As Human As Possible: Discovering Electronica in the Woods
Eleven years ago, Ableton put out this video called As Human As Possible. It was about the band Minilogue — the guys Korg eventually named a synth after.
A couple of guys from Röstånga, Sweden, jamming in an A-frame cabin out in what looked like the middle of a forest. It was music I had not heard before, with electronic instruments I sort of knew — Junos, drum machines, that kind of stuff. It completely blew me away.
It was this whole exotic, wonderful thing for me. I am from Houston, now living in central Texas — we do not run into that stuff often. I started following these guys and loved their message.
Sebastian, one of the two, is really woo-woo spiritual in the best possible way. During COVID, he taught an electronic music classes, so I took it. Then I took a second one. Eventually, he invited a group of us to a retreat at his B&B right on the edge of a national forest. So late winter, early spring 2024 I found myself headed to Röstånga.
I had never been overseas, did not know anyone, but I took a leap of faith. I had been trying to make electronic music but was not really clicking with it fully. The experience was amazing. A year and a half later, we are all still in touch, supporting each other, sharing gigs, and weaving it into the rest of our creative lives.
I kept a journal and will introduce you to Chocolate Banana next Sweden entry!