The Rhythmic Service
The Rhythmic Service is my band that I started in the Autumn of 2022. We play original music mostly written by me in a variety of genres.
After years of studying composition, where the academic world has more focus on classical music, it has been incredibly fun and educational to write "songs" for once, instead of "pieces". I've found myself being able to write a lot of songs very quickly, and the inspiration doesn't seem to fade away. I'm not sure what the future holds for our band, but I'm certain that we are just getting started.
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Band members:
Anton Hägg Meijer on drums
Gabriel Nilsson on bass
Debora Elofsson on piano/keys
Linn Björnsdotter on vocals
Albin Hedlund on guitar
Me on various instruments
The Journey to Tír fo Thúinn
The Journey to Tír fo Thúinn is a very special project for me. In the Autumn of 2024, I went to Ireland for my exchange studies at University College Cork. It was a wonderful and educational experience, but had it's fair share of setbacks along the way.
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During the semester, I wrote this suite of songs for my band. A story about the band going on a psychadelic adventure through Irish folklore, and it's also a big metaphor for my time in Ireland. There are numerous references and symbolism to my experiences, but writing them out would result in a wall of text. A few of these general ideas are explained below, if you're interested in hearing more you'll have to shoot me a message and ask!
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One prominent reference is that I play the different instruments that I learned at UCC, except for the Indonesian gamelan, which is a collection of big, heavy percussive instruments forged in Java. Since I couldn't bring it with me, I at least recorded the instruments note for note, and the result was played during the introduction of the concert.
Immram - Voyage
The first song of the suite, encapsulating the sense of adventure and excitement for the journey, and also setting the stage for the story.
Chanting
The titles of the individual songs, and parts of the lyrics, are in Irish (or Gaelic). I wanted to bring this language into the suite here and there to ground the music in it's Irish birthplace.
Bradán Feasa
Bradán Feasa, the all knowing salmon, represents primarily two teachers I had in Cork who helped me a lot during my education. Kelly Boyle and Dara O'Brien, you are among the best teachers I've had!
Other Songs
Unfortunately, we haven't gotten a lot of video recordings of our performances. We do however have recorded audio from one concert, have a listen here!
Unfortunately the start of the song is cut and it starts halfway through the first verse, but probably my favourite song of the concert. Very groovy!
More of a pop/rock song, with lyrics about environmental decay , our society's utter ignorance of it, and my generation's realization of it growing up.
A combination of a lo-fi like groove and prog rock. This song is about anxiety and dulling one's senses with substances to escape it.
An instrumental prog metal song, really heavy and fun time signatures. Guest guitar shredder Albin Hedlund, who then became a permanent bandmember.
An instrumental post rock synth song with duelling keyboardists that crescendos to guest saxophonist Charlie Josephsson, who steps in and steals the show.