EPK - Boqvist

Electric Press Kit – Fredrik Boqvist

Pressrelease 2024-04-07

English version (Swedish version available further down):

[Gothenburg, Sweden, 2024-04-07]. On the 26th of April, the album “The Silencer” by multi-instrumentalist Fredrik Boqvist will be released. This marks his second solo album release. Fredrik Boqvist is also the guitarist for the Gothenburg-based band Presidents of zero. On the new album, some songs are included that were initially written for the band but didn’t fit the band’s musical profile. “I felt that these songs needed a chance to exist, so I chose to release them as a solo artist instead.” However, it’s not entirely solo. Fredrik’s bandmate in Presidents of zero, Daniel Ekström, contributes as a drummer on several tracks. Daniel is also a member of the bands Bombfors and Bastardes. Singer Helena Nordin also features on one of the songs on the album.

The album freely wanders between different musical styles, and there’s no intention for there to be a musical thread connecting the songs. The album demands that listeners be prepared to journey through different styles and narratives. Leaving the songs for mixing and mastering felt almost impossible for Fredrik, as there has always been an inner sonic image as a reference, which led to the decision to handle everything himself. Instead, the price paid has been time. Time to do all the processes himself, but also time to redo and learn about singing technique, recording technique, and mixing. Singing has been a challenge throughout the whole process. Since some songs were written with the intention of being sung by Alexander Spak, the vocalist of Presidents of zero, the challenge was to try to make it sound acceptable when Fredrik sang it himself, or rather to accept that it would be different from what was originally intended and then adapt as best as possible. Instead, it became an exploratory journey to find different voices within himself that could represent all the characters in the songs.

The album’s first track, “Welcome To The Freakshow,” is a piano-based tribute to punk concerts and other sub-genres within music, but tells the story of a traveling Freakshow and the perspective of living like a traveling circus artist.

“I Just Sold America” loosely builds on the concept in David Bowie’s song “The Man Who Sold The World,” but here from a first-person perspective. Musically, it’s spiced with a bit of 80s funk-pop.

“Straight Line” tells the story of World War II and certain major cities that were affected or influenced in various ways by the war and people’s fates. “Straight Line” refers to a bullet or other artillery, as opposed to moving linearly, it travels in a curved line. It also refers to the idea that history is not linear but rather tends to repeat itself in a circular manner.

“Lay Down And Die” is a tragic story about one or several life stories where the last thing they experience in life is a hospital bed and no one coming to visit. A waiting time where not even the doctors can offer any hope that it will get better. The song is about a fear of ending up there and circumstances that can determine whether it happens or not.

“Pitch In” is musically a rock song. It’s about a person who, during their upbringing, was bullied and then grew up and used their anger and desire for revenge to instead train in martial arts and thus find a controlled and constructive outlet for it.

“Lightfoot” is fundamentally progressive rock, paying homage to and interpreting various music styles and bands that existed in Kristinehamn in the 1990s. Very few bands reached an audience beyond the city where the artist grew up, and only memories of concerts at Saltmästarn remain, where it was not uncommon to hear everything from pop, punk, and death metal during the same concert evening. Some of the few bands that made a name for themselves beyond the city limits are Jumper, Burst, Memfis, Soulquake System, and Avskum. It can also be added that the band Presidents of zero was formed in Kristinehamn, albeit under the name Catchpole. The fact that Catchpole played a completely different style of music than Presidents of zero and with a different bassist, we’ll leave unexplained for another time. In the song “Lightfoot,” different singing styles are mixed with slightly heavier guitars. A rock opera perhaps? Lyrically, it’s about a person who has lived a carefree life and is now paying the price for their lifestyle. It can also be interpreted as a jab at all politicians and municipal employees who gladly did everything to kill the music scene in Kristinehamn by cutting off grants and tearing down rehearsal spaces. “With light steps, we move from decision to action and tear down everything that is ugly and that we do not understand.”

