Interviews: Tårfödd
1. How did Tårfödd originally come together, and what inspired you to begin the project as a one-man band?
It started as a coinsidence, i just felt like I wanted to do a complete metal song, and since I didn't feel I could sing well enough with clean vocals, in metal, I wanted to try growling. I had never done this before. This was like 5 years ago. So I made a song, a really basic production; I played drums and bass on a synth ;) But this song still turned out good somehow; it's called "The most powerful of sin" and is featured as a bonus track on the "Insikt och förfall/Dödsriket" album on BC. Anyways....I posted this song on social media, and a radio station called Northern Metal Radio heard it and really liked it a lot; they got in touch with me about playing it on the radio. The fact that they liked this song gave me a lot of confidence, and I wanted to explore this genre more. I have always made music and always a lot of acoustic stuff, so I started making chord progressions and melodies on acoustic guitar and then incorporating this into black metal songs.
2. Where did the name Tårfödd come from, and what does it mean to you?
The name was originally gonna be "tearborn," but that was taken, so I thought, why not make a direct translation into Swedish, and that is Tårfödd, even though this technically isn't even a real Swedish word =) The name, I think, fits my music very well since I sing a lot about sad stuff, depression, anxiety, loss, etc......
3. You handle songwriting, lyrics, guitars, bass, synths, drums, and programming yourself. What do you enjoy most about having complete creative control?
I have tried working with others, but I always find that hard. I like to have 100% control, and I think the songs, so far, never improve when I include someone else in the songwriting process. It sounds like I'm very egotistical, but that's just the truth, at least when it comes to the music side of it. I have worked with other singers and that has turned out great, but the music I'd rather do myself
4. Looking back at your previous material, how do you feel Tårfödd has evolved leading up to En känsla av hopplöshet?
Well, this record was actually written and recorded in 2025, so it's not the latest album I made even though it is released now =) But if we look at my journey from "mörker" to "skyfall," I would have to say I have evolved a lot! Especially my vocals since I hardly knew how to growl when I started; maybe I don't now either, but haha =) No, but I think that's the main thing, and also the sound. I have become better and better at recording, producing, mixing, etc......
5. The album takes a more modern and progressive direction than your previous work. What inspired you to explore that sound?
I dont know; I just do whatever comes out of my brain and fingers, and this time it sounded like this ;) I never try to sound a certain way, or like someone else; I do what I do.
6. How did you balance the darker atmosphere of black metal with the more progressive and modern elements on this record?
Like I said in the previous question, I don't know; I just create, and it comes out like this =)
7. What inspired the title En känsla av hopplöshet, and how does it connect to the overall emotional atmosphere of the album?
The loss of someone close, being abandoned, feeling hopelessness, conquering sorrow with addiction, and then trying to conquer addiction.
8. You have described the album as being inspired by the loss of someone close to you. How did that experience influence the songwriting and emotional direction of the record?
Yes. I was left by someone I loved (love, actually, because I got her back), and this, combined with my bad habits and depressive life at this point, influenced the songwriting, lyrics, and theme of this album alot ofc.
9. Was writing this album a cathartic experience for you, or was it difficult to translate those emotions into music?
It sure was a cathartic experience for me; it came very easy too me.
10. Did the music come first, or did the emotional themes and lyrics guide the writing process?
The music always comes first with Tårfödd; lyrics are and have always been secondary. I don't consider myself very good at lyrics compared to music.
11. What themes do you explore lyrically throughout En känsla av hopplöshet?
Loss, depression, anger, self-hate, anxiety, struggles, etc
12. Is there a particular song on the album that feels especially personal or represents the heart of the record?
The title track.
13. What was the most challenging song to write or record, and why?
Probably the bonus track, "berg av förtvivlan", because of its fast guitars and a bit of odd rhythm sections. Also a middle clean section with clean vocals and a guest appearance from Johanna; always more work when you include another person in a song =)
14. How has your approach to guitar composition changed as Tårfödd has become more progressive?
I dont know if Tårfödd has become that more progressive, maybe on this album (but this isn't recently written though) for some reason. But yeah, it might have become more complex guitars, simply because you need to evolve too, not repeat yourself as a songwriter, I think, at least to some extent, and I have also become a better/faster player because I play a lot more since Tårfödd started.
15. What role do synths and atmospheric elements play in creating the world of Tårfödd?
I have made songs and albums with very little or almost no synth also, but I like choirs and piano; it adds to the atmospheric sound and feeling. Nothing can sound as beautiful and sad at the same time as piano and/or choirs. And that's one of my favourite things in music, when sad and beautiful are combined
16. How do you approach drum programming while still trying to maintain the intensity and organic feel of extreme metal?
I try too make them sounds as real as i can, with velocity etc, i actually do play drums eventhough i have chosen to program, its easier and i dont handle double bass and blast beats that well =) BUT on my next album (already written and recorded and set for release early 2027) i decided to play ALL instruments myself, i mean no programing of drums, synth or piano but i actually play them for real. It's mostly because of all the AI "music" we see and hear every day now on FB, etc... this made me wanna go the opposite direction, so from 2027 all instruments on my albums will be played, not programmed!
17. Total Mörker gives listeners an early glimpse into the album. Why did you choose this track for the premiere?
I think it represents the album well; it has speed and aggression but also melodic
18. Were there any particular artists, albums, or musical influences that helped shape the more progressive direction of this record?
nah, like I said, I always just sit down and create; don't want to or try to sound like someone or a certain style really....
19. How does the songwriting process work when you're responsible for essentially every instrument and element of the production?
Usually starts on the sofa with an acoustic guitar in hand; I come up with something I like and record on my phone first, so I don't forget, then I often use that as an intro or outro on a song. Then I often translate the same chords on electric rhythm guitars and a melody/lead on another guitar; sometimes also acoustic guitar continues at the same time as the electric guitars, drums, bass, etc.....I always just start with one riff, record that, and the rest of the song comes naturally, and if not, then I look into my phone for other stuff I have recorded before and use that
20. What was the recording process like for En känsla av hopplöshet, and how long did it take to bring the album together?
The process was like I described in the previous question =) It took maybe 1 month from start to finish, like it usually does; I work fast.
21. The album was written and recorded in late 2025 but is being released in 2026. Did allowing the material to sit for a while change the way you viewed the record?
Bad promotion, but to be honest, I never actually was 100% satisfied with this record; that's why I kept postponing the release date, because every time that release date arrived, I had made new songs I felt were better =) I dont know why, but this is not my favourite record; it sounds too far from what I like in music, BUT I thought, whatever, I have made these songs, and maybe someone else likes them more than me, haha =)
22. What can you tell us about the album artwork by Vindur of Mörkvind? How does the artwork connect with the music and themes of the album?
I gave him some references to take inspiration from, like the theme but also quotes from the lyrics, and it really looks like "a sea of hate" and "a mountain of emotions" like I sing about in some of the songs, and at the end of that struggle is death, waiting..... A beautiful artwork by Vindur!
23. What did Simon Lundin bring to the project during the mastering stage?
He made the sound punchy, clear, and loud like I wanted =)
No hay comentarios