The Swedes seem to be hitting us with more and more great music every single week. The great Nordic innovators of pop, folk, and electronica seem to have endless ideas and creativity. Andreas Hagman, creator of Celestial, is no exception. The C-86 shoegaze dream pop is lovely, delightful music, as beautiful as it is sad. With a number of collaborators, most notably Swedish singer, Malin Dahlberg, the debut album Dream On is invigorated with a shimmering dexterity that moves from folk to dream pop to indie pop with the flourish of an adroit master at the helm. Andreas has taken the time to elaborate on his newest project, and what his fellow musicians and music partners have meant to him in his never-ending artistic adventure.
What led you to form Celestial? What are the origins of Celestial?
I have played guitar on and off for many years and have played in some different bands that have dismantled for various reasons. Sadly it has often been due to some sort of lack of ambition and time. Some years ago I had some changes in my private life and started to give my music more attention. You could say that this is when Celestial began and we will see where I take it from here.
You collaborate with several musicians on Dream On. Is Celestial more your project, or is it a group endeavour?
To this day it is really only my own project. The collaborations are mainly due to the ambition to give the recordings greater strength, but almost as much because having friends in the studio gives an extra dimension to the recording process. We have had some talks about starting to play live, but at the moment it is not working as people have too many other things to focus on. Also, as much as I enjoy going to concerts, I find it kind of strange that the effort to record an album at times does not seem to be enough. Don’t know if is a strange thing to compare to, but its a bit like if an author had to give performances where he read his new book in front of an audience. I can understand the promotional value of playing live but that should never be the sole reason for doing it.
I love Malin Dahlberg. Laurel Music, Douglas Heart, and we are soldiers we have guns. All great work, and she adds such an interesting dimension to the album. What led to your partnership with Malin?
Simply because I really, really like her voice. I honestly don’t think there are many Swedish vocalists that would fit the music better, possibly Stina Nordenstam, but I guess she is kind of hard to get hold of. I didn’t know Malin in person back then, but thought that I would give it a shot and asked if she was interested in contributing, and she happily
accepted.
What influences you most as a musician?
Really hard to answer that question. Lyrically I guess it’s literature, which I have been studying at University for some years, but it might as well be a film or something from everyday life. Musically it can be a feeling in a song I have heard and that I want to see if I can transform into something of my own. On the other hand it might as well be a song that I don’t like that gives me energy to create something myself.
What is it like being in such a vibrant music scene in Sweden?
Might be a bit exaggerated to say that the music scene in Sweden is so vibrant. There are a lot of different scenes here, but the Swedish version of American Idol still has a good grip of sales list and such. On the other hand I do think the so called indie-scene has a kind of strong position here. Maybe not so much sales wise as in comparison to the amount of fine bands and labels. It has also inspired me and a friend to start our own label called Lavender. So far we have released Afraid of Stairs, The Sunny Street, Tears Run Rings and have upcoming releases this summer with Days, Fireflies and a 7" with we are soldiers we have guns.
Why did you choose Skipping Stones Records as your music home?
Might seem like a strange reason, but it was mainly because they earlier had released a Swedish band called The Charade. I think it is a great band and I especially love their song “Monday Morning.” William and Christine at Skipping Stones also really seem like nice people, which I value highly. Furthermore, I also very much consider the Swedish label, Music Is My Girlfriend, as my home, where Celestial released a 7" some months ago.
Everyone, I think, has a driving ambition for their music. Above all else, what do you strive to do as a musician and how do you want your music to impact others?
Firstly I do it for my own well being. There is also an ambition present to make music that takes you away to a somewhat more beautiful world. In this project I have therefore intentionally tried to focus on hope and dreams, rather than more negative aspects of life. Not saying that I always succeed...
Andreas also recommends some music titles that are dear to him and should be checked out if you like Celestial!!!
Trembling Blue Stars - The Last Holy Writer (Elefant)
http://www.elefant.com
Cats on Fire - The Province Complains (Marsh-Marigold)
http://www.catsonfire.net
Liechtenstein - Stalking Skills (Fraction Discs)
http://www.fractiondiscs.se
Brighter - Singles 1989-1992 (Matinée Recordings)
http://www.indiepages.com/matinee
Overall the Santa Barbara based Matinée Recordings have released many bands that are worth more attention.
--Wes Barker
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Celestial's Dream On is out now on Skipping Stones Records.
http://www.skippingstonesrecords.com
