The Tjernberg Brothers is a music trio consisting of brothers Daniel, Mikael and Gabriel. Check out the exclusive Interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
TJERNBERG BROTHERS: [Daniel] We were born and raised in the Swedish countryside. And really ever since birth, music has played a major part in our lives. It has shaped and formed us more than anything. We always expressed ourselves in music, whether it be by performing, playing in bands, arranging, composing…
[Mikael] And our younger brother Gabriel is just like me and Daniel in this regard, so the idea of the three of us working together has always been there.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
TJERNBERG BROTHERS: [Daniel] All three of us attended municipal music school, up to the age of 20 or so, and aesthetic gymnasium programmes [‘gymnasium’ is equivalent to English grammar school]. Mikael also extensively studied musicology at Uppsala University.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘TJERNBERG BROTHERS?
TJERNBERG BROTHERS: [Daniel] We are three brothers and our family name is Tjernberg, so the name was a given. Musically, the idea was for us to make more accessible music, although we unanimously didn’t want it too accessible, but built on an intellectual but raw foundation of jazz, fusion, funk, progressive rock, ambient, and Western art music. Then things tend to come out in slightly different forms than intended, and we certainly wouldn’t want to hinder or halt artistic flows just because they don’t conform to some arbitrary template. The future holds the answer, but I’m willing to bet you will see quite a few different kinds of music coming from Tjernberg Brothers.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
TJERNBERG BROTHERS: [Mikael] With only a single release thus far, you would kind of have to base the assessment on just that. It’s pop music first and foremost, but with a healthy dose of funk and 80s r&b. We draw inspiration from so frigging many directions, but I think it comes together as something rather original and fresh.
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as POP?
TJERNBERG BROTHERS: [Mikael] I’d say we probably never strive specifically for originality. To be honest, I think it is a difficult parameter to even discuss. Our aesthetic expressions have always been allowed to take natural, unspoken directions. And I believe that good music always is good music; it doesn’t really matter if the sound reminds you of something else. And it’s not a bad thing if it does. And besides, it is more or less inevitable in regards to popular music. It will always bear some resemblance to something else; if it didn’t, people would feel lost. Having said that, we are not by any means alien to the idea of avant-garde, modern, non-diatonic music, and we certainly have written and performed such music, too. But it isn’t what the music of Tjernberg Brothers is about.
6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
TJERNBERG BROTHERS:
[Daniel] We don’t shy away from the spiritual, but we don’t do politics. We try to keep things separated, although the boundaries admittedly can blur at times.
7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
TJERNBERG BROTHERS:
[Mikael] Our drive is the joy of creating together. If people appreciate and enjoy what we do, then that’s a bonus.
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
TJERNBERG BROTHERS:
[Daniel] It might start with a chord progression or a melody and then we build on that. We look at it from different directions, spitball and let it simmer… it’s a joint effort, and we enjoy every step along the way.
[Mikael] In the creation process, we work best in our small little group of three. Any more than that, and I think it wouldn’t work. Three is actually a stretch, because Daniel and I have previously hardly ever written anything with more people involved than the two of us.
9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
TJERNBERG BROTHERS: [Daniel] Being separated from loved ones is the most devastating thing. You’re gonna need comfort or healing or both, and for me, music has always provided this.
[Mikael] Yeah, same for me. Music, nature, and faith.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
TJERNBERG BROTHERS: [Daniel] I’m gonna reverse my last answer, and say that contentment for me comes from spending time with loved ones. But also, it comes from writing and indulging in music.
[Mikael] I measure success from how happy I personally am with a piece of music. So whenever we’ve written something that fulfills that criterion, I would consider both successful, proud and significant; the degree thereof is in direct proportion to how happy I am with the piece in question.
11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
TJERNBERG BROTHERS: [Mikael] We have been mostly spared thus far. But I’d say it’s a question of knowing when and when not to listen. I believe I speak for all three of us when I say that we don’t have a problem with constructive criticism. We actually welcome it! Having said that, you must be able to distinguish constructive from destructive criticism, and that might not always be as easy as it sounds. When it comes to music, I would only ever take advice and suggestions from people I know, trust, and respect. And the reason is fairly obvious, I guess: it’s to protect your artistic integrity. You’ll need to be aware that there is plenty of envy, jealousy, and greed in this business.
12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
TJERNBERG BROTHERS: [Mikael] It will have to be studio work, because the creative process comes first for us. That is not to say that you can’t create in front of a live audience, though.
13. Do you think it is important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
TJERNBERG BROTHERS: [Daniel] All art is highly personal and should be experienced on an individual level. You shouldn’t spell for people.
KEEP IN TOUCH:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE
