Exclusive Interview with TALK IN VAIN

Talk in Vain is a Swedish rock duo formed in 2023, blending the musical expertise of producer and instrumentalist Magnus Hellman with the powerful, emotive voice of vocalist Jessica Lindman. Drawing from influences across modern and heavy rock, their sound is a unique fusion of emotional depth and musical precision, crafted to resonate with listeners on a deep level. United by a passion for music that connects to the human experience, they explore themes of personal struggle, introspection, but also beyond unexpected fields. Check out the exclusive Interview below:

1. Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?

Magnus Hellman of TALK IN VAIN: My journey began when I was very young. Music has always been a passion, and for me, it’s always been about the drums – still is, in fact. I started playing early on and never stopped. As I got older, I became more involved in the entire process of creating music, playing in various bands over the years. I even started writing my own songs at an early stage. Now, I’m not only a songwriter but also an instrumentalist and producer, it’s been a natural progression from that first spark of love for music.

2. Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?

Magnus Hellman: I started with formal training back in the day. Here in Sweden, I had a Danish jazz drummer as a teacher, it was all about reading notes and mastering technique. But I wouldn’t say my musicality came solely from there; I’ve always had a creative side, especially when it comes to songwriting. Over the years, I’ve experimented with different aspects of music, and I believe that practice makes perfect, no matter the instrument. I’ve played guitar for many years, which helps a lot with songwriting – it’s a bit tricky to write songs on drums. When I have a song idea, I’ll often bring in a guitarist to bring the riffs and melodies to life. Sometimes I play guitar on recordings, though not on Her Case.

3. Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound? Also, what’s the story behind choosing the name ‘TALK IN VAIN’?

Magnus Hellman: I’ve always been drawn to the subtle details that can make a song memorable. It could be a specific guitar line, a vocal nuance, or a drum fill. Early on, I was especially captivated by drummers. One of my favorites was Tony Richards, who played on W.A.S.P.’s first album – his drumming totally nailed the feel of that record. And while my own music might not sound much like theirs, no one captures those nuances quite like Pink Floyd and David Gilmour. Their attention to detail has had a big impact on me. Drummers like Dave Weckl and Simon Phillips, who bring so much more to the table than just keeping time, were also major inspirations.

As for the name, TALK IN VAIN, it actually came after the logo – the face icon with a finger over the lips, like a ‘shhh’ gesture. I thought, sometimes we all just talk in vain, and maybe we’d be better off quiet, haha. And that’s how the name was born.

4. What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?

Magnus Hellman: I think what sets us apart is the way we combine music and lyrics to build tension, like in Her Case. We aim to guide the listener into something meaningful, something relatable, with strong playing and production. While we often explore heavier emotions, I don’t want us to be limited to that. For example, our next release is actually a tribute to a faraway place, showing a different side of us.

Our sound will vary, too. You’ll probably always recognize Talk in Vain, but the style might shift – sometimes heavier, sometimes lighter. We have some heavier tracks in the pipeline. For me, it’s all about high-quality production and well-crafted sound; if we’re on that track, you’ll find Talk in Vain right there.

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 hard rock?

Magnus Hellman: I guess I’m no exception to that. I’ve never consciously tried to emulate others, though, beyond playing hard rock – a genre that, of course, many bands also play. I didn’t invent hard rock, so maybe I’m emulating without realizing it. When I work on my songs, I put a lot into refining them: changing chords, cutting sections, replacing parts, writing ten vocal lines and ending up with one that’s completely different from the rest. I just follow my heart and my mind, building each piece until it fits. I’m allergic to forcing things in just for the sake of it.

Even after Her Case was mixed and mastered, I wanted to change something in the vocals, so we ended up remixing and remastering it. I guess that’s just how I am, very time-consuming.

6. Music often transcends entertainment. 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?

Magnus Hellman: I tend to follow my instincts and choose topics that feel right for the music – or sometimes it works the other way around. I wouldn’t say I completely avoid political or social themes, though you’re unlikely to see me writing explicitly political lyrics. I’m more drawn to existential themes, moments of beauty, hard times, happy times, and elements of history. For me, finding the perfect match between lyrics and music is what matters most, more than the specific subject itself.

