Going back..

At the airport in Copenhagen nothing has really changed at all. Same Scandinavian/Danish design with sleek minimalistic features and clean lines. You know, the kind of design that gives every corner some kind of erotic satisfaction combining every curve with the other. 

What goes on within me would probably be the exact opposite of that. More like a bunch of kids tripping on LSD, frantically decorating a garden shed with play-doh..

The turmoil inside is hard to describe, and even more so as I return to New Orleans with a whole new set of rules, new grounds to cover and a growing feeling that this project can only survive as it balances on the edge just outside of the famous comfort zone. That goes for everyone involved of course.

I met some friends I haven't seen during the holidays who were all convinced that the album was done. But we've only just begun, and the goal of releasing it during the spring of 2016 still stands. 

I posted a page about the first trip and the whole recording process. A meek attempt to explain everything that went on during the month in Nola, and one of the contributors was not mentioned. She's been a friend of mine for a very long time and we've seen some hard times and some awesome ones as well. I adore her in every way and she has the biggest heart and was a big part in pushing me towards the new vocal direction this album has taken. And not to mention having her around as someone to bounce ideas for lyrics, which was a big help in the stressful days before we had to abandon the studio. Her name is Térèse Hultén and she should of course be up there with a name and a photo along with Jakob and Rasmus. She's attended Kulturama School of performing arts and has (unlike me) been signed to a label during her musical career in Stockholm. I'll make sure to post her story on the NOLA page as soon as I settle down on the rooftop in the Marigny district.

Sometimes people tend to focus on the fact that their contributions to a cause or a project might not be as visible to everyone as someone else's. And in this project, (because as of now it's a project and not a normal album recording), it's the process that matters. The outcome will be what it will be, but the vision of creating something from scratch in an incredibly tight time frame, outside any go-to formula for songwriting, and working with people in new ways, HAS to be the guiding star. I'm proud to say that it has given me so much more perspective om myself as a musician and where I stand right now, as opposed to the times of Alley Creeper and Sound of Martin. 

I'm about to head on through the security check now, but I leave for the heat of New Orleans with sorrow in my heart. Sorrow, because there wasn't time to sit down with some people and go through what really happened during 2015. As a man of few regrets, this has to be only one this year. 

Take care my friends and have a beautiful end to this year. 

I'll be at Friendly bar, or on Frenchmen street if you need to find me.

Lots of love.

M