We go international again on PEV, finding ourself sharing a set of XXQs with Helsingborg, Sweden native and synth pop music maker, the one and only Midnight Boy. This solo artist describes his tunes as “danceable over the top pop with a distinct 80’s synth vibe,” but after hearing his single, “Don’t Say No”, we’re calling it pure 80’s electronica influenced fun with a modern twist. Also sounds like a decent martini.
Midnight Boy has gone through a few transformations on the way to this current form – the artist himself says “Midnight Boy is more like the consequence of my former musical life. I’ve come to conclusions of who I am and what I like.” As he puts it, he’s “standing out from his contemporary surroundings like neon underpants.” Pretty accurate. While Midnight Boy is hard at work on a new musical release, the details are still a little too hot to share at the moment. You’ll have to keep up at https://www.facebook.com/
MidnightBoyOfficial. Go there, of course, right after you finish reading all of the answers to the XXQs below.
XXQs: Midnight Boy
PensEyeView.com (PEV): How would you describe your sound and what do you feel makes you stand out from others in your genre?
Midnight Boy (MB): I like to say it’s danceable over the top pop with a distinct 80’s synth vibe. It refers more to that groovy era than what you hear in most traditional pop music today, which gives it a certain swag.
PEV: What kind of music were you into growing up? Do you remember your first concert?
MB: I was very into Prince, Madonna and Michael Jackson – they were my childhood heroes. My parents used to bring me to different concerts when I was very little. They kept me in a baby stroller with yellow ear protectors on so I don’t really remember my first concert.
PEV: What was it like trying to break into the music scene in your hometown, when you first started out? What was your first show like?
MB: I think my hometown in Helsingborg, Sweden was a good environment for me as a young musician. They have a rock club called The Tivoli which offers young artists and bands the opportunity to come out and play at an early stage. At the time I did my first Midnight Boy show, I was living in Stockholm though. I was a bit nervous ’cause I had worked so hard for such a long time and I didn’t know what to expect from the people who were there. Luckily it turned out well and I remember walking on the clouds that night (laughing), high from the ego boost.
PEV: What has been the most frustrating part of the whole “music business”?
MB: In the beginning, I felt a lot of pressure from people who wanted me to compromise my music and vision. It still feels that way sometimes but I’m more used to it now and I know how to deal with it. It’s a tough life for young musicians who struggle to make a living out of their music. However, I think the best thing is to keep on following your own instincts and just go for it.
PEV: What can fans expect from a live Midnight Boy show?
MB: I wanna make them forget about their worries. Make them come alive. Bring a sense of joy and freedom in a way.
PEV: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you step on stage?
MB: It’s an indescribable rush and the most powerful feeling I know, like being high on a drug. Very addictive.
PEV: How has playing as Midnight Boy been different from working with other artists or projects in the past?
MB: Midnight Boy is more like the consequence of my former musical life. I’ve come to conclusions of who I am and what I like. The biggest difference is probably that I’ve got a greater artistic freedom now. I’m able to experiment more and try out different stuff.
PEV: What is the underlying inspiration for your music? Where do you get your best ideas for songs?
MB: I’m basically inspired by the idea of expression. I like to have an open mind to all things in life and also to the fact that we’re all different, which deserves respect. Some of the most inspiring places I’ve been to are probably Venice Beach, Berlin and some parts of London.
PEV: Thinking back to when you first started out, do you ever look back on your career and think about your earlier days and how you’ve arrived where you are today?
MB: Not really, the future is always more exciting I think. I don’t feel like I’ve crossed a finish line or anything and I try to stay focused on what’s going on right now.
PEV: What’s one thing we’d be surprised to hear about you?
MB: I’ve got a really low heart rate. Only 31 beats per minute, which is some kind of record in Sweden I’ve heard. But I live on.
PEV: Tell us about your latest project. What can fans expect from this work?
MB: Unfortunately I can’t tell you too much right now but I’m gonna release some new songs soon and we’re gonna make something really cool out of it.
PEV: What is the feeling you get after a song is complete, and you can sit back and listen to it for the first time?
MB: (Laughing) At that point I’m usually so tired of it, I rather take a few days off and not listen to anything at all. But it’s a great feeling of course, and a good reason to go out and celebrate with friends!
PEV: With all your traveling, is there one area you wish you could travel around and play that you have not yet?
MB: For sure, there are so many places I’d like to visit. Especially when people ask me to come to their cities. I’d go all over the world today if it was possible. However, I hope to do a tour in both Europe and the US soon.
PEV: How have all your friends and family reacted to your career? What’s it like when you get to play in your hometown?
MB: Actually I haven’t played in Helsingborg as Midnight Boy yet but I hopefully will soon. All of my friends and family are very supportive and it means a lot to me to have them around me.
PEV: What can we find you doing in your spare time, aside from playing/writing music?
MB: Right now I’ve got very little time left for other things, but when I do, I spend most of it with friends and family. I’m also into cooking and I like to try out new things in the kitchen…only vegetarian stuff though.
PEV: Name one present and past artist or group that would be your dream collaboration. Why?
MB: I’d like to do a song with Alison Moyet. I’ve been a fan of hers ever since I heard Yazoo for the first time. She’s an amazing artist with a killer voice!
It would also be rad to work with Vince Clark. He’s a synth god in my eyes and I’m so influenced by all his works, from Depeche Mode to Erasure and everything in between.
PEV: Is there an up and coming band or artist you think we should all be looking out for now?
MB: You should check out Nadia Nair and Iida. They’re both really talented and such cool artists with unique expressions.
PEV: If playing music wasn’t your life (or life’s goal), what do you think you would be doing for a career?
MB: I’m not the plan B type of guy so I actually haven’t thought about it. There is really nothing else I wanna do right now and I consider myself very lucky to have the opportunity to work with music, which is obviously my greatest passion in life. Not everybody has that chance and that’s what inspires me to keep on going when it’s tough.
For more information, click to https://www.facebook.com/MidnightBoyOfficial.
Photo credit: Efrin Mirsh