7. Do you feel the rewards of your musical career match the energy and passion you invest in it, or are there different kinds of fulfillment you’re still seeking?

Magnus Hellman: I’m one of those people who’s rarely satisfied. I don’t think I’ll ever feel fully fulfilled, no matter what I achieve with my music. I just keep going, always trying to improve. But there are definitely moments that make everything I put into my music feel worth it. One of the greatest rewards is hearing what other musicians bring to my songs – especially my band member Jessica. Hearing her sing something I’ve written is always a pleasure; she’s incredibly talented. The same goes for a great guitar solo, or the addition of strings or piano when I use those. Watching a song grow from nothing into a finished piece feels like a journey, almost like waiting for a child to come into the world.

8. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, what’s the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?

Magnus Hellman: Oh, well, it often starts with a vocal line, a melody, some guitar tones, or a rhythm. Even though I’m a drummer, I don’t actually think about the drums at first – that’s just something I add once the main idea is there. What starts as a verse might end up as a bridge or even in an entirely different song. I experiment a lot, working through different ideas for each instrument.

Once I have a rough idea, I bring it to Jessica, and we start trying things out, discussing the lyrics and how she’ll approach the vocals. Sometimes we need to adjust the key to make the most of her resonance, or we might tweak some words or phrases to fit the flow.

After that, I bring in the other musicians and give them a direction. I’ll suggest parts, but I’m open to their ideas, and we play around until everything feels right. That’s pretty much how the process goes, from spark to finished track.

9. What’s been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?

Magnus Hellman: I think I’m a pretty complex person, always pushing boundaries. That can be exhausting for the people around me, and sometimes I just need someone to say, ‘Hey, if you change it any more, it’ll only make it worse.’ But when you work alone on your creative process, there’s no one to tell you that.

When I’m playing in bands, I like the idea of everyone contributing and making decisions together. But when it comes to my own project, I prefer to pull the strings because the vision is all in my head.

10. On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And let’s talk about your latest release and future plans.

Magnus Hellman: Over the years, I’ve written a few good songs, and I’ve been fortunate to work with many skilled and talented musicians. If I draw inspiration from anywhere, it’s probably from them. As an instrumentalist, I’ve always been proud of the hard work I’ve put in from the start, as it’s made it much easier for me to express myself on my instrument. A big moment for me was when I was about to start at Thames Valley University in London to become a studio musician – but I never went.

Honestly, I feel like the proudest moment of my musical life is now, with Talk in Vain and the release of Her Case alongside Jessica. I’m incredibly proud of how it turned out, and I’m grateful for all the professionals around us, I bow to them. We’ve also recorded another song that will be our next single, hopefully in early 2025. Right now, though, we’re focusing on Her Case and everything that comes with it. It works out well, especially since Jessica is pregnant, and she and her husband are expecting their child in January 2025.

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?

Magnus Hellman: There’s no doubt that platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram have a huge impact on people’s lives. When it comes to criticism, if it’s constructive, I welcome it. I might defend my choices initially, but I always take time to reflect on the feedback to improve for the future. As for hate or meaningless complaints, I try to ignore them. I believe there’s always a story behind negative behavior, but I’m not interested in digging into that. I’ve got my own battles to fight.

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?

Magnus Hellman: I enjoy both. Performing in front of an audience and sharing music they love is an amazing feeling. But as an introvert, I also love spending hours in my studio, working on new ideas, perfecting them, and then sharing them with listeners. So, I have one foot in each world.

13. Do you think is it 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?

Magnus Hellman: I believe it’s all about the listener. Once I’ve finished a song and released it, it’s up to them to interpret what it means. It’s like a book – the author writes it, but once it’s out there, it’s all about how the reader understands it. That’s my perspective. My music is important to me, of course, but what it means to someone else is what truly matters. If I were writing music just to make it important for others on my behalf, I’d be doing it wrong, according to my philosophy.