Musical history
Capristarz from the chat room asked me if I couldn’t do a short post about my musical history, and I started answering her comment with “I don’t really have much of a musical history”. Then I continued writing for a good while with my reply, until I realized that I should just make a post of it. So here’s the rest:
My family had both a piano and a guitar around the house at different times when I grew up, but I don’t recall playing as a kid. I’ll have to ask my parents about it, but I got my first guitar and keyboard when I was around 14-15 years old. I know that my music teacher in school was surprised that I suddenly could play instruments in the ninth grade. Apparently I had not been able to before that, at least not what he had noted.
And well, I started playing with friends for fun, tried out different instruments at school, and performed a couple of times when I was around 16-17 years old. (I played in two bands at the same talent show once, and ended up on first and third place.) After that I lost interest in performing though, so I mostly just sat at home, composing, and trying to record things.
One of the best things I did back then was this:
I refused to sing though, because honestly, I was afraid to sound like my cousin, who sang all the time, but not very well. :D So I preferred to keep quiet.
My “music career” stood completely still until I was around 20 years old, when I decided to actually learn how to sing from scratch. I had a few private lessons with a vocal trainer, which might have helped me, but I didn’t really like it. So I just read on the internet for tips, and recorded myself singing over and over again, trying to figure out what I was doing wrong, and how to adjust my mouth and muscles to sing better. I think this one is the oldest recording of me singing:
Hehe, I did my best to hide all the flaws with filters and effects, but you can hear at several spots how I tried to paste together two separate takes of the same line, because I wasn’t able to do the whole line in one take. I never showed this recording to anyone.
In June 2008 I uploaded my first video to YouTube, playing Für Elise on guitar. No one even found the video, but when I uploaded Mega Man 9 Rock Medley and Wind Waker Unplugged, gamers started spreading them on forums throughout the internet. I got sort of popular!
And finally, in 2009, I decided to post a video of me actually singing! 32 Songs in 8 Minutes. I was really scared of what people were going to think, but it turned out to be a huge success, and the rest is sort of history I guess!
Update:
I still didn’t take my “music career” seriously though. I kept uploading 3-4 videos per year, because I hate stress and pressure, and I just want to do things in my own pace. In 2010, I felt that I was ready to make my own album, so I started writing for it, and in 2011, on the 13th of August, I had finished “Thirteen Eight”! The name confused people, but it’s mainly because I realized that most of the songs include the odd time signature 13/8, and those kinds of things really symbolize my way of seeing music. I like odd times and other creative technical ideas!
All in all, I’m proud of being able to make my first album, all on my own too. I never thought I’d get this far just a couple of years ago! And I still listen to some of the songs on it! I do believe that the fatal flaw was the mixing though. With a warmer and more organic sound, more people would have liked it, so I did a few bad decisions there. I still think that everyone should give it a try, because it will probably grow on you! :D
And there you have it.
Thank you for the post, Freddie; really enjoyed it :) also, edge of paradise was pretty decent for a first recording, I’m guessing you might have been hesitant about posting it but I’m glad you did!
Well, it was five years ago, so I don’t care now anymore. :) It was super embarrassing when I had just recorded it though.
Thanks!
I’m not writing anything, I’m just pushing the imagined “Like”-button on Capristarzs’ comment! :D
Really like this Post!
Interesting!
I suppose like all swedish musicians before you, you went through a death metal stage. :D
Love you, man. <3
Haha, actually no. The heaviest band I’ve ever been into is Opeth, and I started liking them just a few years ago. Thanks!
I love how “The Adventures of Alfons” actually sounds like something you would write. It’s so intriguing to hear your music in it’s nascent stage but hearing articulations that are still present in your music today!! Like at 2:06, it totally reminds me of “Beside Me.” The solo around 2:30 even sounds like the accordion solo from the song. Amazing.
Good post! And incentive. You’ve made great progress from that time (though it wasn’t so bad, really) thanks to your persistence and hard work. Respect!
Lauren: Hah, you’re right, those solos have some similarities. The keyboard sound I was using was more of a church organ, but you still get the same feeling. But yes, it’s a prog rock song really, which was what I did all the time back then, so no wonder no you can hear “me” in it, as well as in newer songs like Beside Me and other songs on the album. :)
Utka: Thanks!
Every music guy i know, have had the same look as a teen. 90s hair and dream theater t-shirt (or band t-shirt anyway..). so cute :)
Nice songs too. And I really have enjoyed the websites. :)
Nice post :D
I know you’re busy with your album but i’d LOVE to see another medley from you. The quality of the Megaman medley is just breathtaking. I’ll go out of my way to listen to this song and then actually keep it on repeat for an hour.
The only thing I wish is that you had tabs for the Megaman medley :D
I can dream right? lol
I really look forward to your album man, keep up the good work.
You should re-make edge of paradise, or just take some filters off, and put it on the CD ! it’s awesome !
Hey! how has your hair colour changed?:)
Sachin: It’s something that goes in the family. :) We’re all born with really blond hair, almost white, and then it gets darker and darker, until, well, it turns gray instead.
Edge of Paradise is awesome! Do you mind sharing the lyrics and the chords? (I’m horrible at deciphering songs)
Kimberly: Thanks. :) Uh, it’s all “power chords”, or you know, just playing the root and fifth. So, it’s C5 C5 G5 D5 F5 F5 F5 F5 F5 E5 F5 E5 D5 and loop forever.
The lyrics are… hehe:
On the edge of paradise I live
Playing games and music everyday
Renounce the burden and all fears (or tears, can’t really hear)
You don’t have to feel hate or dismay!
Chorus:
AAAAAH – you’ve got to choose a path
AAAAAH – don’t do what others say
You’re the only one who knows!
Repeat. :)
Whhaaaaaaaaaaaaa !! Is it really you on the picture?? For me, The Adventures Of Alfons sound like a music film. I like it. Great post about you!
So… You didn’t take lessons? I’m a musician, mainly a pianist, and I am incredibly envious of your abilities. What still sticks out to me is the huge depth to the arrangements in the Mega Man 9 Medley. I truly wish I had not only an ear like yours, but also the technical ability of yours. Always a fan.
Hi Fredde, Thanks for this post. After watching your videos, one might get the impression that you are a Turbo-genius who only steps out of the studio to be worshipped and pleasured by the fairest maidens of Earth. However it is interesting to read this post and others where you reveal yourself to be a down to earth, yet talented young man. Thank you for your music and look forward to hearing more.
Hey Freddie!
I just recently started listening to your stuff, and I’m blown away, man! I’ve got perfect pitch (on steroids, as my mother and piano teacher keep telling me -_-”) so I get how hard it is to piece stuff like 32 in 8 together. I just wanted to say keep on rockin man! And just curious, how did you get so good on guitar, cuz for the life of me I can’t figure out how to play faster…
Wow I never noticed that it was Alfons Åberg until now!! I’m not Swedish though so maybe that’s what took me so long.
Hey Freddie I really like the sound of your voice when you sing. Could you cover a Blink 182 or All American Rejects song? I know you would do great covers of them and I will be looking for them! I will buy your 2 CD when it comes out too. Good Luck and I hope your dream of becoming a musician happens.
Noah: Blink 182 or All American Rejects? Hmmm.. I guess if I make another medley with pop music, I’ll include at least one of them! I’m just not sure if that will ever happen, because there are always problems with those, for legal issues..
Thanks though!
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