“Orion” is a rock song. Lyrically, it’s about the abandoned spaceship Orion and an astronaut who finds Orion on a rescue mission in outer space. The astronaut investigates the spaceship for survivors with no positive result. The astronaut decides to shoot the spaceship towards a star, but fails to escape the ship in time, and together with the ship, disappears into the eternal emptiness of space. On another level, the song is about the desire to help others, but then the end result is devastating at one’s own expense, and no one is helped.

“Java Bean Boogie” is a rockabilly song. It’s about dancing your butt off at a rockabilly concert. Not much deeper than that. The guitar solo is a homage to 50s guitar solos where chromatic tones are often included just for the sake of it.

“Gibraltar” has its musical roots in synth-pop or synth-rock. The song was initially intended to be an instrumental piece, but an idea emerged about a story of a person who had put themselves in an impossible situation to get out of, where the person had previously been able to lie their way out of similar situations. The chorus is sung from the perspective of a judge or the person’s inner moral compass if it had a voice.

“The Silencer” is a continuation of the album “Dark Days Ahead,” and they were recorded simultaneously and sporadically over more than a decade or two. Life got in the way, and eventually, they were finished.

Links to wav versions of the album The Silencer

Fredrik Boqvist – Welcome to the freakshow

Fredrik Boqvist – I just sold America

Fredrik Boqvist – Lay down and die

Fredrik Boqvist – Pitch In

Fredrik Boqvist – Lightfoot

Fredrik Boqvist – Orion

Fredrik Boqvist – Java Bean Boggie

Fredrik Boqvist – Gibraltar

Links to other named artists in the press release

Presidents of zero: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0bfDlEbn4mBDyKSFCqiRLH?si=IaMi9QT3R2G0VHuLUJumhw

Avskum : https://open.spotify.com/artist/4qRIVoQ72CuEhq7MSStyaX?si=qBljbRH0TuObcL0jSFPmDw

Burst: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7DQxsJbGUe0mwvx4Qh9ePH?si=WVLnjZLrTp2H7eqykS-Osw

Jumper: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4eXcSmOm3LjeEfkwTugnvy?si=b4TlY2HES4iGuvKhi_VSUw

Soulquake system: https://open.spotify.com/artist/35vMh4mNkyp0ii3l4BFpEp?si=7dX2aIleQneNtf7Ktyx9vQ

Memfis: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1SIYhSqNfzWk3FdQoXND9m?si=HpxOfHNdRQOuu01Y3TpoUQ

Bombfors: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7x5mjNs5Pl3wEfHcu976uj?si=mov_FFFuTzWUr_vp69DLvA

Bastardes: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ztsmkgvsYb2fq4SmjUN8f?si=KVLQUBLMQ_iJdm9I1ctGNw

Helena Nordin: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2rYk3wXSoLOHElGH54CHcI?si=3baY0GWiSXWepw_V99AFPg

Swedish version: —————————————-

Den 26/4 släpps albumet ”The Silencer” ifrån multiinstrumentalisten Fredrik Boqvist. Detta är hans andra skivsläpp som soloartist. Fredrik Boqvist är även gitarrist i Göteborgsbandet Presidents of zero. På nya skivan så återfinns vissa låtar som initialt skrevs till bandet, men som inte passade in bandets musikaliska profil. ”Jag kände att låtarna behövde få en chans att finnas till och därför valde jag att släppa dem som soloartist istället”. Helt solo är det dock inte. Bandkollegan i Presidents of zero Daniel Ekström medverkar på flera av låtarna som trummis. Daniel är också medlem i banden Bombfors och Bastardes. Sångerskan Helena Nordin medverkar också på en av låtarna på skivan.

