Spindle Radar: Get To Know Gundelach

If you’re in need of an artist that evokes a sense of escapism, then Gundelach is the artist for you. The Oslo-based talent first got his start as an underage DJ and guitar prodigy in the local nightlife scene. After dropping his first single ‘Alone In The Night’, his popularity skyrocketed within the Scandanavian music sphere and spawned his critically acclaimed self-titled EP.

Over the years, Gundelach continued to hone his intricate craft with his debut album Baltus and sophomore release My Frail Body. Fast forward to 2021 and the innovative artist is finally back with his new single ‘Vi Er Nærme Nå’. Inspired by the Norwegian story of Nøkk, Gundelach delivers a dreamy record that will leave music listeners spellbound. We were able to chat with the experimental artist about everything from the ongoing pandemic, upcoming album, Oslo music scene and more. Read the full interview below.

Heya Gundelach! How are things?

Hi! They are pretty good thank you. I’ve been in the studio a lot trying to finish the album and juggling that with picking my daughter up from kindergarten. That’s about all I have time for really at the moment.

How would you describe the music scene in Oslo? 

Usually, there is a really good scene for electronic music in Oslo, and we have a great club scene. But after the pandemic, it kind of felt like there was no music scene at all, and instead, everyone had their own little scene going on in their basement. So, I’m really looking forward to everything opening up again. 

Your sound encapsulates a wide array of different genres. Who or what are your inspirations? 

I try to have my own inner monologue as my greatest inspiration, but of course, I am naturally inspired by other art forms as well, and everything I consume in everyday life. I am a huge fan of the Norwegian writer Kjell Askildsen who is best known for his short stories, and I am definitely very lyrically inspired by him. Musically I listen to a lot of “dad rock” nowadays such as the Dire Straits, although I also try to keep up with hip-hop, rap and a lot of electronic and ambient music.

It sounds like you used the past year or so for quiet time to reflect and soak in the landscapes and sounds of the Norwegian wilderness, how does that landscape affect your music process?

That’s a good question and it’s hard to explain, but my last record (My Frail Body) was my interpretation of how nature affects our bodies in some sort of way. For that record I experimented with psilocybin, hanging out in the forest a lot and observing everything around me. 

How do you think the past couple of years have affected your artistry? It’s been difficult for people to handle. What lessons have you pulled from that time?

The pandemic has generally been quite boring, but I think I was lucky to have become a father right at the beginning of Covid. That has definitely had a huge impact on me as a person and shaped me as an individual. In terms of my artistry, I think the pandemic has taught me to live more ‘in the now or try to at least. I am also trying to be less critical towards myself and to just go with the flow a bit more. 

Do you have a defining moment where you knew you wanted to make music as a career?

I do, actually. When I was a teenager, I really wanted to become an actor, so when I was 19 I went to school to study acting and later applied to the Norwegian national acting school, which is really hard to get into. I was incredibly nervous and unprepared and shakily delivered a monologue to a dark room with 4 judges sitting at the back. On my way out, the room was so dark that I couldn’t find the door, so I accidentally overheard the feedback from the judges, which was not very positive. I felt pretty bummed out, and on the tram ride home I decided there and then to approach music as a career rather than a side hobby as I had done for many years previously. It was actually very freeing to have this realisation and accept that I didn’t have it in me to live the difficult actor life!

What would you say is the most challenging and rewarding part of being an artist today, in your opinion?

For me, the most challenging part is comparing yourself to other artists. Everyone has bad times, and it is important to avoid comparing yourself and instead to try and focus on your own goals and just having fun making stuff. And of course, the economic aspect of being a musician can be challenging, not making money from playing shows for a long time. 

I think the most rewarding thing about being an artist today is being able to create something that I am able to enjoy myself. I love when I am listening to something I have made, whether it is at home or in the studio, and I know that it doesn’t exist anywhere else or for anyone else, except me. That is very rewarding.

What can we expect next with the upcoming project in the pipeline?

With this upcoming album, I have tried to avoid feeling anxious and having bad thoughts about the whole process. Instead, I have tried to be really fluid and just have fun with friends and playing live instruments. My bandmates have been a big part of the recording process this time, so you can expect a much more live approach, and of course, I think the songs are pretty good! There will be an album around Spring 2022.

Make sure to check out Gundelach’s brand new single ‘Vi Er Nærme Nå’ below.