Omnimotion (Aleph-Zero Records) – Interview

Stefan Lundaahl, known for his deep emotional ambient music, was born in 1976 in Sweden. Stefan started his spiraling musical journey when he began playing the guitar at the age of 15, and went on writing music and playing in a multitude of different bands. After exploring various genres, Stefan finally discovered the gate to the dreamy infinite world of ambient music. After graduation he moved to Stockholm and began his Omnimotion project. Along with his passion for ambient music he was also attracted to the romantic classical era. And so, ended up in a two year classical composing program where he had learned to write for orchestral instruments, classical vocals, piano, string quartet and full orchestra.

By 1999 he released his first track, and in 2002 his very successful debut self titled album was released by the well-known US label Waveform. After four years of recording, producing and composing new music in his Ambium Studio based in Stockholm, Sweden, Omnimotion is finally back with a second release. Utilizing inspirations and knowledge he picked up along his diverse musical path, Stefan has created “Dream Wide Awake”.

Check the amazing E-Flyer for “Dream Wide Awake” -
http://www.aleph-zero.info/OmnimotionFlyer/OmnimotionFlyer.htm

“Dream Wide Awake” CD Review –
http://blueorb.wordpress.com/2006/11/21/omnimotion-dream-wide-awake-aleph-zero-oct2006/

Hi Stefan,

-Please introduce your self and where are you based these days?
I’m Stefan Lundaahl aka Omnimotion, an ambient head, producer and life lover. I am currently based In Stockholm, Sweden, a beautiful city built on islands… amazing during spring and summer, dark, cold and cozy during autumn and winter. It’s a Very creative place to live at.

-What are you musical roots and how did you get into the electronic music scene. What made you choose to write this style of music?
I began playing the guitar at the age of 15, and played and performed in various musical genres in different funk jazz souls metal constellations. I have also studied classical composing, where I learned to write and arrange for orchestral instruments and classical voice and solo instruments. At the same time I felt a strong longing to express dreamy immersive music where I could combine the sounds and atmospheres around me, out in the nature or in the street, together with the music. All to shape an inner landscape visualized in sonic structures. In other words, I fell in love with ambient music

-How did the Omnimotion project come into existence and what’s the significance of the name?
I found the Omni word itself very tasty and together with motion it was just the perfect word for my music, both spoken and in written. Also I wanted to have a name that had no hits on search engines, and this name had no connection to anything at that time, so there you go.

-With 2 albums and a many single releases on top notch labels like Ultimae, Aleph-Zero, Interchill, Digital Structures etc. What are your future plans?
Basically, to continue writing, producing, expanding and exploring as long as I can imagine. I see this as a way of living, a life time project. The plan is to release at least an album every second year or so. I also have other projects and produce and remix other artists, and the variety it keeps me inspired.

-How has your experience been to work with Aleph Zero & Waveform Records?
They are just great, very professional and do a fabulous PR work. It also helps a lot that the guys behind Aleph-Zero are Yaniv Shulman (from the group Shulman) and the great DJ Shahar, both with an extensive experience within the electronic music scene. This fact makes it easy for an artist, as they have a perfect understanding how to approach listeners and the artists they sign. I’m very happy to have them as a label.

-You took a long break between your 1st and 2nd album. What changed between this period and how does it reflect on your sound?
There was actually no break. I kept writing many songs during this period and began working more extensively with musicians and singers. I also got really into mixing and spent many many hours in trying to understand relations between frequencies and sounds, all to grow as a producer and artist. My first album “Omnimotion” was more causal and chilled, “Dream Wide Awake” was more of an exploration into micro details and perfectionism. Now that I have tried that as well, the creation process of my third album that I’m working on right now will be more casual again.

-What do you mean by casual?
I mean the creation process of my first album Omnimotion were more casual and playful….larger sweeps with the pencil so to speak.

-On “Dream Wide Awake” you have collaborated with many different artists from hip hop singers to opera singers. Can you describe the experience to work with such a plethora of artists?
It was a great and I’m very grateful for what each of them has added to the result. I learned a lot about patience and guidance as well. Even though it was many different styles of expressions the process was quite the same. Some singers were extremely fast to work while others took some more effort and I’m so happy for all their contribution. Several singers wrote their own lyrics as well, which expanded the sounds and feel of Omnimotion even more. Collaborating with others brings in new visions and light so to speak.

-Your track “Japan” has been remixed by artists like Gaudi and Minilogue and released as on 12 inch on “Chillosophy Music”. What do you think of these interpretations?
Both are brilliant remixes and great examples of how to do this in an interesting way, where original elements are still there but presented in a different feel and style, so that listeners can enjoy the ride and also understand it is actually a remix! The opposite of this is of course remixes where you can’t hear elements from the original track…

-On “Dream Wide Awake” we get to hear many different live instruments, do you play all of them yourself?
No, it is a mix between my guest musicians and samples with live instruments. I play the electric and acoustic guitar and drums in Ton Image. I remember I had lent my drum sticks to a friend so I had to record with tiny toy drum sticks made of plastic on that track. The violin, the harp, the flute, the accordion and the drums on many other tracks are performed by guest musicians. I often invited them to improvise and add their feel to it, and then I selected the golden takes I wanted to use. So it was mixture of people involved, which expands the overall expression for sure.