Skivan vandrar fritt mellan olika musikstilar och det är inte meningen att det ska finnas en röd tråd musikaliskt mellan låtarna. Skivan ställer kravet att du som lyssnare måste vara beredd att färdas mellan olika stilar och historier. Att lämna bort låtarna för mixning och mastring kändes näst intill omöjligt för Fredrik, då det hela tiden funnits en inre ljudbild som referens och som gjorde att valet blev att hantera allt detta själv. Priset har i stället varit tid. Tid till att göra alla moment själv, men också tid till att göra om och lära om kring sångteknik, inspelningsteknik och mixning. Sången har varit en achille häl under hela processen. Eftersom vissa låtar skrevs med syfte att sjungas av Alexander Spak, sångaren i bandet Presidents of zero, så blev utmaningen att försöka få det att låta ok när Fredrik sjöng in det själv eller snarare acceptera att det blev annorlunda än vad det var tänkt ifrån början och då efter bästa förmåga. Det blev istället en utforskande resa att hitta olika röster inom honom själv som kunde representera alla karaktärer i låtarna.

Skivans första Låt “Welcome To The Freakshow” är en piano-baserad hyllning till punkkonserter och andra sub-genrer inom musiken, men berättar om en resande Freakshow och perspektivet att leva som runt resande cirkusartist.

“I just sold America” bygger löst vidare konceptet i David Bowies låt The Man Who Sold The World, fast här ur ett första personperspektiv. Musikaliskt så är den kryddad med lite 80-tals funk-pop.

“Straight Line” berättar om Andra världskriget och vissa storstäder som drabbades eller påverkade på olika sätt kriget och människors öden. Straight Line syftar till att en kula eller annat artilleri i motsats till linjärt går i en kurvlinje. Den syftar också på att historien inte är linjär, utan snarare har en tendens att upprepa sig cirkulärt.

“Lay Down And Die” är en tragisk historia om en eller flera livsöden där det sista i livet de får erfara är en sjukhussäng och ingen som kommer för att hälsa på. En väntans tid där inte ens läkarna kan ge något hopp om att det ska bli bra igen. Låten handlar om en rädsla att hamna där och omständigheter som kan avgöra om det så blir.

“Pitch In” är musikaliskt en rocklåt. Den handlar om en person som under sin uppväxt varit mobbad och som sedan växt upp och använt ilskan och hämndviljan till istället träna kampsport och på så sätt fått utlopp för det kontrollerat och konstruktivt.

“Lightfoot” är musikaliskt i grunden progressiv rock och en hyllning och tolkning av olika musikstilar och band som fanns i Kristinehamn på 90-talet. Extremt få band nådde en publik utanför staden som artisten växte upp i och endast minnena av konserterna på Saltmästarn finns kvar, där det inte var ovanligt att höra allt ifrån pop, punk och dödsmetall om vart annat under en och samma konsertkväll. Några av de få band som väl gjorde sig ett namn utanför kommungränsen är Jumper, Burst, Memfis, Soulquake system och Avskum. Det kan även tilläggas att bandet Presidents of zero på sätt och vis bildades i Kristinehamn, men då under namnet Catchpole. Sedan att Catchpole spelade helt annan musikstil än Presidents of zero och med annan basist, låter vi vara oförklarat till en annan gång. I låten Lightfoot blandas det olika sångstilar med lite tyngre gitarrer. En rockopera kanske? Textmässig handlar det om en person som levt ett lättfotat liv och som nu får betala priset för sitt leverne. Den kan också tolkas till att vara känga till alla politiker och kommunanställda som gladeligen gjorde allt för att döda musikscenen i Kristinehamn genom att strypa bidragen och riva replokaler. ”Med lätta steg går vi ifrån beslut till handling och river allt som är fult och som vi inte förstår”.

