There are too few characters out there daring to be a little different. To aim that little bit higher on the totem pole and attempt to express creativity in a manner that is unique, fresh, and familiar in the same package. For Steffan Rundquist, there is simply no other way to live, the Swedish musician has been living the Rockefeller life for some time, learning from humble origins and working tirelessly to expand and develop a unique characteristically charged voice and impression while he was at it.
While the pandemic still ravages some parts of the world, he is one of the brave souls picking up his tools and getting back into the swing of life, kicking it off with a tour beginning in 2022. He sat down with us to have a quick chat about his influences, his style, and how it all began.
Hi Steffan, welcome. Can you start by telling us about yourself and how you became interested in music?
Thank you! I found one electric guitar in the garbage when I was 10 years old.
I had no amplifier and the guitar had only 2 strings, I learned to play on those 2 strings, it sounded like early Ramones. I grew up listening to Kiss, Slade, The Runaways and Suzi Quatro.
My first big concert ever was Suzi Quatro when I was 11 years old. I managed to give her some handpicked flowers and she signed me a postcard. I started to listen to Punk music when I was 14, Sex Pistols, Sham69, UK Subs.
I started writing songs and playing concerts in a local punk band in Sweden when I was 15 years old.
We recorded a vinyl record with 5 songs, and we played many concerts from the north of Sweden to Copenhagen in Denmark.
What inspires you most when you are writing your songs?
I create my own inspiration; I never wait for inspiration to come. It’s very important for me that there is a positive vibe in my songs and if there is a dance beat it’s even better.
Many times, it’s a deep and emotional experience to write a song. As a creative person I sometimes need to clear out stuff from my mind to be able to move on. Not so thought-through stuff can sometimes come out in a song. Life is like that; life is not perfect.
How would you describe the kind of music that you make?
Acoustic singer/songwriter, meditative dance music and pop mixed in a magic soup.
Is your solo music different to the music that you make with your band UNDROP?
UNDROP is a pop and rock band with drums, bass, guitars and vocals. My music is more Bob Dylan singer songwriter style mixed with a psychedelic meditative dance pulse beat.
Your promotional tour of Europe is coming up, what are you most excited for on the tour?
I want to make the best possible show for people who come to see me.
Its time, place and circumstance all the time, make the best out of every situation.
I try to be grateful for the small things in life. It’s wonderful to meet nice people and to see new places. It’s important to do my best for the people who come to see my show, it is also important that I enjoy what I am doing, that reflects in the music.
Even a cup of coffee the morning after a show can be totally amazing. I am always nervous that something is going to go wrong with the van, equipment etc, if the equipment, concerts, and traveling is fine I am fine.
What can people expect from your performances?
It’s a pop mix of acoustic singer songwriter songs and calm meditative dance music.
The best of both worlds. I start the show with acoustic songs and slowly it changes to more dance beat.
I go back and forth between pure acoustic guitar singer songwriter pop and meditative dance music with 432 hertz handpan and other mystical instruments and sounds. I play for 1.5 hours.
Finally, do you have anything else exciting coming up in the future? Where can people follow your work?
I am preparing my promotion tour and I am writing and recording new songs. I have my own recording studio in Sweden where I experiment with different instruments and sounds.
Steffan Rundquist Social Media Platforms:
To follow more of the gems that Steffan Rundquist has to share, you can find him on:
- Website: Steffanrundquist.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteffanRundquistmusic
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@steffanrundquist
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steffan.rundquist/
