Q+A with Casper Iskov

Nods to big 90s pop like Oasis, but with the emotional maturity of Matthew Sweet is how I interpreted the music of Casper Iskov earlier this year. 

Casper Iskov has also been described as "if Liam Gallagher was Kurt Cobain". Okay, so the stranger and I both agree on the Oasis bit, but I'd also say there's a soft, yet sharp edge to Casper's work. Elliott Smith meets Smashing Pumpkins, but also hangs out with My Bloody Valentine.

"I think that there is a very intense melancholy and sense of cinematic and nostalgic vision that filter almost everything I see or think," he remarked.

Casper's latest single "Face" b/w "Father" suggests that he continues to craft and re-craft big pop songs with edge that can be enjoyed for their bright sound as well as their intense emotional depth. 

It was a pleasure to exchange with Casper recently about his latest single, a re-worked version of a tune from his 2017 indie pop-art film and discover what he's up to this year. 

You seem to have an amazing talent for writing and producing big, bright pop songs with cool hooks. What are the stories behind the songs on your latest single? 

“Face” is a song about being a state of psychological numbness...when you have come to a point in life where you no more have anything left for neither yourself or other people and therefore no longer care about people’s comments or liking towards you. Ironically, it’s somewhat of a good thing - at least to let go and stop worrying.

The b-side of the single “Father” is about my late father and describing how he literally died in my arms when I was 19. 

Why does "Father" outro with you briefly singing "When The Saints Go Marching In"?

My grandmother contacted a clairvoyant and they apparently made contact with my deceased father. He was described as dancing in a ray of light to the sounds of “When The Saints Go Marching In”. I was handed a note with “When Saint Go Martin In” on it and had no clue what to make of it. After some time I found out that it’s an old traditional Black spiritual and often used at funerals. So, I thought it made great sense to have it by the end of the song, making it even more personal.”

That sounds like an intense experience that will always be with you. Is emotional intensity important to your songwriting process and creative drive?

I think that there is a very intense melancholy and sense of cinematic and nostalgic vision that filter almost everything I see or think. Not in a whiny, self-destructive way, but more in a very open-minded and realistic way, questioning things in life. That, I think, has been planted in my voice and god knows it affects anything that I write.

There is a lot of emotional intensity in your singing and music, I think.

I find it very important. I think that it gives me a sense of ongoing strength to always come up with something that is heartfelt, adventurous and, most importantly, has something to say about something, rather than just writing because you... should be writing. Never.

Can you tell me about your song "Sudden Passion"?

“Sudden Passion” is a track from my 2017 pop-art movie In Remembrance. It’s out of a collection of six songs that I wrote and recorded in the living room of our old collective that I lived in back then. It was recorded with just a tiny amp, hand-held microphone and trap-beats. I recently re-recorded it. Since it holds more than just the verse and chorus that is in the video version, I made a new and longer version of it.

The newer version sounds like Elliott Smith joined My Bloody Valentine for a b-side of "Soon" - it's great! 

Maud from Maud Anyways and Marc from A Deeper Heaven have praised your talent and enjoyed working with you - what do you enjoy about working with others?

I really enjoy producing or working with other people’s music since I have a tendency to really get lost and fascinated with other people’s work or finding recognition in what they have made – finding something in their work that touches something in me, whether it is for nostalgic or subjective reasons. I think it’s a great and healthy challenge to add musically to the artist’s works and try to figure out what the particular person is looking for.

What are you working on this year?

Currently I am working on releasing a 35-minute live session that I did in my studio, where I play every instrument myself and sing everything myself, filmed by my good friend Rosanna Pang. I will have a single coming out within a couple of months. I will start touring with an acoustic set within the next month or so.

Last question: who took the photo for your press release? It's gorgeous.

My current press photos were taken by my dear friend Nivikka Andersen who is an innovative and groundbreaking photographer.

Follow Casper on Instagram and stream "Face" b/w "Father on Spotify or Apple Music.