The Swedish group on finding inspiration from fellow Gothenburg band Little Dragon
The premise of One Track Mind is pretty simple: I ask artists to pick one track that means a lot to them – either something they’ve discovered recently, something that’s been with them for years, or one that reminds them of a specific time in their life or career – and tell me what makes it so special to them. I get to talk to the artists I love, and they get to talk about the artists they love. Love all round!
Wildhart’s 2016 album Shine absolutely blew me away on its release, and is one I return to on a regular basis, especially the title track which is about as perfect as synth-led pop gets. After a brief hiatus following 2018’s Caught In A Fisheye EP they returned with new music this year, releasing singles His Arrows Won’t Hit Us and Beter Bby, and sounding just as beguiling as they ever have. It’s wonderful to have them back, and to welcome them to TPW today.
For their One Track Mind selection they have chosen a song from fellow Swedish group Little Dragon and discuss the delicacy with which light and shade is kept in perfect balance: something they’re very adept at themselves.
Wildhart on Little Dragon – Feather
“We have always been very inspired by Little Dragon, who like us are based in Gothenburg. They’re a big reason why we started writing music together 10 years ago. We felt that what they did was something completely fresh and inspiring. The mix of organic and electronic sound in such a delicate composition together with poetic lyrics that activates your brain and make you wanna dig deeper was a new kind of universe, pop music with a fascinating depth.
“One of our favourite track is Feather, from their second album Machine Dreams. It starts with a synthesiser and a groovy beat that has the most delicious hi-hat sound, then it bursts out into a powerful mix with the bass and atmospheric synths. The harmony holds a lot of tension, like a strained bow, and it’s very intriguing.
“For us, the lyrics has some kind of feministic message. “I rather be a bandit than a lover, I rather be a man with the other”. It’s about a woman who wants to take control over her own destiny and like most men “run the mountain down”. The song holds a sense of lightness but has a powerful, almost harsh message and it’s cool how they balance between that.
“At the time it was released we were studying jazz at a school in southern part of Sweden. We formed an ensemble to play songs by Little Dragon and made a jazz version of Feather with saxophone, guitar, double bass and piano instead of synthesisers. It was during this time we formed Wildhart: first we started up pretty acoustic but it fast turned out more electronic with synthesisers, effect pedals and samples.
“We continue to be inspired by their music to this day, they seem to never let you down. The last concert we were able to experience just before covid-19 exploded with its restrictions was a Little Dragon concert. It was their first and unfortunately their last show on that tour. It has been a great memory to have during this concert drought… and of course they played Feather!”
Wildhart – Better Bby is out now
The Predatory Wasp 