-Any future projects, collaborations or singles your fans should look out for!
I produce music by an artist called Yogini that I’m sure many will find very interesting. I’ve remixed a track by Vibrasphere called Tierra Azul with Krister Linder on vocals that has received very warm feedback. For all Irina Mikhailova fans out there, check out our collaborations in a near future. I also remixed a song of her called Falling and will be out anytime on a compilation from Sofabeat, to mention a few of many things going. I’m always working on a new song

-When do we get to see another album?
Probably late spring 2008.

-Could you shed some light on the creative process of your production and what goes on inside the studio?
It can either begin with building beats and bass together and then I add elements into it, or it can start with a sound or element or a small piece of voice recording that gets me inspired, and then I add the rest to it. The groove is often extremely important to me, and yet Omnimotion tends to shape down-tempo.

-What inspires you to create music these days and which artist/bands have influenced your sound the most?
I grew up with Björk and Portishead. I believe both inspired me very much. I remember soon after hearing them I started to work with samples, computer and synthesizers and my main instrument, the guitar got less focus. All resulted in gathering my own equipment for a studio, to be able to fulfill what I heard and felt inside, and so Omnimotion was formed! Later on, it’s hard to say, I get inspired by all sorts of amazing music that comes from the heart, but also from nature, relations and life itself.

-Do you keep the listeners in mind while producing music?
I always write songs that I want to hear, or what I get inspired of. But it is always good to be objective and be open to what listeners appreciate. So yes, I keep them in mind as well. Regardless, I’m very inspired from the idea of timeless music, less attitude and more what comes pure from the heart. It might sound pretentious, but I can’t explain it better…. its just natural…

-Out of your own tracks which one would you say is the best.
I personally think Ton Image might be the best I’ve done so far, but it is hard to say. There are so many different expressions, and I’m proud of all of them, more or less…. all came from my heart and I can relate to all of them.

-Who are your favourite artists and what other kinds of music do you listen to besides electronic music? Do you have other interests besides music?
There are so many interesting artists out there. To mention a few, 30 Seconds To Mars, Ishq, Sade, Sigur Rós, Robyn, Trentemoeller, and yes, the Dummy album by Portishead still amazes me again and again.

-What’s playing in your cd player these days?
Currently enjoying the Midnight Soul Dive compilation from Aleph Zero and another compilation from by Shisha Sound System called Beginners Guide to Tango. Also listening to a new album called Exploring the Tributaries, from ever so brilliant Vibrasphere.

-Do you feel that the overall electronic scene has worsened or has it improved with the new millennium?
The scene has only improved, gone further and gotten more complex and expanded with so many branches today. I see it as a fractal… it will go on and on expanding… like an enormous tree… it will continue growing and growing and forming new branches….

-Any suggestions to record labels managers?
Always be in the front of the movement. Don’t stay conservative and scared of changes. Focus on the top of mind solutions and formats, use channels that maximize the accessibility of your releases.

-What do you think about the psychedelic trance scene with all the genre break ups like full-on, dark, morning etc?
It’s good with directions to be able to choose and to know what makes your body move or what starts to work with your mind etc… It’s all good and serves its purpose!

-Any plans to make EDM music?
Yes! I have an edm project called “Mindblesser” together with Thomas Huttenlocher aka “I Awake”. I is pretty much ready for a first release. We are a part of a collective of producers called Ghostfriend, where we have a second new born IDM project as well. It is way too early to give any details about this, but it will for sure be interesting to check out in the future.

-What sort of EDM sound does “Mindblesser” explore?
The proper sound description for Mindblesser would be spiritual trance music with vocals. Four tracks are available for a listen at www.myspace.com/mindblesser

-What are your views on music piracy and MP3?
As music is extremely accessible through all the online mp3 stores nowadays, I see no argument for piracy. I say, if you love what you hear, please support us so we can find a way to keep on!

-Are you married and do you have kids?
I’m not married yet and have no kids. I guess I’m married to music….

-Have you been to India?
Not yet, but I would love to visit India. I produce music for Yogini, singing beautiful mantras written in traditional Sanskrit. I’m also a big fan of Indian food. Being a vegetarian, I find Indian food has great variety.

-Any last words for the fans or a promotional comment?
I would like to thank you all listeners for your great support and lovely feedback! Keep on sharing your thoughts and inspire and be inspired! Always stay tuned for more Omnimotion releases and check out http://www.myspace.com/omnimotion for freshest updates!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us! Hope to hear you in India soon.

Interview by
-blueOrb (Decompression Chamber, India)