Mads Langer is a rising powerhouse musician who has returned with a powerful single titled ‘Lightning,’ which appears on his latest album, Where Oceans Meet. Many rising artists strive to succeed in the music industry, and Mads Langer is an ambitious musician this world needs- he is brilliantly talented, authentic, vibrant, innovative, eccentric, and courageous, all at the same time. His honesty, ingenuity, and passion have captivated thousands of hearts worldwide, as he is not afraid to take chances.
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Danish singer-songwriter Mads Langer grew up dreaming of becoming a renowned musician, and based on his performance thus far, he appears poised to succeed soon. He grew up listening to Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and Rickie Lee Jones before joining a Rage Against the Machine cover band and going solo. Mads Langer received credit for holding the first drive-in concert during the pandemic in May 2020. As a whole, Where Oceans Meet sums up as a profoundly emotional and authentic album. Every song is equally stirring due to its distinctive sound and imagery. They demonstrate optimism, euphoria, and a sense of belongingness and freshness that is sorely needed today. Even now, if you are not convinced enough, you’re missing out on a lot in the world of music. Make sure you add him to your music repertoire right now. Don’t miss out on the fun!
We recently had the chance to interview Mads Langer, and we couldn’t be happier. We discussed his songwriting inspiration, musical journey, his new album, and his views on music diversity and inclusivity, as well as what we can expect from him in the coming months. So without further ado, let’s dive right in!
We really enjoyed listening to your latest single, ‘Lightning.’ What was the biggest inspiration behind it?
My biggest inspiration for that song was the moment I met my wife. But I remember that I recorded the vocals just after I looked my newborn daughter in the eyes for the first time. That truly felt like getting struck by lightning too. To me, the song represents those magic moments in life where you connect with someone on a deeper level.
We just got chills from the music video you released for ‘Lightning.’ Did you have a powerful concept like this in mind for the music video while writing the song? How did the stunning visuals and concept come about?
The inspiration was love in all the many colors and shapes that I have seen. The director Tine Reingaard and my visual creative partner Tobias Rødder helped me turn it into a beautiful video.
Is there anything about your Danish upbringing that sets you apart from other artists? Would you like to share something new or different that you feel you bring to the table that no one else could?
I think growing up in the countryside of Denmark has had a big impact on my musical upbringing. We have something called the Danish treasure of songs. It’s a songbook with more than 1000 old hymns and folk songs. I grew up with those songs mixed with my Dad’s vast vinyl collection of primarily American and British music from the 1960s to 1990s. The influence from the songwriting tradition that dates centuries back mixed with modern folk, soul, pop, rock, and jazz has definitely affected my DNA as a songwriter.
Congratulations! You and your wife just welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. In an ideal world, if you could only make her listen to one song of yours, what would it be and why? Do you have one song you would dedicate to her?
Thank you so much. She is the most beautiful little girl, and she has completely changed my world. I live more, and I sleep less. I would dedicate ‘Lightning’ to her, and if I could only pick one song for her to listen to, it would be ‘Fact-Fiction.’ After writing that song, I felt like my direction as a songwriter became clear and set.
How would you describe your music to new listeners? What would you recommend as a good starting point to get a feel for your sound?
Start with ’21:4,’ ‘Monsters In My Mind,’ ‘The River Has Run Wild,’ ‘Fact Fiction,’ and ‘Lightning.’ I think one will get a good sense of me as an artist by starting there.
In your tweet promoting ‘Lightning,’ you mentioned diversity and inclusivity. What importance do you place on these two issues? What are some ways you feel music helps with diversity and inclusivity?
It means the world to me. I have close family and friends who struggle every day to get accepted for who they are, how they look, and what they love because they don’t fit into the heteronormative box of how you’re supposed to be in this world. It breaks my heart, and I strongly believe that the world can only become a better place if we all embrace the beauty of diverse differences between us. There is so much to learn and love when you meet people who are different from yourself with curiosity and an open heart.
You held the first drive-in concert when the pandemic started. Tell us how that came about. Did you come up with the idea on your own, and did you encounter any issues getting approval? While everyone sat in their cars, how did you feel performing in front of all the people? Is doing live shows this way a great alternative during a time like this?
I had the idea very early after everything shut down. Then it was a race against time to solve all the logistics. Two of my friends helped to get everything approved and set up. They did a great job, and we ended up doing 25 drive-in shows. I loved the whole idea of doing something completely new with the concert format. The whole thing going viral after playing the first drive-in show in the world was a fun ride. That being said, I much prefer traditional concerts and hope that the future allows us to do that as we did before COVID-19.
In what ways did the pandemic affect your songwriting or your music as an artist? What changes did you notice in the tone or writing style? How has the state of the world influenced your inspiration or lack thereof?
During the last 18 months, I have slept in my own bed every night. For the first time in my adult life, I have had the chance to slow down, breathe and connect with myself in a way that I wasn’t familiar with before. I was so used to the nomad life, and the constant change of scenery came with a different state of mind. Obviously, that also affected my songwriting process. All 11 songs were written in the same place. At my house, there is an old library that I have turned into my studio. I call it Freedom Studios. When I enter that room, it feels like the world outside has disappeared. That is where I have written the better part of Where Oceans Meet, surrounded by books, crystals, palo santo, guitars, and all sorts of instruments.
If you could collaborate with any artist or band, who would you choose? While standing on the same stage together, which artist would make you feel like, “Wow, I am really doing this?”
There are so many great artists out there, and it is hard to pick one. Frank Ocean is the modern-day Mozart in my world. Working with him would be a dream come true. Bon Iver is also an all-time favorite of mine. Justin Vernon is so, so good, and working with him would also be a next-level experience.
We have known you for a long time now. What advice would you give your younger self and the younger artists trying to break into the industry?
Always trust your heart. It’s all about the path, and there is no magic recipe for success. Thinking out of the box and being a little different is not a bad thing. It is your strength. Use it with confidence and let your intuition guide you in good times and in bad times.
We would also like to thank Mads Langer for his time, and we can not wait to see whatever he has planned next! It is no exaggeration to say that the moment we heard this newest album, we felt euphoric on an unimaginable level. Do yourself a favor and listen to Where Oceans Meet right here!
We want to know your thoughts on Mads’ newest release and what do you want to hear next from him? Let’s continue the conversation going by tweeting us @TheHoneyPOP or commenting below! Want the daily drip? Get the latest pop culture news and inside scoop by following us on Instagram and Facebook.
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Featured Image Source: Courtesy of Mads Langer via Ulrik Jantze;. Edited by: Afnan Acharki- THP Graphic Design Team
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