Exclusive video premiere of ‘Stora rummet’ by Kungens Män, taken from their upcoming album, ‘Kungens Ljud & Bild’, out May 6th via Centripetal Force (North America) and the band’s own imprint (UK/Europe).

Kungens Män hails from Stockholm, Sweden, where they formed in 2012. What started out with the sole purpose of hanging out as friends, occasionally with instruments in tow, has resulted in records on several labels and numerous European tours. The band is rooted in the psychedelic/drone rock tradition of bands such as Träd, Gräs & Stenar, and over the years Kungens Män has integrated influences from a number of genres, including krautrock, shoegaze, noiserock and free jazz. The fundamental idea has never changed though – to get immersed in sound, and let the drone be the main trail taking the band to inner space – may it be through folkish melodies, noise, sonic blurs, modal outbursts, motorik beats or just good old head melting rock. And of course, it’s all improvised on the spot.

2022 not only marks the ten year anniversary of the band, it is their first venture into the North American scene, thanks to Centripetal Force, who are to release a special edition of the new album ’Kungens Ljud & Bild’. It also marks Kungens Män’s first vinyl release on their own label (for UK and European distribution), which, like the album, is named ‘Kungens Ljud & Bild’. Why make things complicated? As part of the celebration of their first decade, Kungens Män will play the 2022 edition of the Roadburn Festival in The Netherlands, right at the time of the new album’s release.

Peter Erikson – synthesizer
Hans Hjelm – guitar
Gustav Nygren – guitar
Mattias Indy Pettersson – drums
Mikael Tuominen – guitar, vocals, bass
Magnus Öhrn – bass

About ‘Stora rummet’ (The big room)

“I think this represents my favorite go to head space with Kungens Män. We’re taking it pretty easy, letting things evolve slowly and with small means, but when you zoom in and out you recognise all these layers that are floating on top of each other in a slightly disjointed way”. Mikael Tuominen

This is a piece I would have thought was written beforehand, had I not known it’s spontaneously improvised. The way the instruments present themselves one by one, taking their space in the mix, adding layers. A good example of the band’s style of instant composition within the framework of rock’n’roll”. Gustav Nygren

One of those songs where I’m amazed that we manage to keep it all together. Letting the music guide you – not the other way around – is what’s happening here as we’re gently navigating our way down the rabbit hole. Never knowing where we’re going is the real magic. Mattias Indy Pettersson

You recently shot a video for ‘Stora Rummet’. Tell us about it.

The video for ‘Stora rummet’ was shot on a cold Saturday in March in Bredäng and Sätra, two Stockholm suburbs. It was filmed and directed by the genius Patrik Instedt, who is also the singer and guitarist of the brilliant band The Sekt. Obviously this is sort of a road movie, even though we are not driving cars. But like most road movies, it’s more about a state of mind than an action filled plot. You need to get from point A to point B, but where does even point B end? From the asphalt and screaming subway to the singing woods – that encaptures a lot of the essence of Kungens Män. Moving between poles, floating freely with the music taking the lead in the ritual.

You’re playing Roadburn 2022 in a few weeks. How much are you looking forward to it?

We are looking forward immensely to playing Roadburn. This festival is a huge part of this band even existing in the first place. Mikael and Indy had been there a couple of times, and then we brought Magnus and Hans along in 2009 – all four didn’t even know each other properly. It was a great experience and after that we started hanging out together a lot, and then in March 2012 we brought some instruments and jammed for the first time. So Roadburn is hugely important! It’s also a very good way to celebrate the first ten years of this band. We’ve heard so many good things about the organisation of the festival and we know we are in for an inspirational treat when it comes to just walking around listening to bands. As usual, our own preparations are somewhat diffuse – being a band that improvises, all you have to do is to trust the moment.

What about touring in general. Any news?

When it comes to touring, we unfortunately had to cancel a European tour with Kanaan due to illness in a member’s family. But we’ll be back on track soon. Coming up next is four dates with Mythic Sunship in Sweden, Finland and Norway at the end of May.

Headline photo: Jens Eliasson

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