In this interview feature, we get to know the most radicalist up and coming stars on the planet.       

This time we speak with Swedish dream-pop trio ViVii.

ViVii mesh moments from their everyday lives with their celestial dream-pop sound to effortless effect. This impression most likely has something to do with the easy, mutually respectful chemistry between the three band members. ViVii is composed of married couple Emil and Caroline Jonsson, alongside friend and fellow musician Anders Eckborn. On March 15th this year, the band released their debut, self-titled album. The record is typified by timeless songwriting and layered, otherworldly instrumentation, as heard in tracks ‘Siv (You and I)', ‘Suckerpunch’ and ‘And Tragic’, plus many more auditory gems. This album has a strange, familiar quality to it, traversing topics of love, worry, health and the encounters we make along this journey called life. Without further ado, here’s our interview with ViVii on their highly accomplished first album and what they’re up to this year.

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TMR: A debut album is a monumental occasion for any artist, as it often covers the entire musical journey up to that point. For ViVii this was a five-year process, how does it feel to be finally at this moment?

This feels almost unreal. For a very long time we didn’t think that we would ever reach this point. I know that people around us have been wondering what on earth we've been doing, but now we have something to show for it. And that feeling is, to say the least, very satisfying.

TMR: Can you tell us a bit about the process of writing the record and why it took five years to perfect?

The three of us started working together five or six years ago. We made a lot of music, but it really wasn’t until the song ‘Savant’ came alive that we knew what direction we were heading towards. After that, it has been really easy making songs. Sometimes it takes ten minutes and sometimes a couple of days, but as soon as the three of us meet… we get inspired to make music.

TMR: ViVii began as a duo but more recently became a trio with musician Anders Eckeborn, has this changed the dynamic of the songwriting process? How so?

Anders has always been a part of the group, it just took a little time for him to realize that. Our workflow is very fluent like it has been all along, nothing has changed about that.



TMR: Your debut single 'Siv (You and I)' features a zither gifted to you from the former babysitter of your children. It’s a wonderful sound and a wonderful story. Are there any other hidden gems of this nature on the album that you’d care to share?

A lot of our songs have some kind of story to it, and often in a very personal way. For example: Emil just got diagnosed with fibromyalgia through a phone call while we were in the studio working. After he hung up the phone with his doctor something sparked to life and a couple of hours later the ‘fibromyalgia’ track was done. Things like that.

TMR: Your children were also something of a motivation in writing and recording the album, what advice would you give for other parents looking to make music as well?

Never give up and live close to your parents!

TMR: Another song on our radar was ‘Suckerpunch’, as we just loved to the otherworldly production, which almost seems at odds with the everyday lyrics about fast food and career progression. What’s the story behind this track?

Well, music for us is a very dreamy state of mind and “out of this world”. And we really love to make tracks with an emotional theme where you can dream away. But at the same time, we have our daily lives and the lyrics in this particular song were really all about that. Dreamy music with a connection to this life.



TMR: As a couple, you spent a lot of time in New York, how did that experience influence your music?

In the process of making music, I think NYC will always shine through in the way that city makes us feel. Like a freakin’ sucker punch or the notion that anything is possible if you work hard at it, or just the fact that you are a big loser. It is a rich color palette of emotions.

TMR: Now you live in Stockholm, what’s the music scene like there? Do you have any favourite local bands or artists?

We have a rich music scene in Stockholm. And there are of course a lot of great bands here, but with the risk of sounding boring we mostly go and see classical music when we get the opportunity. Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra or Stockholm Cathedral choir, for example.

TMR: For those yet not lucky enough to see ViVii live, how would you describe your live show?

Dreamy, atmospheric, ambient but still very intimate. We really love playing live!

TMR: Do you have any live dates, festivals or other plans coming up this year?

We are doing our first headline shows in Holland and Sweden early next month and then we’ve got festivals coming up over the summer. And in September we are going on tour...  can’t really say where to yet, but it is gonna be sweet!



ViVii is out now via Dumont Dumont.

-Hannah Thacker