“Orion” är en rocklåt. Textmässigt så handlar den om det övergivna rymdskeppet Orion och en astronaut som hittar Orion i ett räddningsuppdrag i yttre rymden. Astronauten undersöker rymdskeppet efter överlevare utan positivt resultat. Astronauten bestämmer sig för att skjuta i väg rymdskeppet mot en stjärna, men lyckas inte fly skeppet i tid och tillsammans med skeppet försvinner astronauten in i rymdens eviga tomhet. På en annan nivå så handlar låten om viljan att hjälpa andra, men sedan så blir slutresultatet ändå förödande på ens egen bekostnad och ingen blir hjälpt.

“Java Bean Boggie” är en rockabilly låt. Den handlar om att dansa häcken av sig på en rockabilly konsert. Inte mycket djupare än så. Gitarrsolot är en homage till 50-tals gitarrsolon där kromatiska toner ofta inkluderas av bara farten.

“Gbraltar” har sina musikaliska rötter i synth-poppen eller synth-rocken. Låten var först tänkt att vara ett instrumentellt stycke, men det växte fram en idė kring en historia om en person som satts sig själv i en omöjlig situation att ta sig ut, där personen normalt sätt tidigare kunnat ljuga sig ur liknande situationer. Refrängen är sjungen ur en domares perspektiv eller personens inre moraliska kompass om den nu hade en röst.

“The Silencer “är en fortsättning på skivan “Dark Days Ahead” och de spelades in samtidigt och sporadiskt under mer än ett årtionde eller två. Livet kom emellan och tillslut blev de klara.

Pressrelease 2023-08-09

[Gothenburg, Sweden, 2023-08-09] – In a stirring demonstration of artistic growth and commitment, Fredrik Boqvist, a multifaceted creative force, proudly presents the re-release of the groundbreaking album “Dark Days Ahead.” Originally unveiled in 2014 under the moniker Maul, this compelling sonic journey has been revamped, re-recorded, and re-imagined, now emerging under Fredrik Boqvist’s own identity. Available now across all major streaming platforms, the album’s renewed incarnation encapsulates Fredrik Boqvist’s artistic evolution, showcased through meticulously crafted compositions and evocative storytelling.

The album’s rebirth arrives as part of a two-fold release strategy in 2023, each chapter spotlighting Fredrik Boqvist’s musical transformation. “Dark Days Ahead” harks back to an era when Maul first made waves, but it’s now elevated by Fredrik Boqvist’s maturity as an artist and an ardent desire to breathe new life into every note.

As Fredrik Boqvist takes the helm, orchestrating both the musical and emotional journey, “Dark Days Ahead” has undergone a transformative rebirth. The album’s musical tapestry has been rewoven with painstaking attention to detail, each layer refined and reshaped to Fredrik Boqvist’s truest vision. The melodies, lyrics, and arrangements converge to create a resonant experience, conjuring individual vignettes akin to short films, each narrated from the perspective of vivid characters – whether virtuous or villainous.

“I’ve always believed in the power of music to tell stories,” Fredrik Boqvist reflects. “Every track on this album is a chapter, a glimpse into unique lives and emotions. As a storyteller, my intent has always been to bridge the gap between the musical and lyrical realms, weaving tales that resonate deeply with listeners.”

This reimagined sonic odyssey was not without its challenges. Fredrik Boqvist’s role as a one-person ensemble required meticulous dedication. The album’s tracks were painstakingly recorded within the cozy confines of Fredrik Boqvist’s recording/rehearsal studio, a haven shared with other bands, including Presidents of zero Juggling familial commitments and the demands of an IT-management career, Fredrik Boqvist invested four precious hours per week into shaping the sonic landscapes that now grace “Dark Days Ahead.”

The album’s sonic palette, harnessed through a digital audio workstation (DAW) Logic Pro, came to life through Fredrik Boqvist’s artistry and meticulously chosen equipment. Guitars, including a Gibson Hummingbird, Fender Telecaster, and Gibson Les Paul Studio, resonated through AKG C414 and AKG C451 microphones. Bass, delivered through a Fender jazz, and electric guitars also found their voice via the Fractal Audio AXE FX box. A symphony of vocal nuances was captured through the discerning use of AKG C414, Rode NT1 gen 5, and Shure SM7 microphones, shaping a diverse range of timbres and emotions. Drum sections danced and drove through AKG C414 toms, Shure SM57 snare, and AKG D112 kick microphones, harmonized under the vigilant eyes of paired AKG C451 overheads.

