The Swedish star with his immaculate productions and super sharp melodies strikes again
Interview : Dan Prince
Welcome to DMCWORLD Henrik, where in the world are you right now?
“Just got back home from my first ever US tour! Home for a few days and then back again.”
A very exciting time for you with ‘Echoes’ just picked up by Universal and primed for an October release. The tune was created with fellow Swedes Niklas Gustavsson and Peter Johansson…tell us the history of the track…
“What differs myself, Niklas and Peter from most other Swedish producers is that we don´t live in Stockholm. Niklas and Peter live in the same town which is close to my town. We are all extremely picky when it comes to music production so that might give you an idea of why it took three producers one and a half year to produce ‘Echoes’! It´s been a long process with many different versions of the track, but in the end I think we really nailed it.”
So talk us through how yourself, Niklas and Peter created the tune – what was the studio like with three guys all involved?
“Sometimes we used my studio and sometimes Niklas´s. But also hours and hours on Skype! What is interesting is that we all three use different studio software so a lot of mixdowns and midi exports have been going on!”
What is the current top 5 you are spinning?
Madeon – Technicolor
Henrik B, Niklas Gustavsson, Peter Johansson – Echoes
Marcus Schossow – Reverie
Axwell – Centre of the Universe Remode
Denis The Menace, Alexey Romeo feat FML – Talking About Love
Are you a producer who can produce whilst touring, I interviewed George FitzGerald earlier today and he said he can work in a taxi!
“I wish I could. I can continue working on a track I started that I already know sounds good, but if I start mixing in my headphones and not using studio monitors I would ruin the sound within 5 minutes – it all comes down to me being a perfectionist I’m afraid, haha.”
What is coming out next from you studio wise?
“I’m currently working on a bunch of tracks that I’ve been trying out on my recent tour – and they’ve received massive crowd feedback. I’m having a hard time making a call on which will be the next single, but it will definitely be out by the end of this year!”
Do you have daily activities that balance with your love of music / spur inspiration?
“I love nature and speleology, which is cave exploration. I think that I am the only DJ who does that? And I am also a ‘Black Ops II: Zombies’ fan!”
What is your critique process like, and how do you know when it’s done? Do you like to bounce bits and pieces off of people at labels, or refine it yourself and share a finished product?
“I have a lot of friends and people I work with that gives me good feedback when I need it! Which is perfect. A track is usually a long process for me and I usually have 15 ‘finished’ versions before the ‘final version’ is ready.”
You played a great gig in your hometown Skovde in July, do you manage to get back there often – do lots of old friends come out and party with you?
“Yeah, it was perfect and lot of my closest friends came down – what more can you ask for really? A special night to remember!”
A massive party for you at the Montreal Beach Club last week – a city you love. What is it about this place you adore?
“I think Montreal is a beautiful and clean city and I enjoy walking around in it and discovering new things. It’s also a place with great food! And also a good crowd who loves to party! But most important is that you have your own Nespresso machine in the room at the hotel I stay at – being a Swede and with the amount of coffee we drink, that was spot on!”
Not many people know this, but Henrik B is really good at?
“Making hamburgers from scratch. With that I mean that I grind my own meat and make my own bun. But maybe I have been bragging about that too much on my Instagram lately…”
Who is the person from history you would most like to have a beer with?
“Socrates. With an interpreter – otherwise it wouldn’t make much sense.”
Where else have been some of the stand out gigs for you this summer?
“Ushuaia with Avicii was really special!”
What is your guilty pleasure record, the tune you love but really shouldn’t?
“There are too many! But I actually like ‘Chocolate Rain’.”
Who are some of the producers out there you are giving high fives to right now?
“Madeon and Marcus Schossow.”
Brazil vs Ibiza – who wins for you and why?
“Ibiza any day of the week. But I still loooooove Brazil and can´t wait to get back.”
And finally, you love a good collaboration, who would be the dream collab for you?
“Vangelis.”
Henrik B, Niklas Gustavsson, Peter Johansson – ‘Echoes’ (PRMD / LE7ELS) is out now
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