“Sweden’s beloved indie-folk ensemble, Koala Bar, returns with a bold new sound, marking an exciting evolution in their musical journey. Following the success of their 2022 album Ingest ≈ Digest, the band has embarked on an experimental path with their latest single, “Lions,” crafted in collaboration with renowned pianist and producer Leon den Engelsen.
Inspired by the serene natural surroundings of their studio, “Lions” seamlessly merges organic forest sounds with electronic beats and atmospheric synths, yielding a richly textured soundscape reminiscent of James Blake’s signature style. This innovative blend of raw emotion and genre-pushing production showcases Koala Bar’s growth and creative fearlessness.
We had the privilege of getting to know more about the band to explore the creative forces behind “Lions,” their artistic process, and the inspirations driving their next chapter. As they prepare to unveil their forthcoming EP, The Antelope, in 2024, Koala Bar shares their enthusiasm for this new phase. Join us as we dive into the captivating world of Koala Bar and uncover the stories and themes that shape their latest musical endeavors.”
Listen to Lions below
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What was the songwriting process like for “Lions”? Was there a particular spark or idea that ignited the creative process?
Initially it came to life by waking up in the middle of the night with a clear idea of a vocal melody and phrasing. We tried this out together in the rehearsal room the next day and figured we could actually make this a dope tune. We started playing around with a new vocoder pedal that we just got and thought it suited the vibe of the song very well. (Jonatan, Axel)
What are the core themes or messages you aimed to convey through the lyrics of “Lions”?
With Lions we’re trying to tell a story of what’s going on behind a person’s public appearance. People are struggling out there and they are doing their very best not to show it off to other people. The lyrics are mainly about alienation, codependency, aging and acceptance. (Axel)
Are there any personal experiences or stories that influenced the writing of the lyrics?
Yes. I had a friend of mine in mind when I first started writing the lyrics. He was struggling a lot then with his identity and mental health overall. I wanted the lyrics to describe the situation from this fictive/non-fictive person’s point of view but at the same time depict the struggle that comes with being a close relative in these sorts of situations. (Jonatan)
How do you think “Lions” compares to your previous work? Is there a noticeable evolution in your sound?
As we mentioned earlier, it really stands out from our previous work. A lot of people who have listened to our previous albums would most certainly not recognize that this is a Koala Bar song – but it is! This is us too! That’s actually kind of relieving to realize that you’re not boxed in or limited by the genre of your previous songs. We’ve had amazing responses thus far from people reaching out to us about how they love the song – although Petter’s dad hates it, which actually is quite refreshing, haha! (Olof)
What are your plans for promoting “Lions” and reaching new listeners?
One of the best parts of releasing new music is the opportunity to meet and work with all the amazing human beings out there. This is why working with Lilystars Records is such a joy for us. Real human beings with big hearts. This has also given us the opportunity of discovering the south east asian music scene which feels crazy inspiring. We really feel like this is the start of something new and promising and we’re looking forward to what the future will bring. (Axel)
Will “Lions” be part of a larger project, such as an EP or album, or is it a standalone single?
It will be on our upcoming EP which will be released next year. (Olof)
How can fans support Koala Bar and stay up-to-date with your latest music and news?
Follow us on every streaming platform out there. We’re actually quite entertaining on social media as well so follow us there too or don’t. The most important thing is that you give our music a chance or two – if you dig it there’s a lot more to come! (Petter)
If “Lions” were a color, what would it be and why?
All I see in front of me when I listen to the song is the color of the sunset. Some sort of blood red/orange vibe… (Axel)
What’s next for Koala Bar? Are you working on new music or planning any upcoming live shows?
We will be releasing a new single in november and then there’s the EP which will drop next year. A lot of our focus is inevitable on this right now, but we’re already in the planning phase for booking live shows next year. (Jonatan)
Is there a particular goal or milestone you hope to achieve with the release of “Lions”?
The goal will always be to reach out to as many as we can. With that said it’s not about gaining streams and what not, it’s all about getting the opportunity to play big live shows in front of an amazing audience. We work a lot (!) with our live shows to really make them special with everything from visual to audible elements that makes it a unique experience for the visitor. (Axel)
