Daniel Norgren doesn't try to be smart

Eight years after his debut and right in between the releases of Alabursy (June) and The Green Stone (October), the Swedish singer-songwriter Daniel Norgren has found himself a loyal Belgian audience.

Physically, he is deeply rooted in the Swedish countryside, but musically his soul was always drawn to Americana, southern soul, folk rock, and country. “You can surely hear that I was brought up with American music,” the Swedish singer, who is as tall as he is sincere, admits. “The first band I heard was probably The Rolling Stones. My dad played in a local rock and roll outfit that was modestly successful in the 1960s and 1970s. At first, I tried to sound like that, but as far as my last three records are concerned, I feel as though I am peeling off all the unnecessary baggage, stripping my songs to the very core. It just took a very long time for me to find my own voice, since I was not trying to move away from my musical roots, but to find my own path. Artistic freedom and honesty have always been my main focus. I was never going for an easy catch. If it would take me fifty years to conquer Belgium, I would have accepted that. But now I’m finally getting somewhere, it does make me the richest man on earth, even if I am not very much of a money guy.”

Where did you find the green stone that’s on the cover of your latest album?
Daniel Norgren: Near my place. I pass it every day. When the light is perfect, it’s simply beautiful. The first time I saw it, it was glittering in the early morning dew, and I was amazed. I kept it in mind like a mantra. The album’s title song is a sound collage of a storm I recorded when laying in the hay in our barn. It’s comforting to include my natural environment in my music.

You live in an isolated yard somewhere, correct?
Norgren: Yes, and I love it. It’s very quiet. I like the solitude, especially when writing songs. I cannot concentrate in a crowded place. Being alone in my car at night also inspires me. I even recorded an album during my nightly drives. The Green Stone is a night album as well, but it’s darker. The most important thing to me is to know what I’m singing about. I’m not trying to be smart. I’m not afraid of meaning what I sing. It’s all part of the process. Even seeing my lyrics in print is a way of getting things out of my system, like therapy.

You’re about to release a new album in October, but you already released one in June. You must be in a productive phase.
Norgren: After a very long tour I was hungry to write and record new songs, and now I’m releasing them. That’s possible when you’re on a small indie label. I’ve even recorded a third one, which I’m not releasing yet. I wrote these albums from top to toe, so they all have other stories and colours.

On your Facebook page there’s an interesting photo depicting a news stand in the middle of nowhere, and it’s selling your album.
Norgren: That’s Stig’s little kiosk! He’s been selling newspapers, drinks, and candy for 55 years now. I like the place, it always looked the same. There’s even an old jukebox. I decided to pre-release my album there, because it is so remote. Far out in the woods, I sold 100 vinyl records. Can you believe that?

Daniel Norgren
13/9, 20.00, Huis 23, www.abconcerts.be