make everything I do together. I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for him, and my music wouldn't sound like this. He has helped shape me, and shape my way of expression, and fond out what I wanted to do. So it is a lot about networking and meeting the right people. To meet that sparring-partner, or producer, or drummer, guitarist, if you need a band, who are the right people for you. As soon as that happens I am convinced it will go like this, that everything will come together and just escalate to the universe. Thank you so much for coming, Mattis. And thank you for your advise to young artists. -If you are at Smukfest, come to... -The Star Stage. ...The Star Stage tomorrow. And listen to some good music. -At 9:30 PM. -At 9.30 PM. Thanks for watching.