Hazy Weekends is a Swedish based pop band consisting of musicians Marcus Bohm (Kyte/Marcus Bohm & the Bang) and Magnus Sorensen (Suburbia/Magnus Sorensen & The Captains Inc).

Hurricane, a four-track EP, was released in May.

Sweet Sweet Music spoke to Marcus and Magnus about the creation of Hurricane.

What was the moment you knew you were on to something?

The fact that we so quickly got a great bunch of songs together at our Cabin Sessions kind of hinted that we had that thing we had hoped to find together. The Cabin Sessions was a weekend out in the woods, in a cabin, without phones, internet, people, and other distractions. We wrote the EP in one night.

How did this record come together?

After writing the songs together, we recorded drums with a friend and then in our home studios—Marcus in Gothenburg and Magnus in Trollhattan. Tracks were then sent back and forth to each other, and finally, we had what would become the “Hurricane” EP.

When did you decide to start asking for opinions on the new songs?

We actually held the songs for a couple of years before releasing them this summer. We didn’t know what to do with them or how to release them.

No one heard them until the official release. Okay, maybe someone now and then, but mainly we wanted to keep the songs a secret until the unveiling.

The meaning of success has changed over the years. What would success look like for the new record?

The same could be said for the goal of making music for us. It has changed. Yeah, of course, we would still like to become famous and play everywhere. After making music for so long, it’s better just to go along and write, play and have fun instead of thinking of what might happen. With that said, we would be happy if people listened to the record if we could just stand out in the ocean of songs released worldwide every day; that’s a kind of success.

How great is the urge to stay creative?  To keep writing songs and lyrics?

Oh, it’s huge! We love writing songs, and we love changing them up, trying new things. We already have our second EP done, and it’s a bit different as it’s got synths and drum machines this time. EP #3 might have a new sound as well… who knows; we’ll let the creativity decide!

As an artist, you chose to show your emotions to the world. Is it always comfortable to do so?

When writing the songs, it’s okay.

When releasing them, not always.

It’s weird as songs can be so emotional and personal. But you get used to it.

You can pick three co-writers to write new songs with. Who? And Why?

Marcus:

1. The Roots, because I’d like to try working with a great hip-hop artist sometimes. It could be an exciting offspring. 

2. Max Martin, because I’d like to see how an artist who writes with that kind of purpose works. 

3. David Bowie, because he’s a genius.

Magnus: 

1. Butch Walker, that guy is amazing in so many ways.

2. Bleu (William James McAuley), I love his melodies and playfulness 

3. Adam Schlesinger of Fountains Of Wayne. RIP. One of the greatest pop writers ever.

What’s the gig you will never forget? And why?

Magnus: Butch Walker live in a cellar under a restaurant in Los Angeles. 

Marcus: Beach House at Trädgårn in Gothenburg-15 (I think)

When was the last time you thought, ‘I just wrote a hit!’?

Marcus: “I kind of always think that, if the song is produced the “right” way. But the last time, I guess, was a few weeks ago or so.”

Magnus: “Im currently mixing two tracks that I can’t get enough of. Songs I don’t seem to get tired of. They are hits to me!”

Is recording a record easier than getting it heard nowadays?

The technology makes it way easier. Many artists, therefore, only focused on the production; we think writing a good song is more important.

Cassettes are back. Which 5 five songs would make your first mixtape?

Magnus: Oh yeah, I love cassettes! Always have, always will! My solo work has always hinted at my love of cassettes in some way.

Making mixtapes was my favorite thing as a kid. The planning before even pressing the record button was a great process.

I’ve got boxes and boxes of old mixtapes. The order of the songs is so important! But this five-track mixtape will be a bit different. Highlighting some of my favorite tracks.

1. Nick Lowe – Cruel To Be Kind

2. Teenage Fanclub – Sparkys Dream

3. Big Star – The Ballad of El Goodo

4. Tom Petty – Refugee

5. Fountains of Wayne – Hackensack

Marcus:

1. Don’t you (forget about me) – Simple Minds

2. DARLING- Beach House 

3. The highwaymen- The highwaymen

4. Elite-Kent

5. Lily, Rosemary & the Jack of Hearts- Bob Dylan 

Recording music. What’s all the fun about?

The whole process is fun. From steering the song’s direction with the main idea, then adding and trying different jewelry on top of that. Following that song, you probably wrote on an acoustic guitar through the recording process until it becomes a full-blown pop song—Thats magic.

Playing music in front of a crowd. What’s all the fun about?

Here it’s so much about energy and vibe. When you connect with your audience, anything can happen. Seeing and hearing the reactions from them can fill you with so much energy.”

You can’t control the way people ‘hear’ your music. But if you could make them aware of certain aspects, you think, set your songs apart. What would they be?

To always pay attention to the lyrics. Sometimes to hear how a bass line or a background instrument goes/plays.