The Swedish indie rock/ alterno-pop band is no stranger to regal treatment. The Royal Concept has been making quite an impression on listeners and concert goers worldwide.
Despite being a relatively young band, the Stockholm-based foursome has toured key cities in the United States and Europe, on top of releasing an EP and their full-length album, “Goldrushed.” Their singles have been raking in popularity in other media, a few of which have been included in the soundtrack of popular multiplatform video games.
The band’s 2013 single, “On Our Way,” was covered in a Season 5 Glee episode, crossing over to mainstream television and into the consciousness of the show’s cult followers.
The Royal Concept was officially formed only in 2010 but most of the band’s members have known one another for a very long time. Frontman David Larson and guitarist Filip Bekik became friends in jazz music school; they met drummer Frans Povel a few years later. Bassist Robert Magnus, who joined them only in 2011, is the band’s newest member.
“On Our Way” is quite possibly the band’s most played single to date. Its somewhat melancholy yet uplifting lyrics blend perfectly with the upbeat, catchy and melodic hooks, coalescing into a track so addictive it makes anybody listening crave for more even while dancing about in a frenzy.
Surprisingly, this song almost didn’t make it to our playlists.
Said Larson: “I wrote the song almost a year ago and they didn’t like it, so we kept it outside of the recordings at first. I kinda like it and it’s catchy. The label wanted a new single and immediately loved it.”
Basement recording
And there is so much more to look forward to, as “Goldrushed” is filled with a dozen more tracks crafted to satisfy one’s addiction to The Royal Concept’s sound.
The album is practically a do-it-yourself project. After “The Royal EP” was released in the United States, the guys tried completing “Goldrushed” in a state-of-the-art recording studio but it didn’t quite pan out as expected.
They returned to their basement in Stockholm, which, despite not being the fanciest of locations, was the perfect venue for them to create music, according to Larson.
“We did everything ourselves and we just tried to have as much fun as possible and tried to create the sound that we could back then. It’s just very spontaneous.”
Much like our country, Sweden is a haven for musical talent. The Cardigans, Acid House Kings, The Radio Department, Peter Bjorn and John, and Shout Out Louds all hail from Sweden. If you’re into house music, here are three words for you: Swedish House Mafia. Heck, even Ace of Base and Abba are Swedish!
It’s no wonder, really, that The Royal Concept can come up with a kick-ass album all on its own. But a full roster of world-renowned Swedish musicians makes one wonder: What’s so special about Sweden, anyway?
“I would like to say that the government puts something in the water or something but I don’t think it’s about that,” said Larson.
“I think that we have so many good role models in our country that inspire kids to start playing. Kids get the chance to play instruments if they want to. We also have schools financed by the government that make it free for every kid to play an instrument or free for every kid to take singing classes. It really helps Sweden create great musicians. But it’s all about role models. When you’re a kid, you need people to look up to and if you know that a lot of bands come from Sweden, it’s sort of imprinted in our minds that we could do it, too. It definitely helps.”
Huge Paul Simon fan
Larson and Bekik themselves started writing songs when they were only 18 years old. The former admits to being a huge Paul Simon fan and cites The Strokes as a band they all grew up with, Vampire Weekend as a band they all listen to and Phoenix as a band he personally loves.
Incidentally, The Royal Concept has been compared to Phoenix a number of times; the comparison is largely due to the fact that Larson’s singing voice sounds very much like that of Phoenix’s Thomas Mars.
Larson is not alien to the comparison and is actually pleased with it.
“It’s one of my favorite bands, so I’m happy about it. I actually heard that Thomas Mars’ sister heard our song on the radio and thought it was him. There’s nothing I can do about it, really. I sound the way I sound and it’s gonna be like that.”
Nowadays, Larson does majority of the songwriting using a keyboard or a guitar and Bekik, Magnus and Povel add other necessary elements to complete every song. The band’s vocalist credits their fans for fueling them with the drive to keep creating good music.
Larson also points out that the band’s live performances are easily the greatest highlights of their career. It is on stage, performing in front of people, that they feel most fulfilled.
“To be able to tour all around the world and play for a new audience every night and meet people from all around the world is definitely a blessing,” he said.
“Now, we’re happy to go to the Philippines and meet that crowd for the first time. We’re very excited.”
The Royal Concept joins The Drums, Lucy Rose, Architecture in Helsinki, The Paper Kites, Last Dinosaurs, Franco and some of the country’s up and coming bands for this year’s Wanderland Music and Arts Festival, which will be held on May 17 at the Globe Circuit Event Grounds in Makati City. Better secure your ticket if you haven’t gotten one yet—it’s one rare event that you wouldn’t want to miss.