Jonathan Hultén (ex Tribulation), just released his second solo album entitled Eye of the living Night on January 31st. Hultén Spoke with Metal Express Radio about the album, his recent tour with Unlcle Acid & the Deadbeats, his inspirations on becoming a solo artist, and more. Check out the chat below!
Metal Express Radio: Your new album entitled Eye of the Living Night was released on January 31st, what can you tell fans about your latest release?
Hultén: From acoustic fingerpicking to retro-electronic rock, every song explores its own spectrum of sounds. If I were to describe the music of this album in 3 words, it would be Ambient Dream-Grunge—I think it captures the atmosphere better than the usual genre labels like, folk, rock, pop, or prog. Thematically, Eyes Of The Living Night is a story about being lost in the night, obtaining the ability to see in the dark, and finding a path forward. It’s a journey for lost souls.
MER: How was the writing and recording process having this being your second album as a solo artist?
Hultén: The writing period of Chants… was spread out on a period of 10 years or more, while Eyes… took about 1,5 years to both write and record—it was much more intense. The time frame was the biggest difference between creating the albums, and I enjoyed this new way of working much more. It allowed me to dive deeper into the creative sphere much faster—it felt like a lot was happening in a short time span. As I pushed myself into immersion, inspiration came to me more easily. Dedication was the key!
MER: You’ve released two songs from the album so far, so you feel they represent the album well?
Hultén: Every song on this album exists in its own little world, so it doesn’t seem possible for one track to fully represent any of the others. On the other hand, I would say that the difference in style between ‘Afterlife’ and ‘Falling Mirages’ speaks for the wide variety of genre exploration that the album contains.
MER: How would you compare this album to your first solo album?
Hultén: There is just more of everything in general—it’s wider, deeper and synthier. More cinematic vibes and more variation overall. It’s less acoustic guitar-centered and features more electric guitar. Its a big step in many ways, but it still remains close to the singer-songwriter genre. On some songs, maybe even more so than the first album (for example in Riverflame).
MER: How would you compare writing as a solo artist as opposed to writing with a band?
Hultén: Compared to how it was in the last couple of years before I left the band, the writing process is basically exactly the same to a certain point when the general ideas of the song have been formulated and a sketch or demo has been recorded. In a band, that’s when you let go of your creation and leave it in the hands and ears or you fellow bandmates. Then, together, you discuss how to keep working on it, giving each other feedback to shape the material into a form that everybody agrees upon. That final step when the material is shaped by the thoughts of an outside perspective is the biggest difference. As a solo artist, you have to provide that outside perspective yourself. Nowadays, I often accomplish that by leaving the material in the hands of time. In other words, I set it aside for a few weeks and then return to it with fresh ears.
MER: What were some of your inspirations to become a solo artist?
Hultén: In my younger years, I was very inspired by singer-songwriters such as Nick Drake, José Gonzales and Anna Ternheim. When I started daring to pursue the solo material many years later, it was just as much about following those old dreams as it was about avoiding a future depression, I knew I would feel deeply unhappy if I didn’t record and perform this music, giving it my all and dedicating my life to it.
MER: What do you see as plans for yourself to promote the album?
Hultén:I just got back from a tour opening for Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats in North America, so right now, I’m focusing on reconnecting with family and friends, as well as preparing for the next creative process. From there, I’m not sure which direction things will take but that’s part of the journey. I’m excited tostart working on new music again; there are 100s of sketches waiting to be explored.
MER: Do you feel fans of your previous band Tribulation will also be a fan of your solo material?
Hultén: Some songs on the new album contain ideas that were created in a similar spirit to what I could have contributed to a Tribulation album, only with a touch of singer-songwriter instead of metal. Other songs are completely different, leaning more toward folk and pop-electronic sounds. If you are a fan of music from all different eras, this album might be of interest to your ears.
MER: How would you describe the similarities and differences to your solo work as opposed to your work with Tribulation?
Hultén: Contrasts. The balance between darkness and light, hope and despair, sadness and joy, heaviness and softness—these contrasts are the biggest difference between the projects and a major reason why I felt the need to go solo. When I pour so much time and energy into something, I want it to make me feel whole and fulfilled, both as an artist and as a person. Being a part of a metal band, I felt there was a big part of me that didn’t fit within the band’s aesthetics and framework.
MER: Is there anyone that you hope to tour with and why?
Hultén: PJ Harvey’s work has inspired me a lot and continues to do so to this day. If I were to dream, it would be a huge honor to open for her some day.
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