The crafting of sound was further honed through a palette of stock plugins for EQ, reverb, and compression, facilitated by the finesse of Melodyne for pitch correction. The album’s sonic tapestry culminated in iZotope Ozone’s mastering suite, providing the finishing touches that radiate across the auditory spectrum.

“Dark Days Ahead” stands as a testament to Fredrik Boqvist’s artistic integrity, determination, and unrelenting pursuit of sonic excellence. Each track resounds with a sense of rebirth, inviting listeners to partake in an audio journey that transcends time.

Discover “Dark Days Ahead” on all major streaming services today, and witness the transformative journey that Fredrik Boqvist has undertaken.

For press inquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact: fredrik@boqvist.com

BIO

Born in the vibrant land of Sweden in 1979, my musical journey ignited at a tender age when I first picked up a guitar and began penning my own melodies. The passage of time held no sway over my creative spirit – music flowed ceaselessly from my fingertips and soul. A relentless passion for the craft led me to coalesce with like-minded rebels, birthing a punk ensemble that echoed through the streets of Kristinehamn. This quaint town, a cradle of countless untamed talents that remained tethered to its limits, urged me to reach beyond its confines.

Venturing forth after graduating from music high school and maneuvering through the rigors of Swedish military service, I found my muse in the bustling embrace of Gothenburg. Years unfurled like riffs, and as I journeyed through various bands, my solo venture flourished in tandem. In the realm of my solo endeavors, the tapestry of sound knew no bounds – a canvas where my musical impulses painted kaleidoscopic visions. In the enclaves of bands, my role often centered on the mantle of lead guitar, channeling my prowess into the symphony of strings.

My evolution as a composer, a performer, a conductor of sonic tapestries, is etched with the guiding principle to craft at the zenith of my knowledge and prowess. The path to perfection wasn’t devoid of its tribulations – at times, a subject eluded my mastery, birthing a crucible of growth that demanded dedication and endurance.

The harmonious echoes of Simon & Garfunkel’s melodies seized my imagination from the onset. Enchanted by vocal harmonies, I often wove intricate vocal tapestries that adorned my lead vocals, only to judiciously pare them down for the audience’s embrace. A song’s genesis remained remarkably simple – an acoustic guitar and a solitary voice, a nucleus from which complexities unfurled. Strings and brass breathed life into my compositions, and the orchestration dance began. Layers upon layers converged and diverged, each note an experiment, until the arrangement mirrored the symphony in my mind’s ear.

The studio realm became both canvas and crucible. Guitars lent their voices with ease, yet thereafter, the tapestry thickened. Drums and vocals beckoned arduous devotion – recording, re-recording, an intricate dance of perfection. An anecdote lingers: a track birthed atop drums only to be reconstructed when its essence waned. Adorned with drum samplings, the song found its truth, a testament to the journey that sometimes detours bring wisdom. Time unfurled its tapestry, a mosaic of passion, dedication, and the ceaseless pursuit of sonic truth.

Music

Best songs

Music videos

For a complete list of music videos. Please visit the official artist site on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@fredrikboqvist

Fredrik Boqvist – The Sound of Guitars

Fredrik Boqvist – Hiding (Official music video)

Fredrik Boqvist – Erase IT (Official music video)

Fredrik Boqvist – Raise (Official music video)

Fredrik Boqvist – From the West (Official music video)

https://youtu.be/4YTl80xL3FU

Notable Highlights & Achievements

With the band Presidents of zero, Fredrik has toured parts of Europe and the band was awarded “best rock band of the month” on Swedish public radio during their third album release Accelerate 2013.